In Indian sub-continent today there are three main families of languages, which is in their order of influence (a) Indo-Aryan, (b) Dravidian and (c) Munda [1]. Indo-Aryan and Dravidian arrived in India and Bangladesh from the west and Munda from the east. In the same way the cultures of the advanced hunters (austral people) of south Asia merged in to the peasant stage of culture which have been accepted in Indian and Bengali civilization [2]. When the Aryan people were started residing (1500 B.C) in India, some Proto-Australian people spread up in middle and south India. Among of them, a group of austral people merged to ancient ‘Varendra’ and ‘Pundrabardhana’ region of northern Bangladesh pressurized by a group of Aryan conqueror who were traveling at same time in the Ganges Valley. This migrated people probably were the ancestor of Kol, Munda. Pundra, Sabara, Kharwar, Santal etc. ethnic group [3,4]. Anthropologist Clarence Meloney described their physical characteristics like that: Short stature, Doli-Cephalic to Meso-Cephalic, Platirrhine, black skin color and hair form is Cymotrichy [2]. These physical appearances are close to the Bengali race.

The ‘austral’ people have an exotic cultural life which remarkable for its simplicity of beliefs, the diversity of their beliefs has generated a wide variety in their cult of deities, worships, religious celebrations, social rites and ceremonies [2]. Dr. Shahidullah proved that, austral and like this non-Aryan (Munda, Pundra, Santal) people have been resided all over the Bangladesh in pre-historic period. They contributed a lot to formation of Bengali language and culture [5].

Among the Austral people, the Pundras were the most illustrious. Probably, during 7 hundred BC they left hunting, food gathering and gipsy life and started horticulture and intensive agriculture [2]. They were primarily identified as a large tribal group and in time established themselves as founders of agricultural civilization at middle of the north Bengal region. This land was famous by their language and their identity as ‘Pundrabardhana’, ‘Pundranagara’, ‘Pundradesh’ and ‘Mahasthangarh [6]. W.W Hunter and O’Malley described this Pundras (Pod) people as ancient most inhabitant of North-Bengal [3].

According to Historians, the far successors of Pundras (Pod) lived in ‘Chalanbil’ of Natore and Naogaon district as fisherman. They left their primitive life and began to stable peasant-living. They used canoe (donga) for travelling river [3]. O’Malley found a little-known tribe called ‘Pundari’ or ‘Pundri’in a distant village of Chalon Bil [7]. They were cultivating ‘Silk-Sects’ and ‘Tut-tree’. Hunter has counted their number 11 thousand in his Account in 1872 [8]. 

‘Carpus’ and ‘Silk Cotton’ mostly cultivates in Rajshahi region till today. Waving of silk cloths is famous in this area. Besides, a lot of Production of sugar cane is another famous tradition in that land. These are inherited from the Austral Pundra people. ‘Puri’ or ‘Pura’ (Sugar cane) is largely popular in Rajshahi and Rangpur division. Silva Levi described that the word ‘Pundra’ itself connoted from austral language [2,9]. Anthropologist B.S Guha, Risley, Hutton and Historian R.C Majumdar defined Pundra people as Proto-Australian [10]. For many historical incidences, political and social indiscipline and professional disorder, once a time, the Pundars failed to continue their diversity and adopted themselves with mainstream people [3]. 

Another austral group ‘Sabara’ in general were the hunting and gipsy community like Pundras. Their descriptions found in ancient Bengali poem ‘Charjapada’ and on the terracotta of ‘Paharpur’ Bodh-Bihara (Sompur Bihara) of 8^th century [11]. This Marginal and neglected Sabara tribe were the followers of ‘Budhist’ ideology. After victory by the Muslim army a large numbers of Pundra and Sabara tribes were converted in to Islam for getting social status and human justice. Even though, they accepted Islam but their far successors became ‘Keyot’ and ‘Jola’ Muslim and live as lower caste community in Rangpur and Pabna region [3].

Clarence Meloney investigated regarding origin of pre-historic Bengali humans and race. He systematized the circumstance like that; Munda and Austral language and culture diffused over Bengal or part of it, with the diffusion of cultivation from south-east Asia in to eastern India. On the other hand, Bengali language and culture evolved in Bengali from pre-existing cultures and borrowed from both, east and west and also north [2,12].

Austral languages are divided by two families: Munda and Mon Khamr. ‘Munda’ have analyzed by Bhattacharya in his book ÔStudies in Comparative Munda linguistics’ (1975). He reviewed the ideas of earlier writer like Max Muller, Logan, Forbes, Schmidt, Risley, Grierson, Sebeok and Pinno. Bhattacharya reconstructed a comparative analysis on Munda language. He commented that, Munda is the oldest form of speech still uses in the sub-continent and also in Bengali. 

