Introduction
Bengal, the name itself is highly capable of evoking an eye-catching natural beauty, the serenity of the cultures, and rich history. From the history of ancient kingdoms to the medieval period, which saw the rise of Sultanates, Mughals, and Nawabs, and on to modern India, this article will take you through a distinctive blend of culture and history, unfolding the journey of Bengal under British rule. This comprehensive writing explores the essence of Bengal, its history, culture, political landscape, cuisine, and tourism, to captivate your attention and provide valuable insights about West Bengal.
Ancient Bengal
Bengal is one of the oldest civilizations,
tracing its roots back approximately 4,000 years, which emerged along the banks
of the Ganges, spread to the Brahmaputra, and flourished due to the richness of
the Ganges Delta.
Vanga
(Period: 1100 BCE to 340 BCE): The origin of Bengal can also be traced back
to the Vanga Kingdom, an ancient empire and a geopolitical division of the
Ganges Delta located on the Indian subcontinent.
Pundravardhana
or Pundra (Period- around 1300 BCE): Another prominent
Kingdom of Bengal was Pundra, which is now located in Rangpur and Rajshahi
division of Bangladesh, and the district called West Dinajpur of West Bengal.
This Kingdom was ruled by five royal houses, along with Kalinga, Anga, and
Suhma.
Gangaridai
(Period- first century BC to second century AD): This
powerful Kingdom was associated with the Ganges Delta and was famous for its
daunting elephant army. Reportedly, the Army of Great Alexander halted upon
hearing the news.
Gupta
dynasty (Period: 320 CE to 550 CE): Bengal has also
witnessed the rule of the Gupta Empire, with the administration of some mighty
rulers, including Chandragupta I, Chandragupta II, Skandagupta, and
Samudragupta. This period has often been regarded as India's golden age,
characterized by significant advancements in various fields, including
literature, science, and the arts.
Gauda
Empire (Period: 4th century CE to 626 CE): Bengal
also came under the sway of the Gauda Empire, which was established in the 4th
century CE and lasted until 626 CE. Shashanka remains the first independent
king of this Kingdom who contributed significantly to establishing a notable
political identity in this region.
Medieval period of Bengal
Delhi
sultanate (Time- 13th to 14th centuries): Many
dynasties belonging to the Delhi sultanate, such as the Khaljis and Tughlaqs,
took control over different parts of Bengal.
Bengal
Sultanate (Time- 1342 to 1576): This specific period of
Bengal emerged with the independent sultanate headed by ShamsuddinIlyas
Shah,HussainShahi, the house of Ganesha, and IlyasShahi have fostered growth in
literature, architecture, and the economy, through which Bengal became a key
trading province.
Mughal
administration (1576 to approximately 1712): After
the defeat of Karrani power, Bengal came under the rule of the Mughals in 1576.
With the declaration of the Bengal sultanate, the Mughal Empire dominated the
most prosperous province of the Mughal Empire, Bengal, with its capital between
Murshidabad and Dhaka.
The
period of independent nawab (1717 to 1765): The
nawab of Bengal became the de facto ruler, which means they obtained the
independent authority to reign over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. MurshidQuli Khan
was the first independent nawab. The last independent nawab of Bengal was
Sirajudullah, who succeeded NawabAlibardi Khan. During this period, Bengal
experienced significant prosperity and attracted the attention of European
trading companies.
Battle
of Plassey: The year 1757 marks the turning point of
Indian history, where NawabSirajuddaula lost against the British East India
Company commanded by Robert Clive. NawabSiraj-ud-Daula had the larger army.
Nevertheless, the commander-in-chief of the nawab, Mir Jafar, came out as a
traitor who secretly maintained an amicable relationship with Robert Clive. The
defeat of the nawab has effectively ended the independent rule of the nawab in
Bengal.
Modern landscape of Bengal
The rule of the British East India Company (1757 to 1858)
After the Battle of Plassey ended, the British
East India Company gained complete control in Bengal, where the people had
witnessed the systematic exploitation of its resources. It led to huge economic
distress and a devastating famine, known as the Great Bengal Famine, in which
10 million people died due to starvation.
