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ABOUT THE BOOK:- The book–'Historical Development of Agriculture and Food in Bengal' is first attempt of its kind in India. Despite the time and again change of geographical area Bengal remained united in its diversity and rich with its mixed people and culture. As a result this fertile land was strong to overcome the disastrous events. With a large population it continued to be food-deficit even in eighties of last century when also farming was 'bargdars' (share-croppers) receiving right to 'barga-land' farming in Bengal became 'small' and 'marginal' farming. Applying their experience, skill and innovativeness they increased food production and the state achieved self-sufficiency in food by nineties of last century. Subsequently, farmers started switching over slowly to shor t -dur a t ion c a sh- c rops l ike vegetables, flowers etc. to enhance income. The book presents twelve periods of time from 'early weapon-making and ' searching natural foods' passed through nine other historical periods to reach 'modern agriculture' and 'ready-to-eat food' era of this century. The dramatic course of events traced in this land although different could show there the path to trace their course of events. All together would form the valuable 'roots' of anchorage for the country to progress and develop. Hence this book, it is hoped, would be useful for people interested in understanding course of events for progress of food and agriculture in their state as also the country with passing of time., ABOUT THE AUTHOR:- Dr. Nilangshu Mukherjee, B. Sc. Ag., M.Sc. Ag., Ph.D (K.U) Professor of Plant Pathology and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (Retd.) Nearly 40 years experience of teaching agriculture, Plant pathology, plant bacteriology to UG, PG and Ph.D. students and supervising 16 Ph. D. and 22 M.Sc Ag. Students' research work for fulfillment of their degrees. Has 87 research papers to his credit in both Indian and foreign journals. Author of 3 books on Agricultural jointly with Dr. A.M. He was Chief Editor of History of Agricultural Education in Bengal. Four more books are published in Bengali language, Life Member of 3 all India societies of agriculture and Editor of number of Bengali Journals. He was member of State Agriculture Commission, West Bengal, QRT-team (ICAR) on Mushrooms and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Agriculture to Chief Minister's Science & Technology Committee......Dr. Avik Mukherjee, B.Tech (DT), M.Sc., Dairy Bacteriology (WBUAFS), M.S & Ph.D. in Food Science & Nutrition, University of Minnesota, USA. He was a post Doctoral Fellow at University of Colorado and presently Professor & Head, Dept. of Food Technology, Haldia Institute of Technology, West Bengal. Conducted researches on microbiology & safety of fresh vegetables, fruits and meat products. Published eight research papers– all in foreign journals. Attended and delivered lectures on food safety & security in different fora all over India. He has written book chapter of 'Food Safety' and authored books on 'Microbiology : general & applied and 'Encyclopaedia of Food & Agriculture.' He was awarded 'Outstanding Student Award' of Univ. of Minnesota and 'Young Scientists Reseach Project' from AICTE. He is a member, Board of Studies of WBUT., CONTENTS:- Introduction Historical Development of Agriculture and Food in Bengal • Land surface development • River systems of Bengal • Weather and climate of Bengal . Origin and Evolution of Life Arrival of humans and evolution • In search of food • In Search of Food • Weapon making and their use : Paleolithic era • Food gains attention . Neolithic Revolution and the Beginning of Agriculture The Beginning • Agriculture from Neolithic to Heliolithic era (- BC) • Paddy agriculture of Bengal • Food preparation earthen pot and fire • Bengal agriculture in pre-historic era • Pre-Aryan Bengalis • Villages and ‘haats’ in Bengali . Heliolithic to Iron Era Context • Pandurajar Dhibi’ (- BC) • Gangaridae Civiisation (- BC) • Women and ‘Rannaghar’ (separate cooking space) . Maurya and Post-Maurya Period (- BC) Agriculture and Villages • Agricultural Marketing • Bengali Food : early diversifications . Agriculture in Gupta and Post-Gupta Period (Fourth Cent. - AD) Land, village and habitations • ‘Krishi Parashar’ (th cent. or earlier) • Maxims (‘Bachan’), Proverbs (‘Prabad’) and Agriculture of Bengal (th to th century) • Agriculture in vow (‘Broto’), festival (‘Parob’) and fete (“utsav”) • Spices and Bengali cuisine . Agriculture during Pal-Dynasty (- AD) Administration and agriculture • Basic method of Food preparation • ‘Vriksha Ayurveda’ and Surapal (Twelfth century) • Development of Bengali food habit . Agriculture during Sen Period (- AD) Agriculture in the published literatures of the time • Food culture in Bengal • Festivals and food • Fasting and food • Foods in worships in Bengali homes . Muslim and Post-Muslim Period in Bengal (- AD) Muslims in Bengal • Agriculture in midst of re