MAHASTHANGARH: Exploring Bangladesh's

UNVEILING ANCIENT Rich Archaeological

Heritage
HISTORY By : Asfi Raiyan
 MAHASTHANGARH: Exploring Bangladesh's
Rich Archaeological
UNVEILING ANCIENT Heritage
By : Asfi Raiyan
HISTORY

MAHASTHANGARH: Exploring Bangladesh's

UNVEILING ANCIENT Rich Archaeological
Heritage
HISTORY By : Asfi Raiyan
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our presentation on one of
Mahasthangarh's most astounding
archaeological findings, the Citadel
Walls and Gates. Mahasthangarh,
located on the banks of the Karatoya
River in Bangladesh, has provided vital
insights into the ancient civilization
that once thrived there. Among its
numerous treasures, the Citadel Walls
and Gates are towering reminders of
the city's strategic importance and
architectural skill. Join us as we
explore the intriguing narrative of
these enormous monuments, including
its historical background, construction
techniques, and significance in
sculpting the ancient environment of
Mahasthangarh.
HISTORY
HISTORY
Early Settlements
 The Pundranagara city was probably founded by the
Mauryas, as testified by a fragmentary stone
inscription in the Brahmi script mentioning
Pudanagala. It was continuously inhabited for a long
span of time.

Emperor
Ashoka
(C. 304 BC -
C. 238 BC)
HISTORY
Early Settlements
 The Pundranagara city was probably founded by the
Mauryas, as testified by a fragmentary stone
inscription in the Brahmi script mentioning
Pudanagala. It was continuously inhabited for a long
span of time.
Different rulers and civilizations
 Mauryan Empire (3rd Century BCE) Founded during the reign of
Emperor Ashoka.
 Gupta Empire (4th-6th centuries CE): Flourished as a center of trade
and culture.
 Pala Empire (8th-12th centuries CE): Witnessed the spread of
Buddhism and artistic achievements.
 Sultanate Period (13th-16th centuries CE): Under Muslim rule,
experienced architectural and administrative changes.
 Mughal Empire (16th-18th centuries CE): Functioned as a strategic Emperor
outpost, influenced by Mughal architecture.
 British Colonial Rule (19th-20th centuries CE): Subject to
Ashoka
(C. 304 BC -
archaeological exploration and preservation efforts. C. 238 BC)
HISTORY
HISTORY
Pre- Mauryas Culture Phase
 During the pre-Mauryan cultural period, there was a
significant usage of Northern Black Polished Ware
(NBPW) of phase B, rouletted ware, Black and Red Ware
(BRW), Black Slipped Ware, Grey Ware, and mud-built
dwellings with mud floors and hearths.and post holes.
Fine NBPW are mostly found in the lower tiers, including
plates, cups, beakers, and bowls. Radiocarbon dates
from the top level date back to the late 4th century BCE.
HISTORY
Pre-Mauryas Culture Phase
 During the pre-Mauryan cultural period, there was a
significant usage of Northern Black Polished Ware
(NBPW) of phase B, rouletted ware, Black and Red Ware
(BRW), Black Slipped Ware, Grey Ware, and mud-built
dwellings with mud floors and hearths.and post holes.
Fine NBPW are mostly found in the lower tiers, including
plates, cups, beakers, and bowls. Radiocarbon dates
from the top level date back to the late 4th century BCE.
Founder of the city
 The Pundranagara city was probably founded by the Mauryas,
as testified by a fragmentary stone inscription in the Brahmi
script mentioning Pudanagala. It was continuously inhabited for
a long span of time. During this time, broken tiles and brick-
bats were utilised to create mud walls.NBPW items include light
red or buff ceramics, ring stones, bronze mirrors and lamps,
copper cast coins, terracotta plaques, animal figures, and semi-
precious stone beads. A few radiocarbon dates are 366-162 BCE
and 371-173 BCE.
HISTORY
Post-Maryus Era
 Post-Mauryan (Shunga-Kusana) period. The area is
notable for its well-preserved brick dwellings, brick-
paved floors, post-holes, terracotta ring wells, terracotta
plaques, semi-precious stone beads, and a variety of
common light red or buff waves and grey pottery. NBPW,
of course, occurs less frequently than the Mauryan level.
Radiocarbon dates provide calibrated intervals of 197-
46 BCE, 60-172 ACE, and 40-122 ACE.
Kusana-Gupta Era
 The Kusana-Gupta period. Significant volumes of
Kushana pottery and terracotta figures with modern
style have been discovered. The main ceramic varieties
include handled cooking containers with carved
patterns, saucers, bowls, sprinklers, and lids.
Architectural remnants are few compared to the lower
and higher periods. Other cultural items include
terracotta beads, bowls, stone and glass beads, glass
bangles, and terracotta seals.
HISTORY
Late Gupta Era
 Radiocarbon measurements for this period provide
calibrated dates ranging from 361 ACE to 594 ACE.
During this phase, archaeologists discovered remnants
of a late Gupta period temple, Govinda Bhita, as well as
other brick structures such as houses, floors, and
streets. They also discovered terracotta plaques, seals,
beads, glass and semi-precious stones, terracotta balls,
discs, copper and iron objects, and stamped wares.

