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Bangladesh: Reflections on the Water
23 J ul 2013 04:13:02 PM Tuesday BdST
By Arif Iqbal Hossen
banglanews24.com
Book Review: J ames J . Novak, Bangladesh: Reflections on the Water, Dhaka: The University Press Limited,
First Bangladesh Edition 1994, pp. 235, ISBN: 984051251X, Price: 200 Taka
J ames J . Novak, a writer worked as the Representative of Asia Foundation in Bangladesh since 1982 to 1985.
During this years he learned about the historical evolution of Bengalis, their culture, tradition, and heritage
and so on. He gathered the very information (primary and secondary) as he could, and later detailed his views
in this particular book entitled, Bangladesh: Reflections on the Water, published from Indiana University
Press, Bloomington in 1993, later UPL published this book from Bangladesh in 1994. The book consists eight
chapters, in which Novak attempted to represent the complete history of Bengal, as well as Bengalis. Along
with Bengal history Novak very tactfully focuses Bengalis lifestyle, psychology, and their way of thinking, the
role of poetry in nationalismbuilding. Also he explains, in 20th century how they struggled with foreign
powers, firstly against the British, secondly against the Pakistanis. In his work he detailed, how Bengali
nationalists achieved the victory in liberation war and how in nowadays they are protecting their
independence, and developing day by day as a glorious nation.
The book examines the historical, anthropological and archaeological origins of the Bengali peoples. In
Novaks word, about 2500 years before the Christ, 1900 years before the Buddha, and 3100 years before the
Prophet Muhammad, they lived in Indian Subcontinent a people of Mongoloid, Austric, or Dravidian descent
(p. 58). Despite of having no pyramids and other monumental works, like Egyptian civilization, he claims,
they (Bengalis) had developed arts, agricultural wealth and trade (ibid).
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Novak clears in this book that, how much he loves Bangladesh. To whom, For sheer loveliness, there is no
land on earth more beautiful - than Bangladesh (p. 22), he maintains, what water is to the rainy season, the
ancient elements of air, fire, and earth are to the dry season, coalescing to produce a land of sunshine and
flowers (ibid). Very carefully he mentions, as well as describes the six seasons (barsa, sarat, hemanto, seet,
basanto, and grisma) of Bangladesh with their specified character. Novak argues Bengali villagers are not
nice because of their poverty, as many romantics imagine, but because of the culture they inherited" (p. 60).
The book portrays the role of poets in the political thought of Bengal. In Novaks analysis, Bengalis learned to
love Bengal from Tagores poem Golden Bengal, where Tagore said, My Bengal of Gold, I love you/
Forever your skies, your air set my heart in tune/ As if it were a flute (p. 168), and they learned to rebel from
Nazrul, who said, Proclaim Hero, Proclaim/ Towering high is my head/ I am invincible, insolent and cruel
forever (p. 161). Novak quoted from a Bangladeshi Historian who said, Bangladesh never believes
anything until there is a poet to articulate it (p. 163). Most probably, discussing the effect of Bengal poetry in
Bengal politics, is one of the most constructive and useful parts of the book.
Novak also explains, despite of eagerly joining with Pakistan why the nationalist Bengalis revolt later. In
Novaks analysis, during the time of Indias partition East Bengal joined with Pakistan not only for the
religious matter, but also for protecting their cultural identity (using native language, greater autonomy in their
land, and equal rights of every citizen). Novak says, For Muslim Bangladeshis love the land, language, and
the soil of Bengal as deeply as they love their religion (p. 140). But within a few years, Bengalis of East
Pakistan realized that, they had thrown of one colonial ruler for another (p. 15). According to Novak,
Bengalis in East Pakistan were the majority, but were ruled from Pakistans capital of Islamabad in the West
by Pakistanis who, were of different ethnic origins, namely Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis, and Baluchis (ibid).
However, they were forced to learn Urdu (ibid), instead of using their native language (Bangla), which was
the base of Bengali culture, as well as identity. Novak also includes, in Pakistan era West Pakistanis captured
the best jobs and most of the development funds (ibid). These parities constructed the base of Bengali
Nationalism.
The book also deals with the role of Maulana Bhasani, who was the first Bengali nationalist rebelled publicly
against the Pakistan Government and demanded full autonomy for the Bengalis. In Novaks word,
Unquestionably, Mujib was the greater politician and organizer, but Bhasani gave the movement a visceral,
radical nationalismwithout which might have perished (p. 155). Later his successor Mujib followed the same
path, acted more radically but in an organized way. As Novak mentions, he never tired the people with
sophisticated ploys or half-measures (p. 165), and could explain things not only in the terms they could
understand but in ones they respected. They believed he did not need to lie. They spoke to himhonestly, as he
spoke to them (ibid). And even in when Sheikh Mujib won the 1970s election, he could be prime minister,
but remained adamant, maintaining the six points he had presented had to be honored these six points
amounted to autonomy to independence (p. 166). Then the Pakistan army made a drastic blunder, on the
night of March 26, as a result with an uncalculated struggle Bengali got the independence on 16th December.
