Ancient
The title of the article in English is: The Power of Words: Stories of How Our Language Shapes Our World.
The Power of Words: Stories of How Ou Language Shapes Our World Hey friend, have you ever really thought about the amazing power our words hold? They're not just sounds that come out of our mouths or letters we scribble on paper or a screen. To me, words are more like tiny seeds that we plant in the minds and hearts of others. They can grow into towering trees or troublesome weeds, depending on the kind of seed we choose.
By Omar Mohammed about a year ago in History
The Sundarbans: A Proud Heritage of Bengal
The sundarban is a her that fills the people of Bengal with pride. Nature has gifted us with forest paradise so magnificent that its stories can be told to the entire world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. What doesn’t this forest have? It is the home of the world-famous Royal Bengal Tiger. In addition, there are spotted deer, crocodiles, venomous snakes, turtles, and countless other species. The forest is also rich with diverse trees like Sundari, Garan, and Keora. People live in this heritage-rich jungle with their families. They earn their livelihood by collecting honey, cutting wood, and fishing. While doing so, they face numerous dangers—fears of being taken by tigers while collecting honey or wood, fear of snake bites, or attacks by crocodiles while fishing in the rivers. Yet, people continue to live there—they must. And with them, reside their deities \[1]. There are various theories about the human settlement in the Sundarbans. Many scholars believe that people started living there between the 8th and 10th centuries. In the medieval period, human habitation diminished due to various reasons. Some believe it was due to attacks by the Portuguese and the Arakanese. Other accounts exist as well—for example, a Sufi saint is said to have arrived in the 12th century and initiated agricultural activities. Some scholars suggest that woodcutters, fishermen, and farmers used to frequent the rivers of the Sundarbans for their livelihood. Moreover, during the 17th and 18th centuries, bandits also raided this region. While there is disagreement about exactly when permanent settlements began, most agree that they began toward the end of the 19th century. At that time, British Collector General Claude Russell divided the forest into two parts—one for forestry and the other allocated for agriculture and land leasing. From then on, people from nearby regions like Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh began settling here for livelihood and land. After their arrival, deforestation increased, especially during the time of Tillman Henckell, who was then the Magistrate of Jessore district \[2]. The Sundarbans is a perilous place for humans. The residents constantly face danger, but over time, they have also discovered ways to survive. Some of these methods are spiritual, others practical. For instance, families fear crocodiles, so the women observe rituals to appease the crocodile deity. When honey collectors, or *mouals*, go deep into the forest, they take along *bauls* (tiger charmers), believed to be experts at handling tigers through chants and rituals. Bauls must also follow strict rules—since Friday is a sacred day for Muslims, they are not allowed to enter the forest on that day; they must not eat pork or crab; they cannot be involved in usury, etc. These rules mainly apply to Muslims. The life of a baul is extremely difficult and dangerous \[2, 3]. One way to understand the rituals, customs, lifestyle, beliefs, and socio-economic conditions of Sundarbans residents is to visit them and conduct interviews. Another way is to study their folk manuscripts (*puthis*), which often narrate tales of their local deities. The Sundarbans is home to both Hindus and Muslims. Among the Muslims, there are communities like Sheikh, Syed, and Pathan. Among Hindus, one finds barbers, fishermen, Chandals, washermen, yogis, etc.