Bangladesh / বাংলাদেশ

officially the The People's Republic of Bangladesh (Bengali: গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ Gônoprojatontri Bangladesh) is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma (Myanmar) to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south. Together with the Indian state of West Bengal, it makes up the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal" in the official Bengali language.

 

The borders of present-day Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal and India in 1947, when the region became the eastern wing of the newly formed Pakistan. However, it was separated from the western wing by 1,600 km (994 mi) of Indian territory. Political and linguistic discrimination as well as economic neglect led to popular agitations against West Pakistan, which led to the war for independence in 1971 and the establishment of Bangladesh. After independence the new state endured famines, natural disasters and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress.

 

Bangladesh is the seventh most populous country and is among the most densely populated countries in the world with a high poverty rate. However, per-capita (inflation-adjusted) GDP has more than doubled since 1975, and the poverty rate has fallen by 20% since the early 1990s. The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies. Dhaka, the capital, and other urban centers have been the driving force behind this growth

Geographically, the country straddles the fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta and is subject to annual monsoon floods and cyclones. Bangladesh has the longest unbroken sea beach in the world in the Cox's Bazaar. The government is a parliamentary democracy. Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the OIC, SAARC, BIMSTEC, and the D-8. As the World Bank notes in its July 2005 Country Brief, the country has made significant progress in human development in the areas of literacy, gender parity in schooling and reduction of population growth.

However, Bangladesh continues to face a number of major challenges, including widespread political and bureaucratic corruption, economic competition relative to the world, serious overpopulation, widespread poverty, and an increasing danger of hydrologic shocks brought on by ecological vulnerability to climate change.

 

History

Remnants of civilization in the greater Bengal region date back four thousand years, when the region was settled by Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman, and Austro-Asiatic peoples. The exact origin of the word "Bangla" or "Bengal" is unknown, though it is believed to be derived from Bang, the Dravidian-speaking tribe that settled in the area around the year 1000 BC.

 

The kingdom of Gangaridai was formed from at least the seventh century BC, which later united with Bihar under the Magadha, Nanda, Mauryan and Sunga Empires. Bengal was later part of the Gupta Empire and Harsha Empire from the third to the sixth centuries CE. Following its collapse, a dynamic Bengali named Shashanka founded an impressive yet short-lived kingdom. Shashanka is considered the first independent king in the history of Bangladesh.

 

After a period of anarchy, the Buddhist Pala dynasty ruled the region for four hundred years, followed by a shorter reign of the Hindu Sena dynasty. Islam was introduced to Bengal in the twelfth century by Arab Muslim merchants and Sufi missionaries, and subsequent Muslim conquests helped spread Islam throughout the region.

 

Bakhtiar Khilji, a Turkic general, defeated Lakshman Sen of the Sena dynasty and conquered large parts of Bengal in the year 1204. The region was ruled by dynasties of Sultans and land lords Bhuiyan for the next few hundred years. By the 16th century, the Mughal Empire controlled Bengal, and Dhaka became an important provincial centre of Mughal administration.

 

European traders arrived late in the 15th century, and their influence grew until the British East India Company gained control of Bengal following the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The bloody rebellion of 1857, known as the Sepoy Mutiny, resulted in transfer of authority to the crown, with a British viceroy running the administration. During colonial rule, famine racked the Indian subcontinent many times, including the Great Bengal famine of 1943 that claimed 3 million lives.

 

20th century

Between 1905 and 1911, an abortive attempt was made to divide the province of Bengal into two zones, with Dhaka being the capital of the eastern zone. When India was partitioned in 1947, Bengal was partitioned along religious lines (for the majority Muslims), with the western part going to India and the eastern part joining Pakistan as a province called East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan), with its capital at Dhaka.

 

In 1950, land reform was accomplished in East Bengal with the abolishment of the feudal zamindari system. However, despite the economic and demographic weight of the east, Pakistan's government and military were largely dominated by the upper classes from the west. The Bengali Language Movement of 1952 was the first sign of friction between the two wings of Pakistan.