Clerence Meloney elaborately discussed about the origin of the oldest people of Bangladesh in his article ÔBangladesh and its people in prehistory’ [12]. In another article ÔTribes of Bangladesh and Synthesis of Bengali Culture’ [2], he tried to composed a synopsis that the Munda people came in to India from the east and inhabited mostly in eastern Indian territory including all over Bangladesh. These austral people influenced very largely Bengali language and culture. Shahidullah in his book ‘History of Bengali language’ [13] and article ÔMunda Affinities of Bengali’  disclosed same opinion. He proved that, Munda language and culture widely contributed Bengali.

Bijoychandra Majumdar [10] claimed that, Dravidian language also contributed Bengali. Chatterji [14] agreed with him. But Shahidullah denied Majumbar’s opinion. He tried to establish that, cerebral pronunciation of Bengali also used in Kol and Munda language. On the other hand, Chatterjee very widely described all probability of formation about Bengali language and its development from pre-history to modern age in his epic book Ô The Origin and Development of Bengali Language’ [14]. 

Sir George Grierson in his great book ÔLinguistic Survey of India’ (vol-5, Part-1, 1903) identified regional linguistic specialties of Bengali. He exclusively showed the grammatical formation of Bengali dialect. ÔTribal Cultures in Bangladesh’  is an important book for realizing tribal culture which connected in Bengali ethnicity and language. This book investigated about the influence of Munda and Austric affinities in Bengali.

Another Anthology of History, Anthropology, Language and People of North-Bengal (History of Varendra, 2000) widely flourished the contribution and influence of pre-historic people. Niharranjan Roy, a famous Historian, discussed chronological history of Bengali population from pre-history to ancient period in his classical book ‘History of Bengali’-(Roy: 1400(Bangla). He exclusively discussed about the origin and development of Bengali society, history and culture. In his book, he examined pre-historic elements of austral people which have been influenced to formation of Bengali nation.

This study follows qualitative research methodology and used secondary data. The source of secondary data were published books, articles, anthologies, along with other published documents, Gazetteers, Reports, Records, Statistical books, Periodicals and Journals. Besides, to justified the data and sources it has been observed the present life-style, thinking, rituals, ceremonies and social relations of Bengali population and some indigenous communities like Santal, Munda, Kol and Oraon. This study is descriptive and exploratory in nature and approach is anthropological.

The austral people were very simple and quiet. They have not strong mind and unity in general. They could able to preserve their existence although they have bounded to receive control of the outsider. Their diversity was the pillar of their vitality. Austral people are commonly imaginative, irresponsible, idle, musing and somehow lustful even while passing hundreds of years, these characteristics have not been changed [15]. According to the existing life-style of the Sabara, Munda, Santal, Bhuimij people, it has been proved. 

Austral people believed on rebirth even today. They also thought that, after death the departed soul is survived on the hill, tree or in a body of an animal or bird. They used the dead body hanged on a tree or graved it under the ground and then enter a long stone in the graveyard if the dead body was a male and kept a stone horizontally if it was  female.  Some  time  they  offered  food  to  the  dead body [15].  These   tribes  have  been  imposed  divinity  on specific tree, stone, hill or animal and offered worship (Puja) on it. They have widely believed on faith and supernatural power. They performed food festival (Nobanno) and ritual ceremonies mostly by the woman. These people also offered rice-bundle, paddy, grass, coconut, banana, cow-dung, vermilion, turmeric, betel-nut etc. during worship. In wedding ceremony, they carried up various rituals like massaging body by turmeric, asking questions and enjoyed playing. Dancing and sprinkling colors during marriage ceremony also was an important item [15]. 

We would like to mention here only one ritual amongst hundreds in particulars which could be realized that how much austral remains in Bengali culture are existed today; it is ‘Birth occasions’ and as follows [2]:

• Fire is nearly always lit in the delivery room after birth of a child

• Mother is given dry food as long as she is in a state of pollution

• Birth in a special hut (Aturghar)

• Uses bamboo knife to cut the umbilical cord

• The mother’s first milk or colostrum is not given to the baby

• Mother drinks hot water

• Umbilical cord buried under a tree or under the steps of the house

• Honey is given the new born child

• The baby should have his head shaved soon after birth

• A pregnant woman should not go on a cremation ground or graveyard, nor visit ill 

• Person should not kill fish or chickens

• A pregnant woman should avoid eating double or twin bananas or fruits as this 

• Believe that might cause twines

• Use of charmed or magic water for any illness, especially for a difficult delivery

• The mother may call the child by an opprobrious name or do something to

• Superficially make it look dirty or ugly so the evil eye will not hurt it

• There is a wide belief that if a baby or a pregnant woman dies his or her soul (ghost)

• Might be returned to the house

These rituals have been adapted in Bengali life-culture and customs very largely.

