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hist_280___2.pptxHistory of Bengal: Old and Medieval Times & Science
Presented by
(Yuhao Rao)
Hist 280-940
Social and Cultural Life-Overview
Culture reflected traditions of original Bengalis, their mixing with the ‘snow capped’ people, Aryans and then the Muslims.
Budhist culture was also quite dominant
Religion had musing of both Aryan and Pre-Aryan times
Muslim saints were able to convert a lot of people to Iskam ad the religion gained popularity in the medevial times
Change brought by Aryans was the most prominent because their traditions were quite different as Aryans were not from India.
Aryan impact achieved a broad change in the fields of dialect, religion and society of Bengal.
Religion
Religious musings of the pre-Aryan and Aryan ages were added on to the Hindu religion.
Notable examples included Karmafal, Janmantar, Yoga
Brahmic religion was accepted quickly because it gave rights to general population
The Pala rulers belittled the Buddhist society
(The Islamic syncretistic tradition in Bengal 2014)
Politics and Economics
Ruled by the Maurya and the Gupta Group
General population had few rights
Hindus, Buddhists and low position individuals formed general public
Paddy, sugarcane, molasses were major farming products
Development of cotton, mustard and betel leaf was also fundamental to economy
Fruits and nuts were also sold in ample amounts
Silver coins were utilized as money for purchasing and offering products.
Dialect
The dialect of the first occupants of Bengal was Austric
This dialect blended with the dialect of Aryans, the Ancient Vedic Language
The dialect further improved and came to be known as ‘Sanskrit’
Initially, Sanskirt was only utilized by Brahmans
Normal individuals was called 'Prakrita Bhasa‘
Over time, books were written in Sanskrit and the magnificence of the language became apparent in commonly spoken dialect
Writing and Literature
With the development of the Bengali dialect, Bengali writing also gained popularity
It got a separate identity during the Medieval Age
Melodious ballads made by the Buddhist Monks called "Charjapada" were very famous.
Before Muslims, a book out of verses called 'Shunnya Purana‘ along with stories of different Gods and Goddesses by the Hindus gained popularity
Muslims had the major impact o the writing and that’s when writing flourished the most
(The Islamic syncretistic tradition in Bengal 2014)
Arts
The general population’s imprints on architecture, engineering, expressive arts, figures and painting is quitter apparent
Muslim impact on buildings is dominant to the day in the form of Dakhil Darwaza of Gaur, the 'Kotwali Darwaza', the Chata Sona Masjid, the Adina Masjid, the Baro Sona Masjid etc
Craftspeople of Bengal made excellent earthenware, plates, blades, scissors and so forth.
Excellent paper was produced using the barks of trees.
Ocean faring vessels were additionally implicit the shipbuilding manufacturing plants.
Apparel
Distinguished and rich men and ladies wore costly and appealing dresses.
Men wore ijar (pyajama) and long clothing with round neck. A wide ribbon made of material was tied round the waist. They wore the turban on their heads. They wore enlivened calfskin shoes and socks.
The refined Muslim ladies wore short kamiz and shalwar. They used to wear the scarfs made of cotton or silk. They wore sarees as well
Men and ladies, either Hindu or Muslim, both wore adornments.
(Recasting the Region: Language, Culture, and Islam in Colonial Bengal 2016)
References
Roy, A. (2014). The Islamic syncretistic tradition in Bengal. Princeton University Press.
Sengupta, P. (2016). Neilesh Bose. Recasting the Region: Language, Culture, and Islam in Colonial Bengal. The American Historical Review,121(1), 216-217.
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