Sultanate Period
 The Muslim period is represented by a 15-domed
mosque at MankalirKunda, a single dome erected
by Farrukh Siyar, as well as Chinese celadon and
glazed porcelain from the time. The city has
several sites, including Bairagir-Bhita, Khodar-
Pathar-Bhita, Mankalir-Kunda Mound, Parasuram's
Palace Mound, and Jiat-Kunda.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DISCOVERIES
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DISCOVERIES
Major Findings
 One of Mahasthangarh's most notable finds is its
enormous citadel walls and gates, which highlight the
city's strategic importance and defensive prowess. These
massive buildings, which span four km and cover around
185 acres, were constructed using earthworks and brick
defences. Notable gates, like as the Rajshahi Darwaza
and the Bogra Darwaza, have elaborate brickwork that
highlights the city's architectural accomplishments.
These results shed light on Mahasthangarh's urban
layout, defence techniques, and historical significance as
a political and cultural hub in ancient Bangladesh.

Parshuram’s
Palace
 ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DISCOVERIES
Major Findings
 One of Mahasthangarh's most notable finds is its
enormous citadel walls and gates, which highlight the
city's strategic importance and defensive prowess. These
massive buildings, which span four km and cover around
185 acres, were constructed using earthworks and brick
defences. Notable gates, like as the Rajshahi Darwaza
and the Bogra Darwaza, have elaborate brickwork that
highlights the city's architectural accomplishments.
These results shed light on Mahasthangarh's urban
layout, defence techniques, and historical significance as
a political and cultural hub in ancient Bangladesh.
Excavation Efforts
 The Archaeological Survey of India, led by K.N. Diksit,
conducted the first regular excavation at the site in
1928-29 ACE. The excavation focused on three
mounds, Bairagir Bhita, Govinda Bhita, and a portion of
the eastern rampart, as well as the Munirghun bastion.
Parshuram’s
Palace
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DISCOVERIES
Site Excavations
 The Archaeological Survey of India, led by K.N. Diksit, conducted the
first regular excavation at the site in 1928-29 ACE. The excavation
focused on three mounds, Bairagir Bhita, Govinda Bhita, and a
portion of the eastern rampart, as well as the Munirghun
bastion.Work was then halted for three decades. The excavation of
the northern rampart area, Parasuram palace, Mankalir Kunda Mound,
and other sites began in the early 1960s.The preliminary report on
these excavations was released in 1975. After a two-decade hiatus,
excavation started in 1988.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DISCOVERIES
Site Excavations
 The Archaeological Survey of India, led by K.N. Diksit, conducted the
first regular excavation at the site in 1928-29 ACE. The excavation
focused on three mounds, Bairagir Bhita, Govinda Bhita, and a
portion of the eastern rampart, as well as the Munirghun
bastion.Work was then halted for three decades. The excavation of
the northern rampart area, Parasuram palace, Mankalir Kunda Mound,
and other sites began in the early 1960s.The preliminary report on
these excavations was released in 1975. After a two-decade hiatus,
excavation started in 1988.