Synthesis of Austral Characteristics in Bengali 

Bengali is a proud nation. It’s language and culture are very much strong and flourishing. However, much more cultural and linguistically features have been adjusted from the traditions of the austral people. Some might be mentionable here.

Tribal Consciousness 

Bengali is a mixed race nation but they are mostly habituated with tribal nature. They bear same tribal beliefs, customs, faiths and rituals among them and like to live in particular area which they influenced by the village chief or senior family members or community leaders [15].

Regional Feelings

Regional feelings also related to tribal consciousness. The places name ÔRara’ ÔGoura’ ÔSummah’ ÔPundra’ etc has formed separate region or province on the basis of separate land [15]. 

Land-Dependent Peasant Life

In early stage of pre-history, hunting, tribal agriculture and small household handicraft were the main social wealth of austral people. After that, 1^st century to 7^th century trade and business were the financial backbone. But after that period Bengali has been depended completely on agriculture like austral people of prehistory which is continued to the present time [15]. 

Religion

Modern religious groups still are follows various beliefs, rituals and ceremonies of austral people; especially Hindu community. Mana, Animism, Animatism, Worship on tree, animal, stone, hill or marriage with banana and leafs of mango tree of austral people has been accepted by the Hinduism. Even, some beliefs are existed in Muslim folk-customs also.

Social Ceremonies and Rituals

Hundreds of austral ceremonies and rituals have been adopted in modern social fiesta of Bengali people. Food festival (Nobanno), wedding ceremonies, alpona (designing on earth), believe on night of the full moon (Purnima) and day of the new moon (Amabossa), believe on exorcist, charms and spells, magic, supernatural power or ghost- all had been practices in austral community. Offering worship on a banyan or tamarind tree, ÔHoli’ or ÔKali Puja’ also connoted from Pre-Aryan austral tribes. Offering of lump (funeral cake) to departed soul of Hindu community is same to food offering ritual of austral people [15]. Some Muslim believes like austral people that newly departed soul returns to their home in night and stay there some times. They observe attitude and behavior of their family members that how they reacting after his death. 

Aryan Stream

Aryan practices, culture and religious beliefs are seen very little In Bengali culture because of deep influences of austral remains. The Austral People denied accepting Aryan influences for a long time of history. But they have failed to protect Aryan cultural aggression. Although they had bound to accepted it but did not gave up their diversity. As a result, Aryan remains in Bengali culture are not so strong [15].

Funeral and Soul

The Muslims believe that, some departed souls become very powerful. They could do good or bad for a man. For that, they offer tribute beside a graveyard to get bliss (as: Mazar Ziyarat) like austral people. According to E.B Tylor, austral people thought about two type of ÔSouls’; one is ‘Free Soul’ and other is ‘Bodily Soul’. Free soul could come out of the body at any time and enter again as it like but bodily soul once comes outside, it does not enter to the body once more. Then the man or woman is dies. The Hindus and Muslims carry same thinking in mind. Austral people performed two funerals for the dead soul. One is immediate after death, is called ÔGreen Funeral’ and another after some days, called ÔDry Funeral’. Second is performed when they confirmed that, departed soul will not returned again. Hindu people performs this rituals as ÔAonteshtikria’ (Funeral) and ÔPindodan’ (giving lump/funeral cake) and Muslim perform it as ÔKulkhani’ (3 days ceremony) and ÔChollisha’ (40 days ceremony). ÔPindo Dan’ is same to offering food to the dead soul succeeding the austral tribe and Muslim offer food or ‘khana’ to the poor people is similar to the austral culture; it  is  also  indirect  process  to  feeding  and  satisfied  dead soul [16,17]. 

Bengali Passion

In general, Bengali are very much emotional, Passionate and rebellious than thoughtful. These are also contribution of austral people. These characteristics are still seen in life-style, thinking, attitude and social behaviors of Bengali people [15]. 

Liberal Humanity

Passion and emotion made Bengali as liberal humanist. Humanity has flourished in Bengali literature and everyday life from ancient period. 

