Bengalis: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
→Middle Ages: re-worded |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
|related = [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]], [[Austro-Asiatic languages|Austro-Asiatic]], [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]], [[East India| East Indians]], [[Dravidian people|Dravidian]], [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] |
|related = [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]], [[Austro-Asiatic languages|Austro-Asiatic]], [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]], [[East India| East Indians]], [[Dravidian people|Dravidian]], [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] |
||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Bengali people''' are the ethnic community from [[Bengal]] (divided between [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]]) on the [[Indian subcontinent]] with a history dating back four millennia. They speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] (বাংলা ''Bangla''), a language of the eastern [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] branch of the [[Indo-European languages]]. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী ''Bengali''. They are descended from |
The '''Bengali people''' are the ethnic community from [[Bengal]] (divided between [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]]) on the [[Indian subcontinent]] with a history dating back four millennia. They speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] (বাংলা ''Bangla''), a language of the eastern [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] branch of the [[Indo-European languages]]. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী ''Bengali''. They are an eastern [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]] people, who are also descended from [[Austro-Asiatic languages|Austro-Asiatic]] and [[Dravidian people]]s, and closely related to the [[Oriya language|Oriya]], [[Assamese people|Assamese]], [[Bihari people|Biharis]], and other [[East India]]ns, as well as to [[Munda people|Munda]] and [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] peoples. As a result, Bengalis are a [[heterogeneous]] and considerably diverse ethnic group. They are mostly concentrated in [[Bangladesh]] and in the state of [[West Bengal]] in [[India]]. There are also a number of Bengali communities scattered in [[New Delhi]] and several other states of India, such as [[Assam]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Maharastra]], [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Orissa]], and the [[North-East India]]n states, as well as in other countries such as [[Pakistan]], the [[Middle East]], [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]]. |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
{{main|History of Bengal|History of Bangladesh}} |
{{main|History of Bengal|History of Bangladesh}} |
||
| Line 39: | Line 40: | ||
| year = 1989 |
| year = 1989 |
||
}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
||
After the arrival of [[Indo-Aryans]], the kingdoms of [[Anga]], [[Vanga]] and [[Magadha]] were formed in and around Bengal and were first described in the ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' around 1000 BCE. From the 6th century BCE, Magadha expanded to include most of the [[Bihar]] and Bengal regions. It was one of the four main kingdoms of [[India]] at the time of [[Buddha]] and was one of the sixteen [[Mahajanapadas]]. Under the [[Maurya Empire]] founded by [[Chandragupta Maurya]], Magadha extended over nearly all of [[South Asia]], including parts of [[Iran|Persia]] and [[Afghanistan]], reaching its greatest extent under [[Ashoka the Great]] in the 3rd century BCE. One of the earliest foreign references to Bengal is the mention of a land named [[Gangaridai]] by the [[Greeks]] around 100 BCE. The word is speculated to have come from ''Gangahrd'' (Land with the [[Ganges]] in its heart) in reference to an area in Bengal.<ref name=Gangaridai>{{cite web |
After the arrival of [[Indo-Aryans]], the kingdoms of [[Anga]], [[Vanga]] and [[Magadha]] were formed in and around Bengal and were first described in the ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' around 1000 BCE. From the 6th century BCE, Magadha expanded to include most of the [[Bihar]] and Bengal regions. It was one of the four main kingdoms of [[India]] at the time of [[Buddha]] and was one of the sixteen [[Mahajanapadas]]. Under the [[Maurya Empire]] founded by [[Chandragupta Maurya]], Magadha extended over nearly all of [[South Asia]], including parts of [[Iran|Persia]] and [[Afghanistan]], reaching its greatest extent under the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] emperor [[Ashoka the Great]] in the 3rd century BCE. One of the earliest foreign references to Bengal is the mention of a land named [[Gangaridai]] by the [[Greeks]] around 100 BCE. The word is speculated to have come from ''Gangahrd'' (Land with the [[Ganges]] in its heart) in reference to an area in Bengal.<ref name=Gangaridai>{{cite web |
||
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/G_0019.htm |
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/G_0019.htm |
||
| title = Gangaridai |
| title = Gangaridai |
||
| Line 51: | Line 52: | ||
===Middle Ages=== |
===Middle Ages=== |
||
{{further|[[Pala Empire]], [[Sena dynasty]]}} |
{{further|[[Pala Empire]], [[Sena dynasty]]}} |
||
The first recorded independent king of Bengal was [[Shashanka]], reigning around early 7th century.<ref name=shashankabanglaped>{{cite web |
The first recorded independent king of Bengal was [[Shashanka]], reigning around the early 7th century.<ref name=shashankabanglaped>{{cite web |
