site conservation assessment v2.0

© Global Heritage Fund 2011

1

Site Conservation Assessment v2.0 Thank you for undertaking this Site Conservation Assessment. Please note the following:

• You may need to create extra rows in the form by clicking in any cell in the bottom row of a box and selecting ‘Table’ > ‘Insert’ >

‘Rows Below’ in the Word menu bar running along the top of your window.

• If important, relevant information is not directly solicited by the prompts provided, please address in the lowermost cell of each box, labelled “Further remarks”.

• For lengthier responses (e.g. concerning condition and conservation details), type “see below” in the relevant box and append your observations to the end of the form, clearly labeled and organized.

• Identify site components on a digital map or aerial photo. Photographically document the state of conservation for each component, keying photos to their location on a map or aerial image and providing informative captions.

1. General Information Date 25th may 2011. Site Name Ancient city of MAHASTHANGARH,BOGRA Country BANGLADESH Site Status __World Heritage Inscribed __WH Tentative __National Heritage Assessor Name

Kawshik Saha

Institution Faculty of Department of architecture, Shahjalal University of Science &Technology Profession Architect, Academic researcher

Affiliations Institutes of Architect Bangladesh Date of site visit 20th-27th May,2011 Previous history with the site


2

Site Description (250 words or less)

Mahasthangarh (Bengali: মহাsানগড) is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District. Mahasthan contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana. Evidences date Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC. The fortified area was in use till the 18th century AD. The site was rightly identified by Sir Alexander Cunningham.

The ancient kingdom of Punduru Bardhan was bordered by the Himalayas to the north, rivers Padma to the south, Korotoa to the east and Mahananda to the west. Seventh century Chinese traveler Huen Shang mentioned that the perimeter of “Punduru Bardhan” was 8 hundred miles.

The Pundurus were destroyed as a result of the conquest by the Aryans. Punduru Bardhan broke up into five kingdoms one of which was called “Barendra” which was successively ruled by the Mauryas, the Guptas, the Pals, and the Sens and finally became part of the Muslim kingdom of Gaur.

Archaeological stratigraphy from the Interim Report of the excavation conducted by the Bangladesh-France joint team has suggested, with the corroboration of the Radiocarbon dates that the earliest date goes back to the 4th-3rd century BCE. However, most of the area covered by the citadel is yet to be excavated. Besides, recent excavations at Vasu Bihara (a Buddhist monastery) and Bihar dhap (a mound) and Mazar area have revealed interesting cultural history in this part of undivided Bengal.

Site Significance (250 words or less)

_The earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh _The excavations have revealed the cultural remains of various nature and periods ranging from 4th century BCE to 13/14th century AD. _ Is one of the most prominent ‘urban citadel site’ in South Asia. There are over hundred satellite sites in the form of mounds surrounding the main city fortified by a massive wall and rampart. _Structures built by burned mud brick and lime-brick dust mortar. _In a 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage Global Heritage Fund identified Mahasthangarh as one of 12 worldwide sites most "On the Verge" of irreparable loss and damage’. _A joint venture excavation program running by France-Bangladesh team each year.


3

2. Project Potential The following information is critical for GHF evaluation of how our scarce resources can most effectively employed. Planning What plans (e.g. Management, Conservation, Tourism Development, and Disaster Preparedness) currently exist, and/or have been executed? _For the site of Mahasthangarh Site, the authority responsible for conservation and site maintenance activities is Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh. _A local office of department of archaeology run by a management team Under a site custodian, solely given authority to implement conservation and management policies. _The site custodian as a chief of staff at the site also runs the site museum, guest house and other site properties. _The activities of site custodian office are monitored by Regional office of archaeological department. _Absence of any specific long term management planning _One year excavation plan is executed each year on availability of financial budget _No master plan for tourism support, inadequate arrangements like parking, canteen, accommodation. _Absence of any early threat monitoring or disaster preparedness

Community Is there a nearby community that is or could be invested in preservation and tourism development at the site? _The site of Mahasthan is located in a rural setting. Total area The ancient city has now turned into several villages. _The nearby community in and around Mahasthan is agrarian society. Economic activities depend on agricultural production. Most of the inhabitants are farmer, fishermen. level of literacy is around 50%. _The local inhabitants are occupying most of the site. Most of them legally own their property and others illegally built their settlement. _The community has become an essential part of the site. So without participation of them sustainable preservation is near impossible. _The site is the key source of income for most of the facilities living on and around the site .So there are enormous scopes for investing nearby community in preservation and tourism development.