Averse to Apathy

Bengali nation is known as realistic and averse to apathy from pre-historic period. They were very much interested to enjoy life. Bodily worship of ÔBaul’ (a local religious community) or ÔSufism’ (an Islamic philosopher group) or ÔBodha Sahajjan’ (a sub-class of ÔBodhaism) or ‘Boishnavism’ (a part of Hindu religion) are also derived from austral life practices. At the same time, they had deep family bonding and grave attachment which is remains till present day [15].

Inheritance

Bengali people mostly dependent on land and agriculture like austral people. For that reason (Except some reversion at higher level), Bengali muss people in general economically are poor from ancient period. They never so happy in wealth. The greater part of Bengali is effortless and unexcited to occupation because of their limited resource. They do not enthusiastic to take risk for choosing profession [15]. For that, Bengali people mostly interested for job instead of trade and business. They feel secured in traditional services. 

Rural Life and Culture

Bengali life and culture generally formed on the basis of rural heritage and culture. It was the main tendency and specialty of Bengali nation which have continued even to the recent time. It happened because of tribal life stream. The austral tribes leaded their life by hunting, harvesting and creating handicraft. Their society built along with the family members and blood relatives. They had a wide environment with forests, trees, rivers, blue sky and vast green fields. Villages had been grown with those natural ingredients. Family and racial bonding was very powerful. These acts of bindings also existed at present day too [15]. Bengali society is changing to modernity but family and social bonding did not turned out from Bengali mind and passion. It is the real means to go to rural village and family during festivals like Eid ceremony, Durga Puja (largest Hindu worship), holidays and like that occasion.

Dispassionate to Permanency 

Bengali nation were not of static mind. Their mentality, ideology and philosophy have been changed time to time. In society, they have adopted such cultural features in their life practices which are not from Aryan culture; they have accepted various things from different origin. Bengali people have changed their religious faith frequently, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Budhaism, Islamism, Sufism, Baishnavism, Baulism and folk religions. Bengali made innumerable Gods and Goddess according to their passion and imagination and accepted as they are family member-such as Siva, Uma, Pārbati or Losmi-Sarshwati. In present day, Bengali very easily accepts foreign culture, fashions, attitude and practices. These tendencies and domains also continuation of austral mind and passion. 

Dependence on Fate and Astronomy

The austral people were deeply dependent on fate and astronomy. They did not try to overcome it. They accepted all disaster, calamity or unwanted occurrence as fortune and fate. In ancient time, the kings and rulers did not take any decision or did not go anywhere without taking advice from an astronomer, it happens even at present day. A great part of Bengali men go to astronomer for examine their fate or for treatment. To enter in a new house or start a new business a Bengali person offer ‘Doa’ (prayer) ‘Milad’ (religious ceremony) or ‘Puja’ (worship) unavoidably. The Politicians commonly goes for ‘Mazar Zeyarat’ (prayer to a saint) before starting their election campaign. When a man is beaten by snake, villagers hunts first for a snake-charmer even this days. Magic, Charm and Mystery-all are continuation of austral ethnic people [15].

Believe on Supernatural Power

Almost all of the Bengali people have faith on unseen and supernatural power till present time. These are completely effects of pre-historic austral beliefs.

Austral Contribution in Bengali Language

Bengali language is different from Hindi. Maloney believed that, primarily because of it was an overlay language of the Munda group which was formerly widespread throughout the eastern India and Bengal plains. The indo-Aryan languages were contributed in Dravidian speech but in eastern India it was Munda [2]. Shahidullah also strongly recommended this opinion earlier. He described in his book (1981), austral and like these Non-Aryan people (Munda, Pundra, Santal) had been resided all over Bangladesh in pre-historic age. They have obliged to accept Aryan language and culture but they left behind hundreds of austral features in Bengali language not only some vocabulary but also leaved many linguistically features in Bengali [13]. 

Munda is an Austral language. Bengali has been influenced in many ways by Munda. It may be noted here that as regards to the vocabulary, a large number of local plants, animals, household articles, human traits and terms and a large number of local concepts are borrowed from Munda origin. Some of the pattern are mentionable here: plow, river, egg, trunk of a tree, powder of crops, pillar, lip, belly, plough, canoe, tube, covered litter, fig tree and fruit, head, lime, gourd, husked paddy, leg, banyan tree, fire place, husking pedal etc. A term ‘Para’ (small village) is the basic unit of the local government of Bangladesh also derived from Austral village design. Some place names are formed with Austral language, such as: ‘Shiyalda’, ‘Jhinaida’, ‘Bashdaha’, ‘Poradah’, ‘Ishwardi’ ‘Kundi’ etc. 

