Comprehension Exercise 13

The Process of Making Bakarkhani

Khaja Md. Harun-ur Rashid (ENG 046 06432)

Historical Background:

The history of Bakarkhani was found in the book of Nazir Hossain titled Kingbadantir Dhaka (Dhaka of Legends). During the reign of Siraj-Ud-Dawla, his General in Chittagong area named Aga Bakar, fell in love with a dancer of Arambag called Khani Begum. Another official Jainul Khan also had his eye on Khani Begum. So he tried to take her by force. Hearing that, Bakar went to rescue Khani Begum, and Jainul fled away. A rumor spread that Bakar killed Jainul. So both Aga Baker and Khani Begum were taken to the court of Murshid Quli Khan. Murshid Quli Khan sentenced him to death and put him in the tiger’s cage. Aga Baker anyhow succeeded in killing it and escaped. Then Jainul kidnapped Khani Begum but he killed her when they were about to be caught. After the death of Khani Begum, Aga Baker in loving memory of Khani Begum prepared a special bread named ‘Bakar-Khani’. 

Ingredients:

1.      Flour

2.      Ghee/Butter Oil

3.      Salt &

4.      Water.                     

Process:

Combine all the ingredients for the dough. Add more ghee and water if required. The dough should be soft and fluffy. Then roll the dough into oval shape of 18 to 20 inches long. 

Then apply more ghee and flour on the oval shaped dough. Then fold it into triangle shape as shown in the picture.

Then roll the dough and cut it into small pieces of 10 to 12 grams each. Then roll the dough into a disk of 1.5 to 2 inches. Make three scratches on the disk like the picture. 

Then put those on the Tandoor for baking. After baking, enjoy the Bakarkhani.

Bakarkhani is usually eaten as snack in Old Dhaka. It is more like biscuit. It is famous for its taste and quality. It is usually taken with tea or kebab. There are some variations of Bakarkhani: Plain Bakarkhani, Cheese Bakarkhani (filled with cheese), Sweet Bakarkhani (filled with sugar). It has been very popular since the Mughal age. Bakarkhani is a simple food like the heart of Old Dhaka dwellers. 

The author with the bakers

QUESTIONS

1.      What is the synonym of ‘rumor’?

a. Gossip

b. Real

c. Chitchat

d. Fact

2.      Which one of the following is the best alternative of ‘fled away’?

a. On the sly

b. Gone

c. Run fast

d. Present

3.      Where can we find the history of Bakarkhani?

a. Kingbadantir Dhaka

b. Chittagong

c. Arambag

d. Sonargoan

4.      What are the ingredients required to the making the traditional snack Bakarkhani?

5.      Why did Murshid Quli Khan sentence Aga Baker to death?

6.      What was the fate of Aga Bakar at last?

7.      How does the special bread BakarKhani relates to the story?

Question set prepared by Md. Najmul Islam (ENG 045 06293)

About the Author

Khaja Md. Harun-ur-Rashid is studying at Stamford University Bangladesh as a student of English Literature. He is from Dhaka. He passed SSC from Ahmed Bawany Academy and HSC from Birsrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Rifles College. He likes music, travelling, watching movies, playing badminton and eating delicious dishes. He wants to be a singer. His favorite quote is “Never Stop Dreaming".