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'''''Banglapedia''''', or ''the national [[encyclopedia]] of [[Bangladesh]]'', is the first Bangladeshi encyclopedia.<ref name=first/><ref name=accu>{{cite web | title = Banglapedia | work = Bangladesh | publisher = Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO | url = http://www.accu.or.jp/appreb/02/02-02/02-02country/02ban.html | format = HTML | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> The encyclopedia is available in print, CD-ROM format and online,<ref name=CDR>{{cite news | last = Staff Correspondent | title = Banglapedia on CD-Rom to hit market by February | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2004-01-02 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20050207152425/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/020104/tech.html | accessdate = 2007-07-23}}</ref> in both [[Bengali language|Bangla]] and in [[English language|English]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Iqbal | first = Iftekhar | title = The case for Bangladesh Studies | pages = Point-Counterpoint | language = English | publisher = The Daily Star | date = 2006-11-16 | url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/11/16/d611161502126.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> The print version comprises of 10-volumes with 500 pages on each volume. The first edition was published in January 2003 by the [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]],<ref name=SDNP>{{cite web | author = UNB | title = Compilation of Banglapedia completed | work = General news | publisher = Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) | date = 2003-03-24 | url = http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/news/general-news/March-2003/24-03-2003/General.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-19}}</ref><ref name=first>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050222111322/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/260702/comm.html The first Bangladeshi Encyclopedia] Weekly Holiday, 2006-07-02. Retrieved: 2007-07-23</ref> with a plan to updated it every two years.<ref name="holiday">{{cite news | last = Akkas | first = Abu Jar M | title = Banglapedia edition every 2 years | pages = Front Page | language = English | publisher = The Weekly Holiday | date = 2004-05-23 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20050220181524/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/230503/front.html | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> Banglapedia was not designed as a general encyclopedia, but rather as an specialized encyclopedia on Bangladesh-related topics.<ref name="StarM"/> Bangladesh operationally is defined as the territory comprising ancient Eastern India, Suba Bangla, Shahi Bangalah, Mughal Suba Bangla, [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Bengal Province]], [[East Bengal]], [[East Pakistan]], and independent [[Bangladesh]] in historical succession.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name=SDNP/><ref name="preface"/>
'''''Banglapedia''''', or the ''National [[Encyclopedia]] of [[Bangladesh]]'', is the first Bangladeshi encyclopedia.<ref name=accu>{{cite web | title = Banglapedia | work = Bangladesh | publisher = Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO | url = http://www.accu.or.jp/appreb/02/02-02/02-02country/02ban.html | format = HTML | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> It is available in print, CD-ROM format and online,<ref name=CDR>{{cite news | last = Staff Correspondent | title = Banglapedia on CD-Rom to hit market by February | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2004-01-02 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20050207152425/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/020104/tech.html | accessdate = 2007-07-23}}</ref> in both [[Bengali language|Bangla]] and [[English language|English]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Iqbal | first = Iftekhar | title = The case for Bangladesh Studies | pages = Point-Counterpoint | language = English | publisher = The Daily Star | date = 2006-11-16 | url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/11/16/d611161502126.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> The print version comprises ten volumes of 500 pages each. The first edition was published in January 2003 by the [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]],<ref name=SDNP>{{cite web | author = UNB | title = Compilation of Banglapedia completed | work = General news | publisher = Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) | date = 2003-03-24 | url = http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/news/general-news/March-2003/24-03-2003/General.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-19}}</ref> with a plan to update it every two years.<ref name="holiday">{{cite news | last = Akkas | first = Abu Jar M | title = Banglapedia edition every 2 years | pages = Front Page | language = English | publisher = The Weekly Holiday | date = 2004-05-23 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20050220181524/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/230503/front.html | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref>


''Banglapedia'' was not designed as a general encyclopedia, but rather as a specialized encyclopedia on Bangladesh-related topics.<ref name="StarM"/> For the encyclopedia's purposess, Bangladesh is defined as the territory comprising ancient Eastern India, Suba Bangla, Shahi Bangalah, Mughal Suba Bangla, [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Bengal Province]], [[East Bengal]], [[East Pakistan]], and independent [[Bangladesh]] in historical succession.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name="preface"/>
⚫
Its chief editor is [[Sirajul Islam]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Khan | first = Mubin S | title = Professor Sirajul Islam: Making history | work = New Age New Year Special 2006 | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2006-01-01 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes02.html | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> Over 1200 writers and specialists at home and abroad, one fifth of them experts on verious topics, contributed to create the entries.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name=SDNP/><ref name="StarM"/> Banglapedia has over 5,781 entries<ref name=CDR/> in six editorial categories overseen by an expert editor each,<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="holiday"/><ref name="preface"/> as well as over 2000 single and four-colour [[illustration]]s and 2100 cross-references.<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="holiday"/>


⚫
The encyclopedia's chief editor is [[Sirajul Islam]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Khan | first = Mubin S | title = Professor Sirajul Islam: Making history | work = New Age New Year Special 2006 | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2006-01-01 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes02.html | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> Over 1200 writers and specialists at home and abroad, one fifth of them experts on verious topics, contributed to create the entries.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name=SDNP/> ''Banglapedia'' has over 5,781 entries<ref name=CDR/> in six editorial categories each of which is overseen by an expert editor,<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="holiday"/><ref name="preface"/> as well as over 2,000 single and four-colour [[illustration]]s and 2,100 cross-references.<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="holiday"/>
⚫
The project was funded by the government, private sector organizations, academic institutes and the [[UNESCO]].<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="StarM"/><ref name=accu/> Starting with an operational budget of

⚫
[[Bangladeshi taka|taka]] eight hundred thousands, Asiatic Society eventually spent taka 80 million on the project.<ref name="makinghistory"/><ref name=SDNP/><ref name=accu/> Despite controversies around entries on [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and [[indigenous people]], both the Bengali and English versions became instant hits upon publication.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name="StarM"/>
⚫
The project was funded by the Bangladeshi government, private sector organizations, academic institutes and the [[UNESCO]].<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="StarM"/> Though its original budget was
⚫
[[Bangladeshi taka|taka]] eight hundred thousands, the Asiatic Society eventually spent taka 80 million on the project.<ref name="makinghistory"/><ref name=SDNP/><ref name=accu/> Despite controversies around entries on [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and [[indigenous people]], both the Bengali and English versions became instant hits upon publication.<ref name="holiday"/>


