Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site so
far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city
which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana.A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to
at least the 3rd century BC. The fortified area was in use till the 18th
century AD. Together with the ancient and mediaeval ruins, the mazhar of Shah Sultan
Balkhi Mahisawar
built at site of a Hindu temple is located at Mahasthangarh. He was a dervish of royal lineage who came to the
Mahasthangarh area, with the objective of spreading Islam among non-Muslims. He
converted the people of the area to Islam and settled there.
Etymology
Mahasthan means a place that has
excellent sanctity and garh means fort. Mahasthan was first mentioned in
a Sanskrit text of the 13th century entitled Vallalcharita.
It is also mentioned in an anonymous text Karatoya mahatmya,,
circumstantially placed in 12th-13th century. The same text also mentions two
more names to mean the same place – Pundrakshetra, land of the Pundras, and
Pundranagara, city of the Pundras. In 1685, an administrative decree mentioned
the place as Mastangarh, a mixture of Sanskrit and Persian meaning fortified place of an auspicious
personage. Subsequent discoveries have confirmed that the earlier name was
Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura, and that the present name of Mahasthangarh
is of later origin.
Geography
Mahasthangarh,
the ancient capital of Pundravardhana is located 11 km north of Bogra on the Bogra-Rangpur highway, with a feeder road leading to Jahajghata and site museum.Buses
are available for Bogra from Dhaka and take 4½ hours for the
journey via Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge across the Jamuna River. Buses are available from Bogra to Mahasthangarh. Rickshaws are available for local
movement. Hired transport is available at Dhaka/ Bogra. Accommodation is
available at Bogra.When travelling in a hired car, one can return to Dhaka the
same day, unless somebody has a plan to visit Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur in the
district of Naogaon and other places, or
engage in a detailed study.It is believed that the location for the city in the
area was decided upon because it is one of the highest areas in Bangladesh. The
land in the region is almost 36 m above sea level, whereas Dhaka, the capital of
Bangladesh, is around 6 m above sea level. Another reason for choosing this
place was the position and size of the Karatoya, which seemed to be as wide as the
sea.Mahasthangarh stands on the red soil of the Barind Tract which is slightly elevated within the
largely alluvium area. The elevation of 15 to 25 metres above the surrounding
areas makes it a relatively flood free physiographic unit.
Discovery
Several
personalities contributed to the discovery and identification of the ruins at
Mahasthangarh. F. Buchanan Hamilton was the first to locate and visit
Mahasthangarh in 1808, C.J.O’Donnell, E.V.Westmacott, and Baveridge followed.
Alexander Cunningham was the first to identify the place as the capital of Pundravardhana. He visited the site in 1889.
Citadel
The
citadel (see map alongside), the fortified heart of the ancient city, is
rectangular in plan, measuring roughly 1.523 km long from north to south,
and 1.371 km from east to west, with high and wide ramparts in all its
wings. The Karatoya, once a mighty river but
now a small stream, flows on its east. Till the 1920s, when excavations
started, the inside of the citadel was higher than the surrounding areas by
over 4 metres and was dotted with several straggling elevated pieces of land.
The rampart looked like a jungle clad mud rampart with forced openings at
several points. The rampart was 11–13 metres higher than the surrounding area.
At its south-east corner stood a mazhar. A later day mosque (built in 1718-19)
was also there. At present there are several mounds and structural vestiges
inside the fortifications. Of these a few of note are: Jiat Kunda (well
possessing life giving power), Mankalir Dhap (place consecrated to Mankali),
Parasuramer Basgriha (palace of a king named Parasuram), Bairagir Bhita (palace
of a female anchorite), Khodar Pathar Bhita (place of stone bestowed by God),
and Munir Ghon (a bastion). There are some gateways at different points: Kata
Duar (in the north), Dorab Shah Toran (in the east), Burir Fatak (in the
south), and Tamra Dawaza (in the west) At the north-eastern corner there is a
flight of steps (a later addition) that goes by the name of Jahajghata. A
little beyond Jahajghata and on the banks of the Karatoya is Govinda Bhita (a
temple dedicated to Govinda). In front of it is the site museum, displaying
some of the representative findings. Beside it is a rest house.
