Comprehensive Study Notes: Bangladesh and Global Studies (Class 8)

Preface and Context of National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB)

  • Objective of Institutional Education: Education aims not only at providing knowledge but also at building skilled human resources for nation-building, ensuring a humanitarian and science-minded society. Quality education is necessary for a nation to stand tall in the science and technology-dependent world, alongside instilling patriotism, values, and ethics.

  • Role of NCTB: Guided by the National Education Policy 2010, the NCTB manages the creation, printing, and distribution of standard textbooks. It revises curriculum and evaluation methods based on modern demands.

  • 2024 Revised Situation: In light of the changed circumstances of 2024, textbooks have been revised using the 2012 curriculum's latest version as a foundation. Bangla Academy's standard spelling rules are followed.

  • Textbook Structure: This Class 8 "Bangladesh and Global Studies" book integrates Sociology, History, Civics, Economics, and Population studies. It covers social environments, traditions, culture, socio-economic and political status, and global citizenship.

Chapter 1: Colonial Era and Bengal's Independence Struggle

  • Definition of Colony: A colony refers to a geographical region under the political dominance and administrative control of a foreign sovereign state.

  • Colonization: A process through which one country occupies another for the purpose of economic exploitation and profit.

  • British Colonial Rule in Bengal: Started with the defeat of Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and ended in 1947.

  • Pre-Colonial Political Background:

    • Ancient Period: Aryans entered in the pre-Christian era. In the 3rd century BCE, Maurya Emperor Ashoka occupied Northern Bengal, making Pundranagar (Pundravardhanbhukti) a province.

    • Gupta Empire: Occurred in the 4th century CE.

    • Shashanka: First independent ruler of Bengal in the 7th century. After him, a 100-year anarchy occurred known as "Matsyanyayam."

    • Pala Dynasty: Ruled for 400 years starting from the mid-8th century.

    • Sena Dynasty: Occupied Bengal in the late 11th century from Karnataka.

  • Muslim Rule:

    • Baktiyar Khalji: Defeated Lakshmana Sena in 1204 to start Muslim rule.

    • Sultani Period: Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah declared independence in Sonargaon in 1338. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah later unified Bengal, taking titles like "Shah-i-Bangala."

    • Afghan Rule: Sher Khan (Sher Shah) defeated Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1538.

    • Mughal Conquest: Emperor Akbar recovered some parts in 1576, but the 'Bara-Bhuiyans' led by Isa Khan resisted. In 1610, Subedar Islam Khan Chisti finally defeated them and established Dhaka as Jahangirnagar under Emperor Jahangir.

  • European Arrival and Trade:

    • Vasco da Gama: Reached Calicut in 1498.

    • Companies: Dutch (Holland), Danish, British, and French East India Companies were established in the 17th century.

    • Job Charnock: Purchased the villages of Kolkata, Sutanuti, and Gobindpur in 1690 for 12001200.

  • British Victory: Nawab Alivardi Khan's grandson Siraj ud-Daulah faced internal conspiracies (Ghaseti Begum, Mir Jafar) and external traders (Jagat Seth, Umichand). Following the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Battle of Buxar (1764) where Mir Kasim was defeated, the British assumed formal control.

  • Colonial Exploitation and Rule:

    • Dual Rule (1765): Established by Robert Clive. The Nawab handled administration and justice, while the British Company handled defense and revenue collection.

    • Famine of 1176 (Chheyattorer Monnontor): Occurred in 1770 CE (11761176 BS) due to excessive taxation and three years of drought, killing one-third of the population.

    • Permanent Settlement (1793): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis to create a loyal landlord class.

    • Movement Leaders: Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion, Titumir’s peasant rebellion, Haji Shariatullah’s Faraizi movement, and the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny led by Mangal Pandey.

    • Partition of Bengal (1905): Executed by Lord Curzon under 'Divide and Rule' policy; annulled in 1911.

    • Formation of Nations (1947): Based on the Lahore Resolution (1940), Pakistan and India became independent, ending 200 years of British rule.

Chapter 2: Archeological Heritage of the Colonial Era

  • Definition of Archeology (Protno): Refers to old architecture, art, statues, sculptures, ornaments, or coins from the past that reveal social and cultural life.

  • Dhaka City Landmarks:

    • Mosques: Lalbagh (Harnath Ghosh Road), Sitara Begum Mosque (Sutrapur), and Chini-Tikri Mosque (Narinda).

    • Churches: Armenian Church (1781), St. Thomas Anglican Church.

    • Bahadur Shah Park: Formerly known as Antaghar Maidan; site where 1857 mutineers were hanged. Renamed in 1957 in honor of the last Mughal Emperor.

    • Ahsan Manzil: The palace of Dhaka Nawabs on the banks of the Buriganga.

    • Curzon Hall: Part of Dhaka University’s Science Faculty, built in European-Mughal mixed style.