==Development==
==Development==
The idea of the Banglapedia project originated when the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh was working on a three-volume study titled ''History of Bangladesh, 1704-1971'' in 1991. A strong need for a standard desk reference was felt by the editors as that project progressed laboriously, culling facts from various libraries. The idea finally led to a concept paper prepared by Sirajul Islam and his colleagues and submitted to the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in early 1994. The Banglapedia project was adopted for implantation on [[19 February]] [[1997]], and Islam was as the project director and chief editor. As the head of the Project Implementation Committee, he was given the task of planning and managing various aspects of funding.<ref name="StarM">{{cite news | last = Zaman | first = Mustafa | coauthors = Ahsan, Shamim | title = The Banglapedia and its Making | pages = Star Magazine | language = English | publisher = The Daily Star | date = 2003-09-02 | url = http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2003/09/02/coverstory.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-17}}</ref> In 1996, some three dozen committees were formed with three to four people in each committee to recommend the entries. The total number of proposed entries were 26,000 which required a 20 volume compendium. Later, because of financial constraints, the number of entries were cute down to around 6,000.<ref name="makinghistory"/> The project officially took off in 1998.<ref name="StarM"/>
The ''Banglapedia'' project originated when the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh was working on a three-volume study titled ''History of Bangladesh, 1704-1971'' in 1991. The editors felt the need for a standard desk reference, as that project progressed laboriously, culling facts from various libraries. The idea finally led to a concept paper prepared by Sirajul Islam and his colleagues and submitted to the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in early 1994. The ''Banglapedia'' project was formally adopted on [[19 February]] [[1997]], and Islam was appointed project director and chief editor. As the head of the Project Implementation Committee, his task was to plan and manage the project funding.<ref name="StarM">{{cite news | last = Zaman | first = Mustafa | coauthors = Ahsan, Shamim | title = The Banglapedia and its Making | pages = Star Magazine | language = English | publisher = The Daily Star | date = 2003-09-02 | url = http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2003/09/02/coverstory.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-17}}</ref> In 1996, some three dozen committees were formed with three to four people in each committee to recommend the entries. 26,000 entries were proposed, requiring a 20 volume compendium. Later, because of financial constraints, the number of entries was cut down to around 6,000.<ref name="makinghistory"/> The project officially took off in 1998.<ref name="StarM"/>


When the project initiated, the Society had only [[Bangladeshi taka|taka]] eight hundred thousands in it coffers for the project. Banglapedia went around raising money taking contributions from universities, banks, multinational companies, international organisations and even private individuals.<ref name="makinghistory"/> A pool of agencies, including [[UNESCO]], the [[University Grants Commission (Bangladesh)|University Grants Commission]], universities, financial institutions and NGOs initially financed the project, which was completed at a cost of taka 80 million.<ref name=SDNP/><ref name=accu/> Education Ministry funded about 74% of the cost,<ref name=SDNP/> while 26% of the fund came mostly from universities and banks.<ref name="StarM"/> UNESCO made a contribution under the participation programme through Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO.<ref name=accu/> Before direct sales started in [[3 January]] [[2003]], four thousand copies of the English version and all but 250 copies of the Bengali version were sold out of 5,000 copies of print for each versions.<ref name="holiday"/> For 10,000 more prints people waited in long queues outside the Asiatic Society office on the day of the release, and sales continued till 9:30 in the evening. A total of 4,500 sets of the Bangla version and 2,500 of English version were sold out.<ref name="StarM"/>
When the project began, the Society had only [[Bangladeshi taka|taka]] eight hundred thousands in its coffers for the project. ''Banglapedia'' raised further contributions from universities, banks, multinational companies, international organisations and even private individuals.<ref name="makinghistory"/> A pool of agencies, including [[UNESCO]], the [[University Grants Commission (Bangladesh)|University Grants Commission]], universities, financial institutions and NGOs initially financed the project, which was completed at a cost of taka 80 million.<ref name=SDNP/><ref name=accu/> Education Ministry funded about 74% of the cost,<ref name=SDNP/> while 26% of the fund came mostly from universities and banks.<ref name="StarM"/> UNESCO made a contribution under the participation programme through Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO.<ref name=accu/> Before direct sales started in [[3 January]] [[2003]], four thousand copies of the English version and all but 250 copies of the Bengali version were sold out of 5,000 copies for each versions.<ref name="holiday"/> For 10,000 more prints people waited in long queues outside the Asiatic Society office on the day of the release, and sales continued until 9:30 in the evening. A total of 4,500 sets of the Bangla version and 2,500 of the English version were sold out.<ref name="StarM"/>


==History of encyclopedias in Bangladesh==
==History of encyclopedias in Bangladesh==
The attempt to compile the first Bengali encyclopedia was undertaken by Felix Carey (1786-1822), who was the son of Reverend [[William Carey]] (1761-1834) of [[Serampore]] and the first [[lexicographer]] of the Burmese language. In 1819, he began the translation of the fifth edition of [[Encyclopædia Britannica]], naming it ''Vidyarthabali''. From October 1819 till November 1820 the book was printed by Felix Carey every month in 48-page installments. Thus completed, the first part of ''Vidyarthabali'' was compiled into the 638-page ''Vyabachchedvidya'', the first book on anatomy and surgery in Bengali. Work on the second part, ''Smritishastra'', which was largely on jurisprudence. But, Carey died after only two 40-page installments were printed in February and March 1821.<ref name=Amaresh>{{Citation | last = Datta | first = Amaresh | title = Encyclopaedia of Indian literature | place = Delhi | publisher = South Asia Books | year = 1988 | volume = 2 | url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&pg=PA1162&dq=Nagendranath+Basu&lr=&ei=h8rfR4OKDabutAO5hMjwAQ&sig=LPHTPHYtVg4hQLBVKkjfQGixCno#PPA1162,M1 | isbn = 978-8172016494}}</ref>
The first attempt to compile a Bengali encyclopedia was undertaken by Felix Carey (1786-1822), who was the son of Reverend [[William Carey]] (1761-1834) of [[Serampore]] and the first [[lexicographer]] of the Burmese language. In 1819, he began the translation of the fifth edition of [[Encyclopædia Britannica]], naming it ''Vidyarthabali''. From October 1819 till November 1820 the book was printed by Felix Carey every month in 48-page installments. Thus completed, the first part of ''Vidyarthabali'' was compiled into the 638-page ''Vyabachchedvidya'', the first book on anatomy and surgery in Bengali. Work on the second part, ''Smritishastra'', which was largely on jurisprudence, then began. But, Carey died after only two 40-page installments were printed in February and March 1821.<ref name=Amaresh>{{Citation | last = Datta | first = Amaresh | title = Encyclopaedia of Indian literature | place = Delhi | publisher = South Asia Books | year = 1988 | volume = 2 | url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&pg=PA1162&dq=Nagendranath+Basu&lr=&ei=h8rfR4OKDabutAO5hMjwAQ&sig=LPHTPHYtVg4hQLBVKkjfQGixCno#PPA1162,M1 | isbn = 978-8172016494}}</ref>


