Tag: books
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Humble Aubergine and The Sweet Chutney Ending: Bengali Style Dining
During a Friday dinner, Vani and Megh learn about the history of Bengali cuisine, particularly the role of chutney and aubergine. Megh’s mother explains that chutney traditionally concludes a meal, refreshing the palate. The conversation reveals how ingredients like tomatoes and aubergines travelled to Bengal, shaping culinary traditions.
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Podcast Episode: When Ancient Bengal Looked Out to the World: Tamralipta, the Forgotten Port
The post explores Tamralipta, a forgotten ancient port that connected Bengal to the world long before Kolkata existed. It facilitated substantial trade in textiles, spices, and ideas, showcasing how navigation relied on natural indicators. The port faded due to geographical changes, illustrating how history can be shaped by nature rather than conquest.
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Podcast Episode: When Trust Travelled on Paper: The Story of the Hundi – India’s Invisible Banking
This post explores the hundi, India’s historical credit instrument, highlighting how it facilitated trade through trust rather than physical currency. Merchants relied on the reputation of banking houses for transactions across vast distances, revealing an intricate, trust-based commercial network that predated modern banking and digital payments.
Kathakar 