New Contextualism: An architectural philosophy for deltaic Bangladesh

This endeavour seeks to offer a more nuanced, responsible, and humane approach to shaping our built environments

The untold story of Franklin Book Dhaka: In the shadow of the cold war

The Cold War was a war of armaments and ideologies—but it was also a war of words, fought in classrooms, libraries, and on the printed page.

The politics of recognition / How Bangladesh gained global legitimacy

When Bangladesh defeated Pakistan on 16 December 1971, one could be forgiven for assuming that the international community automatically recognised Bangladesh’s independence.

Reclaiming Panthokunjo from spectral wastelands

We live within ecosystems, engaging in mutual interactions. Ecosystems such as rivers, forests, and agricultural lands are shared resources.

1m ago

Tamam Na Sud

Tamam na sud or ‘Not the end’! There could not have been a better ending of a captivating romantic novel like Shabnami.

1m ago

Kamruddin Ahmad: A visionary political thinker we must remember

In a quiet neighbourhood of a once lush green residential area of Dhanmondi, I grew up in a three-storied house that dates back to the year 1957, listening wide-eyed to stories of a man deeply involved in Bangladesh’s struggle for sovereignty and democracy.

2m ago

The Forgotten Revolutionary

All the colonies around the world had to pay the highest price for liberating themselves from the shackles of colonisation. However, not all colonies fared the same as India. Revolutionary activities for India’s independence movement took place on a vast canvas that extended across many parts of the world.

2m ago

A visionary who elevated Dhaka University to global renown

Satyendra Nath Bose, more widely known as Satyen Bose, devoted 24 of the best years of his life to Dhaka University. On 1 July 1921, Dhaka University commenced its academic activities with only four departments, one of which was Physics. Prior to this, on 1 December 1920, P. J. Hartog assumed office as the university’s first Vice-Chancellor.

2m ago

H. H. Risley and Bengal, 1873-1911

Sir Herbert Hope Risley (1851-1911) – who signed himself ‘H. H. Risley’ – was a member of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) who became British India’s pre-eminent anthropologist.

2m ago

Sacrificed for Development

After the creation of Pakistan, the nascent state embarked on vigorous projects to industrialise both parts of the country.

3m ago

An Untold History of Bengali Migrants in Malaya and Singapore

During the 1980s and 1990s, a new wave of Bangladeshi migrants, comprising mainly unskilled workers, led to a widespread perception of Bengali migrants as itinerant labourers and temporary workers in the Malay Peninsula.

3m ago

The Tale of Ramna Racecourse

In 1825, Charles Dowes, the then Magistrate of Dhaka, initiated the clearing of the Ramna jungle using prison labour. He enclosed an oval-shaped area with wooden railings and introduced horse racing competitions. From that time, the white colonial officials and residents of Dhaka found a source of recreation at the racecourse.

3m ago

Brains before bridges: Prioritising human capital over infrastructure

A glance at the recent history of the world’s most developed nations reveals a compelling truth: no country has ever achieved sustainable development without first investing in education and research.

3m ago