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Archaeological
Sites |
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Bangladesh
is a country considerably rich in archaeological wealth,
especially of the medieval period both during the Muslim
and pre-Muslim rules, though most of it is still unexplored
and unknown. In archaeological fieldwork and research
this area was very much neglected for a long time for
various reasons, not the least of which are its difficult
geography and climate and remoteness from the main
centres
of the subcontinent.
With
the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 the Government
has undertaken a number of field projects including
a comprehensive survey and exploration of the hitherto
unexplored areas and a fairly ambitious scheme of excavations
on selected sites.
Though
work at present is carried out on a limited scale, the
discoveries already made have been significant, while
new information and fresh evidence are coming out gradually.
These fresh explorations are likely to add substantially
to our knowledge of the history and chronology of ancient
Bangladesh and various aspects of her life and culture.
The
earlier history of Bangladesh reveals that Buddhism
received royal patronage from some important ruling
dynasties like the great Pala rulers, the Chandras and
the Deva Kings. Under their royal patronage numerous
well-organized, self-contained monasteries sprang up
all over the country. The major archaeological sites
are described below. |
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.: Paharpur
The largest Buddhist seat
of learning
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Paharpur is a small
village 5 km west of Jamalganj railway station
in the greater Rajshahi district where the remains
of the most important and the largest known monastery,
south of the Himalayas has been excavated. This
8th century AD archaeological finds covers
approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The
entire establishment, occupying a quadrangular
court, measuring more than 900 ft. and from 12
ft to 15 ft in height with elaborate gateway complex
on the north, there are 45 cells on the north
and 44 in each of other three sides with a total
number of 177 rooms. |
Paharpur |
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The
architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple
is profoundly influenced by those of south-east
Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken
its name from a high mound, which like Pahar or
hillock. A site museum houses the representative
collection of objects recovered from the area.
The excavated findings have also been preserved
at the Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi. The
antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaque,
images of different gods and goddesses, potteries,
coins inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other
minor clay objects. Paharpur has been inscribed
on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1985. |
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.:
Mahasthangarh
The oldest archaeological
site
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The oldest archaeological
site of Bangladesh is on the western bank of river
Karatoa 18 km. north of Bogra town beside Bogra-Rangpur
Road. The spectacular site is an imposing landmark
in the area having a fortified, oblong enclosure
measuring 5000 ft. by 4500 ft. with an average
height of 15 ft. from the surrounding paddy fields. |
Mahasthangarh
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Beyond the fortified
area, other ancient ruins fan out within a semicircle
of about five miles radius. Several isolated mounds,
the local names of which are Govinda Bhita Temple,
Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer
Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the fortified
city.
This 3rd century
archaeological site is still held to be of great
sanctity by the Hindus. Every year (mid-April)
and once in every 12 years (December) thousands
of Hindu devotees join the bathing ceremony on
the bank of river Karatoa. A visit to the Mahasthangarh
site museum will open up for you wide variety
of antiquities, ranging from terracotta objects
to gold ornaments and coins recovered from the
site.
For
visiting Paharpur and Mahasthangarh, the visitors
may enjoy the hospitality of Parjatan Motel at
Bogra. Mahasthangarh and Paharpur are only 18
km. and 75 km. respectively from Bogra town.
Rajshahi is famous for pure silk. Silk processing
industry of the Sericulture Board is just ten
minutes walk from Parjatan Motel at Rajshahi.
Besides the Sericulture Board, a visit to Varendra
Research Museum at the heart of the City for archaeological
finds, would be most rewarding. |
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