The Bengali calendar, also known as the Bangla calendar or Bongabdo, has a rich and fascinating history that reflects a blend of Hindu, Islamic, and astronomical influences.
🌿 Origins of the Bengali Calendar
The Bengali calendar was officially introduced during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It was originally designed as a reformed calendar to ease tax collection in Bengal.
📅 Akbar’s Contribution:
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During Akbar's reign (1556–1605), the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri calendar) was used for official purposes.
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However, farmers faced difficulties paying taxes according to a lunar calendar, as it did not align with the agricultural cycle.
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To resolve this, Akbar commissioned a new calendar, known as the "Tarikh-e-Ilahi" (Divine Era), which was a fusion of the Islamic lunar calendar and the traditional Hindu solar calendar.
📜 Evolution into the Bengali Calendar
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Although Tarikh-e-Ilahi itself didn’t last long in its original form, it inspired the Bengali calendar, which was later adapted and used widely in Bengal.
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The calendar is solar-based, aligning with harvest seasons, and became the standard for agricultural and cultural events in Bengal.
📆 Structure of the Bengali Calendar
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It has 12 months, beginning with Boishakh (mid-April).
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It closely follows the Surya Siddhanta, an ancient Indian astronomical text.
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The year starts on Pohela Boishakh, which is celebrated as the Bengali New Year.
📍 Regional Variations
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In West Bengal (India), the calendar was reformed in 1966 to make all months fixed in length, except the last month.
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In Bangladesh, the calendar was officially modified in Bangla year 1400 (Gregorian 1993) to align more consistently with the Gregorian calendar, especially for civil use.
🎊 Cultural Significance
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The calendar is used to determine festivals, harvest cycles, and traditional Hindu religious dates.
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Pohela Boishakh is a major celebration in both Bangladesh and West Bengal, with fairs, parades, and cultural performances.
✨ In Summary
The Bengali calendar:
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Originated under Akbar's reign for practical taxation needs.
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Was developed by blending Hindu solar and Islamic lunar systems.
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Plays a vital role in Bengali culture, agriculture, and festivals.
