Editor’s Note

This volume marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Ever since its inception (1956) this Journal has been serving as a major platform for research on Asian Studies. In the activities of the Society, the Journal has been always receiving topmost priority, and in spite of intermittent difficulties confronted by the Asiatic Society, this organ was never allowed to feel their pinch. It has been thus coming out regularly and consistently with original researches. In December, 1971, the original name of the periodical- The Journal of the Asiatic Society of Pakistan, was renamed- The Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
Up to 1961, the Journal was published annually. In 1962, it was made bi-annual and quarterly in 1966. The practice continued until 1982, when it became bi-annual again, which continues until now. The articles published in the journal have been of high quality and consequently it drew attention from scholars nationally and internationally. The international character of the Journal, as the present volume attests, has been gaining momentum in recent years. Forty scholars from twenty seven universities and centres from around the world have joined our celebration with articles in this Golden Jubilee Volume. We attach great importance to their cooperation and goodwill.
We are thankful to the Council of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh for organizing the fieftieth anniversary events, including ceremonial launching of this volume and publication of a separate index volume entitled A Cumulative Index to the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (1956 - 2005) byDr Shahnaj Husne Jahan.
Taking this opportunity we would like to put it on record that through this regularly run learned periodical the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh has set up a striking example of sustained endeavours for development in the realm of academic organization and research in Bangladesh. On this occasion we remember fondly those savants of the country who founded the Asiatic Society in 1952 and this Journal in 1956.