  • Panam Nagar (Sonargaon): Consists of 52 buildings (31 north, 21 south) built by wealthy merchants in European style but with Mughal influence. Includes Sarbari (Big Sardar Bari), which is now a Folk Art Museum (built 1901 with 70 rooms).

  • Regional Palaces: Shashi Lodge (Mymensingh), Baliati Zamindar Bari (Manikganj), Tajhat Zamindar Bari (Rangpur), and Uttara Gana Bhaban (Natore, formerly Dighapatia Palace).

  • Museums: Bangladesh National Museum (established in Shahbagh) preserves items from Nawabs and Zamindars, of which elephant tusk artifacts and armor are notable.

Chapter 3: Bangladesh’s Liberation War and Democratic Struggle

  • Background: Disparity between East and West Pakistan despite shared religion. Suppression of the Bengali language led to the 1952 Language Movement.

  • 7th March Speech (1971): Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared four conditions to join the National Assembly:

    1. Withdrawal of martial law.

    2. Transfer of power to elected representatives.

    3. Investigation of the army's killings.

    4. Return of soldiers to barracks.

  • Operation Searchlight: Devised by Tikka Khan, Rao Farman Ali, and Khadim Hussain Raja. The massacre began on the night of March 25, 1971. In Dhaka University, 10 teachers and 300300 students were killed that night. Sheikh Mujib was arrested from Dhanmondi 32.

  • Declaration of Independence: Officially declared by Major Ziaur Rahman on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat Radio Station on March 26 and 27.

  • Mujibnagar Government (1971): Formed April 10, swore in April 17.

    • President: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

    • Vice-President (Acting President): Syed Nazrul Islam.

    • Prime Minister: Tajuddin Ahmad.

    • Sectors: The country was divided into 11 sectors. Sector 10 was the Naval Commando (Operation Jackpot).

    • Brigade Forces: Z Force (Ziaur Rahman), S Force (S.M. Shafiullah), and K Force (Khaled Mosharraf).

  • External Support: India provided shelter for 1010 million refugees and military training. The "Concert for Bangladesh" was organized in NYC by Ravi Shankar and George Harrison. The USSR supported Bangladesh in the UN via vetoes against ceasefire proposals until victory could be secured. The US government supported Pakistan but its people and Congress were pro-Bangladesh.

  • Liberation War Martyrs: Intellectuals were murdered between December 10–14, 1971 (Munier Chowdhury, Shahidullah Kaiser, etc.). Final surrender signed December 16 by Niazi (Pakistan) to Arora (Joint Command) at Racecourse Ground.

  • Democratic Struggles:

    • 1990 Mass Uprising: Against Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Shaheed Nur Hossain and Dr. Milon became symbols of the movement. Ended on December 6, 1990.

    • 2024 July Uprising: Began as a protest for quota reform on June 5. Intensified after attacks on female students on July 15 and the killing of Abu Sayeed (Rangpur) and Wasim Akram (Chittagong) on July 16. Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled on August 5, 2024.

Chapter 4: Bangladesh Economy

  • GDP (Gross Domestic Product): Total financial value of goods and services produced inside a country in a year by domestic or foreign citizens.

  • GNP (Gross National Product): Total financial value produced by a country's citizens regardless of whether they reside domestically or abroad.

  • Formula for Per Capita Income (PCI):     PCI=Total National Income of a specific yearTotal Population of that yearPCI = \frac{\text{Total National Income of a specific year}}{\text{Total Population of that year}}

  • Income Trends: PCI in 2010 was 928928 USD; in 2023-2024 it reached 27842784 USD.

  • Sectors Contribution (2023-2024):

    • Agriculture: 11.0211.02\% contribution.

    • Industry: 37.9537.95\% contribution.

    • Health and Social Service: 3.573.57\% contribution.

  • Human Resource Development: Transforming unskilled people into labor resources through education, training, housing, and health.

  • HDI (Human Development Index): Includes life expectancy, literacy, and income. Bangladesh's position in 2022 was 129129th.

  • Remittance: Money sent by migrants. In 2022-2023, remittance amounted to 21,61021,610 million USD.

Chapter 5: Bangladesh: State and Government System

  • Government Classification:

    • Democracy vs. Dictatorship.

    • Monarchy (Constitutional or Monarchy) vs. Republic.

    • Unitary vs. Federal (based on power distribution).

    • Parliamentary (Cabinet-led) vs. Presidential.

  • State Principles: Nationalism, Socialism, Democracy, Secularism.

  • The Constitution: First approved November 4, 1972. It contains 11 parts, 153 articles, and 1 preamble. Revised 17 times up to 2018.

  • Government Organs:

    1. Legislature (Jatiya Sangsad): 350 members (300 direct election, 50 reserved for women). 5-year tenure.

    2. Executive (Secretariat): Led by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

    3. Judiciary: Supreme Court is the highest (Appellate and High Court divisions).

  • Local Government:

    • Rural: Union Parishad (4,578 total), Upazila Parishad (495 total), Zila Parishad (64 total).

    • Urban: Paurashava (331 total) and City Corporations (12 total: Dhaka South/North, Chittagong, etc.).

