In the contested notion of creating a ‘nation,’ few ideas provoke as much ire among the everyday citizens of a bordered entity as the concept of a space—one that carries with it the weight of instilling an identity.

Democracy cannot operate as a simple majority steamroller, as we also saw in the early days of our independence.

Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival, celebrates the divine force “Shakti” embodied in Goddess Durga. This year, Mahalaya falls on 2 October, marking the start of Devi Paksha. Durga arrives on 3 October by palanquin, considered inauspicious, and departs on 12 October by horse.

Shankhari Bazar, one of Dhaka’s oldest neighbourhoods, is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage. During Durga Puja, the area transforms with colourful decorations and bustling markets. Despite modernization, it retains its charm, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Through discourse and perception, these unknown tales of history continue to haunt us even today.

Their deaths in the hands of cold-blooded law enforcement personnel might not have been in vain

A chronicle of race science in Bengal

In Europe, steam power evolved gradually and uncertainly over the course of the eighteenth century, with innovative peaks and long plateaus, from Thomas Savery’s steam pump (1698) via Thomas Newcomen’s reciprocating atmospheric engine (1712) to James Watt and Matthew Boulton’s double-acting rotative steam engine with a separate condenser (1765-90).

In conversation with Reem Bassiouney on the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, 'Al Halwani', and bridging the cultural gap

From gracing the majestic walls of mosques to the pages of intricate manuscripts and beyond, the appeal of the Islamic art form has persisted over centuries and captivated many. The beauty and depth of this art form attracted Tasleema Alam – an artist, designer and educator – who recently designed an Afghan carpet for His Majesty King Charles III.

For different people, the word achar — the South Asian term for pickles — evokes different memories. Some revel in the memory of seeing their mothers or grandmothers sitting in the courtyards with jars of achar.

Pahela Baishakh is characterised by vibrant festivities and mouth-watering dishes. For Bengali women, the essence of this day lies in their red and white sarees — an emblem of their unwavering love for tradition through the ages.

A review of 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu' (NRB Scholars, 2024) by ME Chowdhury Shameem and Iwamoto Keita

While impressive archaeological remains can be found in many parts of the world, certain sites are imbued with an air of mystery. Here are 5 such mysterious ancient sites that intrigue the masses, scientists, and archaeologists.

We walk past the singing bells and our chambers, Blind to the perils beyond our walls.

While Barbie has been a part of everyone’s childhood, there are a few things that many of us probably did not know about her. With the recent release of Barbie the movie, Barbie has resurfaced in all our lives, regardless of age. Here are a few fun facts that many of us were not aware of about Barbie.

Coatee is unisex outerwear, which can be viewed as the subcontinent’s answer to coats and other fashionable outerwear commonly seen in the West. Interestingly, coatees do have their roots in the military outfits of the British and Americans. To this day, the coatee remains part of the highland dress, paired with tartan kilts, which is the traditional dress of the Highlands and Isles of Scotland.

Fairytales were not just a vehicle for the imagination but also an introduction to the dangers of the world and the accepted moral standards of the time.

"The enthusiasm which Ranajit Guha created in our minds in the field of thinking and writing history for more than a decade has never been replicated in the past nor will it be replicated in the future", Dipesh Chakraborty said.

The cultural legacy of Bengal is imbued in its breath-taking religious structures. Being a predominantly Muslim land, it's unsurprising that mosques constitute the majority of such architectural wonders. Throughout the course of Islamic rule in Bengal, stretching from the early Sultanate period to modern times, the designs of mosques have undergone a continual evolution.