English has become the world's lingua franca, a term that refers to a common language used by people who do not share a mother tongue. The language is spoken by an estimated 1.5 billion people globally, making it the most widely spoken language globally, according to Statista. As many as 67 countri
Tucked away in the heart of Old Dhaka, Emran’s Heritage House is a two-hundred-year-old gem that has stood the test of time. This prestigious house is a testament to Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage and history and has been visited by many notable figures, including politicians, arti
One of the oldest cities in the sub-continent, and the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, holds a glorious administrative history. This history has spanned several centuries. From being the Mughal era's trade centre to being a bustling modern city, Dhaka has seen numerous transformations in its administ
The Second World War was one of human history's most significant and catastrophic events, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Decades after it ended, the war still holds a fascination for many people, whether it's the grand military strategy or the individual stories of bravery and sacri
Constantinople was the seat of the Byzantine empire and the subject of many attacks from their enemies. The city was protected by a huge defensive wall and other fortifications, but one of the greatest threats to the attacking forces was a devastating weapon called Greek Fire. It was a flammable l
Jamdani saree epitomises elegance and sophistication, thanks to its aesthetic designs and contrasting weaves. Its fine muslin fabric, adorned with eye-catching craftsmanship in monochromatic, two-colour, light or heavy designs, is always on top of saree lovers' lists. UNESCO recognised it as a Geog
We all know about the fabled city, Atlantis. According to the legend, the city represented a civilisation far ahead of its contemporaries. But they angered the gods and suffered utter destruction. To this day, many people are still searching for the city. But there is a similar tale of anoth
Bangladesh is relatively homogenous in terms of ethnicity and language, as almost 98 per cent of the people in Bangladesh identify as Bengalis and have Bengali as their native language. However, hundreds of languages indigenous to our land, especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, are on th
Every Bengali festival, from Pohela Boishakh to Eid, Puja and even weddings in Bangladesh, is incomplete for women without Churi (Bengals). Even though Churi has become a modern-day ornament for the women of South Asian countries, the origin of Churi dates back to 2600 B.C. in the Indus Valley Civi
"Moder gorob, moder asha, amori bangla bhasha" - perhaps we Bengalis are the only nation who can boastfully claim that our language is our pride. For this very language, we valiantly fought oppressive forces and earned the right to speak our mother tongue, which is deeply tied to our cultural herit
Does anyone remember taking out that all-time favourite book from the corner of the bookcase and some dried rose petals murmuring on their way down as they kissed the floor? The rose was indeed priceless, given by someone important, and of course, with love. Love is both calming and 'restless-ing'
The Persian king Xerxes launched a second invasion of Greece in 480 B.C. to subjugate the city-states. His large army emerged victorious at Thermopylae. His ships also broke through at Aremisium, but he suffered a setback following the defeat of his navy in the battle of Salamis. Xerxes then
We are all fascinated by ancient Egypt and the tales of the Pharaohs. There were about 30 dynasties of Pharaohs. The first or early dynastic period started more than 5000 years back, and legend says the first Pharaoh of the long line of Egyptian Pharaohs started from the first king of that period.
