Examining nationalism through the spatial structure of the Bangladesh National Museum, the Liberation War Museums, and the Military Museum

Abstract

The study examines three museums located in Dhaka – the Bangladesh National Museum, the Liberation War Museum, and the Military Museum. In addition, it reveals how the spatial structure of these museums promote nationalism by showcasing specific items. Museums in Bangladesh have a great role to play in shaping ideologies through space, structure, and selective collection. Attractive representation of artifacts and historical evidence shape visitors’ behavior. State funded museums like Bangladesh National Museum exhibits ancient art and historical objects proliferate cultural as well as national identity. The spatial environment of museums is crucial for promoting curated historical narrative over authentic context. Biased curatorial practices decide what to show or not, transforming the way objects are displayed in the museum galleries. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods for the analysis. Besides, it applies several theories that are aligned with ideological formation. For instance, Bangladeshi museums reinforce national identity formation through Althusser’s Ideological State Apparatus (ISA). They are the agents of ISA, persuading public attention through cultural practice. Ultimately, the study finds Lasswell’s model of propaganda by analyzing the institutional role of museums, distributing nationalist ideology and influencing public opinion within the spatial structure. Furthermore, Hiller’s space syntax is applicable for analyzing spatial structure of Bangladeshi museums for setting state-oriented narratives.