 

Dissatisfaction with the central government over economic and cultural issues continued to rise through the next decade, during which the Awami League emerged as the political voice of the Bengali-speaking population. It agitated for autonomy in the 1960s, and in 1966, its president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was jailed; he was released in 1969, after an unprecedented popular uprising.

 

In 1970, a massive cyclone devastated the coast of East Pakistan, killing up to half a million people, and the central government responded poorly. The Bengali population's anger was compounded when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose Awami League won a majority in Parliament in the 1970 elections, was blocked from taking office.

 

After staging compromise talks with Mujib, President Yahya Khan arrested him on the early hours of March 26, 1971, and launched Operation Searchlight, a sustained military assault on East Pakistan. Yahya's methods were extremely bloody, and the violence of the war resulted in many civilian deaths . Chief targets included intellectuals and Hindus, and about ten million refugees fled to neighbouring India. Estimates of those massacred throughout the war range from three hundred thousand to 3 million.

 

Before his arrest by the Pakistan Army, Sk. Mujibur Rahman formally declared the independence of Bangladesh and directed everyone to fight till the last soldier of the Pakistan army was evicted from East Pakistan. Awami League leaders set up a government-in-exile in Calcutta, India. The exile government formally took oath at Mujib Nagar in Kustia district of East Pakistan on April 14, 1971 with Tajuddin Ahmad as the first Prime Minister.

The Bangladesh Liberation War lasted for nine months. The Bangladesh Forces formed within 11 sectors led by General M.A.G. Osmani consisting of Bengali Regulars and Mukti Bahini conducted a massive guerilla war against the Pakistan Forces with all out support from the Indian Armed Forces. Jointly the Mitro Bahini achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, with Indian Armed Forces taking over 90,000 prisoners of war.

After its independence, Bangladesh became a parliamentary democracy, with Mujib as the Prime Minister. In the 1973 parliamentary elections, the Awami League gained an absolute majority. A nationwide famine occurred during 1973 and 1974, and in early 1975, Mujib initiated a one-party socialist rule with his newly formed BAKSAL. On August 15, 1975, Mujib with most of his family members were assassinated by mid-level military officers. On November 19, 2009, the Supreme Court awarded death penalty to 12 convicts. Five condemned killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were hanged early on January 28, 2010 at Dhaka Central Jail amid tight security. Apart from the five executed, six are on the run and one died.

 

A series of bloody coups and counter-coups in the following three months culminated in the ascent to power of General Ziaur Rahman, who reinstated multi-party politics & founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Zia's rule ended when he was assassinated in 1981 by elements of the military. Bangladesh's next major rulers General Hossain Mohammad Ershad, who gained power in a bloodless coup in 1982 and ruled until 1990, when he was forced to resign after a massive revolt of all major political parties and the public, joined with pressure from western donors (which was a major shift in international policy after the end of communism).

 

Since then, Bangladesh has reverted to a parliamentary democracy. Zia's widow, Khaleda Zia, led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to parliamentary victory at the general election in 1991 and became the first female Prime Minister in Bangladesh's history. However, the Awami League, headed by Sheikh Hasina, one of Mujib's surviving daughters, clinched power at the next election in 1996 but lost to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party again in 2001.

 

On January 11, 2007, following widespread political unrest, a caretaker government was appointed to administer the next general election. The country had suffered from extensive corruption, disorder and political violence. The new caretaker government has made it a priority to root out corruption from all levels of government. To this end, many notable politicians and officials, along with large numbers of lesser officials and party members, have been arrested on corruption charges. The caretaker government held a fair and free election on December 29, 2008. Awami League's Sheikh Hasina won the elections with a landslide victory and took oath of Prime Minister on January 6, 2009.

