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Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib
Land of Two Rivers chronicles the story of one of the most fascinating and influential regions in the Indian subcontinent. The confluence of two major river systems, Ganga and Brahmaputra, created the delta of Bengal—an ancient land known as a centre of trade, learning and the arts from the days of the Mahabharata and through the ancient dynasties. During the medieval era, this eventful journey saw the rise of Muslim dynasties which brought into being a unique culture, quite distinct from that of northern India. The colonial conquest in the eighteenth century opened the modern chapter of Bengal’s history and transformed the social and economic structure of the region.Nitish Sengupta traces the formation of Bengali identity through the Bengal Renaissance, the growth of nationalist politics and the complex web of events that eventually led to the partition of the region in 1947, analysing why, despite centuries of shared history and culture, the Bengalis finally divided along communal lines. The struggle of East Pakistan to free itself from West Pakistan’s dominance is vividly described, documenting the economic exploitation and cultural oppression of the Bengali people. Ultimately, under the leadership of Bangabandhu Mujibur Rahman, East Pakistan became the independent nation of Bangladesh in 1971.Land of Two Rivers is a scholarly yet extremely accessible account of the development of Bengal, sketching the eventful and turbulent history of this ancient civilization, rich in scope as well as in influence.
656 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2014
This is a rarity: a history book that I found to be unputdownable! Although brief & hasty at times, and definitely devoid of the 'larger picture' that we have come to associate with N.R.Roy thanks to his encyclopaedic work, this is a splendid snapshot of something very close to our heart, our motherland through the ages. In these days, when all of History appears rather 'Roshomon'-esque, with feeble truths getting hidden & obscured by boldness of unreliable narrators, such a book is definitely welcome. Recommended.
January 23, 2025
Reading Amitav Ghosh's Ibis trilogy got me interested in the history of Bengal.
There is a lot of focus on North India in Indian history and some focus on South India when it comes to ancient and medieval Indian history.
Even narratives of British Indian history focus is largely on the first half of the 20th century when Delhi was the capital.
Bengal history gets mostly a passing mention in most popular Indian history book and I can't recall reading much about it in school either.
The only prominent mention of Bengal history is the Battle of Plassey in 1757 which is viewed as the pivotal moment when the British established full control of India.
(Whose impact, according to the author, is probably overstated)
To be honest, this book isn't one of those narrative popular history books that you devour. Don't expect a William Dalrymple.
The author's style can be described as "summative" where he chronicles important events and dates. Which can feel like a data dump at parts.
But it is thorough, detailed and comprehensive and the author does not shy away from nuanced explanations of situations.
Though the book feels very bipartisan, one cannot help but notice a few incidents whether the author's judgement seeping through.
Finally, it is extremely focused on military battles and political history. There is almost nothing on the religious and socioeconomic history of Bengal.
Irregardless of all these criticisms, I am glad I read this book.
Recommended if you have an interest in Indian/Bengali history, otherwise skip.
There is a lot of focus on North India in Indian history and some focus on South India when it comes to ancient and medieval Indian history.
Even narratives of British Indian history focus is largely on the first half of the 20th century when Delhi was the capital.
Bengal history gets mostly a passing mention in most popular Indian history book and I can't recall reading much about it in school either.
The only prominent mention of Bengal history is the Battle of Plassey in 1757 which is viewed as the pivotal moment when the British established full control of India.
(Whose impact, according to the author, is probably overstated)
To be honest, this book isn't one of those narrative popular history books that you devour. Don't expect a William Dalrymple.
The author's style can be described as "summative" where he chronicles important events and dates. Which can feel like a data dump at parts.
But it is thorough, detailed and comprehensive and the author does not shy away from nuanced explanations of situations.
Though the book feels very bipartisan, one cannot help but notice a few incidents whether the author's judgement seeping through.
Finally, it is extremely focused on military battles and political history. There is almost nothing on the religious and socioeconomic history of Bengal.
Irregardless of all these criticisms, I am glad I read this book.
