Bangladesh Studies Comprehensive Guide

Overview of Bangladesh Studies

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

  • American International University Bangladesh (AIUB)

  • Year Established: 1994

  • Study Focus: Bangladesh Studies

Course Outline

  • Brief History of Bengal

    • Periodization

    • Empires, Kingdoms, Rulers

  • Land, People, and Demography

  • Education, Ethnicity, and Languages

  • Culture and Diversity

    • A detailed discussion will be provided in the next chapter.

  • Trivia and Questions

  • Further Reading

Historical Background of Bangladesh

Civilizational Footprints

  • The history of Bengal (now Bangladesh) dates back to the prehistoric period.

    • Key Archaeological Sites: Lalmai-Comilla, Mahastangoar, Wari Bateshwar.

  • Geographical, historical, and cultural significance of Bangladesh as part of Bengal.

  • Current geopolitical situation: Bangladesh is more populous than the Indian state of West Bengal.

Historical Designation Changes

  • 1947-1971: Bangladesh was a province of Pakistan, officially referred to as East Pakistan in 1955.

  • Independence Declaration: March 26, 1971, resulting in national independence on December 16, 1971, after the surrender of Pakistani troops.

  • Historical Significance: Bangladesh is recognized as the only country that emerged from an ethno-linguistic struggle during the Cold War.

Periodization of the History of Bengal

Ancient Bengal (Up to 1204)

  • Important Empires: Gangaridai, Maurya, Gupta, Gauda (Shashanka), Pala.

Medieval Bengal (1204-1757)

  • Featuring Muslim Conquest and Rule.

Modern Bengal (1757-Present)

  • Colonial impacts from British rule and subsequent Pakistani control.

Detailed Chronology of Dynasties and Empires

Ancient Empires

  • Gangaridai (4th Century BC)

    • Precise boundaries are unknown, attributed to the east of the ancient Ganges River.

    • Archaeological evidence connects to Mahajanapada of Gangaridai.

  • Maurya Empire (321-185 BC)

    • Political influence primarily in northern Bengal, with indirect evidence suggesting wider impact.

  • Gupta Empire (1st-2nd Century AD)

    • Direct evidence of suzerainty in north Bengal, tribute from East Bengal.

  • Gauda Empire (600-650 AD)

    • Exclusion of East Bengal from the Gauda empire demonstrated by the existence of Bhadra dynasty.

Later Dynasties

  • Matsyanyayam (650-750 AD)

    • Marked a period of anarchy; ruled by the Khadaga dynasty.

  • Pala Empire (750-1162 AD)

    • Predominantly in Bihar, parts of north Bengal; inscriptions mainly trace back to regions outside Bengal.

  • Sena Dynasty (1160-1204 AD)

    • Established a kingdom based in Bengal.

Muslim Rule and Colonial Period

  • Delhi-based Muslim Empires (1204-1757 AD)

    • Approximation of 550 years of Muslim rule; independence for around 350 years.

  • British Colonial Rule (1757-1947)

    • Transition from East India Company to direct British Crown rule (after 1858).

    • Significant partitions and relocations in administration.

  • Pakistani Period (1947-1971)

    • Experiencing transformations and cultural shifts.

Geographical Overview of Bangladesh

Location and Territory

  • Official Name: People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh).

  • Geographical Coordinates: Latitude 20°34'N to 26°38'N and Longitude 88°01'E to 92°41'E.

  • Land Area: 147,570 sq km.

  • Population: Approximately 170 million; one of the most densely populated countries with 1,265 individuals per square km.

Borders and Connectivity

  • Boundaries:

    • West Bengal (India) to the west; Assam and Meghalaya (India) to the north; Tripura and Mizoram (India) to the east; Myanmar to the southeast; Bay of Bengal to the south.

  • Land Border Length: Approximately 4,246 km.

    • 93.9% shared with India, 6% with Myanmar.

Geography

  • Topography: A big delta and riverine country characterized by sedimentation from Himalayan rivers — Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna.

  • Terrains:

    • Uplands: Baridra and Madhuur Tracts; Hills and valleys primarily in the eastern part (Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts).

  • Climate: Tropical climate influenced by the Tropic of Cancer, enabling multiple harvests and crop diversity.

Administrative Structure of Bangladesh

Administrative Units

  • Divisions: 8 principal divisions — Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet.

  • Districts: 64 districts (zilas) across the divisions.

  • Sub-districts: 495 upazilas and 652 thanas.

  • City Corporations: 12 city corporations including Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Chattogram, and several others.

  • Local Administration: 330 municipal corporations; 4,554 Union Councils; smallest units governing rural areas.

Election Process

  • City mayors elected by direct citizen voting for five-year terms.

Climate of Bangladesh

Climate Characteristics

  • Type: Subtropical monsoon climate with high seasonal variations.

    • Key features include summer and winter wind circulation reversals.

  • Seasons:

    • Cool Dry Season: November to February

    • Pre-Monsoon Hot Season: March to May

    • Rainy Monsoon Season: June to October.

Temperature Range and Rainfall

  • Maximum Summer Temperature: 32°C - 40°C; April noted as the warmest month.

  • January: Coldest month with average temperatures of 10°C;

  • Annual Rainfall: Average of 2,200 mm, with regional variability from 1,500 mm to 5,000 mm in northeastern regions.

Natural Disasters

  • Frequency: Subject to floods, cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores almost yearly; around 16 significant cyclones occur per decade.

Demographics of Bangladesh

Population Overview

  • Growth Rate: High population growth; eighth most populated globally.

  • Controlling Measures: Introduced birth control in the mid-eighties with limited effects; immunization policies have improved childhood health significantly.

  • Challenges: High rates of landless individuals, particularly in hazardous floodplains, leading to waterborne diseases.

Population Composition

  • Ethnic Groups: 98% Bengali; minorities include Chakma, Marma, Mundas, Garos, and a few others.

  • Religious Distribution: 88-89% Muslims; 9-10% Hindus; small percentages of Buddhists, Christians, and Animists.

Vital Statistics

  • Total Population: 174.7 million (2022) with nearly equal gender distribution (Male: 49.51%, Female: 50.49%).

  • Total Fertility Rates: Varied among different sources — 1.9 to 2.3 per woman.

  • Maternal Mortality Rate: 123 deaths per 100,000 live births (BBS, 2022).

  • Population Growth Rate: 1.22%.

Youth Demographics

  • Demographic Dividend: A significant proportion of the population is young, representing an advantage compared to aging populations in developed nations.

  • Population Pyramid: Notable cohorts in youth, especially ages 10-19 for males and females.

Economic Overview of Bangladesh

Economic Growth

  • While Bangladesh started as a poor nation post-independence in 1971, it has seen consistent growth rates averaging around 6% in recent years.

  • Poverty reduction achievements notable, dropping from 44.2% in 1991 to 14.8% in 2016/17 per the international poverty line ($1.90/day).

  • As of 2022, the poverty rate stood at 18.7%, significantly improved from 31.5% in 2010.

Income Status

  • Achieved lower middle-income status in 2015; on track to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Countries (LDC) by 2024.

Educational Landscape of Bangladesh

Education System Overview

  • Government subsidization of education across various levels.

  • Division into regional education boards for primary to higher secondary education.

  • Emphasis on female education, including free education till higher secondary for girls.

  • Diversity in educational systems: general education, Madrasah, English medium systems.

  • Academic Institutions: 56 public universities and 115 private universities in Bangladesh.