Chapter 6: Cultural Change in Bangladesh

  • Types of Culture: Material (houses, tools) and Non-material (knowledge, behavior, music).

  • Cultural Processes:

    • Cultural Expansion: Spread from one society to another.

    • Acculturation: Adopting elements of another culture while keeping one’s own.

    • Assimilation: Totally adopting a new life-style.

  • Arts:

    • Visual Art: Terracotta (Kantaji Temple, Sompur Bihara).

    • Literature: Charyapada (first Bengali literature found in Nepal by Haraprasad Shastri, written by Luipa, Kahnapa).

    • Music: Baul, Bhatiali, Kirtan. Nazrul Islam wrote about 60006000 songs. Tagore's 'Amar Sonar Bangla' uses Baul tunes.

Chapter 7: Socialization

  • Process: A lifelong process of learning from birth to death.

  • Institutions: Family (strongest), Peers (teaching empathy/leadership), Schools, and Political institutions.

  • Role of ICT: Email (electronic mail), WWW (World Wide Web), e-Commerce, Facebook, and X (Twitter) connect and socialize citizens globally.

Chapter 8: Diverse Ethnic Groups in Bangladesh

  • Geographic Distribution:

    • SE (Hill Tracts): Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro. (Mongoloid people).

    • NE (Mymensingh/Sylhet): Garo, Khasi, Manipuri.

    • NW (Dinajpur/Rangpur): Santal, Oraon (Plains people).

  • Life Patterns:

    • Chakma: Matrilineal social structure but now moving towards patrilineal; Jhum cultivation; Buddhist.

    • Garo: Matrilineal (mothers lead); Christians mostly; Achik language.

    • Santal: Patrilineal; celebrate 'Sohrai' and 'Baha' festivals; 1855 rebellion heroes are Sidhu and Kanu.

    • Marma: Celebrate 'Sangrai' (Water festival).

    • Rakhine: Mongoloid; patriarchal; celebrate water festivals; weavers.

Chapter 9: Social Problems in Bangladesh

  • Juvenile Delinquency: Crime by minors (77 to 1616 years in Bangladesh). Causes include poverty, lack of supervision, and media misuse.

  • Drug Addiction: Initiated through bad peer groups and curiosity. Tobacco rules of 2013 restrict smoking in public places with a 300300 Taka fine for first-time offenders.

Chapter 10: Population and Development in Bangladesh

  • Slogan: "Not more than two children, one is better."

  • Population Day: February 2.

  • Stats (2023): Population approximately 171.4171.4 million. Literacry rate 77.977.9\%.

  • Strategy: Turning population into human resources via ICT, technical training, and women's education.

Chapter 11: Climate and Disaster Management in Bangladesh

  • Global Warming: Caused by greenhouse gases like CO2CO_2, Methane, and Nitrous oxide. CFC and HCFC damage the ozone layer (10−5010-50 km above the surface).

  • Disasters:

    • Earthquake: No warning possible; high risk zones in Dhaka, Sylhet, Rangpur.

    • Tsunami: Japanese word for "Harbor Wave"; caused by seabed quakes.

    • River Erosion: Occurs due to geographical terrain and current speed.

Chapter 12: Natural Resources of Bangladesh

  • Resources: Soil (extremely fertile), Minerals (Coal, Gas, Limestone), Forests (1616\% of area), Fisheries ("White Gold" - Shrimp).

  • Major Industries:

    • Jute: First mill Adamjee (1951).

    • Garments: 4040 lakh workers; main export.

    • Fertilizer: First mill Fenchuganj (1961).

    • Tea: Produced in Sylhet, Chittagong, Panchagarh.

Chapter 13: Bangladesh and Various Regional and International Cooperative Organizations

  • UNICEF: Created 1946; focuses on child and mother health (66 deadly diseases: Measles, Diphtheria, Tetanus, TB, Polio, Whooping Cough).

  • UNESCO: Created 1946; Paris based; recognized International Mother Language Day (Feb 21).

  • UNDP: Created 1965; works for poverty reduction and democratic governance.

  • FAO: Created 1945; Rome based; works against hunger.

  • WHO: Created 1948; Geneva based; standardizes global health.

  • UNFPA: Created 1969; NYC based; helps with population policy and gender equality.

Questions & Discussion

  • What is the definition of Matsyanyayam? It refers to a period of 100 years of anarchy in Bengal after the death of Shashanka.

  • Who established Dual Rule? Robert Clive in 1765.

  • What was the year of Chheyattorer Monnontor? 1770 CE or 11761176 BS.

  • What are the four state principles of Bangladesh? Nationalism, Socialism, Democracy, and Secularism.

  • Who declared independence over the radio on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? Major Ziaur Rahman.

  • What is the per capita income of Bangladesh as per 2023-24 data? 27842784 USD.

  • What is the penalty for public smoking under the 2013 rules? Up to 300300 Taka.

  • Which agency recognized International Mother Language Day? UNESCO.