Suburb of the citadel
Besides
the fortified area, there are around a hundred mounds spread over an area with
a radius of 9 km.
Excavated
mounds:
- Gobhindo Bhita, a temple close to the north-eastern corner of the fortified area.
- Khulnar Dhap, a temple 1 km to the west of the fortified area.
- Mangalkot, a temple 400 m to the south of Khulnar Dhap.
- Godaibari Dhap, a temple 1 km to the south of Khulnar Dhap.
- Totorom Panditer Dhap, a monastery 4 km to the north-west of the fortified area.
- Noropotir Dhap (Boshu Bhihara), a group of monasteries 1 km to the north-west of Totorom Ponditer Dhap (said to be the place where Po-shippo Bhihara mentioned by Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang) was located).
- Gokul Medh (Lokhindorer Bashar Ghor), a temple 3 km to the south of the fortified area (it is a small distance off the road from Bogra to Mahasthangarh).
- Shkonder Dhap, a temple 2 km to the south-east of Gokul Medh.
Major
unexcavated mounds:
- Siladebhir Ghat.
- Chunoru Dighi Dhap.
- Kaibilki Dhap.
- Juraintala.
- Poroshuramer Shobhabati.
- Balai Dhap.
- Prochir Dhibi.
- Kanchir Hari Dhibi.
- Lohonar Dhap.
- Khujar Dhap.
- Doshatina Dhap.
- Dhoniker Dhap.
- Mondirir Dorgah.
- Bishmordana Dhibi.
- Malinar Dhap.
- Malpukuria Dhap.
- Yogir Dhap.
- Podmobhatir Dhap.
- Kanai Dhap.
- Dulu Mojhir Bhita.
- Podda Debhir Bhita.
- Rastala Dhap.
- Shoshitola Dhap.
- Dhonbandhor Dhap.
- Chader Dhap.
- Shindinath Dhap.
- Shalibahon Rajar Kacharibari Dhipi.
- Kacher Angina.
- Mongolnather Dhap.
- ChhoutoTengra/ Babur Dhap/ Kethar Dhap.
- Boro Tengra/ Shonyashir Dhap.
Excavations
Systematic
archaeological excavation of Mahasthangarh was first started in 1928-29 under
the guidance of K.N.Dikshit of the Archaeological Survey of India. The areas
around Jahajghata, Munir Ghon and Bairagir Bhita were explored. Excavation was
resumed in 1934-36 at Bairagir Bhita and Govinda Bhita. Excavation was carried
out in 1960s around the Mazhar, Parasuramer Prasad, Mankalir Dhap, Jiat Kunda
and in a part of the northern rampart. In the next phase excavation was carried
out sporadically in parts of the east and north ramparts but the final report
is yet to be published. In the period 1992-98 excavation was conducted in the
area lying between Bairagir Bhita and the gateway exposed in 1991 as a
Bangla-Franco joint venture, which is now in its second phase with excavation
around the mazhar in the western side of the citadel.
Movable antiquities
The
excavations here.
Inscriptions: A 4.4 cm x
5.7 cm lime stone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered
accidentally by a day labourer in 1931 was an important find. The text appears
to be a royal order of Magadh, possibly during the rule of Asoka. It dates the antiquity of
Mahasthangarh to 3rd century BC. An Arabic inscriptional slab of 1300-1301
discovered in 1911-12 mentions the erection of a tomb in honour of Numar Khan,
who was a Meer-e-Vahar. A Persian inscriptional slab of 1718-19 records the
construction of a mosque during the reign of the Mughal emperor Farrukhshiyar.
Coins: Silver punch marked coins
are datable to a period between the 4th century BC and the 1st-2nd century AD.
Some uninscribed copper cast coins have been found. Two Gupta period coins have
been reported from a nearby village named Vamanpara. A number of coins
belonging to the sultans of 14th-15th century and British East
India Company
have been found.
sculpture: A 5th century Buddha stone
sculpture recovered from Vasu Vihara, a Lokesvara stone sculpture showing
blending of Visnu and Avalokitsvara, salvaged from neighbouring Namuja village,
a number sand stone door-frames, pillars and lintels (datable to 5th-12th century),
numerous Buddha bronze sculpture datable to 10th-11th century, a terracotta
Surya discovered at Mankalir Bhita, and numerous other pieces.