—most of whom belong to the Shudra caste. These people depend on the forest for their livelihood and must struggle against nature to survive. As a result, they rely heavily on religious beliefs and their deities to overcome adversity. Among the most revered deities are *Dakshin Rai* and *Bonbibi*. A well-written essay on the origin of Bonbibi can be found here. Dakshin Rai is believed to be the tiger deity. Residents of the Sundarbans worship him, and various mythological tales surround his origin. These stories have been passed down orally. Some believe he is the son of Lord Shiva. Others believe that after Lord Ganesha’s head was severed, it flew south and became the origin of this deity. In the manuscript *Bonbibir Johurnama* by the late Munshi Mohammad Khater, Dakshin Rai is also described as a forest demon or evil spirit. On the other hand, *Bonbibi* is another deity believed to protect everyone in the jungle. The most remarkable aspect is that both Hindu and Muslim communities believe in her divine power. However, the religious ceremonies honoring Bonbibi vary between the two religions. Muslims refer to the deity as Bonbibi, while Hindus call her Bondébi and worship her as a mother goddess. In Sharad Mitra’s essay *On an accumulation droll from eastern Bengal and on a muslimani legend about the Sylvan Saint Banabibi and Tiger deity Dakshina Roy*, it is mentioned that any Muslim girl can be chosen as Bonbibi and entrusted with a red flag. It’s important to note that such belief in a common, imaginary deity across two religious groups is not trivial. Deep philosophical thinking lies behind it. In a place where survival itself is a struggle and merely staying alive is paramount, depending on a mythical figure like Bonbibi is seen as essential—with the hope that she will protect them from any danger \[4]. Even though we know much about the Sundarbans as a region, how much do we truly know about its people? Their thoughts and beliefs differ from those in other parts of Bangladesh and are quite fascinating. Their likes and dislikes may also be different. There is significant scope for research on these people who live so close to nature. These individuals, who spend their lives battling constant threats, present a stark contrast to the lives of modern, urbanized humans. Research can be conducted on this contrast and on how important that difference is. **References:** \[1] Karmakar, S. (2018). *Ethnic identity and forest preservation: A sociological enquiry on Sundarbans, West Bengal*, *Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science*, Volume 6(1), page: 20-25 \[2] Jalais, A. (2010). *Forest of Tigers: People, Politics & Environment in the Sundarbans* (New Delhi, India: Routledge) \[3] Hunter, W. W. (1973). *A Statistical Account of Bengal. Vol. I. District of the 24 Parganas and Sundarbans* \[4] Sarkar, S. C. (2010). *The Sundarbans: Folk Deities, Monsters and Mortals* (New Delhi, India: Social Science Press and Orient Blackswan) ---
By Riham Rahman about a year ago in History
Six types of love according to the ancient Greeks
1. Eros, or sexual passion The first kind of love was eros, named after the Greek god of fertility, and it represented the idea of sexual passion and desire. But the Greeks didn’t always think of this as something positive, as we tend to do today. In fact, eros was viewed as a dangerous, fiery, and irrational form of love that could take hold of you and possess you—an attitude shared by many later spiritual thinkers, such as the Christian writer C.S. Lewis.Eros involved a loss of control that frightened the Greeks. This is odd, of course, because losing control is precisely what many people now seek in a relationship. Don’t we all hope to fall “madly” in love? 2. Philia, or deep friendship The second variety of love was philia or friendship, which the Greeks valued far more than the base sexuality of eros. Philia pertained to the deep comradely friendship that developed between brothers in arms who had fought side by side on the battlefield. It was about showing loyalty to your friends, sacrificing for them, and sharing your emotions with them. (Another kind of philia, sometimes called storge, embodied the love between parents and their children.) We can all ask ourselves how much of this comradely philia we have in our lives. It’s an important question in an age when we attempt to amass “friends” on Facebook or “followers” on Twitter—achievements that would have hardly impressed the Greeks. 3. Ludus, or playful love Ludus was the Greeks’ idea of playful love, which referred to the affection between children or young lovers. We’ve all had a taste of it in flirting and teasing in the early stages of a relationship. But we also live out our ludus when we sit around in a bar bantering and laughing with friends or when we go out dancing. Dancing with strangers may be the ultimate ludic activity— almost a playful substitute for sex itself. Social norms may frown on this kind of adult frivolity, but a little more ludus might be just what we need to spice up our love lives. 