British rule (1858 to 1947)
Following the Indian rebellion of 1857, the
rule of the British East India Company was conferred entirely to the crown of
Queen Victoria. Bengal has played a vital role in India's independence
movement, and it has also served as a hotbed of various National movements.
Partition of Bengal (Time period- 1905)
Then viceroy, Lord Curzon, was mainly
responsible for partitioning Bengal into two parts, East Bengal for the Muslim people and West Bengal for the Hindu
people. It was widely perceived as a divide-and-rule policy to break the
nationalist sentiment that was rising. This partition has significantly
influenced the Swadeshi movement and led to widespread protests. However, it
was vindicated in 1911.
Partition of Bengal and India (time - 1947)
Bengal again faced the partition after India
achieved independence from the long fight with the British Raj. Bengal was
bifurcated into East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh in 1971 through
the liberation war or Muktijuddho. On the other hand, the western part is known
as West Bengal. This partition has led to immense communal violence and
displacement, leaving a negative impact on the socio-political and demographic
landscape.
The situation of West Bengal in independent India
West Bengal has become a vibrant state in
India since it marked its independence. The state underwent many political leaderships. The chief ministers of the state are listed
below.
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh from the Indian
National Congress was the first chief minister of West Bengal in independent
India and took charge of the CM (chief minister) office twice, from 1947 to
1948 and from 1967 to 1968.
Bidhan Chandra Roy
An Indian physician turned politician and a
visionary leader of the Indian National Congress, has served as a chief
minister from 1948 to 1962 and was responsible for the early infrastructural
and industrial development.
Jyoti Basu
JyotiBasu has set the record as the
longest-serving chief minister in Bengal. The representative of the communist
party of India/Marxist (CPIM). During his tenure, the Panchayat Act and the
Municipal Act, specifically the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act of 1980,
became the model for the entire nation. The reforms aimed at eradicating the
challenges of food deficit and improving agriculture are a significant
contribution of this leader. Providing sufficient electricity to the people of
West Bengal was also an important move taken by JyotiBasu.
Buddhdeb Bhattacharjee
Succeeded by Jyoti Basu, another eminent
communist politician, has taken the responsibilities for the administration of
West Bengal. The member of the Politburo and 7th chief minister of West Bengal
has implemented various reforms and policies in his tenure from 2000 to 2011.
Bhattacharjee's women's highly concentrated on industry development, where he
supported the establishment of the IT Park in Salt Lake Sector 5.
Who is the current Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Thirty-five years of rule by Jyoti Basu was
ousted by the significant win of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2011. She is
the only woman Chief Minister in the entire India who is still serving as the
Chief Minister of West Bengal. Popularly known as Didi (elder sister), Mamta
Banerjee's dynamic leadership role has shaped the political landscape of West
Bengal. Her landmark initiatives include industrialisation efforts,
improvements in the healthcare and education sectors, welfare schemes such as
Sobuj Sathi (a program to allocate bicycles to school-going children) and
Kanyashree Prakalp, which support girls' education.
When will the election be held in West Bengal?
West Bengal is associated with a strong
democratic tradition where the elections are held in a 5-year gap for the
legislative assembly. The next assembly election has been scheduled for the
next year 2026.
The heartbeat of West Bengal
What kind of culture do Bengali people follow?
The culture of Bengal is harmoniously
amalgamated with indigenous traditions and colonial legacies. This is the land of Vishwakavi (world poet) Rabindranath Tagore,
who was honoured with the Nobel prize in the category of literature in 1913 and
also created the Indian and Bangladeshi national anthems, “Jana GanaMana” and
“Amar Sonar Bangla” respectively. The legendary Indian film screenwriter,
director, author and editor, Satyajit Ray, also belongs to Bengal and made a
significant contribution to the history of Indian cinema. Overall, the Bengali
culture emphasises the arts, education and an enriched living.
