The history of Bangladesh has been one of extremes, of havoc and peace, prosperity and privation . It has thrived under the ruddiness of cultural splendour and suffered under the pillages of war. The earliest remark of Bangladesh is generally found in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata (the story of Great Battle-9th century B.C). Evidence also suggests that there was a strong Mongoloid presence as well. Soon after, in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. came the Aryans from Central Asia and the Dravidians from occident India. Then came the Guptas, Palas, Senas, who were Buddhist and Hindus. From the 13th century A.D. the exodus of Muslim intruders and the tide of Islam plunged the Buddhist and Hindus untold 8th century. Sometimes there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi and Ilyas Shahi monarchs while at other times they reignd on behalf of the imperial throne of Delhi. From 15th century the Europeans, namely; Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D. when the last Muslim ruler of Ben. gal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947 the country was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Present Bangladesh becomes the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy for East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural difference and economic discriminations between the two partitions . The seeds of independence were strewed through the Language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bengali as a state language. Ultimately the then East Pakistan emerged as a sovereign and independent state of Bangladesh in 1971 after nine month - long war of Liberation (starting on 26 March 1971) in which 3 million people courted martyrdom.
Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year every year in the capital Dhaka and across the country with color and verve despite a heat wave.Men in traditional punjabi and pyjama, women in white and red sari and children dressed in all hues thronged Ramna Batamul and the traditional Baishakhi Mela from dawn in celebration of the biggest Bengali carnival.Crowds streamed through the city streets under scorching sun, making for the leafy shade of Ramna Batamul The traditional New Year platter of panta ilish , fried hilsa fish, lightly fermented rice, lentil and smoked chilli was all the rage.