Fromorientalist point of view westerns often misrepresent the fact that Bangladeshi Muslim women have
none of the outward signs of power, but Novak argues, They have the substance of power power that
western women often lack (p. 94). As example, he says notable Islamic Historian Sofia Ahmed, two major
party leaders Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, and two reputed richest figures in the country are women.
Novak also claims the regulation of Islam made Bengali Muslim women more powerful, because, Behind the
screen of Purdah, or apparent separation of sexes, women play a far more powerful role than outward
appearances indicate (ibid).
Despite of having several strong arguments, the book consist a few misrepresentations of fact. As example,
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Mujib called for independence on 8th March at the race-track in Dhaka (p. 166), the Ganges runs from
Kashmir in the northwest to Bangladesh in the southeast (p. 61), Mahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori
were "great military leaders of Bengal" (p. 123), URDU is an Indo-Aryan language related to Frasse (p. 90).
More similarly, Novak claims, the formation of Baksal was like the reign of terror in France and the
Bolshevik revolution in Russia (p.139), what caused the death of Sheikh Mujib. Is the story of Novak, about
the formation of Baksal is acceptable? Probably difficult to answer, but not impossible! In 1949, agricultural
workers earned Ta 697 per annum, in 1961 Ta 733, in 1964 Ta 852, and in 1969 Ta 834. By 1973, however,
the real income of agricultural workers was Ta 580. In short, the landless peasants of Bangladesh were
earning 17% less in 1973 than in 1949. (A State of Siege, FAR Eastern Economic Review, 30 August 1974)
what we see? In Pakistan era these peasants and labors were the power-base of Mujib, not the political elites
who co-operated with him, or not during his reign. In 1966 Mujib declared six points by their supports, for
them Mujib was a Hero rather than a leader. In 1970s they voted Mujib to full-fill their aspiration what he
committed. But Mujib failed, not for the lack of administrative quality but for the broken economic-wheel.
We have to bear in mind, Mujib started rulling Bangladesh froma Big Zero. Peoples also understood his
problems, and voted himagain in 1973 with a new hope. But when the major starvation occurred in 1974,
international conspiracy started, American food-shipment delayed, many peoples died. They felt that, their
hero has failed to protect them. Then the Hero thought to form Baksal to protect his people. Probably Novak
didnt notice what Anthony Mascarenhas marked about the formation of Baksal? Mujib told to a family, I
have no money for the flood control, but I am getting my dredger, you will see how I comb the rivers, My
Baksal will do it. (Anthony Mascarenhas, Bangladesh: a Legacy of Blood, 1986, p. 3) When Mujib in the
last few days before his death watched that the political elites were displeased for forming Baksal, Mujib said,
Nobody understands what I do for my country (ibid). Then what caused the death of Mujib? A Bangladeshi
Historian Dr. Khurshed Alam Chowdhury in his article entitled, Why Sheikh Mujibur Rahman deserves to be
the Father of Nation of Bangladesh: A factual Review argues, Mujib died not for his fault, but for the
anti-liberation forces, who in the meantime were busy on making all sorts of false propaganda to undermine
his popularity, but when they failed to do so, they made the plot for Sheikh Mujibs assassination. Probably,
like other western authors Novak was influenced, as well as biased by them.
Though the book entitled Bangladesh: Reflection on the Water offers few negative notions about the reign
of Sheikh Mujib, but is instantly a scholarly work in the ground of South Asian Studies, as well as the history
of Bengal. Where Novak has not only portrayed the ancient glory of Bengal, but also presented how the
Bengalis (Bangladeshi) are going towards the development. One concept is clear in Novaks analysis that, he
is Banga Bandhu, Father of the Nation - a man felt deeply about his peoples (p. 173), ever respected
Bhashani; he is Zia implemented all the programs, was practicable in Sheikhs program (p. 176), ever
respected Banga Bandhu. But one thing should bear in mind, also Novak suggests, peoples wanted Mujibs
blood rather than Zia (p. 186). True enough, because this peoples were Pro-Pakistanis for whom, he was not
Zia dreamt for an independent Bangladesh; uttered in 7th March, RAKTA JAKHAN DIYECHI - RAKTA
ARO DEBO - TOBU EDESHER MANUSHKE MUKTO KORE CHARBO INSHALLAH, and created a
nation.
BDST: 1535 HRS, J UL 23, 2013
The writer studying in the Master Program, Department of History, Jahangirnagar University
E-mail: arifiqbalju@gmail.com
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