It was followed by Maharaja Kalikirshna Dev Bahadur's (1808-1974) ''Sankshipta Sadvidyabali'' (1833), a short and concised encyclopedia, Raja Radhakanta Deb's ''Sabdakalpadrum'' (1822-1858), a [[Sanskrit]] encyclopedic dictionary in eight parts, and Rajkrishna Ray (1849-1894) and Saratchandra Dev's (1858-unknown) joint work ''Bharatkosh'', the first Bengali encyclopedia laid-out in alphabetical order (1880-1892) published in three volumes. Reverend [[Krishna Mohan Banerjee]]'s (1813-1885) adaptation of Encyclopædia Britannica, ''Vidyakalpadruma'' or ''Encyclopædia Bengalensis'' (1846-51), and 22 volumes of ''Bangla Visvakosh'' (1886-1911), edited by Nagendranath Basu (1866-1938) and contributed by many major personalities of contemporary Bengal, were published next. Both of the these two works were celebrated in their own time, a status that Baus's work still enjoys.<ref name=Amaresh/><ref name="preface">{{cite book | last = Islam | first = Sirajul | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | date = January 2003 | location = Dhaka, Bangladesh | pages = | url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/Preface.htm | isbn = 978-9843205766}}</ref>
It was followed by Maharaja Kalikirshna Dev Bahadur's (1808-1974) ''Sankshipta Sadvidyabali'' (1833), a concise encyclopedia, Raja Radhakanta Deb's ''Sabdakalpadrum'' (1822-1858), a [[Sanskrit]] encyclopedic dictionary in eight parts, and Rajkrishna Ray (1849-1894) and Saratchandra Dev's (1858-unknown) joint work ''Bharatkosh'', the first Bengali encyclopedia laid-out in alphabetical order (1880-1892) published in three volumes. Reverend [[Krishna Mohan Banerjee]]'s (1813-1885) adaptation of ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', ''Vidyakalpadruma'' or ''Encyclopædia Bengalensis'' (1846-51), and the 22-volume ''Bangla Visvakosh'' (1886-1911), edited by Nagendranath Basu (1866-1938) with contributions from many major personalities of contemporary Bengal, were published next. Both of the these two works were celebrated in their own time, a status that Baus's work still enjoys.<ref name=Amaresh/><ref name="preface">{{cite book | last = Islam | first = Sirajul | title = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | date = January 2003 | location = Dhaka, Bangladesh | pages = | url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/Preface.htm | isbn = 978-9843205766}}</ref>


After the independence of [[Pakistan]] and the [[1947 Partition of Bengal|partition of Bengal]] in 1947, there has been more attempts to compile and publish an encyclopedia. The first was a project to produce a Bengali adaptation of ''Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia'' by Franklin Book Programs Inc., undertaken in 1959 and aborted ten years later. The unfinished papers were compiled into four unequal volumes as ''Bangla Visvacos'' (1972) with Khan Bahadur Abdul Hakim as the chief editor.<ref name="preface"/> After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, three specialized encyclopedias were published - the multi-volume ''Islami Bishwakosh'' (1986) by [[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh]],<ref>[http://www3.ircica.org/metinler.php?kat_id=496&grup=NEWSLETTER Others], Catalog of Publications, Newsletter, Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture, Turkey; Retrieved: [[2008-01-21]]</ref> 5-volume ''Shishu-Biswakosh'' (1995) by [[Bangladesh Shishu Academy]], and 4-volume ''Vijnan Biswakosh'' (1998) by [[Bangla Academy]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Akkas | first = Abu Jar M | title = The making of an academy | pages = Pahela Baishakh Special | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2003-09-02 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/apr/14/pb06/queries.html | accessdate = 2008-01-17}}</ref><ref name="preface"/>
After the independence of [[Pakistan]] and the [[1947 Partition of Bengal|partition of Bengal]] in 1947, there have been more attempts to compile and publish an encyclopedia. The first was a project to produce a Bengali adaptation of ''Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia'' by Franklin Book Programs Inc., undertaken in 1959 and aborted ten years later. The unfinished papers were compiled into four unequal volumes as ''Bangla Visvacos'' (1972) with Khan Bahadur Abdul Hakim as the chief editor.<ref name="preface"/> After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, three specialized encyclopedias were published - the multi-volume ''Islami Bishwakosh'' (1986) by [[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh]],<ref>[http://www3.ircica.org/metinler.php?kat_id=496&grup=NEWSLETTER Others], Catalog of Publications, Newsletter, Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture, Turkey; Retrieved: [[2008-01-21]]</ref> 5-volume ''Shishu-Biswakosh'' (1995) by [[Bangladesh Shishu Academy]], and 4-volume ''Vijnan Biswakosh'' (1998) by [[Bangla Academy]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Akkas | first = Abu Jar M | title = The making of an academy | pages = Pahela Baishakh Special | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2003-09-02 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/apr/14/pb06/queries.html | accessdate = 2008-01-17}}</ref>


==Content==
==Content==
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| style="text-align: left;" | Sample text (excerpt) from Banglapedia: <span class="plainlinks">[http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/V_0040.htm entry on Vidyakalpadruma]</span>
| style="text-align: left;" | Sample text (excerpt) from Banglapedia: <span class="plainlinks">[http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/V_0040.htm entry on Vidyakalpadruma]</span>
|}
|}
Banglapedia has over 5,781 entries<ref name=CDR/> compiled and edited in six different editorial categories. The subject categories are: arts and humanities, [[history]] and [[Cultural heritage|heritage]], [[state]] and [[governance]], [[society]] and [[economy]], [[natural science]]s and [[biological science]]s. Each category was overseen by an expert editor.<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="holiday"/><ref name="preface"/>
''Banglapedia'' has over 5,781 entries divided into six different editorial categories.<ref name=CDR/> The subject categories are: arts and humanities, [[history]] and [[Cultural heritage|heritage]], [[state]] and [[governance]], [[society]] and [[economy]], [[natural science]]s and [[biological science]]s. Each was overseen by an expert editor.<ref name=SDNP/><ref name="holiday"/>


