Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Spice That Built Bengal: Betel Nut and Global Trade
Before tea and opium, betel nut (Areca catechu) was Bengal's most valuable agricultural export, traded from the Sundarbans to the markets of Persia and East Africa. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the humble supari shaped Bengal's economy, fueled the rise of the Sena and Mughal revenue systems, and became a cultural obsession that persists today. They trace the betel trade from ancient Sanskrit texts through Portuguese and Dutch records, revealing how Bengal's supari gardens (known as supari bari) were so lucrative that they were often the target of zamindar feuds…
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