4

policy. Conservation What are the paramount conservation problems and needs? _Destruction and looting by local inhabitants. _Illiteracy, poverty, neglect ion of local people. _environmental disaster like poor drainage, land erosion, over grown vegetation. _Insufficient financial support by Government _Absence of skilled conservation experts with site activities. _ Lack of previous historic records on site. _Absence of well equipped research laboratory. What international conservation efforts have taken place? _Under an agreement between French and Bangladesh government, a French team taking part in a Joint Excavation Program each year for three months with Bangladesh team at Mahasthan since 1993. _No any other international efforts have taken place.

Partnerships What domestic and international, public and private organizations have the greatest potential as partners in preservation and tourism development at the site? International Partnership: The French –Government: Support a team of French archaeologist to take part in excavation in a period each year. No other international participation on the site. Domestic Participation: Department of Archaeology, Ministry of cultural affairs ,Bangladesh No other public or private organizations in involved in conservation activity in site.


5

Further remarks:

3. Site Condition - Overview Emphasize recent (past 30 years) and ongoing changes in condition. Perceptual condition refers to elements such as visual intrusion, noise, encroachment of new constructions, crowding, commodification, etc. General Physical Condition General Perceptual Condition Site

Mahasthan is located NW of Bangladesh, in the ancient of Bengal which formerly covered the present Bangladesh and the Indian West Bengal. The city is established on the eastern edge of the Barindh high terrace, above the present alluvial plains of Ganges and the Brahmaputra river. In contact with the high terraces, safe from flooding and with the old Tista alluvial plain, the site gain from diversified ecological conditions which seem to have been well exploited in the past. Ancient testimonies describe this region in terms of a granary. The Korotoya is the main river. It contributed to the irrigation of the site and was a major lane in the irrigational networks. Mahasthan has become today a small village, run by district of Bogra without any specific neither administrative nor political function. Its main activity is agriculture. The ancient city of Mahasthangarh contains a citadel and structures around the citadel. There is nothing to justify today that a great city was developed in this precious place. Now a days, people of Mahasthsngarh is far away from the traditional route of past. Mahasthan’s outlying areas, excepting east, are interspersed with numbers of mounds, straggling vestiges of lost structures,

_Over growth population built modern habitation on site and around the site to create visual intrusion. _Infrastructures constructed by Local government like vehicular roads, drainage, electric posts, and commercial markets surrounds most of the key structures. _Overgrowth vegetation often hides structures and mounds. _The religious structure known as Mazar (tomb) focuses pilgrims all over the country cause massive crowding in a part of site. That generates noise and disturbs security and safety.


6

monasteries, temples, reservoirs and a citadel. All these are vivid evidences of a lost site hidden beneath the ruins of Mahasthan and its outskirts. Bangladesh archaeological department is the only authority here responsible for excavation and preserving ancient structures. A museum established by this department to exhibit evidences collected from excavation, which is a major, tourist attraction. The site contains evidences from 3rd century AD to 13th century AD. Nearly 15 -20% mounds of the site had been excavated. Most of the site has been occupied by modern structure by native people.


7

FIG 01 : Location of Mahasthan and suburb


8

FIG 02: Citadel of Mahasthangarh


9

Setting / Buffer Zone

The entire area is located in a suburb or rural setting with rural people, crop field, ponds, canal, fruit orchard and local habitation. The earth mounds containing ruins are located scattered in and around the citadel. So there is no defined buffer zone. There are rural settlements around the structures based on cultivation. Most of the archeological sites are used as crop field by local people. Sites under preservation process have buffer zone developed by Archeology department. These buffer zones are have been developed by landscaping to attract visitors. On the eastern side of the citadel, The Korotoya river acting as a natural buffer area of the site. Most of the sites are easily accessible by trespassers, pets, and vehicles because of absence of any physical or visual boundary.