||
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0122.htm |
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0122.htm |
||
| title = Shashanka |
| title = Shashanka |
||
| Line 57: | Line 58: | ||
| work = [[Banglapedia]] |
| work = [[Banglapedia]] |
||
| publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh |
| publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh |
||
}}</ref> |
}}</ref> After a period of anarchy, [[Gopala (Pala king)|Gopala]] came to power in 750 by [[Democracy|democratic]] [[election]].<ref>A. Shiefner, ''History of Buddhism in India''.</ref> He founded the Bengali Buddhist [[Pala Empire]] which ruled the region for four hundred years, and expanded across much of [[South Asia|Southern Asia]], from [[Assam]] in the [[North-East India|northeast]], to [[Kabul]] in the west, to [[Andhra Pradesh]] in the south. The Pala dynasty was later followed by a shorter reign of the [[Hindu]] [[Sena dynasty]]. [[Islam]] was introduced to Bengal in the twelfth century by [[Sufism|Sufi]] missionaries. Subsequent Muslim conquests helped spread Islam throughout the region.<ref name=islambanglaped>{{cite web |
||
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/I_0103.htm |
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/I_0103.htm |
||
| title = Islam (in Bengal) |
| title = Islam (in Bengal) |
||
Revision as of 09:50, 10 November 2007
| File:Bengalis.PNG | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Majority populations in Bangladesh and West Bengal
Significant populations in the following Indian states: Assam,Orissa, Tripura, Jharkhand Significant populations in the following countries: Pakistan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, United States | |
| Languages | |
| Bengali | |
| Religion | |
| Majority Muslim (66%). [1] Sizeable adherents to Hinduism (33%). Smaller number of adherents of Buddhism and Christianity [2][3] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indo-Aryan, Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman, East Indians, Dravidian, Sinhalese |
The Bengali people are the ethnic community from Bengal (divided between India and Bangladesh) on the Indian subcontinent with a history dating back four millennia. They speak Bengali (বাংলা Bangla), a language of the eastern Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী Bengali. They are an eastern Indo-Aryan people, who are also descended from Austro-Asiatic and Dravidian peoples, and closely related to the Oriya, Assamese, Biharis, and other East Indians, as well as to Munda and Tibeto-Burman peoples. As a result, Bengalis are a heterogeneous and considerably diverse ethnic group. They are mostly concentrated in Bangladesh and in the state of West Bengal in India. There are also a number of Bengali communities scattered in New Delhi and several other states of India, such as Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharastra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, and the North-East Indian states, as well as in other countries such as Pakistan, the Middle East, United Kingdom and United States.
History
Ancient history
Remnants of civilisation in the greater Bengal region date back 4,000 years,[4][5] when the region was settled by Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman and Austro-Asiatic peoples. The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown, though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang that settled in the area around the year 1000 BCE.[6] After the arrival of Indo-Aryans, the kingdoms of Anga, Vanga and Magadha were formed in and around Bengal and were first described in the Atharvaveda around 1000 BCE. From the 6th century BCE, Magadha expanded to include most of the Bihar and Bengal regions. It was one of the four main kingdoms of India at the time of Buddha and was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. Under the Maurya Empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya, Magadha extended over nearly all of South Asia, including parts of Persia and Afghanistan, reaching its greatest extent under the Buddhist emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. One of the earliest foreign references to Bengal is the mention of a land named Gangaridai by the Greeks around 100 BCE. The word is speculated to have come from Gangahrd (Land with the Ganges in its heart) in reference to an area in Bengal.[7] Later from the 3rd to the 6th centuries CE, the kingdom of Magadha served as the seat of the Gupta Empire.
Middle Ages
The first recorded independent king of Bengal was Shashanka, reigning around the early 7th century.[8] After a period of anarchy, Gopala came to power in 750 by democratic election.[9] He founded the Bengali Buddhist Pala Empire which ruled the region for four hundred years, and expanded across much of Southern Asia, from Assam in the northeast, to Kabul in the west, to Andhra Pradesh in the south. The Pala dynasty was later followed by a shorter reign of the Hindu Sena dynasty. Islam was introduced to Bengal in the twelfth century by Sufi missionaries. Subsequent Muslim conquests helped spread Islam throughout the region.[10] Bakhtiar Khilji, an Afghan general of the Slave dynasty of Delhi Sultanate, defeated Lakshman Sen of the Sena dynasty and conquered large parts of Bengal. Consequently, the region was ruled by dynasties of sultans and feudal lords under the Delhi Sultanate for the next few hundred years. In the sixteenth century, Mughal general Islam Khan conquered Bengal. However, administration by governors appointed by the court of the Mughal Empire gave way to semi-independence of the area under the Nawabs of Murshidabad, who nominally respected the sovereignty of the Mughals in Delhi.
