North South University’s (NSU) School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) organized a talk on ‘Memories of Indigo Rebellion: Retained, Erased, Transmuted’ on 3 May, 2026. The session was held at the SHSS Conference Room, as part of the NSU SHSS Distinguished Lecture Series, a press release said.
The keynote speaker was Professor Syed Jamil Ahmed, Founding Member, Spardha: Independent Theatre Collective, Honorary Professor at Theatre and Performance Studies, Dhaka University. The concluding observations were provided by the moderator, Professor Abdur Rob Khan, the Honorable Treasurer at NSU.
Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of the SHSS at NSU, commenced the discussion with the introductory remarks. He pointed out the significance of the Distinguished Lecture Series in nurturing interdisciplinary dialogue, noting that such platforms enable students from Law, English, History, and Journalism to explore various themes through a lens that extends beyond typical classroom learning. He observed that the book poignantly demonstrates a trend in Bangladesh of history not just shaping the present, but rather present and future ‘considerations’ shaping historical narratives. He said that this book may prove to be an important contribution to memory studies.
Professor Syed Jamil Ahmed began by bridging the gap between the historical fact and the complex layers of collective memory surrounding the Nil Bidroho (Indigo Rebellion). Through his scholarly research, he illustrated how the trauma and resistance of the peasantry have been selectively retained in folk traditions, erased by colonial archives, and transmuted into modern cultural symbols. His use of accessible comparisons and real-life examples made the complex socio-political history resonate with the diverse audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students. He pointed out that memories and narratives on the Indigo Rebellion have not been uniform among the different groups. He concluded that the rebellion was not purely a historical political event but a continuing legacy of resistance against systemic exploitation.
During the interactive Q&A session, faculty members engaged with the guest speaker on the ethical responsibilities of historians, classism, power struggles, and the power of performance in reclaiming marginalized identities.
Professor Abdur Rob Khan observed that the exchange of ideas ignited a sophisticated discussion on regionally significant issues, proving that historical resistance remains a vital benchmark for understanding modern-day social justice. The event concluded with a crest handover to honor the esteemed guest. The session successfully achieved its goal of sparking both academic curiosity and practical insight among the attendees.
