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As
a previous part of India Bangladesh is rich in historical
and archaeological wealth especially of the medieval
period. History reveals that Bengal (Bangladesh) is
a melting pot of several races. Before 6th century
Bengal was subdivided in three regions and ruled by
Hindu and Buddhist kings. But in mid 6th century Buddhist
rulers became powerful and ruled the entire region.
During this period a large number of Buddhist and
Hindu cultural institutions were established in the
region. The Muslim came in 11th century and established
Muslim socio-economic, religion and cultural institutions.
Than came the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Armenians
and finally the British, also put small establishment
of great archaeological or historical value. The major
archaeological and historical sites are:
Paharpur Buddhist Monastery : known largest
Buddhist monastery south of the Himalaya Situated
at the north west part of Bangladesh Paharpur is (means
hillock residence) a 7th century Buddhist architecture
of a pyramidal cruciform templic school with 77 residential
cells for Buddhist monks (student) profoundly influenced
by those of South East Asia.
Excavated by the Beranda (early name of the region)
research society and Calcutta University in 1923 the
British govt. declared Paharpur Monastery a protected
Monument. A resourceful site museum has been built
to get a glance of the contemporary socio-cultural
phenomenon. A great place for Researcher, Students,
Buddhists and the Tourists as well.
Mahastangarh: An ancient city state known as
Pundranagar was a sit of socio-cultural and administrative
city of several Hindu and Buddhist rulers of 6th to
7th century almost disappearing. But a huge collection
of the than socio-economic and cultural symbol like
sculptures, epigraphs, coins, paintings, manuscripts,
jewelries and terracotta’s displayed in the
site museum depicts the colorful life and culture
of this ancient city state.
Situated at the North West region close to Paharpur
Monastery this ruins of ancient civilization is regularly
visited by hundreds of Historians. Archaeologists,
Students, Tourists.
Mainamati: situated in the district of Camilla.
A 3 hour drive to the East from capital city Dhaka,
Mainamati is a picturesque relic of a unique Buddhist
religions and cultural institution. Comprise with
school in the middle on a stepped-top hillock-like
the school is surrounded by 115 cells of resident
students (monks) and a temple at the entry gate. The
closer sides ornamented with Buddhist trinity (stupa)
Buddha, Dharma and Shangha. The collections of the
archaeological site is rich and displayed in the site
museum consists of the stupa, copper plates, gold
and silver coins and hundreds of bronze objects, sculptures,
terracotta’s and statues. A unique place for
Historians, Archaeologists’ Students, Buddhist
Religion group and people of interests.
Mughol Fort: Commonly known as “Lalbag
Fort” the Mughol Fort situated in the old part
of the capital city Dhaka represents unfulfilled dream
of a Mughol prince. A defensive enclosure of the palatial
edifices of the interior and a typical palace fortress
consists of guard rooms, arms and ammunitions room,
audience hall, tomb of pari-bibi (beautiful daughter)
resembles Tajmahal of India, hammamkhana (bathing
of Mughol style), mughol mosque etc. All these surrounds
in a beautiful garden in the fortress. A large number
of city duelers including the expatriates visit the
site everyday. There is a museum in the audience hall
which depicts the socio-cultural stamps of Mughol
dynasty.
Sonargaon: About 30 km east of the present
capital city Dhaka, Sonargaon is the ancient capital
of Bengal. A seat of the ancient Bengal rulers established
by the dynasty carried the function of a capital city
of the Muslim Sultanate until 13th century. The administrative
building of the ancient rulers has become Bangladesh
Folk Art Museum depicts real picture of ancient Bengal
culture. The main attraction of the site is the ancient
city-‘Panam’ adjacent to the museum. A
place of historical interest Sonargaon is visited
by hundreds of foreign and domestic tourist everyday.
60 Domed Mosques: An administrative cum religious
building founded by a Mughol warrior changed to a
saint named Ulogh Khan Jahan is a clear picture of
15th century Muslim Architecture. The Saint founded
a city near the sea coast is known as Bagherhat (market
of tiger) situated at the south of the country at
Ganges mouth.
Kantanagar Temple: Built in 1752 by a Hindu
Land Lord is the most ornate among the late medieval
Hindu Temples of Bangladesh. It is a most expressive
monument fully covered and decorated with terracotta
plaques depicts the social life of late medieval aristocrats.
A religious edifice of the late medieval cultural
heritage of Bangladesh is still a living one where
people worship and perform rituals everyday.
In spite of the above there are relics of historical
and cultural heritage is seen on the way to the major
destinations.
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