4. Agape, or love for everyone The fourth love, and perhaps the most radical, was agape or selfless love. This was a love that you extended to all people whether family members or distant strangers. Agape was later translated into Latin as caritas, which is the origin of our word “charity.” C.S. Lewis referred to it as “gift love,” the highest form of Christian love. But it also appears in other religious traditions, such as the idea of mettā or “universal loving kindness” in Theravāda Buddhism. There is growing evidence that agape is in a dangerous decline in many countries. Empathy levels in the U.S. have declined sharply over the past forty years with the steepest fall occurring in the past decade. We urgently need to revive our capacity to care about strangers. 5. Pragma, or longstanding love Another Greek love was the mature love known as pragma. This was the deep understanding that developed between long-married couples. Pragma was about making compromises to help the relationship work over time and showing patience and tolerance. The psychoanalyst Erich Fromm said that we spend too much energy on “falling in love” and need to learn more how to “stand in love.” Pragma is precisely about standing in love—making an effort to give love rather than just receive it. With about a third of first marriages in the U.S. ending through divorce or separation within the first ten years, Greeks would surely think we should bring a serious dose of pragma into our relationships. 6. Philautia, or love of the self The Greek’s sixth variety of love was philautia or self-love, and the clever Greeks realized there were two types. One was an unhealthy variety associated with narcissism in which you became self-obsessed and focused on personal fame and fortune. A healthier version enhanced your wider capacity to love. The idea was that if you like yourself and feel secure in yourself, you will have plenty of love to give to others (as is reflected in the Buddhist-inspired concept of “self-compassion”). In other words, as Aristotle put it, “All friendly feelings for others are an extension of a man’s feelings for himself.” The ancient Greeks found diverse kinds of love in relationships with a wide range of people—friends, family, spouses, strangers, and even themselves. This contrasts with our typical focus on a single romantic relationship in which we hope to find all the different loves wrapped into a single person or soul mate.
By jahidul Islam Sifatabout a year ago in History
At 4,800 Years Old the World’s Oldest Living Tree Predates the Egyptian Pyramids
At 4,800 Years Old the World’s Oldest Living Tree Predates the Egyptian Pyramids Hidden high in the rugged White Mountains of California stands a living being older than recorded human history. A bristlecone pine tree known to scientists simply as Methuselah is believed to be more than 4,800 years old making it the world’s oldest known living tree. Remarkably this ancient conifer took root long before the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza and has silently witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations.
By Adnan Rasheedabout a year ago in History
Mike Waltz seen in photos using Signal app at White House after group chat scandal
Mike Waltz Spotted Using Signal App at White House After Group Chat Leak Sparks Controversy Congressman Mike Waltz was recently photographed using the encrypted messaging app Signal during a visit to the White House, sparking new conversations about digital privacy and communication security among lawmakers. The sighting comes in the wake of a recent group chat scandal involving leaked messages from a private conversation among Republican members of Congress. The controversy has heightened awareness of the risks of unsecured communication, pushing several lawmakers to reevaluate how they share sensitive information.
By GLOBAL NEWSabout a year ago in History
The Great Pyramid of Giza: Where Are All Its Architectural Documents?
The Puzzle of the Ages The Great Pyramid of Giza, standing majestically on the edge of the Egyptian desert, has captured the imagination of humanity for millennia. It is the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing, its stone blocks echoing with the whispers of a forgotten civilization. Despite its grandeur, one key piece of the puzzle has always been missing: the architectural documents that explain how it was built.
By The Secret History Of The Worldabout a year ago in History
The American Revolution's Unsung Heroes.
Historically in America, history of independence has always been recounted in titles of great men: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, etc. What if the real spirit of the American Revolution is actually not among signers of the Declaration of Independence or war generals but among regular people whose history has not so frequently been recounted?
