History of Bangladesh: A Subcontinental Civilisation

This is a book on the history of Bangladesh in five parts covering the period from pre-historic times of Indian civilisation to 1975. In Pundravardan the known history of Bangladesh began about 700 years later. Maurya and Gupta dynasties held their sway here. Raja Shashanka (AD 606-637) and then the Palas of Bengal (750-1155) had a glorious time. The Muslims from the north under the Ghuri, Qutub, Khilji and Tugluq dynasties ruled Bengal from 1204 and then there were independent Sultans followed by the Mughals from 1576. The British East India Company entered Bengal as traders in the seventeenth century and by 1757 established the Company Raj. Indian war of independence began in 1857 but was crushed in 1858. Queen Victoria became the Empress of India and the colonial rule lasted for the following 190 years. Nationalist movement in British India began in Bengal towards the end of the nineteenth century and the British left India in 1947 transferring power to India and Pakistan. Bangladesh entered a new phase in its history as the eastern part of Pakistan and struggled for democracy and economic freedom for 23 years. In 1971 it shook off Pakistani bondage fighting a nine-month long bloody war of liberation.

“The author’s earlier study—Bangladesh: Emergence of a Nation  discusses with supporting documents and statistics the grievance of East Bengal against the Central authority based in West Pakistan leading to the War of Liberation and emergence of Bangladesh. In the present volume the author attempts to trace in the
all-India context the growth and development of Bangladesh nationhood from ancient time.
Here lies the importance of the book.”

— Prof. K.M. Mohsin
Vice-Chancellor
International University, Dhaka

Contents:

Part I: Early History of Indian Subcontinent from Prehistoric Period through Ancient and Mediaeval to Mughal Period

Chapter 1 Indian Civilisation and Bangladesh / Chapter 2 Mediaeval India / Chapter 3 Modern India under the Mughals 

Part II: Identity of Bangladesh and History of the Nation till the End of British Rule in Indian Subcontinent

Chapter 4 Early History of Bangladesh till the Mughal Conquest of India  / Chapter 5 Bengal under the Mughals / Chapter 6 The European Traders in India / Chapter 7 The British Company Raj / Chapter 8 British Colonial Rule / Chapter 9 Bengali Nationalism and Indian Movement for Self-Rule / Chapter 10 Demand for Self-Government and Communal Divide 

Part III: Bangladesh History from the End of British Rule to the Declaration of Independence

Chapter 11 Pakistani Colonialism / Chapter 12 Assertion of Bengali Nationalism in Pakistan  / Chapter 13 Military Rule in Pakistan and Demand for Autonomy by Bangladesh / Chapter 14 Bangladesh Autonomy Movement and Pakistan’s Last Phase / Chapter 15 The Call for the Liberation War and Its Beginning / Chapter 16 Documents on the Declaration of Independence 

Part IV: Bangladesh History of the War of Liberation and Victory 1971
Chapter 17 Start of the Bangladesh War of Liberation / Chapter 18 Further Organisation of the Mujibnagar Government / Chapter 19 Emergence of Bangladesh / Chapter 20 Genocide, Death and Devastation / Chapter 21 Charges and Trial for Sedition of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman / Chapter 22 Arousal of World Conscience / Chapter 23 American Response to Bangladesh Liberation War / Chapter 24 Response of Other Big Powers / Chapter 25 Bangladesh and the United Nations 

Part V: Early History of Independent Bangladesh
Chapter 26 Immediate Tasks for Nation Building after / Chapter 27 Further Tasks for Nation Building / Chapter 28 The Counter Revolution

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