Recommended if you have an interest in Indian/Bengali history, otherwise skip.
August 6, 2021
#bookreview
I tried writing a detailed book review and I majestically failed. So I will try to keep it short.
I always wanted to read something on Bengal. This book is comprehensive history from ancient Bengal to Mujib as it says on the cover. The starting chapters could have been more comprehensible if they had maps. The book covers the middle ages to British colonisation. The demise of Muslim kingdoms and creation of Bhadralok class(educated bengali Hindus in 19th-20th century). It answered some questions for me about partition of Bengal closely followed by its annulment and politics of separation in Bengal. It was quiet insightful and really went into details of strained relationship between West Pakistan and East Bengal. I found this book not above prejudices and biases that plague Hindu-Muslim commentary. But the writer did try to be fair or at least acknowledge the fault lines. And only reason I feel like he managed to do that because in moments he was a Bengali, from a region that lost most to British Colonisation and which resulted in partition and even that didn't heal it wounds but gave way to more pain. If you get hands on this copy and interested in the region. I would recommend it.
I tried writing a detailed book review and I majestically failed. So I will try to keep it short.
I always wanted to read something on Bengal. This book is comprehensive history from ancient Bengal to Mujib as it says on the cover. The starting chapters could have been more comprehensible if they had maps. The book covers the middle ages to British colonisation. The demise of Muslim kingdoms and creation of Bhadralok class(educated bengali Hindus in 19th-20th century). It answered some questions for me about partition of Bengal closely followed by its annulment and politics of separation in Bengal. It was quiet insightful and really went into details of strained relationship between West Pakistan and East Bengal. I found this book not above prejudices and biases that plague Hindu-Muslim commentary. But the writer did try to be fair or at least acknowledge the fault lines. And only reason I feel like he managed to do that because in moments he was a Bengali, from a region that lost most to British Colonisation and which resulted in partition and even that didn't heal it wounds but gave way to more pain. If you get hands on this copy and interested in the region. I would recommend it.
November 20, 2025
This book was frustrating. I only finished about 2/3rd of it before dropping it.
Besides the author providing absolutely no citations, the book is riddled with errors. In one chapter, he references Eaton's book, "The Rise of Islam and the Bengal frontier", to claim that Eaton supports the "social liberation" theory to explain how people in East Bengal became Muslim. Eaton in his book, however, doesn't make any claim of that sort and instead criticizes the theory.
There are similar factual and interpretative errors present throughout the book. Moral judgement is omnipresent.
Also, the book is almost overwhelmingly a political history. Social, cultural, gender history etc. for ancient and medieval Bengal are basically non-existent (perhaps understandably so, since Indian and Bangladeshi historians remain very influenced by Marxist historiography) with the exception of two short chapters dedicated to Bengali literature. The presence of slavery is almost completely omitted. In a way, it's quite similar to old school history books that used to be written in the west in the 20th century.
Overall, this was not a very good read. It gets 2 stars because of the serviceable political history it provided. The fact that a book like this is, to this day, still used by professors in history courses in south Asia goes to show just how lacking the study of Bengal's history remains in the region.
Besides the author providing absolutely no citations, the book is riddled with errors. In one chapter, he references Eaton's book, "The Rise of Islam and the Bengal frontier", to claim that Eaton supports the "social liberation" theory to explain how people in East Bengal became Muslim. Eaton in his book, however, doesn't make any claim of that sort and instead criticizes the theory.
There are similar factual and interpretative errors present throughout the book. Moral judgement is omnipresent.
Also, the book is almost overwhelmingly a political history. Social, cultural, gender history etc. for ancient and medieval Bengal are basically non-existent (perhaps understandably so, since Indian and Bangladeshi historians remain very influenced by Marxist historiography) with the exception of two short chapters dedicated to Bengali literature. The presence of slavery is almost completely omitted. In a way, it's quite similar to old school history books that used to be written in the west in the 20th century.