.
Highlights of some excavated sites
Inside the citadel:
Bairagir
Bhita:
Constructed/ reconstructed in four periods: 4th-5th century AD, 6th-7th
century, 9th-10th century, and 11th century. Excavations have revealed
impoverished base ruins resembling temples. Two sculptured sand stone pillars
have been recovered.
Khodarpathar
Bhita:
Some pieces of stone carved with transcendent Buddha along with devotees in anjali
recovered.
Parasuramer
Prasad:
Contains remains of three occupation periods - 8th century AD findings include
stone Visnupatta of Pala period, 15th- 16th century
findings include some glazed shreds of Muslim origin, and the third period has
revealed two coins of the British East
India Company
issued in 1835 and 1853.
Mankalir
Dhap:
terracotta plaques, bronze Ganesha, bronze Garuda etc. were discovered. Base
ruins of a 15-domed mosque (15th-16th century) was revealed.
Bangla-Franco joint venture: Excavations have revealed
18 archaeological layers, ranging from 5th century BC to 12th century AD, till
virgin soil at a depth of around 17 m.
Outside the citadel:
Govinda
Bhita:
Situated 185 m north-east of Jahajghata and opposite the site museum. Remains
dated from 3rd century BC to 15th century AD. Base remains of two temples have
been exposed.
Totaram
Panditer Dhap:
Situated in the village Vihara, about 6 km north-west of the ciradel.
Structural remains of a damaged monastery have been exposed.
Narapatir
Dhap:
Situated in the village Basu Vihara, 1.5 km north-west of Totaram Panditer
Dhap. Base remains of two monasteries and a temple have been exposed.
Cunningham identified this place as the one visited by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in the 7th century AD.
Gokul
Medh:
Also known as Behular Basar Ghar or Lakshindarer Medh, situated in the village
Gokul, 3 km to the south of the citadel, off the Bogra-Rangpur road,
connected by a narrow motorable road about 1 km. Excavations in 1934-36
revealed a terraced podium with 172 rectangular blind cells. It is dated
6th-7th century. Local mythology associates it with legendary Lakshmindara-Behula. The village Gokul also
has several other mound Kansr Dhap has been excavated.
Skandher
Dhap:
Situated in village Baghopara on the Bogra-Rangpur road, 3.5 km to the
south of the citadel, a sandstone Kartika was found and structural vestiges of a
damaged building were revealed. It is believed to be the remains of Skandha
Mandira, mentioned in Karatoya mahatmya, as well as Kalhan’s Rajatarangin,
written in 1149-50. There also are references to Skandhnagara as a suburb of
Pundranagara. Baghopara village has three other mounds.
Khulnar
Dhap:
Situated in village Chenghispur, 700 m west of the north-west corner of the
citadel has revealed remains of a temple. The mound is named after Khullana,
wife of Chand Sadagar.
From
the present findings it can be deduced that there was a city called Pundravardhana at Mahasthangarh with a vast suburb around
it, on all sides except the east, where the once mighty Karatoya used to flow.
It is evident that the suburbs of Pundravardhana extended at least to Baghopara
on the south-west, Gokul on the south, Vamanpara on the west, and Sekendrabad
on the north. However, the plan of the city and much of its history are still
to be revealed.