By Pen to Publishabout a year ago in History
The Mongol War Machine: The Largest Imperial Army in History
The Power of the Mongols: The Largest Military Force of an Empire in History The Mongol Empire, established by the renowned Genghis Khan in the 13th century, formed the largest uninterrupted land empire in recorded history. At its zenith, the empire commanded a military force exceeding one million soldiers recruited from various regions throughout Eurasia. This article delves into the formation, organization, and operational excellence of the Mongol military, which facilitated conquests spanning from China to Europe. We analyze the origins, tactics, and enduring impact of the largest imperial army ever witnessed. Introduction: Constructing an Empire from the Steppes In the early 13th century, a nomadic warrior named Temujin, later recognized as Genghis Khan, unified the Mongolian tribes of Central Asia and embarked on a military campaign that would profoundly alter the world. Within a few decades, the Mongols established the largest uninterrupted land empire in history, extending from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the heart of Europe in the west. Central to this swift expansion was the Mongol armya military apparatus unparalleled in its composition, defined by discipline, mobility, and exceptional organization. At its peak, the Mongol Empire commanded an army estimated to comprise between 700,000 to 1,000,000 troopsa staggering figure for its era, particularly when considering the population base of the empire. Origins and Composition of the Mongol Army The Mongol army was initially formed from the tribal warriors of the Mongolian steppe. These fighters were proficient horsemen and archers, trained from a young age to navigate and combat in challenging terrains. Genghis Khan implemented groundbreaking military reforms that converted these tribal factions into a professional and highly loyal combat force. Key characteristics of the Mongol army's structure include: Decimal System: Soldiers were arranged into units of 10 (arban), 100 (zuun), 1,000 (mingghan), and 10,000 (tumen). Each unit had a leader, with rigorous discipline enforced. Merit-Based Leadership: Genghis Khan advanced generals based on competence and loyalty rather than noble lineage. This fostered effective leadership and cohesion. Multi-ethnic Recruitment: As the empire grew, the Mongols integrated conquered populations into their ranks, including Chinese engineers, Persian physicians, and Turkic warriors, significantly enhancing their capabilities. Mobility and Strategy: The Cornerstone of Mongol Success What rendered the Mongol army particularly formidable was not only its size but also its mobility and strategic acumen. Mongolian cavalry could cover up to 100 miles daily, affording them an incomparable advantage in speed and surprise. They employed a blend of feigned retreats, encirclement, and psychological warfare to overcome significantly larger and better-equipped forces. Some of their notable strategies included: Feigned Retreats: Simulating withdrawal to lure adversaries into a trap. Coordinated Invasions: Striking multiple targets simultaneously across extensive distances. Intelligence Networks: Utilizing spies and scouts to collect vital information prior to engagements. Terror as Warfare: Employing extreme brutality to intimidate other cities into capitulation without resistance. These tactics enabled the Mongols to triumph over major powers such as the Khwarezmian Empire, the Jin Dynasty, and even segments of the Kievan Rus and the Islamic Caliphates. Campaigns Across Continents The Mongol army's operations were extensive and unyielding. Under Genghis Khan and his successorsÖgedei, Möngke, and Kublai Khanthe empire proliferated in every direction: China: The Mongols engaged in protracted conflicts against the Jin and Song dynasties, ultimately establishing the Yuan Dynasty in 1271 under Kublai Khan. Middle East: They dismantled the formidable Khwarezmian Empire and subsequently plundered Baghdad in 1258, concluding the Islamic Golden Age. Europe: The Mongol incursion into Europe reached Poland and Hungary in the 1240s, vanquishing large forces with smaller, more agile troops. Southeast Asia and Japan: Although they faced failures, the Mongols initiated campaigns in Vietnam, Java, and even launched attempts to invade Japan. Decline and Legacy of the Mongol Military In spite of their remarkable accomplishments, the Mongol army could not sustain its unity indefinitely. Following Kublai Khan's demise in 1294, the empire splintered into distinct khanatesthe Yuan in China, the Golden Horde in Russia, the Ilkhanate in Persia, and the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia. Each operated its own military, and internal strife undermined the once-cohesive Mongol war apparatus. Nevertheless, the influence of the Mongol army endured: They transformed warfare through mobility, logistics, and psychological strategies. Their empire promoted commerce across Eurasia, contributing to the Pax Mongolica and the growth of the Silk Road. They fostered cross-cultural exchanges, introducing innovations such as gunpowder and printing, along with advancements in astronomy and medicine. Conclusion: The Greatest Imperial Army The Mongol Empire's military was not only the most extensive assembled by a single empire in historyit was also among the most efficient, feared, and strategically sophisticated. It altered the trajectory of world history, redefined civilizations, and left a legacy of both reverence and dread. Genghis Khan’s ambition for global supremacy may have diminished, yet the strength of his imperial army endures as a symbol of unmatched military success.
By Say the truth about a year ago in History