Bengali word does not start with compound consonant because of Munda affinities. Bengali pronunciation has essentially no distinction between long and short vowels (i, ii), which must have been picked up from Mudna. In Bengali, consonant clusters got reduced, the sibilants got more or less merged and there was some merging or retroflex consonants with parallel ones like proto-Munda. The nasals in Bengali are influenced by nasals as in Munda and Proto-Austro-Asiatic features. On the other hand, western lndo-Aryan language features are found different. Bengali has several classifier suffixes (to, ti, guli). These particles are a feature clearly derived from Austro-Asiatic language. Bengali lost voice and some verbal nouns and compound verbs got reduced. Most of post-position and case-ending get dropped. In Bengali, primary nouns are mono-morphic as in Munda. In Munda and Bengali, there is a tendency to indicate the plural by reduplication. 

Numeral system of Bengali is an interesting one. All the Austral languages have mostly similar roots for numbers up to 10 and some up to 20. The unit for counting higher number is 20 or ‘kuri’. In Bengali, 4 are commonly used as ‘hali’ ‘Gonda’. It is a unit as well as multiplier. Some Bengali men count on his fingers of one hand up to ‘kuri’ (20). These are contribution of austral language [2,13,18].

In pre-historic period, tribes from south-east Asia (related to Munda speakers) entered Bengal and largely contributed to the early formation of Bengali language, nation and culture. Anthropologists and Historians bears same opinion that the Kol, Munda, Sabara, Pundra, Santal, Karwa and similar to these people were the ancient most inhabitant in India and Bangladesh. They have used ‘austral’ language and familiar as ‘austral’ tribes. These Streams of people were derived from Kol-Munda language sub-family which has been related to the eastern division and represents of Proto-Australian race [13-15,19,20]. They lived mostly in northern plain land of Bangladesh as well as all over eastern region of India [13,20].

The austral people arrived in India and North-Bengal from the east in 10 thousand years earlier. At the same time, the cultures of these advanced austral groups of south-Asia merged in to the peasant stage and deeply influenced Bengali culture and civilization [2,12,20]. This tribal people tried to conserve their diversity and language but did not succeed. The Aryans occupied over their land, culture and language. Austral people bounded to leave their language to the Aryans but they had left behind thousands of linguistically and cultural topographies to Bengali [13]. Bengali thoughts and culture have been constructed mostly on the basis of austral characteristics [2,12,15].

Austral elements in Bengali have flourished in many ways; among them linguistically features and cultural formation is remarkable. About Bengali language, austral contribution has been developed not only for vocabulary but also in grammatical constructions; for which Bengali language is different from Hindi and other contemporary neighboring Indo-Aryan languages [2,13].

About formation of Bengali mind and culture, austral elements and features also powered widely. Austral people were very simple and quite. They were commonly imaginative, irresponsible, musing but defendant. These have been affected Bengali intelligence. Austral thinking, belief and faith on super natural objects, worship, rituals, professions, economy and ceremonies were largely occupied Bengali mentality and culture. Some are specifically mentionable like that:

• Tribal consciousness

• Regional feelings

• Land-depended peasant life 

• Historical lag 

• Animistic religion 

• Indigenous activities 

• Exhausted Aryan stream and passion 

• Liberal humanity 

• Averse to apathy 

• Inheritance

• Insufficient energy 

• Rural life and culture 

• Antagonistic to stability 

• Women’s dominance in conducting worship and rituals

• Too much dependence on astronomy etc.

In summary, there are sufficient evidences from physical and cultural anthropology to support the assertions made above the early influence of these ‘austral’ people and culture of Bangladesh. We have to study more for knowing anthropological development of Bengali people as a race and have to ascertain why the Bengali people could not change their conservational characteristics adopted by the austral people?

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3. Siddiqui, R.A. “Inhabitant of Barendra: Anthropological Study in History of Varendra.” Edited by Saifuddin Chowdhury, et al., Office of the Commissioner’s, Rajshahi, 1998, pp. 99-108, 111.

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12. Maloney, C. “Bangladesh and Its People in Prehistory.” Journal of  the Institute of  Bangladesh Studies, vol. 2, 1977, pp. 18.

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16. Tylor, E.B. Religion in Primitive Culture. New York, 1988.

17. Haque, N. A Sociological and Anthropological Study on Folk-Literature of North-Bengal. Bangla Academy, 2009, pp. 81-83.

18. Bhattacharya, S. Studies in Comparative Munda Linguistics. Indian Institute of Advanced Study, 1975.

19. Majumdar, A. Bengali Language Historical Grammar, Part II. Calcutta, 1973.

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