 

Geography and climate

Bangladesh is in the low-lying Ganges–Brahmaputra River Delta or Ganges Delta. This delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges (local name Padma or Pôdda), Brahmaputra (Jamuna or Jomuna), and Meghna rivers and their respective tributaries. The Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal. The alluvial soil deposited by these rivers has created some of the most fertile plains in the world. Bangladesh has 58 trans-boundary rivers, making water issues politically complicated to resolve – in most cases as the lower riparian state to India.[48] Most parts of Bangladesh are less than 12 m (39.4 ft) above the sea level, and it is believed that about 50% of the land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 m (3.28 ft).

 

In south east Bangladesh experiments have been done since the sixties to 'build with nature'. By implementing cross dams, the natural accretion of silt has created new land. With Dutch funding, the Bangladeshi government began to help develop this new land in the late 1970s. The effort has since become a multiagency operation building roads, culverts, embankments, cyclone shelters, toilets and ponds, as well as distributing land to settlers. By fall 2010, the program will have allotted some 27,000 acres (10,927 ha) to 21,000 families.

 

The highest point in Bangladesh is in Mowdok range at 1,052 m (3,450 ft) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to the southeast of the country.

 

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June. A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores occur almost every year, combined with the effects of deforestation, soil degradation and erosion. Cox's Bazar, south of the city of Chittagong, has a beach that stretches uninterrupted over 120 kilometres (75 mi).

 

In September 1998, Bangladesh saw the most severe flooding in modern world history. As the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Meghna spilt over and swallowed 300,000 houses, 9,700 kilometres (6,027 mi) of road and 2,700 kilometres (1,678 mi) of embankment 1,000 people were killed and 30 million more were made homeless with 135,000 cattle killed, 50 square kilometres (19.3 sq mi) of land destroyed and 11,000 kilometres (6,835 mi) of roads damaged or destroyed. Two-thirds of the country was underwater. There were several reasons for the severity of the flooding. Firstly, there were unusually high monsoon rains. Secondly, the Himalayas shed off an equally unusually high amount of melt water that year. Thirdly, trees that usually would have intercept rain water had been cut down for firewood or to make space for animals.

 

Bangladesh is now widely recognized to be one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Natural hazards that come from increased rainfall, rising sea levels, and tropical cyclones are expected to increase as climate change, each seriously affecting agriculture, water & food security, human health and shelter. It is believed that in the coming decades the rising sea level alone will create more than 20 million climate refugees.

 

Other infos

 

Oficial Name:

গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ

Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh

গণ প্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ (Gôṇ Prôjātôntrī Bāṁlādeš)

 

Independence:

Declared March 26, 1971

- Victory Day December 16 1971

 

Area:

147.450km2

 

Inhabitants:

150.790.000

 

Language:

Arakanese [mhv] 200,000 in Bangladesh (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population includes 150,000 Marmar, 35,000 Rakhain (SIL 2002). Southeast, Chittagong Hills area. Marma is in the hills and Rakhine along the coast. Alternate names: Marama, "Maghi", "Mogh", "Magh", Mash, Marma. Dialects: Marma (Morma), Rakhine (Rakhain, Yakhain). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern

 

Assamese [asm] Alternate names: Asambe, Asami. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Bengali [ben] 100,000,000 in Bangladesh (1994 UBS). 211,000,000 including second-language speakers (1999 WA). Population total all countries: 171,070,202. Western. Also spoken in India, Malawi, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA. Alternate names: Banga-Bhasa, Bangala, Bangla. Dialects: Languages or dialects in the Bengali group according to Grierson: Central (Standard) Bengali, Western Bengali (Kharia Thar, Mal Paharia, Saraki), Southwestern Bengali, Northern Bengali (Koch, Siripuria), Rajbanshi, Bahe, Eastern Bengali (East Central, including Sylhetti), Haijong, Southeastern Bengali (Chakma), Ganda, Vanga, Chittagonian (possible dialect of Southeastern Bengali). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Bishnupriya [bpy] 40,000 in Bangladesh (2003). Alternate names: Bishnupuriya, Bisna Puriya, Bishnupria Manipuri. Dialects: Rajar Gang, Madoi Gang. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Burmese [mya] 300,000 in Bangladesh (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Area bordering Myanmar. Alternate names: Bama, Bamachaka, Myen. Dialects: Bomang. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern

