Varendra
Varendra (Bengali: বরেন্দ্র), also known as Barind (Bengali: বারিন্দ), was an ancient and historical territory of Northern Bengal, now mostly in Bangladesh and a little portion in the Indian state of West Bengal.[1][2]
It formed part of the
Literature and inscriptions
According to R. C. Majumdar, the term Varendra-mandala occurs in the Ramacharitam, which places it between the Ganges and Karatoya rivers. He writes, "Its inclusion with Pundravardhana is proved by the Silimpur, Tarpandighi and Madhainagar inscriptions. The Tabaquat-i-nasiri mentions Barind as the wing of the territory of Lakhnawati on the eastern side of Ganges".[1]
History
Historical evidence attests significant presence of Brahmins in Bengal during the
According to HC Raychoudhuri the Gupta dyansty originated from the Varendri region.[3] According to the Khalimpur copper plate inscription, the first Pala Emperor Gopala was the son of a warrior named Vapyata. The Ramacharitam attests that Varendra (North Bengal) was the fatherland (Janakabhu) of the Palas.
Ancient empires and rulers originated from Varendra region
- Mauryan Empire [citation needed]
- Gupta Empire[3]
- Pala Empire[4]
- Kingdom of Raja Ganesha
- Kalapahad
- Baro-Bhuyan (Bhati Rulers)
- Diwan Mohanlal[citation needed]
Modern day prime ministers, president and chief ministers originated from Varendra region
- Mohammad Ali Bogra
- Ziaur Rahman
- Hussein Muhammad Ershad
- Khaleda Zia
Notable Varendra Brahmins
- Hindu ruler of Bengal
- Hindu zamindarof Natore
- Gautam Sanyal, Indian civil servant
- Surajit Chandra Lahiri, former Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
- Nalinaksha Sanyal, Indian politician, economist and freedom fighter.
- Narayan Sanyal, writer of modern Bengali literature as well as a civil engineer.
- Pahari Sanyal, Indian actor and singer
- Hindustan Republican Association
- Sanjeev Sanyal, Indian economist and author.
- member of Parliament
- enzymologist and chemical biologist
- Abhijit Bhaduri, Indian author, columnist and management consultant
- Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, Indian historian, writer and Indologist
- Sisir Bhaduri, Indian stage actor and theatre founder
- Shibdas Bhaduri, Indian professional footballer
- Anirban Lahiri, Indian professional golfer
- Bappi Lahiri, an Indian singer, composer.
- Jhumpa Lahiri, American author
- Mahua Moitra, Indian politician and a Member of parliament
- Rupankar Bagchi, Bengali singer-songwriter and playback singer.
- Bengalipoet and editor.
- Subroto Bagchi, Indian entrepreneur and business leader
- Tanishk Bagchi, Indian music producer, composer and singer.
- Biman Bagchi, Indian National Science Chair Professor
Modern usage
- Varendra Research Society
- Varendra Research Museum
- Varendra rebellion
- Varendra University
- Varendra tract