What are some notable festivals of West Bengal?
The festivals of Bengal reflect an artistic
fervour and immense grandeur. Some notable festivals of West Bengal are listed
below.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the most anticipated festival in
West Bengal that celebrates the triumph of goddess Durga by killing the demon
Mahishasura. It symbolises the victory of sin over evil. The entire Bengal
transformed into the poojapandal by intricating the idols of goddess Durga.
Diwali and Kali Puja
Within the short time span after Durga Puja,
the state again illuminates with the devotion of goddess Kali and lights to
celebrate Diwali and Kali Puja.
Poila Baisakh
Poila Baisakh or the Bengali New Year marks
the beginning of the new year in the Bengali calendar. People love to attend
the cultural programs, eat traditional foods and wear new clothes. Besides, the
traditional custom named “Halkhata” is practised to this day among businessmen,
traders and shopkeepers to open the new ledger.
Poush Mela
This is the annual fair held every year in
Shantiniketan, which is located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It
mainly observes the harvest season with the traditional craft and folk music
such as baul.
What kind of food do the Bengali people love to eat?
Fish curry or macherjhol is the staple food of
Bengali people, which is specifically prized. The spicy mutton curry or the
kosamangsho, which is the slow-cooked mutton, also maintains the delicacy of
Bengal. Apart from that,Sukto (a bittersweet vegetable curry), alooposto
(potato cooked with poppy seeds), Luchi and alurdom (deep-fried bread served
with spicy potato curry), and chingrimalai curry (the prawns cooked with
coconut milk and other spices) are some traditional foods of Bengal.
West Bengal can also be said to be synonymous
with sweet dishes. Roshogolla, Mishtidoi and Sondesh are some popular foods
that have gained popularity in many parts of the globe.
Also Read: Bihar: The Land of Ancient Civilisation & Historical and Cultural Riches
Unveiling the hidden facts of West Bengal
The largest library of India
The National Library of India is located in
West Bengal, Kolkata. It is one of the largest libraries in the country that
holds many historical documents along with an assortment of books.
Former capital of British India
Then, Calcutta (now Kolkata), which was the capital
of British India until 1911, still showcases the legacy of colonial
architecture.
The largest and oldest museum of India
The Indian Museum, located in Kolkata, is now
home to fossils, antiques, and invaluable artefacts.
The highest railway station
The highest railway station of India is
present in West Bengal's Darjeeling, known as Ghoom. This, the highest railway
station, has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Howrah bridge
RabindraSetu, also known as Howrah Bridge in
Kolkata, is one of the world's most notable cantilever bridges. The
construction of this bridge did not consider nuts or bolts that carry various
components daily.
Tourism of Bengal
The city of joy
Kolkata is also known as city of joy that has
majestic architecture like Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar Temple, Howrah
bridge and the serenity of Belur Math.
Queen of the Himalayas
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalaya,
Darjeeling is one of the famous sites for its panoramic surroundings
approaching the Kanchenjunga along with the Buddhist monasteries, beautiful toy
train and lush tea garden.
Sundarban National Park
The UNESCO World Heritage site, Sundarban
National Park, is the largest mangrove forest in the world and the home of the
Royal Bengal tiger.
Bishnupur
This place is famous for its elegant
Terracotta temples that reflect the architectural and artistic brilliance and
craftsmanship of the Malla dynasty.
Murshidabad
This city is deeply rooted in history, with
opulent mosques and the graveyards of the last independent ruler of Bengal,
Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah. It was the capital of independent Bengal once.
Conclusion
With the profound depth of history, cultural tapestry and vibrant places, West Bengal is the destination that can touch the soul. Whether to witness the historic events of independent Bengal, battle of Plassey to the intellectual culture of modern Kolkata, Bengal is highly capable to experience an unparalleled journey. An exquisite blend of modernity, tradition, culinary and the rich culture, Bengal ensure an indelible significance. Emerge yourself by exploring the Bengal through this article that will let you know the legacy and importance of this state.