Wednesday, December 21, 2011

MAHASTHANGARH LOCATED IN BANGLADESH .

Bangladesh has a rich history of ancient civilization,in the past. This aspect of history of human evolution honored this country with a great value – traditionally. Although some part of Mahasthangarh is in Bogra Sadar thana, mostly located in Shibganj thana under Bogra district. The ancient name of Mahasthangarh was Pundranagar which was used to be the capital Pundravardhana.It is the earliest urban archaeological site that so far discovered in Bangladesh. The archaeological site 'Mahasthan' means a great place. Mahasthangarh is the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh.The village Mahasthan in shibganj thana of Bogra District that contains  an ancient city which was called Pundranagara. 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. The mazhar of Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar built at site of a Hindu temple which is located at Mahasthangarh.


He was a dervish (holy person devoted to Islam) of royal lineage.He came to the Mahasthangarh area with with a view to spreading Islam among non-Muslims. He converted the people of the area to Islam and settled there.They started to live in peach there. Bangladesh has a rich history of ancient civilization,in the past. This aspect of history of human evolution honored this country with a great value – traditionally. Although some part of Mahasthangarh is in Bogra Sadar thana, mostly located in Shibganj thana under Bogra district.


Pundravardhana was the empire of the territory. In1931,the archeological site of the Mahasthangarh was discovered. It is declared that the site of Mahasthangarh was chosen for the capital city because it is one of the highest areas in Bangladesh because of belonging about36 meters high 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.  There was a museum near the spot which named ``Mahasthangarh Archeological ``Museum’’.


Bogra is situated about 226 kilometer north-west from Dhaka and the Mahasthangarh site which is about 12 kilometer far away from the Bogra city. The whole area is rich in Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim sites. This archaeological site is still held to be of great sanctity by the Hindus. Every year ( mid-April )  thousands of Hindu join the ceremony on the bank of river Karatoa. This is small but well-maintained museum has a lovely set of objects which was discovered in the antique rich surroundings. The highlights are the statues of Hindu gods, terracotta plaques depicting scenes from daily life and some well-preserved bronze images mostly found in ancient monasteries.


Mahasthangarh, the ancient capital of Pundravardhana is situated about 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. It stands on the red soil of the Barind Tract. The elevation of 15 to 25 metres above the surrounding areas makes it a relatively flood free physiographic .The citadel measuring roughly about 1.523 km long from north to south and about 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 .


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