Banglapedia was not designed as a general encyclopedia, as there are no entries for common subjects like the [[Algebra]]. It purpose is to provide a standards desk reference for Bangladeshis, as well as people interested in Bangladesh and the Bangla speaking people, in the political, cultural and geographical context Bangladesh (for the project's operational definition of Bangladesh see [[#Operational definition of Bangladesh|below]]).<ref name="StarM"/>
''Banglapedia'' was not designed as a general encyclopedia. Its purpose is to provide a standard desk reference for Bangladeshis, as well as for people interested in Bangladesh and the Bangla speaking people, in the political, cultural and geographical context of Bangladesh.<ref name="StarM"/>


According to the encyclopedia, it attempted to cover the rise of the [[Bengal]] [[river delta|Delta]] on the physical plane, and its evolution to date, and the changing features of the formation of the delta's ''janapada'' or human settlements on the human plane. The latter includes the rise and fall of [[kingdoms]], [[invasion]]s from within and beyond and their implications, [[dynasty|dynastic]] rules and administration, as well as other aspects of Bangladesh's past and present.<ref name="preface"/> The entries of Banglapedia, since 1947, are restricted to the geographical region of Bangladesh. However, for biographical entries, the linguistic identity prevails.<ref name="StarM"/>
The encyclopedia's editors claimed that they intended to cover the rise of the [[Bengal]] [[river delta|Delta]] on the physical plane, and its evolution to date, and the changing features of the formation of the delta's ''janapada'' or human settlements on the human plane. The latter includes the rise and fall of [[kingdoms]], [[invasion]]s from within and beyond and their implications, [[dynasty|dynastic]] rules and administration, as well as other aspects of Bangladesh's past and present.<ref name="preface"/> Entries on topics after 1947 are restricted to the geographical region of Bangladesh. However, for biographical entries, the linguistic identity prevails.<ref name="StarM"/>


The wide range of topics covered by Banglapedia includes [[political geography]], [[religion]], [[literature]], [[art]] and [[architecture]], folk practices and institutions, indigenous and [[colony|colonial]] [[public administration|administration]], [[politics]], society, economy, [[ethnicity]], and the [[science]]s.<ref>[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/eresources/databases/4381385.html Banglapedia], Columbia University Libraries Databases; Retrieved: [[2008-01-19]]</ref><ref name="StarM"/><ref name="preface"/> All 64 districts of Bangladesh, as well as 451 upazilas, has been described in details ranging from topographical account to the number of dairy farms and hatcheries.<ref name="StarM"/> Over 2000 single and four-colour [[illustration]]s depict Bangladesh art and architecture, everyday life, [[city|cities]] and [[village]]s and personages.<ref name=SDNP/> It has about 2100 cross-references, [[cartography|cartographic]] information, [[table]]s and [[statistics]].<ref name="holiday"/> It is laid out in [[alphabetical order]] and is prefaced by an essay by the Chief Editor. There is a section explaining how to use the Banglapedia, which clarifies issues such as date systems, contributors, cross references, and headings.<ref>[http://www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/cgi-bin/fullrecord.pl?handle=humbul11923 Banglapedia], Arts and Humanities, Intute, [[Joint Information Systems Committee]]; Retrieved: [[2008-01-19]]</ref><ref name="preface"/>
The range of topics covered by ''Banglapedia'' includes [[political geography]], [[religion]], [[literature]], [[art]] and [[architecture]], folk practices and institutions, indigenous and [[colony|colonial]] [[public administration|administration]], [[politics]], society, economy, [[ethnicity]], and the [[science]]s.<ref>[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/eresources/databases/4381385.html Banglapedia], Columbia University Libraries Databases; Retrieved: [[2008-01-19]]</ref><ref name="StarM"/> All 64 districts of Bangladesh, as well as 451 upazilas, have been described in details ranging from topographical accounts to the number of dairy farms and hatcheries.<ref name="StarM"/> Over 2,000 single and four-colour [[illustration]]s depict Bangladeshi art and architecture, everyday life, cities and villages and personages.<ref name=SDNP/> It has about 2,100 cross-references, [[cartography|cartographic]] information, [[table]]s and [[statistics]].<ref name="holiday"/> It is laid out in [[alphabetical order]] and is prefaced by an essay by the Chief Editor. There is a section explaining how to use the ''Banglapedia'', which clarifies issues such as date systems, contributors, cross references, and headings.<ref>[http://www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/cgi-bin/fullrecord.pl?handle=humbul11923 Banglapedia], Arts and Humanities, Intute, [[Joint Information Systems Committee]]; Retrieved: [[2008-01-19]]</ref><ref name="preface"/>


===Operational definition of Bangladesh===
===Operational definition of Bangladesh===
According to the publisher, the goal of this reference tool is to inquire, interpret and integrate the lived experiences and achievements of the people of Bangladesh from ancient times to date.<ref name="preface"/> The project, conceptually and territorially, interprets the term ''Bangladesh'' to mean successively ancient Eastern India, Suba Bangla, Shahi Bangalah, Mughal Suba Bangla, [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Bengal Province]], [[East Bengal]], [[East Pakistan]], and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="holiday"/><ref name=SDNP/><ref name="preface"/> The editor's preface in Banglapedia says:
According to the publisher, the goal of this reference tool is to inquire, interpret and integrate the lived experiences and achievements of the people of Bangladesh from ancient times to date.<ref name="preface"/> The project, conceptually and territorially, interprets the term "Bangladesh" to mean successively ancient Eastern India, Suba Bangla, Shahi Bangalah, Mughal Suba Bangla, [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Bengal Province]], [[East Bengal]], [[East Pakistan]], and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="holiday"/><ref name=SDNP/> The editor's preface states:


{{cquote|From ancient times to 1971, the political geography of the region has changed often, and with that its name has also undergone changes. The cognates of Vanga, Bangalah, Vangla, Bengal, Vangadesh, Vangladesh, etc. have the closest affinity both territorially and linguistically with the term ''Bangla''. With the rise of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation state, the term has no doubt obtained a specific meaning. It may be noted here that the term ''Bangalah'' or ''Bengala'', from which ''Bangla'' and ''Bengal'' originated, was coined and circulated by Muslim rulers whose seats of administration were located mostly within the present territory of Bangladesh.<ref name="preface"/>}}
{{cquote|From ancient times to 1971, the political geography of the region has changed often, and with that its name has also undergone changes. The cognates of Vanga, Bangalah, Vangla, Bengal, Vangadesh, Vangladesh, etc. have the closest affinity both territorially and linguistically with the term ''Bangla''. With the rise of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation state, the term has no doubt obtained a specific meaning. It may be noted here that the term ''Bangalah'' or ''Bengala'', from which ''Bangla'' and ''Bengal'' originated, was coined and circulated by Muslim rulers whose seats of administration were located mostly within the present territory of Bangladesh.<ref name="preface"/>}}


