History
Who are Bengalis?
A chronicle of race science in Bengal
Steam Power and Scientific Knowledge in Early British 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).
INTERVIEW / Uncovering history through storytelling
In conversation with Reem Bassiouney on the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, 'Al Halwani', and bridging the cultural gap
#Reviews / Crafting majesty: Tasleema Alam's royal commissions and her love for Islamic art
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.
Achar chronicles: From sun-drenched rooftops to digital marketplaces
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.
Why we love red and white sarees on Pahela Baishakh
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.
BOOK REVIEW: FICTION / ‘Father of the Nation Bangabandhu’ marries the art of Japanese storytelling with the rich tapestry of Bangladesh’s history
A review of 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu' (NRB Scholars, 2024) by ME Chowdhury Shameem and Iwamoto Keita
Human achievements or alien intervention? 5 mysterious sites that defy explanation
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.
POETRY / Jauhar
We walk past the singing bells and our chambers, Blind to the perils beyond our walls.
Mastering the art of coatee styling
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.
History, fascism, and the hijacking of children’s fairy tales
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.
Ranajit Guha was the youngest at heart: Dipesh Chakraborty
"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.
Things you probably didn’t know about mosque architecture in Bangladesh
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.
‘We are the only species to have threatened life on the planet’: Dipesh Chakrabarty
Historian Dipesh Chakrabarty discusses human and geological evolution in an exclusive conversation with The Daily Star
The significance of Dipesh Chakrabarty’s work with history
“The real history of this region is known in Dipesh Chakrabarty's history books,” said historian and essayist Professor Ahmed Kamal.
Let’s not interpret old media through a modern lens
Historical backdrop and our understanding of the relevant historical backdrop are important when we try to study a material or even enjoy it.
Capturing the war stories of medical professionals
Muktijuddher Chikishsha Itihas captures the stories and struggles of medical professionals during the Liberation War.
The best that we read this year
We asked the DS Books editors and contributors about the books that most moved them this year.
The Bhawal story through women’s voices in Aruna Chakravarti’s ‘The Mendicant Prince’
The story of the ailing Bhawal prince, Ramendranarayan Roy, the Mejo Kumar, who while taken to Darjeeling to recuperate, died and was cremated there, under mysterious circumstances, and who then returned years later as a wandering ascetic with partial amnesia!
