Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge Ordinary Level

BANGLADESH STUDIES 7094/01

Paper 1 History and Culture of Bangladesh May/June 2014
1 hour 30 minutes
No Additional Materials are required.
* 3 7 4 5 9 6 8 2 7 1 *

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

An answer booklet is provided inside this question paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover
of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.

Answer three questions.

Answer Question 1 and two other questions.
You are advised to spend about 30 minutes on each question.

The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

This document consists of 8 printed pages and 1 Insert.

DC (CW/SW) 95195/7 R
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You MUST answer this question. Answer ALL parts.

Question 1: The Culture and heritage of Bangladesh

Part (a): this question tests your knowledge.

(i) What was the most significant contribution to Bangla literature made by Alaol?
A Translations
B Dramas
C Autobiography (his life story)
D Epic poems [1]

(ii) How many songs did Lalon Shah compose?

A 500
B 2000
C 3000
D 150 [1]

(iii) What did Rabindranath Tagore establish in Birbhum (Santiniketan) after 1901?
A A theatre
B A hospital
C A place of learning
D A home for musicians [1]

(iv) In which city did Kazi Nazrul Islam begin his career in literature and journalism after the First
World War?
A Dhaka
B Chittagong
C Delhi
D Kolkata [1]

(v) What had a major effect on the work of Zainul Abedin in 1943?
A The Great Bengal Famine
B Protests for Indian independence
C Allied victories in the Second World War
D Being appointed Principal of the Institute of Arts and Craft [1]

Part (b): this question tests your knowledge and understanding.

(i) Describe the life and work of Mir Mosharraf Hossain. [5]
(ii) Explain why he is so important in the culture of Bangladesh. [3]

Part (c): this question tests your understanding and judgement.

(i) Explain the importance of each of the following in the cultural life of Bangladesh.
• The development of the Bengali language
• Music [8]

(ii) Which of these do you think has made the more important contribution to the cultural life of
Bangladesh? Explain why. [4]

[Total: 25]

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Choose TWO of questions 2 to 4.

Answer ALL parts of the two questions you choose.

Question 2: Pre-Mughal Bengal

The Early Kingdoms in Bengal: The Pala dynasty and the Senas

DEVAPALA
810–850

The Pala Empire under Devapala

Until the establishment of greater control by the first ruler of the Pala dynasty in the eighth century
AD, there had been considerable disorder. The dynasty extended its territory under his son and
his successor. Religious policy was particularly successful and spiritual life was encouraged.
Foreign records are a good source about this period and reveal many strengths of Pala rule.
However, the death of the ruler Devapala brought about a decline. Attempts by rulers from the 5
late tenth century to 1124 did halt the decline, but the twelfth century saw the fall of the Palas and
the rise of the Sena dynasty.

Part (a): this question tests your knowledge.

(i) Who was the first ruler of the Pala dynasty? (line 1) [1]
(ii) What is the period of disorder known as in some sources? (line 2) [1]
(iii) Who was the first ruler’s son and successor? (lines 2–3) [1]
(iv) Which foreign people left most records about this period? (line 4) [1]
(v) Who was the first ruler of the Sena dynasty? (line 7) [1]

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Part (b): this question tests your knowledge and understanding.

(i) Describe how Pala rule gave way to the rise of the Sena dynasty. [5]
(ii) Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the rule of Lakshana Sena. [5]

Part (c): this question tests your understanding and judgement.

(i) Explain the importance of the following rulers:

• Dharmapala
• Devapala. [8]

(ii) Which of these two rulers do you think was the greater? Explain why. [2]

[Total: 25]

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Question 3: The British period

The Arrival of the British

An eighteenth-century British print of the Battle of Palashi (Plassey)

During the war with France, which broke out in 1756, the British used internal divisions in Bengal
to their advantage. They weakened the position of Sirajuddaula and when the disputes between
the Nawab and the British led to conflict, it was the East India Company that was victorious. The
decisive battle took place at Palashi in 1757. The British installed a puppet ruler in Bengal. British
influence was extended by the acquisition of three districts in 1760 and by gaining the right to 5
collect revenue. A treaty of 1765 allowed Bengal to be ruled by collaborators with the British
in return for surplus revenues, but the rule of the Company did little for the people of Bengal.
There was considerable hardship in the Great Famine of 1769–1770 and as a result of reforms to
Company rule, such as the Permanent Settlement of 1793.

Part (a): this question tests your knowledge.

(i) Name the war between Britain and France which began in 1756. (line 1) [1]
(ii) Who led the forces of the East India Company in that war? [1]
(iii) Who was installed by the British as the Nawab after their victory in 1757? (line 4) [1]
(iv) Name any one of the three districts acquired by Britain in 1760. (line 5) [1]
(v) Name the treaty signed in 1765. (line 6) [1]

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Part (b): this question tests your knowledge and understanding.

(i) Describe the Battle of Palashi. [5]

(ii) Explain the reasons for the outbreak of conflict between Sirajudduala and the British. [5]

Part (c): this question tests your understanding and judgement.

(i) Explain the impact of the following on the people of Bengal:

• The Great Famine 1769–1770
• The Permanent Settlement of 1793. [8]

(ii) Which of these affected the people of Bengal more? Explain your answer. [2]

[Total: 25]

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Question 4: From Pakistan to Bangladesh (1947–71)

Problems of national integration. Political mobilisation and events leading to independence.

The newspaper ‘Dawn’ reports that Martial Law is announced in 1958.

There had been considerable protests since 1947 about the issue of language in Bengal. After
the formation of the Awami Muslim League in 1949, there was growing opposition. A major
turning point was an agreement by opposition parties to work together in December 1953.
However, despite opposition electoral success in 1954, the central government refused to allow it
to rule and appointed a new Governor. The new Constitution of Pakistan was created in 1956, but 5
martial law was declared in October 1958. This lasted until 1962. There were important changes
and developments, but there was still a demand for political change; a new leader of the Awami
League, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emerged in 1963. His arrest in 1968 was a turning point.

Part (a): this question tests your knowledge.

(i) Who was the first president of the Awami Muslim League? (line 2) [1]
(ii) What was the union of opposition parties called in 1954? (line 3) [1]
(iii) Who was the new governor appointed in 1954? (line 5) [1]
(iv) Which General ruled under Martial Law between 1958 and 1962? (line 6) [1]
(v) Name the conspiracy case which caused Sheikh Rahman’s arrest in 1968. (line 8) [1]

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Part (b): this question tests your knowledge and understanding.

(i) Outline the main programme of the United Front of 1953. [5]
(ii) Why was the United Front not more successful in its aims? [5]

Part (c): this question tests your understanding and judgement.

(i) Explain the importance of both of the following to Bengal:

• The Language Movement 1947–1953
• The Mass Uprising of 1969. [8]

(ii) Which of these do you think had the greater importance in bringing about an independent
Bangladesh? Explain your answer. [2]

[Total: 25]

Copyright Acknowledgements:

Question 3 The Battle of Plassey of 1757 (gouache on paper), Jackson, Peter (1922–2003) / Private Collection / © Look and Learn / The Bridgeman Art
Library
Question 4 © Martial Law Declared in Pakistan, Constitution Abrogated – October 7, 1958; http://nativepakistan.com/rare-newspapers/.

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
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© UCLES 2014 7094/01/M/J/14