Description:
The name 'Bangladesh' is derived from the ancient name of the region, Banga, which was mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit texts. The region came to be known as Bangla Desh, or the country of Banga, after the Muslim invader Shah Jahan bestowed the title of 'Bangla' on the region in 1612. The name Bangladesh was officially adopted in 1971. The region of present-day Bangladesh has been home to a number of ancient cultures and civilizations. The first inhabitants of the region were the Austro-Asiatic peoples, who spoke a variety of languages. The region was later invaded and occupied by the Magadha Empire, which was founded by the legendary king Pusyamitra Shunga. The region was subsequently ruled by the Maurya Empire, the Gupta Empire, and the Pala Empire. The region was conquered by the Muslim invaders in the early 12th century. The region was ruled by the Mughal Empire from the 16th to the 18th century. The region came under British rule in the mid-19th century. The region was partitioned into East and West Pakistan in 1947, and East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh in 1971. Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country. The majority of the population is Bengali, although there are a significant number of Muslims from other parts of the country and from abroad. The official language of Bangladesh is Bengali, although English is also widely spoken. Bangladeshi culture is heavily influenced by its Hindu and Muslim heritage. Customs in Bangladesh are heavily influenced by both Hindu and Muslim traditions. Bangladeshi cuisine is heavily influenced by both Hindu and Muslim traditions. Bangladeshi culture is also heavily influenced by British culture.
