Bengali calendar in the context of "Kārtika (month)"

Bengal (/bɛnˈɡɔːl/ ben-GAWL) is a geographical, ethnolinguistic, historically geopolitical region in South Asia, located north of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is politically divided between the sovereign state of Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and Karimganj district in the Indian state of Assam.

The ancient Vanga Kingdom is widely regarded as the namesake of the Bengal region. The Bengali calendar dates back to the reign of Shashanka in the 7th century CE. The Pala Empire was founded in Bengal during the 8th century. The Sena dynasty and Deva dynasty ruled between the 11th and 13th centuries. By the 14th century, Bengal was absorbed by Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent. An independent Bengal Sultanate was formed and became the eastern frontier of the Islamic world. During this period, Bengal's rule and influence spread to Assam, Arakan, Tripura, Bihar, and Odisha (formerly- Orissa). Bengal Subah later emerged as a prosperous part of the Mughal Empire.

Chaitra (Sanskrit: चैत्र, romanized: Caitra) is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Chitra nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. The month corresponds to spring (Vasanta) season and falls in March–April in the Gregorian calendar.

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the last month of Mina and begins with the Sun's entry into Pisces. It corresponds to Choitro, the last month in the Bengali calendar, and Chait, the last month in the Nepali calendar (Vikram Samvat). In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the third month of Chittirai, falling in the Gregorian months of April–May.

Phalguna or Phagun is the twelfth and last month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Pushya nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. The month corresponds to the end of the winter (Shishira) season and falls in January–February of the Gregorian calendar.

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the month of Kumbha and begins with the Sun's entry into Aquarius. It corresponds to Falgun, the eleventh month in the Bengali calendar and Vikram Samvat. In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the twelfth and last month of Panguni, falling in the Gregorian months of March–April. In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the twelfth month of Govinda.

Gauḍa (also known as Gaur, Gour, Lakhnauti, Lakshmanavati and Jannatabad) is a historic city of Bengal in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, and one of the most prominent capitals of classical and medieval India, being the capital city of Bengal under several kingdoms. The Gauḍa region was also a province of several pan-Indian empires. During the seventh century, the Gauda Kingdom was founded by King Shashanka, whose reign corresponds with the beginning of the Bengali calendar. Gour gradually became synonymous with Bengal and Bengalis. It was conquered by Bakhtiyar Khalji, a lieutenant of the Ghurid ruler Muhammad of Ghori in 1203.

For a period of 112 years, between 1453 and 1565, Gauda was the capital of the Bengal Sultanate. In 1500, Gauda was the fifth-most populous city in the world, with a population of 200,000, as well as one of the most densely populated cities in the Indian subcontinent. The Portuguese left detailed accounts of the city. The Sultans built a citadel, many mosques, a royal palace, canals and bridges. Buildings featured glazed tiles.

Choitro (Bengali: চৈত্র) is the last month of the Bengali calendar. It falls from mid-March to mid-April and is the last month of Spring (Bengali: বসন্ত Bôsôntô). The name of the month is derived from the star Chitra (চিত্রা Chitra).

Vaisakha (Sanskrit: वैशाख, IAST: Vaiśākha) is the second month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Vishākhā nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. It corresponds to April–May in the Gregorian calendar. The month corresponds to the end of the spring (Vasanta) season and falls in April–May of the Gregorian calendar.

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the month of Mesha and begins with the Sun's entry into Aries. It corresponds to Boishakh, the first month in the Bengali calendar. In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the third month of Vaikasi, falling in the Gregorian months of May–June. In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the third month of Madhusudanah.

Ashvin (/əˈʃwɪn/; Sanskrit: आश्विन; Malay/Indonesian: Aswin; Thai: Asawin), or Ashwin, also known as Aswayuja, is the seventh month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the Indian national calendar. The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Ashvini nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. The month corresponds to the autumn (Sharada) season and falls in September–October of the Gregorian calendar.

In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the month of Kanya and begins with the Sun's entry into Virgo. It corresponds to Ashshin, the sixth month in the Bengali calendar. In the Tamil calendar, it corresponds to the seventh month of Aipasi, falling in the Gregorian months of October–November. In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the seventh month of Padmanabha.