==Working team==
==Working team==
Over 1200 writers and specialists at home and abroad contributed to create the entries.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name=SDNP/> Foreign experts and Bangladeshi or Bengali experts working abroad constitute about one-fifth of the writers' list.<ref name="StarM"/> The contributors mostly inlcude university teachers and academicians both at home and abroad, as well as specialists in districts and upazilas for locality inputs and people from professions and occupations. District and upazila cartography has been processed at the [[Geographic information system]] (GIS) and [[cartography|cartographic]] laboratory set up for the Banglapedia.<ref name=Jubilee>{{cite news | last = Staff Correspondent | title = Asiatic Society to celebrate journal’s golden jubilee Feb 11 | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2004-01-02 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/feb/10/nat.html | accessdate = 2008-01-19}}</ref> A [[gazetteer]] group was created with focus on [[district]]s and upazilas. Around 400 local intellectuals were given the charge to write about their respective zillas and upazillas is definitely a unique approach to information gathering.<ref name="StarM"/> In addition, 250 people worked in research management for seven years.<ref name=Jubilee/> A sum total of 2,000 scholars and technicians were involved.<ref name=SDNP/> 270 full-time personnel were involved in, while 35 to 40 people worked at any given time.<ref name="StarM"/>
Over 1,200 writers and specialists both in Bangladesh and abroad contributed to the encyclopedia.<ref name="holiday"/> Foreign experts and Bangladeshi or Bengali experts working abroad constitute about one fifth of the contributors.<ref name="StarM"/> They are mostly academics, as well as specialists in districts and [[upazilas]] for locality inputs and people from professions and occupations. District and upazila cartography has been processed at the [[Geographic information system]] (GIS) and [[cartography|cartographic]] laboratory set up for the Banglapedia.<ref name=Jubilee>{{cite news | last = Staff Correspondent | title = Asiatic Society to celebrate journal’s golden jubilee Feb 11 | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2004-01-02 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/feb/10/nat.html | accessdate = 2008-01-19}}</ref> A [[gazetteer]] group was created with focus on [[district]]s and upazilas. The fact that around 400 local intellectuals were charged with writing about their respective zillas and upazillas was described as a unique approach to information gathering.<ref name="StarM"/> In addition, 250 people worked in research management for seven years.<ref name=Jubilee/> A sum total of 2,000 scholars and technicians were involved.<ref name=SDNP/> There were 270 full-time personnel on the project in total, with 35 to 40 people employed at any given time.<ref name="StarM"/>


Sirajul Islam is the chairman of the Board of Editors of Banglapedia, and the editor of the Journal of the [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]. A professor of history at the [[University of Dhaka]], the oldest and largest university in Bangladesh, Islam gave up his day job five years before the formal date of retirement, to make time for Banglapedia, in 2000. <ref name="makinghistory">{{cite news | last = Khan | first = Mubin S | title = Professor Sirajul Islam: Making history | work = New Age New Year Special 2006 | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2006-01-01 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes02.html | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> He also edited the 3 volumes of the ''History of Bangladesh'' (political, economic and socio-cultural), published by Asiatic Society In 1991.<ref name="columbia">{{cite web | last = | first = | title = Sirajul Islam (Dhaka University) | work = International Directory of South Asia Scholars (IDSAS) | publisher = Columbia University | date = 2004-04-21 | url = http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/data/indiv/area/idsas/ISLAM,Sirajul.htm | format = HTML | accessdate = 2007-07-23}}</ref><ref name="makinghistory"/> For the Society, he is working on the ''Children’s Banglapedia'' and the ''Cultural Survey of Bangladesh''. He also is in charge of the ''National Online Biography'' project of the Society and the Banglapedia Trust.<ref name="makinghistory"/>
Sirajul Islam is the chairman of the Board of Editors of ''Banglapedia'', and the editor of the Journal of the [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]. A professor of history at the [[University of Dhaka]], the oldest and largest university in Bangladesh, in 2000 Islam gave up his day job five years before the formal date for retirement, to make time for ''Banglapedia''. <ref name="makinghistory">{{cite news | last = Khan | first = Mubin S | title = Professor Sirajul Islam: Making history | work = New Age New Year Special 2006 | language = English | publisher = The New Age | date = 2006-01-01 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes02.html | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> He also edited the 3 volumes of the ''History of Bangladesh'' (political, economic and socio-cultural), published by the Asiatic Society In 1991.<ref name="columbia">{{cite web | last = | first = | title = Sirajul Islam (Dhaka University) | work = International Directory of South Asia Scholars (IDSAS) | publisher = Columbia University | date = 2004-04-21 | url = http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/data/indiv/area/idsas/ISLAM,Sirajul.htm | format = HTML | accessdate = 2007-07-23}}</ref><ref name="makinghistory"/> He is now working on the ''Children’s Banglapedia'' and the ''Cultural Survey of Bangladesh'', and is also in charge of the ''National Online Biography'' project of the Society and the Banglapedia Trust.<ref name="makinghistory"/>


The encyclopedia published the following as the board of editors:<ref>{{cite web | last = Islam | first = Sirajul | title = Board of Editors | work = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | date = January 2003 | location = Dhaka, Bangladesh | pages = | url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/BoardComm.htm | isbn = 978-9843205766}}</ref>
The encyclopedia published the following as the board of editors:<ref>{{cite web | last = Islam | first = Sirajul | title = Board of Editors | work = Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | date = January 2003 | location = Dhaka, Bangladesh | pages = | url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/BoardComm.htm | isbn = 978-9843205766}}</ref>
Line 74: Line 76:
*'''Chairman, Multimedia Committee:''' Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury
*'''Chairman, Multimedia Committee:''' Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury


