Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib
We’re glad this article found its way to you. If you’re not a subscriber, we’d love for you to consider subscribing—your support helps make this journalism possible. Either way, we hope you enjoy the read. Click to subscribe: subscribing
Nitish Sengupta
Penguin Books India,
656 pages with 4 pages of illustrations, R650
The confluence of two major river systems, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, created the delta of Bengal—a land known as a centre of trade, learning and the arts from the days of the Mahabharata through the span of ancient dynasties. During the medieval era, Muslim dynasties introduced a unique culture. The 18th-century colonial conquest opened the modern chapter of Bengal’s history. The author traces the formation of Bengali identity through the Bengal Renaissance, the growth of nationalist politics and Partition.
Thanks for reading till the end. If you valued this piece, and you're already a subscriber, consider contributing to keep us afloat—so more readers can access work like this. Click to make a contribution: Contribute