Renaissance
The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reform movement during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the region of Bengal in undivided India during the period of British rule. The Bengal renaissance can be said to have started with Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1775-1833) and ended with Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), although there have been many stalwarts thereafter embodying particular aspects of the unique intellectual and creative output.[11] Nineteenth century Bengal was a unique blend of religious and social reformers, scholars, literary giants, journalists, patriotic orators and scientists, all merging to form the image of a renaissance, and marked the transition from the 'medieval' to the 'modern'.[12]
Independence movement
Bengalis also played a notable role in the Indian independence movement. Many of the early proponents of the freedom struggle, and subsequent leaders in movement were Bengalis such as Chittranjan Das, S. N. Bannerjee, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Prafulla Chaki, Khudiram Bose and Rashbehari Bose. Some of these leaders, such as Netaji, did not subscribe to the view that non-violent civil disobedience was the best way to achieve Indian Independence, and were instrumental in armed resistance against the British force. Netaji was the founder of the Indian National Army (distinct from the army of British India) that challenged British forces in several parts of India.
Among the Muslims, A. K. Fazlul Huq and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy were the most prominent Bengali leaders of British India's independence movement.
Partitions of Bengal
Bangladesh Liberation War
Religion
Two major religions practiced in Bengal are Islam and Hinduism. In Bangladesh 88.3% of the population follow Islam while (US State Department est. 2007) 10.5% follow Hinduism (US State Dept. 2007). In West Bengal, Hindus are the majority with 72.5% of the population while Muslims comprise 25%. Other religious groups include Buddhists, Christians, and Animists. [3]
In his 1996 book, Comparing State Polities, Michael J. Sullivan indicated that the 183 million Bengalis are divided into about 112 million Bengali Muslims in Bangladesh and about 71 million Bengali Hindus in India.[13] However, recent census information from Bangladesh and India show the total population of Bengalis to be 230 million, among which 152 millions or 66% are Muslims, while 76 million or 33% are Hindus. [3] [2]
According to U.A.B Razia, "Islam's greatest missionary triumphs has been amongst the Bengali people".[14] Various theories have been espoused on how Bengalis accepted Islam. Some claim that there were mass conversions to Islam from Hinduism. However, Ayesha Jalal debunks this claim as a "creative Islamist imagining" and attributes this claim to Islamic Fundamentalist propaganda[15]
Others note the influx of famous Muslim missionaries into the region such as Shah Jalal. While others note that there were waves of aristocrats who migrated to the Bengal and bolstered the number of adherents. [16].Today, Bengalis constitute a significant body of the world's Muslims.
Culture
The Bengalis are known for their artistic and cultural achievements. Noted Bengali authors, playwrights, music composers, painters and film-makers have played a significant role in the evolution and development of Indian artistic expression. The Bengal renaissance of the 19th century was brought about when the British introduced Western education and ideas. Among the various Indian cultures, the Bengalis were relatively quick to adapt to the British rule and actually use its principles (such as the judiciary and the legislature) in the subsequent political struggle for independence. The Bengali renaissance contained the seeds of a nascent Political Indian Nationalism and was the precursor in many ways to modern Indian artistic and cultural expression. The Bengali poet and novelist, Rabindranath Tagore became the first Nobel laureate from Asia when he won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature.
See also
Notes
- ^ Comparing State Polities: A Framework for Analyzing 100 Governments By Michael J. III Sullivan, pg. 119
- ^ a b Bangledesh- CIA World Factbook
- ^ a b c "Data on Religion". Census of India (2001). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 2006-08-26. Cite error: The named reference "relegionindia" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "History of Bangladesh". Bangladesh Student Association. Retrieved 2006-10-26.
- ^ "4000-year old settlement unearthed in Bangladesh". Xinhua. 2006-March.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ James Heitzman and Robert L. Worden, ed. (1989). "Early History, 1000 B.C.-A.D. 1202". Bangladesh: A country study. Library of Congress.
- ^ Chowdhury, AM. "Gangaridai". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
- ^ "Shashanka". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Retrieved 2006-10-26.
- ^ A. Shiefner, History of Buddhism in India.
- ^ "Islam (in Bengal)". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Retrieved 2006-10-26.
- ^ History of the Bengali-speaking People by Nitish Sengupta, p 211, UBS Publishers' Distributors Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 81-7476-355-4.
- ^ Calcutta and the Bengal Renaissance by Sumit Sarkar in Calcutta, the Living City edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, Vol I, p 95.
- ^ Comparing State Polities: A Framework for Analyzing 100 Governments By Michael J. III Sullivan, pg. 119
- ^ Islam in Bangladesh By U. A. B. Razia Akter Banu, pg. 2, quoting Arnold
- ^ A. Jalal, History as Official Imagining, International Journal of Middle East Studies, 27, (1995), 73-89
- ^ Islam in Bangladesh By U. A. B. Razia Akter Banu, pg. 3