Bhimer
Jangal
This well-known embankment starts from the north-east corner of Bogra town and
proceeds northwards for about 30 miles to a marshy place called Damukdaher bit,
under police station Govindaganj (Rangpur District) and it is said, goes oil to
Ghoraghat. It is made of the red earth of the locality and retains at places
even now a height of 20 feet above the level of the country. There is a break
ill it of over three miles from Daulatpur (north west of Mahasthan-garh) to
Hazaradighi (south-west, of it). About a mile south of Hazradighi. the stream
Subil approaches the jangal and runs alongside it down to Bogra town.Some
people think that the Subil is a moat formed by digging the earth for the
jangal but as there is no embankment on the northern reach of the Subil now
called the Ato nala. which merges in the Kalidaha bil; north of Mahasthan-garh
O'Donnell was probably right in saying that the Subil represents the western of
the two branches into which the Karatoya divided above Mahasthan.On the
Bogra-Hazradighi section of thee jaligal, there are two cross embankments
running down to the Karatoya, about 2 miles and 4 miles respectively north of
Bogra town and there is a diagonal embankment connecting these cross bonds and
then running along the Karatoya until it meets the main embankment near
Bogra.This jangal or embankment appears to have been of a military character,
thrown up to protect the country on its east. The break roar Mahasthan may be
due to the embankment having been washed away or to the existence of natural
protection by the bit.The Bhima to whom the embankment is ascribed may be the
Kaivarta chief of the eleventh century who according to the Ramcharitam ruled
over Varendra in succession to his father Rudraka and uncle Divyoka, who had
ousted king Mahipala II of the Pala, dynasty. Bhima in his turn was defeated in
battle and billed by Ramapala. Mahipala's son.
Jogir
Bhaban
South west of Bagtahali (beyond Chak Bariapara) and some 3 miles west of the
khetlal road is a settlement of the Natha sect of Saiva sannyasis, known as
Yogir-bhavan, forming the eastern section of Arora village. An account of this
settlement is given by Beveridge, J.:1.S.T., 1878; p. 94. It occupies
about so, bighas of land and forms the headquarters of the sect. of which there
are branches at Yogigopha and Gorakh-kui, both in the Dinajpur District,
the.former in its south-west part some 5 miles west of Paharpur, J.A.S.B.1875,
p. 189, and the latter in its north-west part some 4 miles west of
Nekmardan.The shrines at Yogir-bhavan are situated in the south-west corner of
an en¬closure or-math. One of them called Dharmma-dungi, bears a brick
inscription, reading scrvva-siddha sana 1148 Sri Suphala ... (the year =1741
A.D.). 'In front of it is another shrine called `Gadighar,' where a fire is
kept burn at all hours. Outside the enclose are four temples, dedicated
respectively to Kalabhai¬rava, Sarvamangala Durga and Gorakshanatha. The
Kalabhairava temple contains a diva linga and bears a brick inscription reading
Sri Ramasiddha sana 1173 sala (=1766 A.D.) ample Sri Jayanatha Nara-Narayana.
The Sarva¬mangala temple contains three images of Hara-Gauri, one of
Mahishamardini, a fragment of an Ashta-matrika slab, a fragment of a
three-faced female figure probably Ushnishavijava (Sadhanamala; II. pl.XIV) and
a four-armed female figure playing on a vina (evidently Sarasvati, but
worshipped here as Sarva¬ mangala). Over the entrance is a brick inscription
reading 1089 Meher Natha sadaka sri Abhirama Mehetara (the year =1681 A.D.). In
the Durga temple is a stone image of Chamunda, and in the Gorakshanatha one, a
Siva lihga. There are three brick built samadhis near the latter temple.
Teghar North of Chandnia hat the
road skirts the bil and comes to Teghar village Which juts out into the bil
'Near about here are several mounds; such as Naras¬patir dhap. Kacher Angina
(or glazed courtyard, a term applied to many ruins in these parts) etc. The
biggest of these mounds, Mangal-nather dha is situated close to the point, from
which a road branches off to Bihar. It is said that terra-cotta plaques as well
as stone images were found at this site, but were all consigned to the
neighbouring dighi.
Rojakpur Proceeding westward along
the road from Gokul to Haripur, we pass into the western arm of the latter
village, already referred to. and meet the Bogra¬ Khetlal road near the
Chandnia hat. West of Haripur and south of the Somrai bil is the village of
Rojakpur, into which, as already stated, the elevated ground from Chandnia hat
extends. On this ground are two mounds called respectively Chandbhita.
(probably referring to the Manasa legend) and Dhanbhandar. A little further
west is another mound called Singhinath Dhap.
Mathura East of Bumanpara and
extending up to the garh on the east and the Kalidaha bill on the north, is the
village of Mathura, in Which there are several tank and on a ridge overlooking
the Gilatala moat, two mounds called Parasuramer Sabhabati and Yogir Dhap.