Overall, this was not a very good read. It gets 2 stars because of the serviceable political history it provided. The fact that a book like this is, to this day, still used by professors in history courses in south Asia goes to show just how lacking the study of Bengal's history remains in the region.
April 22, 2018
After a while, I have read a impartial book on history, political history on the forefront. I had started reading the book for the reading the ancient history of Bengal but the book elaborates the recent political history while ancient bengal is a part of the narrative. The chronology is built from the ancient times thru the mideval ages to the modern era is superlative.
The comments of the author as analysis and reason for the events is quite upto the mark.
Bengal the province which had shed the most blood for the independence of India also had to shed an equal amount of blood due to the neglect of the colonial masters. The city of Calcutta and Province which gave the British their stronghold to run almost entire of Asia was neglected and destroyed politically and industrially so that it could not rise again easly.
The high point of the book is the Chapter on Netaji Subhas Bose. The Arch nemesis of the British Raj and equally mentioned by the author as the last Pan India/World leader from the Bengal. The arch enemy of the British was perhaps the last leader from the subcontinent who was a champion of religius unity (mastered from his Political Guru CR Das) which the INA trails established again when a Sikh, Hindu and an Muslim was tried as war criminals. I am glad for the author to end the chapter on Bose with the subheading on Bose's final dissapearance and mentioning that the plane crash theory was questionable which now has been proved false.
Role of all the other important leaders of the Independance movement has been elaborated with impartial view and it shows that the so called greats had had their political blunders.
A personal epilougue to the book would be the situation of the Bengalee brethren everywhere in the world. A unique linguistic lot who takes pride in their culture are divided politcally, united culturally but facing a lack unity which is paramount in the dimishing stature of their home state. The British divided the Bengali region so that it can't be united as a united Bengal would be a first step in the unification of the subcontinent.
If you want to read impartial and pragmatic history this book is definately a sureshot recommendation
The comments of the author as analysis and reason for the events is quite upto the mark.
Bengal the province which had shed the most blood for the independence of India also had to shed an equal amount of blood due to the neglect of the colonial masters. The city of Calcutta and Province which gave the British their stronghold to run almost entire of Asia was neglected and destroyed politically and industrially so that it could not rise again easly.
The high point of the book is the Chapter on Netaji Subhas Bose. The Arch nemesis of the British Raj and equally mentioned by the author as the last Pan India/World leader from the Bengal. The arch enemy of the British was perhaps the last leader from the subcontinent who was a champion of religius unity (mastered from his Political Guru CR Das) which the INA trails established again when a Sikh, Hindu and an Muslim was tried as war criminals. I am glad for the author to end the chapter on Bose with the subheading on Bose's final dissapearance and mentioning that the plane crash theory was questionable which now has been proved false.
Role of all the other important leaders of the Independance movement has been elaborated with impartial view and it shows that the so called greats had had their political blunders.
A personal epilougue to the book would be the situation of the Bengalee brethren everywhere in the world. A unique linguistic lot who takes pride in their culture are divided politcally, united culturally but facing a lack unity which is paramount in the dimishing stature of their home state. The British divided the Bengali region so that it can't be united as a united Bengal would be a first step in the unification of the subcontinent.
If you want to read impartial and pragmatic history this book is definately a sureshot recommendation
April 1, 2017
A lovely lovely book. A concise book that covers the history of Bengal from the earliest times of pre-Aryan civilization to the birth of Bangladesh. Though I haven't finished it yet, I feel the author has maintained an unbiased perspective. Very well researched.
Though it covers mainly the political history, from the earliest ruling dynasties and the conquests to the fight for independence in the modern era under the British powers and the partitions, and then under the oppression of the West-Pakistani forces, it also details some cultural aspects, such as the rise of Islam, the birth of Bengali as a language, the spread of Vaishnavism lead by shri Chaitanya, the architecture, the overall livelihood.
Must read for any Bengali who wants to know his/her roots.