The management structure includes a total of sixty members, divided into six different sub-committees headed by six subject editors. Each sub-committee was formed to cover a particular discipline of knowledge. There were six consulting editors, four language editors, and three translation editors. Every subject editor received assistance from six assistant and associate editors.<ref name="StarM"/> Subject editors of the Banglapedia were: Professor Abdul Momin Chowdhury (History and Heritage), Professor Wakil Ahmed (Arts, Humanities, Religion), Professor Mahfuzur Rahman (Society and Economy), Dr Kamal Siddiqui (State and Governance), and Professor S M H Kabir (Science and Technology).<ref name=SDNP/>
The management structure includes a total of sixty members, divided into six different sub-committees headed by six subject editors. Each sub-committee was formed to cover a particular discipline. There were six consulting editors, four language editors, and three translation editors. Every subject editor received assistance from six assistant and associate editors.<ref name="StarM"/> ''Banglapedia'''s subject editors were: Professor Abdul Momin Chowdhury (History and Heritage), Professor Wakil Ahmed (Arts, Humanities, Religion), Professor Mahfuzur Rahman (Society and Economy), Dr Kamal Siddiqui (State and Governance), and Professor S M H Kabir (Science and Technology).<ref name=SDNP/>

{{see also|Sirajul Islam}}


==Electronic versions==
==Electronic versions==

Revision as of 07:58, 1 April 2008

Banglapedia
National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh
AuthorProfessor Sirajul Islam (Chief Editor)
CountryBangladesh Bangladesh
LanguageEnglish, Bengali
GenreEncyclopedia
PublisherBanglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
Publication date
January 2003
Media typePrint (Hardback), CD-ROM, Online
Pages10 Volumes
ISBNISBN 9843205766 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character

Banglapedia, or the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, is the first Bangladeshi encyclopedia.[1] It is available in print, CD-ROM format and online,[2] in both Bangla and English.[3] The print version comprises ten volumes of 500 pages each. The first edition was published in January 2003 by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,[4] with a plan to update it every two years.[5]

Banglapedia was not designed as a general encyclopedia, but rather as a specialized encyclopedia on Bangladesh-related topics.[6] For the encyclopedia's purposess, Bangladesh is defined as the territory comprising ancient Eastern India, Suba Bangla, Shahi Bangalah, Mughal Suba Bangla, Bengal Presidency, Bengal Province, East Bengal, East Pakistan, and independent Bangladesh in historical succession.[5][7]

The encyclopedia's chief editor is Sirajul Islam.[8] Over 1200 writers and specialists at home and abroad, one fifth of them experts on verious topics, contributed to create the entries.[5][4] Banglapedia has over 5,781 entries[2] in six editorial categories each of which is overseen by an expert editor,[4][5][7] as well as over 2,000 single and four-colour illustrations and 2,100 cross-references.[4][5]

The project was funded by the Bangladeshi government, private sector organizations, academic institutes and the UNESCO.[4][6] Though its original budget was taka eight hundred thousands, the Asiatic Society eventually spent taka 80 million on the project.[9][4][1] Despite controversies around entries on Bangladesh Liberation War and indigenous people, both the Bengali and English versions became instant hits upon publication.[5]

Development

The Banglapedia project originated when the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh was working on a three-volume study titled History of Bangladesh, 1704-1971 in 1991. The editors felt the need for a standard desk reference, as that project progressed laboriously, culling facts from various libraries. The idea finally led to a concept paper prepared by Sirajul Islam and his colleagues and submitted to the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in early 1994. The Banglapedia project was formally adopted on 19 February 1997, and Islam was appointed project director and chief editor. As the head of the Project Implementation Committee, his task was to plan and manage the project funding.[6] In 1996, some three dozen committees were formed with three to four people in each committee to recommend the entries. 26,000 entries were proposed, requiring a 20 volume compendium. Later, because of financial constraints, the number of entries was cut down to around 6,000.[9] The project officially took off in 1998.[6]

When the project began, the Society had only taka eight hundred thousands in its coffers for the project. Banglapedia raised further contributions from universities, banks, multinational companies, international organisations and even private individuals.[9] A pool of agencies, including UNESCO, the University Grants Commission, universities, financial institutions and NGOs initially financed the project, which was completed at a cost of taka 80 million.[4][1] Education Ministry funded about 74% of the cost,[4] while 26% of the fund came mostly from universities and banks.[6] UNESCO made a contribution under the participation programme through Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO.[1] Before direct sales started in 3 January 2003, four thousand copies of the English version and all but 250 copies of the Bengali version were sold out of 5,000 copies for each versions.[5] For 10,000 more prints people waited in long queues outside the Asiatic Society office on the day of the release, and sales continued until 9:30 in the evening. A total of 4,500 sets of the Bangla version and 2,500 of the English version were sold out.[6]

History of encyclopedias in Bangladesh

The first attempt to compile a Bengali encyclopedia was undertaken by Felix Carey (1786-1822), who was the son of Reverend William Carey (1761-1834) of Serampore and the first lexicographer of the Burmese language. In 1819, he began the translation of the fifth edition of Encyclopædia Britannica, naming it Vidyarthabali. From October 1819 till November 1820 the book was printed by Felix Carey every month in 48-page installments. Thus completed, the first part of Vidyarthabali was compiled into the 638-page Vyabachchedvidya, the first book on anatomy and surgery in Bengali. Work on the second part, Smritishastra, which was largely on jurisprudence, then began. But, Carey died after only two 40-page installments were printed in February and March 1821.[10]

It was followed by Maharaja Kalikirshna Dev Bahadur's (1808-1974) Sankshipta Sadvidyabali (1833), a concise encyclopedia, Raja Radhakanta Deb's Sabdakalpadrum (1822-1858), a Sanskrit encyclopedic dictionary in eight parts, and Rajkrishna Ray (1849-1894) and Saratchandra Dev's (1858-unknown) joint work Bharatkosh, the first Bengali encyclopedia laid-out in alphabetical order (1880-1892) published in three volumes. Reverend Krishna Mohan Banerjee's (1813-1885) adaptation of Encyclopædia Britannica, Vidyakalpadruma or Encyclopædia Bengalensis (1846-51), and the 22-volume Bangla Visvakosh (1886-1911), edited by Nagendranath Basu (1866-1938) with contributions from many major personalities of contemporary Bengal, were published next. Both of the these two works were celebrated in their own time, a status that Baus's work still enjoys.[10][7]

