Ancient bangladesh : Mahasthan

 Ancient Bangladesh : Mahasthan

South Asian country Bangladesh figures very prominent in history since the very ancient times. She has witnessed many ups and downs of history. There are so many places of historical interest in Bangladesh. One such place is Mahasthan Garh.
 Mahasthan, the present name of the ancient city known as "Pundurunagar (Pundranagar)", is situated in Shibganj, Bogra. About four thousand years ago Pundurunagar was an affluent and strong settlement.

• It is located along the road towards Dinajpur in the Sibgonj thana of Bogra district, Mahasthan entrenches the remains of one of the oldest city of Bangladesh, known in the pre-Muslim period as Pundranagara (= "the city of the Pundra", a tribe mentioned in the Veda). In the modern period (ca. XIIIth-XVth cent.), the name changed to Mahasthan (= "the great/ or sacred place").

• From the archaeological evidence, ancient Mahasthan was provincial capital of the Mauryans, the Guptas, the Palas, and the fudal Hindu kings of later period. Beyond the citadel, other ancient ruins found within a radius of 7.5/8 km in a semi-circle in the north, south, and west which testify the existence of extensive suburbs. It is worth quoted that Yuen Chwang, the famous chinese pilgrim visited the Pundra Vardhana in between 639-645 A.D. Sir Alexandar Cunningham rightly identified the current Mahasthangarh as Pundranagar at 1879 following the description left by Yuen Chwang.

• The ancient Mahasthan is rich in Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim sites. The Buddhists were here until at least the 11th century. Their most glorious period was the 8th to the 11th centuries, when the Buddhist Pala emperors of North-Bengal ruled. It is from this period that most of the visible remains belong. The citadel was probably first constructed under the Mauryan empire in the 3rd century B.C. It fell into disuse around the time of Mughal invasions. Most of the visible brickwork dates from the 8th century, apart from that added during restoration. Outside the citadel, there is a remaining of a 6th-century Govinda Bhita Hindu Temple, which looks like a broken-down step pyramid.

• Inside the city-wall, several buildings have been discovered by the archaeologists, although most of them have now disappeared under vegetation and silt. From South to North, one should mention: well preserved public buildings and temples in the Mazar area, from the 14/15th century to earlier periods, as shown by the current Bangladesh-France excavation; the massive basalt threshold of a Hindu temple at Khodar Patar ; a ancient mosque (14th cent. ?) at Mankalir Dhap; the Jiyat Kunda well, supposed to give new strength to men; the "Parasuram" buiding, which likely is thought to be a Mughul residence (XVIth cent.); the Hindu temples at Bairagir Bhita, the domestic area near the Eastern rampart recent excavation; the Munir Ghon bastion on the East side of the city-wall; the protruding buttress on the North-Eastern rampart; and lastly, the restored Govinda Bhita temple outside the rampart to the North.

Ancient Mahasthangarh Tourist Attractions:

Today the Ancient Mahasthangarh Archaeological Site consists of remnants from the past. The main site is fortified by a citadel. Major excavation sites within the citadel include:
• Bairagir Bhita: Excavation findings include base ruins of temples, two sculptured sand stone pillars constructed and renovated between: 4th and 11th century.

• Khodarpathar Bhita: Artifacts found here includes pieces of stone carved with transcendent Buddha along with devotees kneeling with folded hands.

• Parasuramer Prasad: Contains remains of three occupation periods between 800 - 1800AD.

• Mankalir Dhap: Features base ruins of a 15-domed mosque built around 15thcentury. Terracotta plaques, bronze Ganesha and bronze Garuda were discovered during excavation works.

• Bangla-French exploration: Features 18 archaeological layers buried within a soil depth of around 17 meters. The layers are dated between 5th century BC and 12th century AD.

Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins are spread out within a radius of about 8 km. The significant sites are:

• Govinda Bhita: Situated 185 m north-east of the citadel and opposite the site museum. Base remains of two Hindu temples from 3rd century BC to 15th century AD has been discovered.

• Totaram Panditer Dhap and Narapatir Dhap: Both sites are located in the village Basu Vihara, about 6 km north-west of the citadel. Excavations found structural remains of ancient monasteries and temples. This place was once visited by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in the 7th century AD.

• Gokul Medh: Features a terraced podium with 172 rectangular blind cells. It is dated back to 6th-7th century. Local mythology associates it with legendary Lakshmindara-Behula.

• Khulnar Dhap: Situated in village Chenghispur, 700 m west of the north-west corner of the citadel, features remains of a Hindu temple.
The small museum at Mahasthangarh exhibits an interesting collection of recovered archaeological artifacts including statues of Hindu Gods, Terracotta Plaques and Bronze Statues mostly found in monasteries from the Pala period.

Have you visited Mahasthangarh ruins? Share your experience with us here in comments!