Though it covers mainly the political history, from the earliest ruling dynasties and the conquests to the fight for independence in the modern era under the British powers and the partitions, and then under the oppression of the West-Pakistani forces, it also details some cultural aspects, such as the rise of Islam, the birth of Bengali as a language, the spread of Vaishnavism lead by shri Chaitanya, the architecture, the overall livelihood.
Must read for any Bengali who wants to know his/her roots.
October 25, 2020
If you're planning to read just one book on the history of Bengal, this should be it!
July 15, 2012
This is my first reading of history of Bengal.I liked the pacing and details in the book. Thanks to Mr.Sengupta, i now know my roots.
February 19, 2022
Great chronological overview of the history of Bengal: from prehistory to the Palas, the Senas, the Ilyas Shahi, The Golden Age of Alauddin Hussain Shah, and the Nawabs of Bengal. The author also moves on to explore the slow spread of the British Raj, the colonization, the independence movement, nascent Bengali nationalism and its initial failure, followed by Partition and post-1950 West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Some especially interesting chapters are: the spread of Islam, growth of Bengali language, Bengali Vaishnavism, Appearance of Europeans, the Renaissance and the religious reform movements. The nascent united Bengali nationalism is also very well explored, as is the development of the nation of Bangladesh.
Provided a firm grasp and overview of the basics of Bengal's composite cultural history. Interesting to see the composite culture of many sources- Hindu, Islamic and European that developed and is maintained to this day. A concise, informative and enjoyable book for providing the background to further research and study. Deals with the entire history of Bengal in a single volume, an admirable endeavour.
Some especially interesting chapters are: the spread of Islam, growth of Bengali language, Bengali Vaishnavism, Appearance of Europeans, the Renaissance and the religious reform movements. The nascent united Bengali nationalism is also very well explored, as is the development of the nation of Bangladesh.
Provided a firm grasp and overview of the basics of Bengal's composite cultural history. Interesting to see the composite culture of many sources- Hindu, Islamic and European that developed and is maintained to this day. A concise, informative and enjoyable book for providing the background to further research and study. Deals with the entire history of Bengal in a single volume, an admirable endeavour.
February 27, 2021
I wanted to read about the history of Bengal and saw this book recommended. In terms of pure scope, it is an amazing accomplishment. However, it assumes the reader already knows a fair bit of Indian history, so I would not recommend it unless you were already familiar with the subject. Also, while it strives to be a broad, sweeping history of the region, it's focused almost exclusively on political history and in particular the origins of communal division in the 20th century. I left the book feeling like I understood the politics but not necessarily any of the cultural factors that went into the events being described.
March 1, 2022
This book covers the history of Bengal from the earliest times until the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. The book covers the history of undivided Bengal till the Partition followed by greater diligence in narrating the affairs of erstwhile East Pakistan upto the creation of Bangladesh. It also provides a short and succinct account of West Bengal from the partition till the communist rule. The Epilogue updates the happenings in both Bengals till around 2010 or so. Well-researched, I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested to learn about the history of Bengal and Bengalis.
January 18, 2022
A fairly comprehensive history of the region of Bengal. He erroneously calls the Islamic invaders of India "Turkish" instead of "Turkic" throughout, which is bound to be misleading. I also found the author's practice of accepting indirect evidence as facts and usage of modern nomenclature in descriptions of the ancient period to be somewhat distracting. But it does the trick as an overview of the region's past.
February 5, 2023
Insane in Scale and Scope.There are valuable insights into the development of the Bengali language, religious tolerance as well as differences. Definitely a good read for the Bengalis starting to look into their roots and question why there is such a divide between Bengalis of India and Bengalis of Bangladesh - even those that share a common religion: “Bengal, or ‘Bangla Desh’.
October 26, 2021
The narrative is highly historical facts driven , hence might seems a little bit monotonous but a must read for those who are interested in search of their origin belonging from the lands of two rivers
April 24, 2021
An overall great read for anyone looking to cover major political and social events in Bengal. More pages should have been devoted though to the parts covering Partition and the history of post-colonial Bengal.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews