ABOUT

Antiques of Dacca, 1814, British Museum.

History need not be boring.

Hi, I’m Labiba. Welcome.

I am a Bangladeshi historian, writer, designer, and artist living in New York since 2001.

My aim is to help you to learn about Bangladesh - its history and culture - in a fun and engaging way (with a sprinkle of humor, of course!).

And, thus, Bangladesh Historical Society was born.

Through events, special exhibitions, stories, classes, I hope to present to you the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh, from our ancient capital in Mahasthangarh, built in 4th century BCE (that’s older than Jesus), to the Jamdani weaving villages of Rupganj today.

At times we will also dive into the histories of South Asia and the Islamic World as these are closely linked to Bangladesh’s own history, like the roots of a mango tree.

I have a Masters in South Asian Studies from Columbia University where I specialized in the History and Art History of South Asia. For my thesis I wrote about Dress and Muslim Identity in Sultanate Bengal.

You can download a free copy of my book chapter on the sartorial choices of Muslims in medieval Bengal that was published by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

So if you’d like to learn more about Bangladesh - whether you are a Bangladeshi, of Bangladeshi origin, married to one and need to impress the in-laws, or just a curious world citizen - I hope you will join us at our events, or read one of our stories.

I also write funny historical fiction. Try “Chaos in Paglapur” on a leisurely Sunday afternoon with biskoot and cha. It should give you a few laughs (or not) at the expense of colonial Bengalis.

I look forward to engaging with you.

P.S. If you’d like to be notified of our events and other fun news, you can sign up here.

fun facts about me

  • My favorite bhorta

    Potoler chilkar bhorta

  • My favorite part of Dhaka

    Old Dhaka hands down!

  • Monsoon or winter?

    Monsoon with a cup of cha

  • Fuchka or chotpoti?

    Fuchka, no doubt

  • My favorite Bengali novel

    Shonghshoptok

  • Favorite 80s natok

    Oyomoy (for a history lover this period drama was an hour of pure bliss on BTV.)

  • Currently listening to

    Sanjoy. On repeat.

  • Cool Bangalis I’d invite to dinner

    Lalon, Jahanara Imam, Ferdousi Majumdar, Dina Begum, & Farooque Bhai Project.