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{{Short description|Ethnic group native to Bengal region of South Asia}}
The '''Bengali people''' ({{lang-bn|বাঙালি}}, ''Bāṅgālī'') are an [[ethnic group]] native to the [[Bengal]] region in [[South Asia]], which is divided between modern-day [[Bangladesh]] and the [[Indian states]] of [[West Bengal]], [[Tripura]], and [[Assam]]. With a population of approximately 300 million, Bengalis are the third-largest ethnic group in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengali People|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bengali-people|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>
{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group          = Bengali
| group_name    = Bengali People
| native_name    = বাঙালি (Bangali)
| image        = Bengali-woman-in-traditional-attire.jpg
| population     = 300+ million<ref name="WorldPop">[https://www.worldometers.info/population/population-by-country/ World Population Data]</ref>
| caption      = A Bengali woman in traditional attire
| region1        = [[Bangladesh]] (165 million)
| population   = 230 million (2023 estimate)
| region2        = [[India]] (100 million in [[West Bengal]], [[Tripura]], [[Assam]])
| popplace      =  
| languages      = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
[[Bangladesh]]: 169 million </br>
| religions      = Predominantly [[Islam]] and [[Hinduism]]; minorities include [[Buddhism]] and [[Christianity]]
[[India]]: 80 million (mainly [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]], [[Tripura]]) </br>
| related_groups  = Other [[Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[United Kingdom]]: 1 million </br>
[[United States]]: 500,000 </br>
| lang          = [[Bengali language]]
| rels          =  
[[Islam]] (Majority), [[Hinduism]] (Significant Minority), [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]] and others (Minority)
| related      =
[[Assamese people]], [[Bihari people]] and [[Oriya people]]
| group_pop    =  
[[Dhaka]]: 21 million and [[Kolkata]]: 14 million
| flag          = Flag of Bangladesh.svg
| footnotes    = Sources: United Nations, Pew Research Center
}}
}}
The '''Bengali''' ({{lang-bn|বাঙালি}}, pronounced ''Bangali'') people are an [[ethnic group]] native to the Bengal region in South Asia, which includes present-day [[Bangladesh]] and the Indian states of [[West Bengal]], [[Tripura]], and parts of [[Assam]]. With over 300 million people, Bengalis are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world.<ref name="WorldPop"/>
== History ==
== History ==
The history of the Bengali people dates back thousands of years. The Bengal region was an important center of [[Indus Valley Civilization|civilization]] during the [[Vedic period]] and later under the [[Maurya Empire|Maurya]] and [[Gupta Empire|Gupta empires]].<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Bengal-region-Asia Encyclopaedia Britannica: Bengal Region]</ref>
The Bengali people trace their origins to ancient Bengal, historically known as ''Vanga''. The region was a hub for trade, culture, and learning during the [[Gupta Empire]], the [[Pala Empire]], and the [[Mughal Empire]].<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Bengal|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bengal|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> During the [[British Raj]], Bengal was a center of the [[Indian independence movement]] and the [[Bengal Renaissance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengal Renaissance|url=https://www.historydiscussion.net/bengal/the-bengal-renaissance/|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>
 
During the medieval period, Bengal became a thriving hub of trade, culture, and education under the [[Sultanate of Bengal]] and later the [[Mughal Empire]].<ref>[https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/sultanate-bengal-and-its-relevance-1743325 The Daily Star: The Sultanate of Bengal]</ref> In the colonial era, Bengal was a focal point of British India and played a significant role in the [[Indian independence movement]].


In 1971, after the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]], East Bengal became the independent nation of [[Bangladesh]], marking a new chapter for the Bengali nation.<ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/asia/bangladesh-history History.com: Bangladesh History]</ref>
== Language ==
The [[Bengali language]] (''Bangla'') is the primary language of the Bengali people and is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is the official language of [[Bangladesh]] and the Indian state of [[West Bengal]]. The language has a rich literary tradition, including works by [[Rabindranath Tagore]], who won the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] in 1913.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengali Language|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bengali-language|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>


== Culture ==
== Culture ==
The Bengali nation has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, celebrated for its contributions to [[literature]], [[music]], [[art]], and [[philosophy]]. Notable cultural elements include:
Bengali culture is renowned for its literature, music, art, and cuisine. Key elements include:
* The [[Bengali language]], one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
* [[Rabindranath Tagore]] and [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]], two iconic figures in Bengali literature and music.
* The annual celebration of [[Pohela Boishakh]] (Bengali New Year) as a symbol of unity and renewal.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-22344740 BBC: Bengali New Year]</ref>


=== Cuisine ===
* '''Literature''': Bengali literature is one of the richest in the world, with prominent authors such as [[Rabindranath Tagore]], [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]], and [[Michael Madhusudan Dutt]].
Bengali cuisine is renowned for its variety, including fish, rice, lentils, and desserts like [[rasgulla]] and [[sandesh]]. The use of mustard oil and spices gives Bengali food its distinct flavor.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bengali-cuisine Encyclopaedia Britannica: Bengali Cuisine]</ref>
* '''Music and Dance''': Bengalis have a vibrant tradition of [[Rabindra Sangeet]], [[Nazrul Geeti]], and [[folk music]] like Baul songs.
* '''Festivals''': Celebrations such as [[Durga Puja]], [[Poila Boishakh]] (Bengali New Year), and [[Eid al-Fitr]] are widely observed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengali Festivals|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Durga-Puja|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>
* '''Cuisine''': Bengali cuisine is known for dishes such as [[Hilsa]] fish curry, [[rosogolla]], and [[pithas]] (traditional sweets).<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengali Cuisine|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/bengali-cuisine-dishes/index.html|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>