France-Bangladesh expeditions:
 Bangladesh and France signed a cultural cooperation pact thirty years
ago, in 1992, and reaffirmed it in 2000. This pact, which is still in
effect, symbolises our two countries' longest period of collaboration.
Its primary goal is to continue the archaeological excavation of
Mahasthangarh, a huge site north of Bogra. The excavations are being
conducted out jointly by the Ministry of Culture's Department of
Archaeology, especially the Regional Directorate of Rajshahi Division,
directed by Naheed Sultana, and a French team. From 1992 until 2012,
the latter was managed by Prof. Jean-François Salles from the Maison
de l'Orient méditerranéen in Lyon, and since 2013, by Dr. Vincent
Lefèvre, Director of Collections of the National Museum of Asian Arts.
STRUCTURES AND
FEATURES
STRUCTURES ANDCitadel
FEATURES  The Citadel of Mahasthangarh, which was
built during the Mauryan Empire in the third
century BCE, is a fortified complex
measuring 185 acres along the Karatoya
River. Its majestic walls and fortified
gateways, like as the Rajshahi Darwaza,
represent the city's strategic significance
and historic legacy. Ongoing archaeological
research provides insights into urban
design and defence methods. Today,
preservation efforts protect this unique
historic property for future generations.
STRUCTURES ANDCitadel
FEATURES  The Citadel of Mahasthangarh, which was
built during the Mauryan Empire in the third
century BCE, is a fortified complex
measuring 185 acres along the Karatoya
River. Its majestic walls and fortified
gateways, like as the Rajshahi Darwaza,
represent the city's strategic significance
and historic legacy. Ongoing archaeological
research provides insights into urban
design and defence methods. Today,
preservation efforts protect this unique
historic property for future generations.
Ancient Structures
 Mahasthangarh's ancient buildings, which
date back to the Mauryan Empire, exemplify
its historical significance. From fortress walls
to temples like as the Govinda Bhita, each
reflects the city's cultural diversity. Ongoing
preservation efforts guarantee that these
structures continue to captivate visitors
while displaying the grandeur of ancient
Bangladesh.
CHALLENGES AND
PRESERVATION EFFORTS
CHALLENGES AND
PRESERVATION EFFORTS
Threats to Conservation
 Urbanisation and agricultural activities
endanger the survival of Mahasthangarh, a
historic archaeological site in Bangladesh.
Rapid urbanisation and surrounding
agricultural activities endanger the site's
integrity. To protect this cultural legacy,
conservation efforts primarily focus on
raising awareness, controlling urban growth,
and supporting sustainable agriculture.
CHALLENGES AND
PRESERVATION EFFORTS
Threats to Conservation
 Urbanisation and agricultural activities
endanger the survival of Mahasthangarh, a
historic archaeological site in Bangladesh.
Rapid urbanisation and surrounding
agricultural activities endanger the site's
integrity. To protect this cultural legacy,
conservation efforts primarily focus on
raising awareness, controlling urban growth,
and supporting sustainable agriculture.

Conservation Initiatives
 Mahasthangarh's conservation initiatives
include site management, structural repair,
awareness campaigns, archaeological
research, community participation, and legal
protection, all of which aim to preserve its
cultural heritage.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Last but not least, Mahasthangarh,
which dates back to the third
century BCE, has tremendous
cultural value for Bangladesh.
Despite problems such as urban
expansion and agricultural activity,
continuing conservation initiatives
such as site management,
restoration, awareness campaigns,
archaeological research,
community participation, and legal
protection are preserving its legacy.
Mahasthangarh's preservation is
critical not just for Bangladesh, but
for global history. It is everyone's
obligation to preserve its long-term
survival for future generations to
love and learn from.
REFERENCES
Hasan, M.M. (2023) (PDF) Pundranagarh (Mahasthangarh), research Gate. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325660752_Pundranagarh_Mahasthangarh (Accessed: 29 April
2024).

Khan, M.M.H. and Huda, M.N. (2023) The role of Museums and communities in Sustainable Heritage Site
Management in Bangladesh: The case study of mahasthangarh, IntechOpen. Available at:
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/85636 (Accessed: 29 April 2024).

Sharmin, Dilruba & Okada, Fumio. (2012). Surface Coating Technique of Northern Black Polished Ware by
the Microscopic Analysis. Ancient Asia. 3. 49. 10.5334/aa.12305.

Ahmed, J. (no date a) Mahasthangarh, World Heritage Journeys Buddha. Available at:
https://visitworldheritage.com/en/buddha/mahasthangarh/550d37f2-d576-4d7b-8b7a-4b87c13cdc05
(Accessed: 29 April 2024).

Mahasthangarh (2024a) Wikipedia. Available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasthangarh#:~:text=Mahasthangarh%20dates%20back%20to
%20at,from%20the%208th%20century%20AD. (Accessed: 29 April 2024).