Mahasthangarh (City Of Pundravardhan) – One Of The Tourist Attraction In Bangladesh

Mahasthangarh (Physical setup) so far the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh, lies on the western bank of river karatoya, about 12 km north of Bogra town, and is connected by a good metalled road.

This 3rd century archaeological site is still held to be of great sanctity by the Hindus.

Mahasthan, the present name of the ancient city known as "Pundurunagar (Pundranagar)". The word ‘Mahasthan’ means a place that has excellent sanctity and ‘garh’ means fort. The extensive ruins of Mahasthangarh presents a glorious past of about two thousand and five hundred years of Pundranagar, the capital city of ancient Pundra Vardhan Bhukti. About four thousand years ago Pundurunagar was an affluent and strong settlement.

The mighty Maurya, Gupta and other rulers had their provincial capital there. Even the initial capital of the Pal dynasty was Pundurunagar. The ruins of this great ancient city is situated on the western bank of river Korotoa, which is indeed a past glory not only of Bogra but also of whole Bangladesh.

From the archaeological evidence it is proven that the site 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 7/8 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 whole area 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.

After the Muslim conquest of Bengal in the early 13th century, the city lost its role of capital. It was nevertheless occasionally occupied through the centuries, as attested by the mosque and the tomb of Shah Sultan Mahisawar (17th century).

The spectacular site is imposing landmarks in the area having a fortified, oblong enclosure measuring 5000 ft. by 4500 ft. with an average height of 15-ft. form the surrounding paddy fields. Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins find 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.

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.

Tourist Attraction In Mahasthangarh

 ·         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 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 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.