== Religion ==
== Religion ==
Bengalis practice diverse religions. The majority are [[Muslims]] (primarily in Bangladesh), followed by [[Hindus]] (primarily in West Bengal). There are also smaller communities of [[Buddhists]] and [[Christians]].<ref>[https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/ Religious Landscape Study]</ref>
The majority of Bengalis are either [[Muslim]] or [[Hindu]], with smaller communities of [[Christians]] and [[Buddhists]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Religion in Bengal|url=https://www.pewforum.org/2022/01/27/religious-composition-of-bangladesh-and-india/|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> Islamic and Hindu traditions deeply influence Bengali culture and festivals.


== Geography ==
== Diaspora ==
The Bengal region is characterized by the [[Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta]], the world's largest river delta. The fertile land and rivers have historically sustained the agricultural economy of the Bengali people.<ref>[https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/geography/10731 Natural Resources: River Delta Systems]</ref>
Bengalis have a significant diaspora worldwide, particularly in the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], and the [[Middle East]]. Notable Bengali communities can also be found in countries like [[Malaysia]] and [[South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengali Diaspora|url=https://globalbangladesh.com/diaspora|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>


== Contributions ==
== Contributions ==
The Bengali nation has made significant contributions to global culture and politics:
Bengalis have made significant contributions in various fields, including:
* [[Rabindranath Tagore]], the first non-European to win the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]].
 
* The [[Bengali Renaissance]] during the 19th century, which shaped modern Indian thought and culture.
* '''Politics''': [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] (Bangabandhu), the founding leader of Bangladesh, and [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], a prominent figure in India’s independence movement.
* The leadership of figures like [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] in the fight for the independence of Bangladesh.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2020/3/17/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-the-making-of-a-leader Al Jazeera: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]</ref>
* '''Science''': [[Satyendra Nath Bose]], a physicist, and [[Amartya Sen]], an economist and Nobel laureate.
* '''Arts and Cinema''': Bengali filmmakers such as [[Satyajit Ray]] have achieved global acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|title=Contributions of Bengali People|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/1998/sen/biographical/|access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>


== Modern Era ==
== See also ==
Today, the Bengali nation is spread across multiple countries, with significant diaspora communities in the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], and the [[Middle East]].<ref>[https://migrationpolicy.org/global-diasporas/ Global Bengali Diasporas]</ref> They continue to influence global culture through their arts, literature, and entrepreneurial spirit.
 
* [[Bengali Language Movement]]
* [[History of Bengal]]
* [[Culture of Bengal]]
* [[Bangladesh]]
* [[West Bengal]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
{{Reflist}}
 
== External links ==


== External Links ==
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bengali-people Britannica – Bengali People]
* [https://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/ Government of Bangladesh]
* [https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/bangladesh Overview of Bangladesh – World Bank]
* [https://www.wb.gov.in/ Government of West Bengal]

Latest revision as of 13:29, 15 December 2024

The Bengali people (Bengali: বাঙালি, Bāṅgālī) are an ethnic group native to the Bengal region in South Asia, which is divided between modern-day Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam. With a population of approximately 300 million, Bengalis are the third-largest ethnic group in the world.[1]

Bengali peoples
File:Bengali-woman-in-traditional-attire.jpg
A Bengali woman in traditional attire
Total Population 230 million (2023 estimate)
Regions with Significant Populations Bangladesh: 169 million

India: 80 million (mainly West Bengal, Assam, Tripura)
United Kingdom: 1 million

United States: 500,000
Languages Bengali language
Religions Islam (Majority), Hinduism (Significant Minority), Buddhism, Christianity and others (Minority)
Related Ethnic Groups Assamese people, Bihari people and Oriya people
Group Population Dhaka: 21 million and Kolkata: 14 million
Flag
Footnotes Sources: United Nations, Pew Research Center

History

The Bengali people trace their origins to ancient Bengal, historically known as Vanga. The region was a hub for trade, culture, and learning during the Gupta Empire, the Pala Empire, and the Mughal Empire.[2] During the British Raj, Bengal was a center of the Indian independence movement and the Bengal Renaissance.[3]

Language

The Bengali language (Bangla) is the primary language of the Bengali people and is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is the official language of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. The language has a rich literary tradition, including works by Rabindranath Tagore, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.[4]

Culture

Bengali culture is renowned for its literature, music, art, and cuisine. Key elements include:

Religion

The majority of Bengalis are either Muslim or Hindu, with smaller communities of Christians and Buddhists.[7] Islamic and Hindu traditions deeply influence Bengali culture and festivals.

Diaspora

Bengalis have a significant diaspora worldwide, particularly in the United Kingdom, United States, and the Middle East. Notable Bengali communities can also be found in countries like Malaysia and South Africa.[8]

Contributions

Bengalis have made significant contributions in various fields, including:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bengali People Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  2. ↑ History of Bengal Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  3. ↑ Bengal Renaissance Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  4. ↑ Bengali Language Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  5. ↑ Bengali Festivals Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  6. ↑ Bengali Cuisine Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  7. ↑ Religion in Bengal Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  8. ↑ Bengali Diaspora Accessed: December 15, 2024.
  9. ↑ Contributions of Bengali People Accessed: December 15, 2024.

External links

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