After the independence of Pakistan and the partition of Bengal in 1947, there have been more attempts to compile and publish an encyclopedia. The first was a project to produce a Bengali adaptation of Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia by Franklin Book Programs Inc., undertaken in 1959 and aborted ten years later. The unfinished papers were compiled into four unequal volumes as Bangla Visvacos (1972) with Khan Bahadur Abdul Hakim as the chief editor.[7] After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, three specialized encyclopedias were published - the multi-volume Islami Bishwakosh (1986) by Islamic Foundation Bangladesh,[11] 5-volume Shishu-Biswakosh (1995) by Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and 4-volume Vijnan Biswakosh (1998) by Bangla Academy.[12]

Content

Vidyakalpadruma: an encyclopaedic work in 13 parts by Reverend Krishna Mohan Banerjee, based on various English and Sanskrit anthologies and other source books. As it was written in Bangla and English, it was named Encyclopedia Bengaliansis. Articles on history, geography, mathematics and ethics related to Asia, Europe and America are included. The first volume of the Vidyakalpadruma (1845) was Roman Rajyer Purabritta (History of the Roman Empire). The third volume was Purabritta O Itihas Sar (Historical Antiquities), and it contained tales of ancient Egyptian heroes. The fourth volume (1846) was a history of Rome and the sixth volume (1847) a history of Egypt. The eighth volume, Bhugol Brittanta (Geographical Narratives), contained the geography of Asia and Europe. Krishna Mohan hoped to write the history of India, but was unable to do so.
Sample text (excerpt) from Banglapedia: entry on Vidyakalpadruma

Banglapedia has over 5,781 entries divided into six different editorial categories.[2] The subject categories are: arts and humanities, history and heritage, state and governance, society and economy, natural sciences and biological sciences. Each was overseen by an expert editor.[4][5]

Banglapedia was not designed as a general encyclopedia. Its purpose is to provide a standard desk reference for Bangladeshis, as well as for people interested in Bangladesh and the Bangla speaking people, in the political, cultural and geographical context of Bangladesh.[6]

The encyclopedia's editors claimed that they intended to cover the rise of the Bengal Delta on the physical plane, and its evolution to date, and the changing features of the formation of the delta's janapada or human settlements on the human plane. The latter includes the rise and fall of kingdoms, invasions from within and beyond and their implications, dynastic rules and administration, as well as other aspects of Bangladesh's past and present.[7] Entries on topics after 1947 are restricted to the geographical region of Bangladesh. However, for biographical entries, the linguistic identity prevails.[6]

The range of topics covered by Banglapedia includes political geography, religion, literature, art and architecture, folk practices and institutions, indigenous and colonial administration, politics, society, economy, ethnicity, and the sciences.[13][6] All 64 districts of Bangladesh, as well as 451 upazilas, have been described in details ranging from topographical accounts to the number of dairy farms and hatcheries.[6] Over 2,000 single and four-colour illustrations depict Bangladeshi art and architecture, everyday life, cities and villages and personages.[4] It has about 2,100 cross-references, cartographic information, tables and statistics.[5] It is laid out in alphabetical order and is prefaced by an essay by the Chief Editor. There is a section explaining how to use the Banglapedia, which clarifies issues such as date systems, contributors, cross references, and headings.[14][7]

Operational definition of Bangladesh

According to the publisher, the goal of this reference tool is to inquire, interpret and integrate the lived experiences and achievements of the people of Bangladesh from ancient times to date.[7] The project, conceptually and territorially, interprets the term "Bangladesh" to mean successively ancient Eastern India, Suba Bangla, Shahi Bangalah, Mughal Suba Bangla, Bengal Presidency, Bengal Province, East Bengal, East Pakistan, and Bangladesh.[5][4] The editor's preface states:

From ancient times to 1971, the political geography of the region has changed often, and with that its name has also undergone changes. The cognates of Vanga, Bangalah, Vangla, Bengal, Vangadesh, Vangladesh, etc. have the closest affinity both territorially and linguistically with the term Bangla. With the rise of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation state, the term has no doubt obtained a specific meaning. It may be noted here that the term Bangalah or Bengala, from which Bangla and Bengal originated, was coined and circulated by Muslim rulers whose seats of administration were located mostly within the present territory of Bangladesh.[7]

Working team

Over 1,200 writers and specialists both in Bangladesh and abroad contributed to the encyclopedia.[5] Foreign experts and Bangladeshi or Bengali experts working abroad constitute about one fifth of the contributors.[6] They are mostly academics, as well as specialists in districts and upazilas for locality inputs and people from professions and occupations. District and upazila cartography has been processed at the Geographic information system (GIS) and cartographic laboratory set up for the Banglapedia.[15] A gazetteer group was created with focus on districts and upazilas. The fact that around 400 local intellectuals were charged with writing about their respective zillas and upazillas was described as a unique approach to information gathering.[6] In addition, 250 people worked in research management for seven years.[15] A sum total of 2,000 scholars and technicians were involved.[4] There were 270 full-time personnel on the project in total, with 35 to 40 people employed at any given time.[6]

Sirajul Islam is the chairman of the Board of Editors of Banglapedia, and the editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. A professor of history at the University of Dhaka, the oldest and largest university in Bangladesh, in 2000 Islam gave up his day job five years before the formal date for retirement, to make time for Banglapedia. [9] He also edited the 3 volumes of the History of Bangladesh (political, economic and socio-cultural), published by the Asiatic Society In 1991.[16][9] He is now working on the Children’s Banglapedia and the Cultural Survey of Bangladesh, and is also in charge of the National Online Biography project of the Society and the Banglapedia Trust.[9]

The encyclopedia published the following as the board of editors:[17]

  • Chairman and Chief Editor: Professor Sirajul Islam (Department of History, Dhaka University)
  • Convenor and Managing Editor: Professor Sajahan Miah (Department of Philosophy, Dhaka University)
  • Chairman, Project Implementation Committee: Professor M. Aminul Islam
  • Chairman, Publication Committee: Professor Abdul Momin Chowdhury
  • Convenor, Purchase and Procurement Committee: Professor S M Mahfuzur Rahman
  • Chairman, Cartography Committee: Professor M. Aminul Islam
  • Chairman, Fund Management Committee: Professor M. Aminul Islam
  • Convenor, Public Relations and Communication Committee: Shahida Alam
  • Chairman, Multimedia Committee: Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury

The management structure includes a total of sixty members, divided into six different sub-committees headed by six subject editors. Each sub-committee was formed to cover a particular discipline. There were six consulting editors, four language editors, and three translation editors. Every subject editor received assistance from six assistant and associate editors.[6] Banglapedia's subject editors were: Professor Abdul Momin Chowdhury (History and Heritage), Professor Wakil Ahmed (Arts, Humanities, Religion), Professor Mahfuzur Rahman (Society and Economy), Dr Kamal Siddiqui (State and Governance), and Professor S M H Kabir (Science and Technology).[4]

