In a world influenced by globalisation, technological advancement, geo-political tensions, migration and rapid cultural change, what does it mean to belong? Civilisation in Exile: Bengali Belonging and the Crisis of Modern Identity is a powerful reflection on Bengali identity, diaspora, and the search for cultural roots in the current globalised world. Through a combination of philosophical essays, historical reflections and personal accounts, Dr Palto Datta explores the experiences of Bengalis who find themselves far from their Motherland, particularly those in Britain, where there are purported success, mobility and opportunity, but also profound cultural dislocation.
From the vibrant streets of East London to the all-embracing intellectual legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Michael Madhusudan Dutt, the book explores how migration has transformed Bengali consciousness while raising profound questions about civilisation, memory, and belonging. It grapples with the conflict between the age-old and the contemporary, the loss of cultural heritage to the all-consuming marketplace, and the battle to retain one’s selfhood. Blending philosophy, history, and cultural critique, Civilisation in Exile offers an insightful and deeply human exploration of the Bengali diaspora. At the heart of the work lies a central argument: exile in the modern world is not merely geographical but increasingly psychological and civilisational.
Thought-provoking and richly reflective, this book invites readers to reconsider the meaning of culture, identity, and civilisation in an interconnected world.