Bengal Sultanate Study Circle (circa 1200-1580)

Bengal Sultanate Study Circle

By Powers of History

Information session

Information Session

Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 6.30-8.30 pm

Lab 3, Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BU

My name is M Ahmedullah, and I was involved with Brick Lane Circle for many decades. Learning Bengal’s history was one of our main areas of work. However, with Brick Lane Circle ending, I am developing several personal initiatives under ‘Powers of History’, the first of which is a study circle on the Bengal Sultanate (circa 1200-1580).

The Circle is for anyone and everyone interested in learning about this period of Bengal’s history, understanding the complex stories that unfolded during the nearly four hundred years, discovering interesting facts and drawing lessons from what happened, who did what and the consequences. It will be a completely non-political study process, where each participant will undertake research based on a mutually agreed-upon area of focus, share findings with others in the group and receive critical, constructive feedback.

Although this Circle is not led by any experts or scholars, we hope to invite knowledgeable individuals to present to the group and offer mentoring support. It will be a one-year programme with monthly sessions. The aims are to compile a high-quality, evidence-based, non-academic publication, engage the public through social media and hold a completion conference where the participants will present their research findings to the public and discuss details.

This initiative aims to help develop a knowledge-based, contextually grounded and critically examined understanding of the story of the Bengali people during the sultanate period and all the different historical influences that made us who we are today.

After completing this initiative, I will work on other periods, such as Palas and Senas, the Moghuls, the East India Company and the British Raj, twenty-three years of Pakistan and post-Pakistan Bangladesh. So, over several years, I want to contribute towards developing wider understanding of the whole of our history and promote the appreciation and the valuing of all our inheritances.

If you want more details, please book on Eventbrite to attend the information session. Contact email for M Ahmedullah: [email protected]