North South University

Department of History and Philosophy

HIS 101: Bangladesh Culture and Heritage
Course Instructor: Muhammad Asiful Basar (MAB2)

SECTION 7: ST 11:20 AM- 12:50 PM OFFICE HOURS: NAC 1028

SECTION 8: ST 02:40 PM- 04:10 PM ST: 09:00 P.M to 11:00 AM
Email: Muhammad.basar@northsouth.edu
Google Classroom code: y2a5mv

Course objective and learning outcome: The course aims to offer insight into the historical
changes and continuities that have shaped today’s Bangladesh. It is hoped that at the end of the
course students will have a broader understanding and further curiosity of the rich history,
culture and heritage of the country. They should also be able to appreciate the importance and
relevance of history as a bridge between the past, present and the future.

Course contents: This course deals with the history, culture and heritage of Bangladesh from
ancient times to the present. The term ‘culture and heritage’ is used as a broad framework to
include a range of themes that are essential to understand Bangladesh. These themes include land
and people, politics, economy, governance, society, religion, art and culture, global connections
as well as the environment. Issues under each of the broad themes will be discussed from the
perspective of historical evolution and contemporary significance (3 credits).

Teaching and learning method

Classes would be as interactive as possible, with maximum participation from the students.
Learning will be through a combination of class lectures, reviews of books and films as well as
assigned research. If possible, visits to historical and archeological sites will be encouraged.

Assessment: In assessing a student’s performance we will consider the following criteria:

1. Factual knowledge and understanding of a topic

2. Skills in argumentation and analysis
3. Linguistic skill and clarity of expression

Marks distribution
Attendance/participation/discipline 10% Class Performance will be counted
Mid-Term Examination 25% To be held on the 10th Class
Quiz/Open book exam 15% Two/three quiz tests will be taken
Poster Presentation/ Presentation 10% To be held on the 22nd Class
Open Book Exam/Group Assignment 10% To be Announced in the class
Final Exam 30% Date to be announced by the NSU authority

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Grading System
As Per NSU Policy

Points to ponder: (i) students are expected to attend all classes; any student expecting reasonable
absence in the class consult the course teacher in advance; a student who misses a class is not excused
from his/her obligations to the course teacher. (ii) Make (up/re (take examination/assignments are not
allowed; any missed examination/assignment will be considered as a zero credit point. (iii) Cheating in
examination by any means, copying from another student’s paper, plagiarism, or any other sort of
academic dishonesty may cause an F grade (iv) Students are advised to check the university policies
relevant to courses, examinations and academic honesty.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

1. Introduction to the class and the course

[Introduction among students and teacher-why studying history?-An overview of the
course]
Land and People
2. Geographical features; early settlements and archaeological evidence.
[Origin of the term ‘Bengal’-river system- Janapadas- Wari Bateshwar-Mahasthangarh]

3. Ethnicity and demography

[Bangladesh as an ethnic melting pot: diverse ethnic groups including those from
prehistoric, ancient and medieval period- population growth and related issues]

4. Aryan Civilization and Invasion theory.

Political History-1
5 & 6. Major ruling dynasties in northern India and Bengal: early kingdoms, the Maurya,
Gupta, Pala, and Sena dynasties]

7. Sultani rule in medieval Bengal: Key features of the Sultani rule and its leadership,
especially maintaining the administration of justice, causes of their decimation.
8. Mughal rule in medieval Bengal: Mughal revenue administration, socio-cultural life of
the people, and causes of their decimation.
9 & 10. The advent of Colonial Rule in Bengal: the Battle of Palashi, its contexts, and
impacts; Divide and Rule Policy, The Uprising of 1857.
11. History of agriculture, industry, trade and famines in Bengal: The impact of Colonization
on Economy
Midterm Examination

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12. Hindu Social reform movements in 19th Century-Raja Ram Mohan Ray and Iswar
Chandra Vidyasagar.
13. Muslim Social reform movements in 19th Century-Haji Sariatullah, Nawab Abdul Latif,
Syed Amir Ali, Haji Mohammad Mohsin, and Begum Rokeya.

Language, Art, Architecture and Culture

14. Evolution of Bangla language and literature
[Eminent literary figures and their works; Bengal Renaissance]

15. Material art, architecture, Music and Folk Culture and Festivals of Bangladesh
[Origin and Evolution]
Religions and Society

16. Religious Tradition of Bengal-Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity

17. Emergence and expansion of Islam

[Theories of Islamization, Sufism; different forms of expression of Islam over the time]

18. Evolution of the education system in Bengal Evolution from ancient to modern.

Project presentations

19. Day one

20. Day two
21. Day three
22. Day four
23. Learning outcome

Final Examination

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Recommended texts:
Ahmed, Salahuddin and Bazlul Mobin Chowdhury (eds.), Bangladesh: National Culture and
Heritage: An Introductory Reader (Dhaka: Independent University Bangladesh, 2004.

Sirajul Islam (edt), History of Bangladesh (Part 1, 2 and 3), Asiatic society of Bangladesh, 2007.

Ahmed, Sharif Uddin, ‘Urbanization’, in Sirajul Islam (ed.), History of Bangladesh 1704-1971,
volume 3 (Dhaka: Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2010)

Guhathakurta, Meghna and Willem van Schendel eds., The Bangladesh Reader. History,
Culture, Politics (Durham; London: Duke University Press, 2013).

Iftekhar Iqbal, The Bengal Delta: Ecology, State and Social Change (Basingstoke and New
York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010).

Osmany, Shireen Hasan, Evolution of Bangladesh (Dhaka: A H Development Publishing House,

2014)

Schendel, Willem van, A History of Bangladesh (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,

2009).

Further Reference:
Banglapedia, Bangla Academy.