History

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.

#Perspective / 7 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Barbie

While Barbie has been a part of everyone’s childhood, there are a few things that many of us probably did not know about her. With the recent release of Barbie the movie, Barbie has resurfaced in all our lives, regardless of age. Here are a few fun facts that many of us were not aware of about Barbie.

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

August 1, 2021
August 1, 2021

50 Years of the Concert for Bangladesh: How It Came to Be

The backstory of the concert scripted in the heavens.

June 25, 2020
June 25, 2020

Into the nuances of history: Sudeep Chakravarti unpacks the Battle of Plassey

Sudeep Chakravarti is an eminent commentator and author whose narrative non-fiction and fiction have been translated into Bangla, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, German and more. In January 2020, his book—Plassey:

July 24, 2017
July 24, 2017

A quiet masterpiece that serves as Dhaka's gateway

These buildings also had a political history. They were the products of what the military regime of Muhammad Ayub Khan called the “Decade of Development” (1958-68), intertwined with West Pakistan's shrewd political strategy of placating East Pakistan's agitating Bengalis through architectural and infrastructure development.

February 21, 2017
February 21, 2017

Cricket: Five infamous India-Australia controversies

Five previous flashpoints between India and Australia. The four-match Test series will begin in Pune on Thursday.

January 1, 2017
January 1, 2017

Pakistan lose a legend

Imtiaz Ahmed, a member of Pakistan's first-ever Test team, died in a Lahore hospital Saturday after a brief illness, his family said.

December 6, 2016
December 6, 2016

Football: FIFA loses the man who led fight against match-fixing

The man who was leading FIFA's fight against match-fixing has left his post, soccer's world governing body said on Monday.

December 2, 2016
December 2, 2016

Fidel Castro cigars, Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves highlight sports auction

Muhammad Ali's fight gloves and a box of cigars signed by the Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro are among some of the highlights in an auction of memorabilia steeped in sporting history.

November 30, 2016
November 30, 2016

Tennis: Argentina's Davis Cup winners return to heroes' welcome

Argentina's Davis Cup champions returned to a heroes' welcome in Buenos Aires on Tuesday after clinching their maiden title with a stunning 3-2 win over Croatia at the weekend.

October 30, 2016
October 30, 2016

Reaction to Bangladesh’s historic win over England

Enjoy the reaction of players and organizations after Bangladesh national cricket team creates history and defeats England for the first time in Test cricket.

August 20, 2016
August 20, 2016

Dalilah powers to hurdles gold

Dalilah Muhammad powers to a brilliant victory in the women's 400m hurdles to become the first winner of the event from the United States in Olympic history.

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