 

Chak [ckh] 5,500 in Bangladesh (2002). Most in Arakan Blue Mountains, Baishari, Banderbon, South, Nrrkhinsorithan, Bishar Chokpra. Alternate names: Sak. Classification: Unclassified

 

Chakma [ccp] 312,207 in Bangladesh (2000 WCD). Population total all countries: 612,207. Southeast, Chittagong Hills area, and Chittagong City. Also spoken in India. Alternate names: Takam. Dialects: 6 dialects. Chakma of India understood with difficulty. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Chin, Asho [csh] 1,422 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Sho, Shoa, Khyang, Khyeng, Qin. Dialects: Chittagong, Lemyo, Minbu, Saingbaun, Sandoway, Thayetmyo. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Sho

 

Chin, Bawm [bgr] 5,773 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Bawn, Bawng, Bom, Bawm. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

 

Chin, Falam [flm] Alternate names: Hallam Chin, Halam, Fallam, Falam. Dialects: Chorei, Zanniat. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Northern

 

Chin, Haka [cnh] 1,264 in Bangladesh (2000 WCD). Alternate names: Haka, Baungshe, Lai. Dialects: Klangklang (Thlantlang), Zokhua, Shonshe. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

 

Chin, Khumi [cnk] 1,188 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Alternate names: Khumi, Khami, Kami, Kumi, Khweymi, Khuni. Dialects: Khimi, Yindi (Yindu), Khami, Ngala. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Khumi

 

Chittagonian [cit] 14,000,000 in Bangladesh (1998 H. Ebersole). Chittagong Region. Also spoken in Myanmar. Alternate names: Chittagonian Bengali. Dialects: Rohinga (Akyab). Not inherently intelligible with Bengali, although considered to be a nonstandard Bengali dialect. A continuum of dialects from north to south, with a larger religious distinction between Muslim and others. An ethnic Bengali Muslim who speaks the Muslim variety of Chittagonian Bengali and was born in Arakan state, Myanmar, is called a 'Rohinga'. The dialect is intelligible to those born in southeastern Bangladesh. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Darlong [dln] 9,000 in Bangladesh. Population total all countries: 15,000. Also spoken in India. Alternate names: Dalong. Dialects: Also reported to be related to Tipura. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

 

Garo [grt] 102,000 in Bangladesh (1993). Northeastern, Mymensingh plains, Tangail Shripur, Jamelpur, Netrakara, Sylhet, Dhaka. Alternate names: Garrow, Mande. Dialects: Abeng, Achik. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Garo

 

Hajong [haj] Alternate names: Haijong. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Ho [hoc] Alternate names: Lanka Kol. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Mundari

 

Indian Sign Language [ins] Classification: Deaf sign language

 

Khasi [kha] Very few speakers of standard Khasi. Moulvibazar District, near Fenchuganj, Madhabkunda, Barlekha, Goalbari, Fultala, Alinagar, Islampur, Khajori, Rashidpur, Satgoan, Kamalganj, and Alinagar; Sylhet District, near Jaflong, Tamabil, Jaintiapur and north of Raipur; Hobiganj District. Alternate names: Kahasi, Khasiyas, Khuchia, Kyi, Cossyah, Khassee, Khasie. Dialects: Khasi (Cherrapunji), Lyngngam (Lngngam). Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian

 

Koch [kdq] Alternate names: Koc, Kocch, Koce, Kochboli, Konch. Dialects: Banai, Harigaya, Satpariya, Tintekiya, Wanang. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Koch

 

Kok Borok [trp] 100,000 in Bangladesh (2001). Alternate names: Tripuri, Tripura, Tipura, Mrung, Usipi. Dialects: Jamatia, Noatia, Riang (Tipra), Halam, Debbarma. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo

 

Kurux [kru] Alternate names: Kurukh, Uraon, Oraoan. Classification: Dravidian, Northern