Electronic versions

The CD-ROM version of Benglapedia contains more entries than the print version, along with 65 video clips, 49 audio clips, 2,714 images and thumbnails, and 647 maps.[2] The audion clips include songs by Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, while the video clips include Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech on 7 March 1971. Some of the images that appear in monochrome in the print version are available in color in the CD-ROM version. [18] Designed to run on Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows NT,[2] the CD-ROM versions includes about 70,000 links and an option to create personal "favorite list".[18]

Banglapedia has several online versions. While banglapedia.search.com.bd is cited by some sources as the online Banglapedia,[19] the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh website quotes banglapedia.org as the online version, along with banglapedia.info and banglapedia.net,[20] which also features on Alexa Internet rankings.[21]

Similar projects

A Banglapedia Trust has been set up as a permanent institution to receive feedback from user and include, by the editor's expression, contemporary knowledge or newly generated knowledge in successive editions.[6] The following are some of the similar projects of Banglapedia Trust:[22][23]

  • Cultural Survey of Bangladesh: Scheduled publication date- December 2007; projected number of volumes- 12; Editor in Chief- Professor Sirajul Islam[24]
  • Encyclopaedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh: Scheduled publication date- August 2009; projected number of volumes- 28; Editor in Chief- Kamal Uddin Siddiqui
  • Junior Banglapedia: Scheduled publication date- February 2008; projected number of volumes- 3; Editor in Chief- Professor Sirajul Islam
  • Digitisation of the Cadastral Survey and Settlement Records (1900–1925): projected number of volumes-28
  • Parliamentary History of Bangladesh (1861 to date): projected number of volumes- 3
  • Digest of the Surveys of Mineral Resources in Bangladesh: projected number of volumes- 2
  • Online National Biography Project[25]

The Ministry of Information, People's Republic of Bangladesh has published a similar project - Mosaic in Green, a 160-page photographic encyclopedia showcasing the natural history, culture and landscape of Bangladesh.

Controversy

Controversy around Banglapedia started before it was published as the Inquilab group, major Bangladeshi newspaper publishing house, got hold of a few entries on religion and related issues.[6] There has also been complaints about an omission of Jamaat-e-Islami's activities during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[6] A study by BDNews24.com, a news portal, claims that Banglapedia has biased and incorrect views on the indigenous population of Bangladesh.[26] The encyclopedia is also reported to have used negative words such as Mogh for Marma and Rakhine, Tipra for Tripuri and Murang for Mros, as well as upajati (literally sub-nation, used to mean tribal) to define them all.[27] Leaders of the indigenous community, including Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council member and Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti leader Rupayan Dewan and General secretary of Adivasi Forum Sanjib Drong, has endorsed the findings of that study.[27] Editor in Chief Professor Islam acknowledged the complaint and promised to amend it in the second edition.[27]

Footnotes and references

  1. ^ a b c d "Banglapedia" (HTML). Bangladesh. Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e Staff Correspondent (2004-01-02). "Banglapedia on CD-Rom to hit market by February". The New Age. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  3. ^ Iqbal, Iftekhar (2006-11-16). "The case for Bangladesh Studies". The Daily Star. pp. Point–Counterpoint. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m UNB (2003-03-24). "Compilation of Banglapedia completed". General news. Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP). Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Akkas, Abu Jar M (2004-05-23). "Banglapedia edition every 2 years". The Weekly Holiday. pp. Front Page. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Zaman, Mustafa (2003-09-02). "The Banglapedia and its Making". The Daily Star. pp. Star Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Islam, Sirajul (January 2003). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 978-9843205766.
  8. ^ Khan, Mubin S (2006-01-01). "Professor Sirajul Islam: Making history". New Age New Year Special 2006. The New Age. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Khan, Mubin S (2006-01-01). "Professor Sirajul Islam: Making history". New Age New Year Special 2006. The New Age. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  10. ^ a b Datta, Amaresh (1988), Encyclopaedia of Indian literature, vol. 2, Delhi: South Asia Books, ISBN 978-8172016494
  11. ^ Others, Catalog of Publications, Newsletter, Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture, Turkey; Retrieved: 2008-01-21
  12. ^ Akkas, Abu Jar M (2003-09-02). "The making of an academy". The New Age. pp. Pahela Baishakh Special. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  13. ^ Banglapedia, Columbia University Libraries Databases; Retrieved: 2008-01-19
  14. ^ Banglapedia, Arts and Humanities, Intute, Joint Information Systems Committee; Retrieved: 2008-01-19
  15. ^ a b Staff Correspondent (2004-01-02). "Asiatic Society to celebrate journal's golden jubilee Feb 11". The New Age. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  16. ^ "Sirajul Islam (Dhaka University)" (HTML). International Directory of South Asia Scholars (IDSAS). Columbia University. 2004-04-21. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  17. ^ Islam, Sirajul (January 2003). "Board of Editors". Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 978-9843205766.
  18. ^ a b Zaman, Mustafa (2003-09-02). "The Electronic version of Banglapedia". The Daily Star. pp. Star Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ General resources, Arts and Humanities, Intute, Joint Information Systems Committee; Retrieved: 2008-01-19
  20. ^ Banglapedia, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh; Retrieved: 2008-01-19
  21. ^ banglapedia.org, Alexa Internet, Inc.; ; Retrieved: 2008-01-19
  22. ^ Staff Correspondent (2006-06-30). "Asiatic Society to award M Phil, PhD degrees". The New Age. pp. Front Page. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  23. ^ Staff Correspondent (2005-06-17). "Asiatic Society takes up 4 more projects". The Weekly Holiday. pp. Miscellany. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  24. ^ Bdnews24.com.Dhaka (2007-03-04). "Encyclopaedia on Bangladesh culture in the making". The New Age. pp. Front Page. Retrieved 2007-06-07.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Staff Correspondent (2005-08-02). "Banglapedia works on online biography". The New Age. pp. Metro. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  26. ^ BDNews24 (2007-02-25). "Respect the languages and cultures of ethnic minorities". The New Age. pp. Editorial. Retrieved 2007-09-10.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ a b c BDNews24 (2007-02-24). "Wrong info on ethnic groups in Banglapedia". The New Age. pp. Front Page. Retrieved 2007-06-07.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

External links

Official information
Banglapedia online
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Banglapedia&oldid=202497222"