In Focus
How Tagore Exposed the Tyranny of Nationalism
Rabindranath Tagore, whose genius touched nearly every branch of the arts and literature, left an indelible imprint on the world of drama—not merely as a playwright, but as an actor, director, and visionary of the stage.
11 May 2025, 18:00 PM
Subaltern Aspirations in Early Modern Bengal
Poetry, History, and Caste Struggle
30 April 2025, 13:03 PM
Raja Pratapaditya Charitra and the Birth of Bengali History Writing
The writing of history in the Bengali language by a Bengali began around 225 years ago with the publication of Raja Pratapaditya Charitra in 1801.
27 April 2025, 18:00 PM
New Contextualism: An architectural philosophy for deltaic Bangladesh
This endeavour seeks to offer a more nuanced, responsible, and humane approach to shaping our built environments
23 April 2025, 12:35 PM
The untold story of Franklin Book Dhaka: In the shadow of the cold war
The Cold War was a war of armaments and ideologies—but it was also a war of words, fought in classrooms, libraries, and on the printed page.
20 April 2025, 18:00 PM
New Year, Old Questions: What Will the State Do for the Hills?
When the cuckoo begins to call from the distant peaks of the hills, and the southern breeze carries the gentle fragrance of newly blossomed wildflowers in vibrant hues, the hills awaken in their own colors—ushering in the celebration of the eternal tradition of welcoming a new year and bidding farewell to the previous year
14 April 2025, 04:23 AM
Jamdani as the battleground
Jamdani is not just the material or the motifs; it encompasses everything—from the river system and flora-fauna of the Dhaka region
13 April 2025, 18:00 PM
The Legacy of Thomas Bata in Bengal
Whenever Bata shoes come to mind, we are reminded not only of how footwear became woven into the fabric of everyday life but also of an extraordinary figure linked to its history in Bangladesh
10 April 2025, 09:32 AM
How did Pahela Baishakh become a public celebration?
Although the Bengali calendar has been in use for centuries, the tradition of celebrating Pahela Baishakh as a public festival is a relatively modern development.
8 April 2025, 09:33 AM
The many Bengals: Samatata, Bangalah, Subah-i-Bangalah
Historians usually approach Bengal’s history from Gaur-Pandua in the west (i.e., Ilyas Shahi and Husain Shahi Bengal), but what of early Bengal?
6 April 2025, 18:00 PM
How Bangladesh gained global legitimacy
When Bangladesh defeated Pakistan on 16 December 1971, one could be forgiven for assuming that the international community automatically recognised Bangladesh’s independence.
23 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Dhaka's deadly air: What we know and what we can do
Dhaka's air is a stew of brick kiln soot, exhaust fumes, construction dust, and factory emissions
16 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Anisur Rahman: Farewell to a fellow traveler
Anisur Rahman and I have traveled together across the troubled landscape of Bangladesh’s history over many years. We first came together in October 1957, when we were recruited as teachers by Professor M.N. Huda, then the Chairman of the Economics Department at Dhaka University (DU).
9 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Reclaiming Panthokunjo from spectral wastelands
We live within ecosystems, engaging in mutual interactions. Ecosystems such as rivers, forests, and agricultural lands are shared resources.
2 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Tamam Na Sud
Tamam na sud or ‘Not the end’! There could not have been a better ending of a captivating romantic novel like Shabnami.
24 February 2025, 18:00 PM
Kamruddin Ahmad: A visionary political thinker we must remember
In a quiet neighbourhood of a once lush green residential area of Dhanmondi, I grew up in a three-storied house that dates back to the year 1957, listening wide-eyed to stories of a man deeply involved in Bangladesh’s struggle for sovereignty and democracy.
16 February 2025, 18:00 PM
The Forgotten Revolutionary
All the colonies around the world had to pay the highest price for liberating themselves from the shackles of colonisation. However, not all colonies fared the same as India. Revolutionary activities for India’s independence movement took place on a vast canvas that extended across many parts of the world.
9 February 2025, 18:00 PM
A visionary who elevated Dhaka University to global renown
Satyendra Nath Bose, more widely known as Satyen Bose, devoted 24 of the best years of his life to Dhaka University. On 1 July 1921, Dhaka University commenced its academic activities with only four departments, one of which was Physics. Prior to this, on 1 December 1920, P. J. Hartog assumed office as the university’s first Vice-Chancellor.
2 February 2025, 18:00 PM
H. H. Risley and Bengal, 1873-1911
Sir Herbert Hope Risley (1851-1911) – who signed himself ‘H. H. Risley’ – was a member of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) who became British India’s pre-eminent anthropologist.
26 January 2025, 18:00 PM
Sacrificed for Development
After the creation of Pakistan, the nascent state embarked on vigorous projects to industrialise both parts of the country.
19 January 2025, 18:00 PM