 

Megam [mef] 6,872 (2000 WCD). Northeastern Bangladesh. Alternate names: Migam. Dialects: Called a dialect of Garo, but may be a separate language. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Garo

 

Meitei [mni] 15,000 in Bangladesh (2003). Sylhet. Alternate names: Meithei, Meithe, Mitei, Mithe, Meiteiron, Manipuri, Kathe, Kathi, Ponna. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Meitei

 

Mizo [lus] 1,041 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Mizo Hills, Chittagong, Sylhet. Alternate names: Lusai, Lushai, Lushei, Sailau, Hualngo, Whelngo, Lei. Dialects: Ralte, Dulien, Ngente, Mizo, Le. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

 

Mru [mro] 80,000 in Bangladesh (2002 SIL). Population total all countries: 81,231. Southeastern, Chittagong Hills; 200 villages. Also spoken in India. Alternate names: Murung, Mrung, Maru, Niopreng. Dialects: Lexical similarity 13% with Mro Chin. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Mru

 

Mundari [muw] Alternate names: Munda, Mandari, Munari, Horo, Mondari, Colh. Dialects: Hasada', Latar, Naguri, Kera'. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Mundari

 

Pankhu [pkh] 2,278 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Population total all countries: 2,512. Bandarban, Rangamati, Kagrachori, and some in Malumghat and Chittagong. Also spoken in India, Myanmar. Alternate names: Pankho, Panko, Pangkhu. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

 

Pnar [pbv] 4,000 in Bangladesh (2002). Along the India border in the northeast; Sylhet Division, Sylhet District, near Jaflong, Tamabil, Jaintiapur, and north of Raipur; Moulavi Bazar District, near Fenchuganj, Madhabkunda, Barlekha, Goalbari, Fultala, Alinagar, Islampur, Khajori, Rashidpur, Satgoan, Kamalganj. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian

 

Rajbanshi [rjb] 12,916 in Bangladesh (2000). Northwest regions of Bangladesh. Alternate names: Rajbangsi, Rajbansi, Tajpuri. Dialects: Bahe. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Riang [ria] 1,011 in Bangladesh (2000). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Reang, Kau Bru. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo

 

Sadri, Oraon [sdr] 165,683 (2000 WCD). Throughout Rajshahi Division; in Chittagong Division, Moulvibazar and Hobigani districts; and Khulna Division, Jhenaidah District (Jhenaidah Thana, Moheshpur Thana), Kushtia District (Mirpur Thana), Magura District (Magura Thana). Dialects: Borail Sadri, Nurpur Sadri, Uchai Sadri, Mokkan Tila Sadri. The dialects listed may need separate literature. Inherent intelligibility of 7 Sadri varieties on Borail ranges from 70% to 93%; of 8 varieties on Nurpur from 78% to 94%. Lexical similarity of 14 Sadri varieties with Borail Sadri ranges from 88% to 97%. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari

 

Santali [sat] 157,000 in Bangladesh (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Ethnic population: 42,698. Alternate names: Hor, Satar, Santhali, Sandal, Sangtal, Santal, Har, Sonthal. Dialects: Karmali (Khole), Kamari-Santali, Lohari-Santali, Paharia, Mahali (Mahle) Manjhi. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Santali

 

Shendu [shl] 1,000 in Bangladesh (1980 UBS). Chittagong Hills. Also spoken in India. Alternate names: Khyen, Khyeng, Khieng, Shandu, Sandu. Dialects: Close to Asho, Khyang, Thayetmo, Minbu, Chinbon, Lemyo, Mara Chin (Lakher). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Sho

 

Sylheti [syl] 7,000,000 in Bangladesh. Population total all countries: 10,300,000. Ethnic population: 8,000,000 or more. District of Sylhet, Sunamgani, Habigani, Moulvibazar. Sylhet is about 100 miles north of Dacca. Also spoken in Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, United Kingdom, USA. Alternate names: Sylhetti, Sylhetti Bangla, Sileti, Siloti, Syloti, Syloty. Dialects: Close to Bengali, Assamese. Lexical similarity 70% with Bengali. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Tangchangya [tnv] 17,695 (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Tanchangya. Dialects: Close to Chakma. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

