Bengalis in Burma: A Colonial Encounter (1886–1948)

Description

The book looks at Bengali migrations and settlements in Burma from 1886 until the end of the British rule in Burma in 1948. As a result of British colonial policies, thousands of Bengalis from various classes and places in Bengal, migrated to Burma and established Bengali communities in different parts of the country. The book provides a study of a vast body of Bangla writings on Burma written during this period by the Bengalis, a majority of whom went to Burma in various capacities and with various objectives. It takes note of a complex network of power, subjugation, and resistance which is integrally related to these acts of representations in Bangla textual discourses. Drawing on stories, political discussions in Bangla journals, unknown autobiographies, travelogues, and uncelebrated poems, it explores the ways contemporary Bengalis looked at Burma for various reasons and wondered about their locations within colonial systems.   An important contribution to the study of South Asia, the book brings forth issues of representation, colonial knowledge system, and modernity. It will be of interest to students and researchers of history, literature, migration studies, colonialism, and South Asian studies. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of illustrations Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Prologue Burma, Myanmar, Brahmadesh, Mager Muluk : Survey Historical background History and literature Representations Projects of modernity Note Works cited Chapter 2: Historical background of Burma–Bengal cultural relations Pre-colonial situations Burma as Suvarṇabhūmi Buddhism: Bengal–Burma ancient relations Islam in Bengal: Burma–Bengal relations Arakan and Bengal: Islamic connections Chittagong under Arakanese rule Arakan and Bengal: Dissemination of cultures Colonial situations Indian migration to Burma: British encouragement Emigration from Bengal to British Burma: A colonial document of 1876 Deaths Why would Bengalis emigrate to Burma? State of Bengali population in Burma The Bengali Population in Rangoon Crisis in Indo-Burma relations and growth of anti-Indian feelings World War II and Indian Exodus from Burma Notes Works cited Chapter 3: Describing Burma Muluk : Burma in Bangla literary discourses (1886–1937) European accounts of Burma: Early phase Bengali acquaintance with European travel narratives Describing Burma: Bengali attempts to familiarise the unfamiliar European narratives as model: Mode of emulation for Bengali writers Representing ‘Unknown’ Burma in Bengali ways: Mode of comparability Representing Burmese domestic world: Bengali Hindu middleclass dilemma Marrying a Burmese woman: Zerabadi crisis and Bengali Muslim identity ‘Filth they eat; like beasts’: Burmese food and Bengali responses Learning Burmese: Burmese Primer in Bangla Note Works cited Chapter 4: Distrust and riots (1937–1948) Rise of Burmese nationalism Burmese heroes inspire Bengali nationalism Describing a difficult relation On board a ship: Bengali encounter with heterogeneity Anti-Indian feelings in Burma: Bengali responses Riot of 1930 Separation of Burma from India in 1937: Bengali responses Rethinking Bengali life in Burma Towards a possible solution and resolution Notes Works cited Chapter 5: World War II and Burma: Heroism, violence, and exodus (1938–1948) World War II and Burma: Historical background Making of Bengali War heroes in Burma: History and fiction ‘A Bengali hero-soldier in the last Anglo-Burmese War’: Invention of Bengali War Hero Historical authenticity: Debates around ‘Heroism’ Bengali war writings: Witnessing World War in Burma Leaving Burma in fear of bombing: Bangla writings on exodus Bengali narratives of evacuation: Remembering ‘a forgotten long March’ Bengali life under the Japanese in Burma Works cited Chapter 6: Epilogue Note Works cited Index