 

Tippera [tpe] 100,000 (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Tippera-Bengali, Tipperah, Tipra, Tipura, Triperah, Tippurah, Tripura. Dialects: 36 dialects. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified

 

Usui [usi] 4,010 (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Unshoi, Unsuiy, Ushoi. Dialects: Close to Tippera. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified

 

War [aml] 16,000 in Bangladesh (2003 SIL). Population total all countries: 28,000. Along the India border in the northeast; Sylhet Division, Sylhet District, near Jaflong, Tamabil, Jaintiapur, and north of Raipur; Moulavi Bazar District, near Fenchuganj, Madhabkunda, Barlekha, Goalbari, Fultala, Alinagar, Islampur, Khajori, Rashidpur, Satgoan, Kamalganj, Alinagar. Also spoken in India. Alternate names: Amwi, Waar. Dialects: War-Jaintia, War-Khasi. Probably distinct from War, a dialect of Khasi in India. 75% intelligibility of Khasi by War-Jaintia. Jirang is similar, and may be a dialect. Lexical similarity 70% to 75% between War-Jaintia and War-Khasi; War-Jaintia dialect 41% to 45% with Pnar (from scant data), 35% with standard Khasi. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian

 

Capital City:

Dhaka

 

Meaning of the country name:

From Bengali/Sanskrit, Bangla referring to the Bengali-speaking people, and Desh meaning "country", hence "Country of the Bengalis". The country previously formed part of colonial British India. Bengali culture spans a wider area than that of the state of Bangladesh: the culture extends into present-day India (in Assam (Boro Peoples), Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal, and Jharkand.

East Pakistan (former name): the name used when Pakistan comprised both modern-day Pakistan, or "West Pakistan", and modern-day Bangladesh — "East Pakistan". See Pakistan below (note that the name "Pakistan" comes from an acronym of the country's various regions/homelands; Bangladesh or its regions do not feature as part of the acronym.)

Note; the river Ganga leaves the plains from Hindustan of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of South Asia into Bangladesh forming the Ganges Delta (Bengal Delta) the biggest in the world, also known as the Mouths of the Ganges opening up into the Bay of Bengal near the Sunderbans (National Parks of India), a natural habitat shared by Indo-Banga inhabitants for Indian Wildlife; Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger both the National animal of Bharat and Bangladesh (Independent Bengal).

 

Description Flag:

The national flag of Bangladesh was adopted officially on January 17, 1972. It is based on a similar flag used during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. This flag depicted a map of Bangladesh over a red sun. The map was later deleted from the flag, most likely to simplify the design. The current flag resembles the flag of Japan, except that it has a green field instead of a white one. A red disc is on top of the green field, offset slightly toward the hoist so that it appears centered when the flag is flying. The red disc represents the sun rising over Bengal, and also the blood of those who died for the independence of Bangladesh. The green field stands for the lushness of the land of Bangladesh

 

Coat of arms:

Was adopted shortly after independence in 1971.

Located on the emblem is a water lily, that is bordered on two sides by rice sheaves. Above the water lilly are four stars and a three-leaf clover of tea leaves. The water lilly is the country's national flower, and is representative of the many rivers that run through Bangladesh. Rice represents its presence as the staple food of Bangladesh, and for the agriculture of that nation. The four stars represent the four founding principles that were originally enshrined in the first constitution of Bangladesh in 1972: nationalism, secularism, socialism, and democracy.

 

National Anthem: :আমার সোনার বাংলা), Amar Shonar Bangla (My Golden Bengal)

 

Bengali

 

আমার সোনার বাংলা

আমার সোনার বাংলা,

আমি তোমায় ভালবাসি।

চিরদিন তোমার আকাশ,

তোমার বাতাস

আমার প্রাণে বাজায় বাঁশি।

ও মা,

ফাগুনে তোর আমের বনে

ঘ্রানে পাগল করে--

মরি হায়, হায় রে

ও মা,

অঘ্রানে তোর ভরা খেতে,

আমি কি দেখেছি মধুর হাসি।।

কি শোভা কি ছায়া গো,

কি স্নেহ কি মায়া গো--

কি আঁচল বিছায়েছ

বটের মূলে,

নদীর কূলে কূলে।

মা, তোর মুখের বাণী

আমার কানে লাগে

সুধার মতো--

মরি হায়, হায় রে

মা, তোর বদনখানি মলিন হলে

আমি নয়ন জলে ভাসি।।

 

Transliteration

 

Amar Shonar Bangla

 

Amar shonar Bangla,

Ami tomake bhalobashi.

 

Chirodin tomar akash,

Tomar batash,

Amar prane bajae bãshi.

 

O ma,

Phagune tor amer bone

Ghrane pagol kôre,

Mori hae, hae re,

O ma,

Ôghrane tor bhôra khete

Ami ki dekhechhi modhur hashi.

 

Ki shobha, ki chhaea go,

Ki sneho, ki maea go,

Ki ãchol bichhaeechho

Bôţer mule,

Nodir kule kule!

 

Ma, tor mukher bani

Amar kane lage,

Shudhar môto,

Mori hae, hae re,

Ma, tor bôdonkhani molin hole,

Ami nôeon jôle bhashi.

 

English

 

My beloved Bengal

 

My Bengal of Gold,

I love you.

 

Forever your skies,

Your air set my heart in tune

As if it were a flute.

 

In spring, O mother mine,

The fragrance from your mango groves

Makes me wild with joy,

Ah, what a thrill!

In autumn, O mother mine,

In the full blossomed paddy fields

I have seen spread all over sweet smiles.

 

Ah, what a beauty, what shades,

What an affection, and what a tenderness!

What a quilt have you spread

At the feet of banyan trees

And along the banks of rivers!

 

O mother mine, words from your lips

Are like nectar to my ears.

Ah, what a thrill!

If sadness, O mother mine,

Casts a gloom on your face,

My eyes are filled with tears!

 

Internet Page:

www.bangladesh.gov.bd

www.bangladesh.com

www.virtualbangladesh.com

www.bangladeshtourism.gov.bd

 

Bangladesh in diferent languages

 

eng | arg | ast | bre | cat | cor | cym | dan | est | eus | fin | fra | ina | ita | jav | jnf | nld | nor | rup | sme | spa | srd | swa | swe | vor | wln: Bangladesh

dsb | hrv | hsb | slv | szl: Bangladeš

afr | fao | lim: Bangladesj

crh | gag | tuk: Bangladeş / Бангладеш

deu | ltz | nds: Bangladesch / Bangladeſch

ces | slk: Bangladéš

csb | pol: Bangladesz

fry | hun: Banglades

ind | msa: Bangladesh / بڠڬلاديش

kaa | uzb: Bangladesh / Бангладеш

kin | run: Bangladeshe

aze: Banqladeş / Бангладеш

bam: Bangiladɛsi

bos: Bangladeš / Бангладеш

epo: Bangladeŝo

frp: Banglladèch•e

fur: Bangladesj

gla: Bangladais; Bangla Dais; Bangla-deis; Bangladeis

gle: An Bhanglaidéis / An Ḃanglaidéis; An Bhangladéis / An Ḃangladéis

glg: Bangladés; Bangladesh

glv: Yn Vangladesh

hat: Bangladèch

ibo: Baṅladesh

isl: Bangladess

kmr: Bangladêş / Бангладеш / بانگلادێش

kur: Bengladeş / بەنگلادەش; Bengladêş / بەنگلادێش

lat: Bangladesa; Bangladesia

lav: Bangladeša

lin: Bángaladɛ́si

lit: Bangladešas

lld: Bangladesc

mlg: Bangladesha

mlt: Bangladexx

mol: Bangladeş / Бангладеш

nrm: Baunglladèche

oci: Bangladèsh

por: Bangladesh; Bangladeche

que: Banklades

rmy: Bangladeš / बान्ग्लादेश

roh: Bangladesch

ron: Bangladeş

scn: Bangladesci

slo: Bangladesx / Бангладеш

smg: Banglodešas

smo: Panikalatesi

som: Bangaala-Dheesh

sqi: Bangladeshi

tet: Bangladexe

ton: Pengikolotesi

tur: Bangladeş

vie: Băng-la-đét

vol: Bängalän

wol: Banglaades

zza: Bengladeş

alt | bul | che | chm | chv | kbd | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | mkd | mon | oss | rus | tyv | udm: Бангладеш (Bangladeš)

bak | tat: Бангладеш / Bangladeş

abq: Бангладеш (Bangładeš)

bel: Бангладэш / Banhładeš

kaz: Бангладеш / Bangladeş / بانگلادەش

srp: Бангладеш / Bangladeš

tgk: Бангладеш / بنگلدش / Bangladeş

ukr: Банґладеш (Bangladeš)

ara: بنغلادش (Banġlādiš); بنغلاديش (Banġlādīš); بنجلادش (Banglādiš); بنجلاديش (Banglādīš)

fas: بنگلادش (Banglādeš)

prs: بنگلدیش (Bangladēš)

pus: بنګلدېش (Bangladeš); بنګلادېش (Banglādeš)

snd: بنگلادیش (Banglādeša)

uig: بانگلادېش / Ban’gladésh / Бангладеш

urd: بنگلادیش (Banglādeš); بنگلہدیش (Banglâdeš)

div: ބަނގްލަދޭށް (Baṅgladēŝ); ބަންގާޅު (Bangāḷu)

heb: בנגלדש (Bangladeš); באנגלאדש (Bânglâdeš)

lad: באנגלאדיש / Bangladesh

yid: באַנגלאַדעש (Bangladeš)

amh: ባንግላደሽ (Bangladäš)

ell: Μπανγκλαντές (Mpangklantés); Μπαγκλαντές (Mpagklantés); Μπαγγλαντές (Mpagglantés); Μπάγκλα-Ντες (Mpágkla-Ntes)

hye: Բանգլադեշ (Bangladeš)

kat: ბანგლადეში (Bangladeši)

hin | nep: बांग्लादेश (Bāṁglādeš)

mar: बांगलादेश (Bāṁglādeŝ)

ben: বাংলাদেশ (Bāṁlādeš)

guj: બાંગ્લાદેશ (Bāṁglādeš)

ori: ବାଂଲାଦେଶ (Bāṁlādeš)

pan: ਬੰਗਲਾਦੇਸ਼ (Baṁglādeš)

sin: බංගලි දේශය (Baṁgali Dēšaya)

kan: ಬಾಂಗ್ಲಾದೇಶ (Bāṁglādēša); ಬಾಂಗ್ಲದೇಶ (Bāṁgladēša)

mal: ബംഗ്ലാദേശ് (Baṁglādēš)

tam: பங்களாதேஷ் (Paṅkaḷātēš); வங்காளதேசம் (Vaṅkāḷatēčam); வங்க தேசம் (Vaṅka Tēčam)

tel: బంగ్లాదేశ్ (Baṁglādēš)

zho: 孟加拉 (Mèngjiālā)

jpn: バングラデシュ (Banguradeshu)

kor: 방글라데시 (Banggeulladesi)

dzo: བངྒ་ལ་དེཤ་ (Baṅg.la.deṣ.)

mya: ဘင္ဂလားဒေ့ရ္ဟ္ (Bʰĩgálàdéš)

tha: บังคลาเทศ (Bâṅkʰlātʰēt)

lao: ບັງກະລາແດັດ (Bâṅkalādæt); ບັງກາລະເທດ (Bâṅkālatʰēt)

khm: បង់ក្លាដេស (Băṅklādes)

 

Done