_Vegetation by local people. _Natural sloppy edge of mounds cause visual intrusion _Settlements, infrastructures _Local Signage and banners. _Structures beside approach road.


10

Are there particular social dynamics having site management implications? These could involve, for example, site ownership and control, land use, legal status, armed conflict, ethnic tensions, crime, corruption, elite appropriation and access restrictions. Social dynamics causing site management implication: Over grown population: _Overgrown population directly affecting site management. The villagers causing destructions on the site to develop sufficient Infrastructures like leveling ground for agriculture, building residential and commercial structures. _Population growth in this region of Mahasthangarh had two specific and deleterious effects on archaeological remains: the Removal of some sites and the covering of others with modern habitation. Site ownership and control: _Site ownership is a major issue in site management in Mahasthangarh.The Government conservation authority only excavates and preserve areas which are owned or occupied by Government. Most of the lands in Mahasthangarh are owned by local habitants and they are inaccessible by preservation authority .Acquiring private property by Government is a long term legal Process and most of the times Government fails to acquire the site. Illiteracy and ignorance: _Illiteracy about the historic value of site and ignorance of community people effects site management. This unawareness about The site cause various destruction by local inhabitants and visitors.


11

Inappropriate land use: _In appropriate use of land for cultivation, digging canals wells for water, use of heavy machineries effects unexcavated archaeological sites. Local Government: _ Absence of any partnership policy between preserving authority and local government cause preservation process more Challenging. Crime: _Absence of proper monitoring and site policing inspire criminal activities like pick pocketing, harassment of visitors, Hijacking. _Couple of rackets of international art thieves engaged with illegal purchase and trafficking of archaeological Evidences. They are also involving local people and corrupted officials with their activities. Poverty: _Being a developing country, poverty is on of the key reasons that effect preservation managements. People involved with illegal activities like illegally acquiring land, looting, vandalism and stealing precious evidences around the site. Educated destruction: _In contrast to this urban middle class perception, this series of events pertaining to the demolition of the rich and unique cultural heritage of an extremely important site as Mahasthangarh overtly illustrates that the main agents and culprits are educated, conscious and powerful elite groups. This is true to many other cases of destruction of cultural heritage in Bangladesh. This is a case of educated destruction of cultural patrimony of Bangladesh. Further remarks:


12

FIG 03: Fortified site of Mahasthangarh, with hypothesized settlement pattern in the site, hinterland through time.


13

Fig 04 : The Mahasthan and Its Environ.


14

FIG 05: Mahasthan and location of excavations


15

FIG 06: Area of habitation in Mahasthangarh


16

FIG 07: Paths taken during 1998-99 archaeological reconnaissance of Mahasthangarh Hinders, Large sites mentioned in text are indicated.


17

FIG 08: Geological map of Bengal Basin:


18

4. Site Condition and Conservation - Detailed List major components (e.g. structures, features, areas) if applicable and describe condition and state of conservation of each. Add sections for new components as needed. Include captioned photos of each component showing representative examples and critical areas.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MOUNDS OF MAHASTHANGARH:

This following tables consists of FOUR (04) Sections:


19

SECTION 01: Comp 01: THE CITADEL OF MAHASTHANGARH AND STRUCTURES INSIDE IT. SECTION 02: Comp 02: THE STRUCTURES OUTSIDE THE CITADEL. SECTION 03: DETAILS OF INDIVIDUALIMPORATANT STRUCTURES BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CITADEL SECTION 04: PHOTO DOCUMENTATION OF MAHASTHANGARH AND ITS ENVIRON. SECTION 05: MAJOR PROBLEMS AND PATHOLOGIES OF THE SITE. SECTION 01: Comp 01: THE CITADEL OF MAHASTHANGARH AND STRUCTURES INSIDE IT. This section contents the basic information of the mounds situated inside the citadel. List of excavated and unexcavated mounds in side the citadel, condition of structures, excavation history are key parts of this section. No photo documents have been in this section. SECTION 01: Comp 02: THE STRUCTURES OUTSIDE THE CITADEL. This section contents focus only the basic information of the mounds situated outside the citadel. List of excavated and unexcavated mounds in side the citadel, condition of structures, excavation history are key parts of this section. No photo documents have been in this section. SECTION 03: DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL IMPORTANT STRUCTURES BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CITADEL This section includes a detailed description of key structures of Mahasthangarh situated in both inside and outside of the citadel with photo documentation. This contains individual history, excavation history, present state of conservation. These selected structures have great importance for their historic value, appearance, tourist attraction, conservation effort by authority. These significant structures are key evidences that represent different timeline of the history of Mahasthangarh. SECTION 04: PHOTO DOCUMENTATION OF MAHASTHANGARH AND ITS ENVIRON. This section includes photographs with caption from different location of Mahasthangarh to have a conception about the city and present status. The subject of the photographs covers the present condition of structures, existing community activities, tourist behavior, and conservation effort by authority etc. SECTION 05: MAJOR PROBLEMS AND PATHOLOGIES OF THE SITE AND STRUCTURES. This section includes photographs too, emphasized on the present threats acting on structures. From this section the site conditions can be more visible.


20

SECTION 01

Component 1: THE CITADEL OF MAHASTHANGARH AND STRUCTURES INSIDE IT. Description Period(s) of construction Predominant materials and

construction techniques Character The citadel of Mahasthan consists of a massively fortified

oblong enclosure measuring 5,000 feet long by 4,500 feet broad and rises to an average freight of 15 feet from the surrounding crop fields. On its south, west and part of north, it appears to have been originally encircled by a deep moat, while river Korotoya guarded its eastern and part of northern flanks. Beyond the fortified citadel, other ancient ruins and mounds fan out within a radius of about 5 miles in a semicircle which testify to the existence of extensive suburbs. The present extent of its ruins with its suburbs is unparalleled by any other ancient site in Bengal. In its original state of preservation the citadel the citadel had two bastions in between two re entrant angles situated in the north edge in its east rampart. Till the last century of the last century, the inside landscape showed an altitude of 4m57cm from the cultivable land around and dotted with several struggling elevated earth mounds. The rampart looked like jungle clad mud rampart with forced opening in several points.

The structures in and around the citadel can be divided in

to two types: Excavated and unexcavated.

Excavated mounds :

1. Gobhindo Bhita, a temple close to the north-eastern

corner of the fortified area.

4th century BC to 13/14th century AD, ( upon Radio carbon test of evidences found in the site)

Burned Mud Brick Lime Brickdust morter


21

2. Khulnar Dhap, a temple 1 km to the west of the fortified

area.

3. Mangalkot, a temple 400 m to the south of Khulnar

Dhap.

4. Godaibari Dhap, a temple 1 km to the south of Khulnar

Dhap.

5. Totaram Panditer Dhap, a monastery 4 km to the north-

west of the fortified area.

6. Noropotir Dhap (Boshu Bhihara), a group of

monasteries 1 km to the north-west of Totaram Panditer

Dhap (said to be the place where Po-shippo Bhihara

mentioned by Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang) was located).

7. 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).

8. Shkonder Dhap, a temple 2 km to the south-east of

Gokul Medh.

Major unexcavated mounds :

1. Siladebhir Ghat.

2. Chunoru Dighi Dhap.


22

3. Kaibilki Dhap.

4. Juraintala.

5. Poroshuramer Shobhabati.

6. Balai Dhap.

7. Prochir Dhibi.

8. Kanchir Hari Dhibi.

9. Lohonar Dhap.

10. Khujar Dhap.

11. Doshatina Dhap.

12. Dhoniker Dhap.

13. Mondirir Dorgah.

14. Bishmordana Dhibi.

15. Malinar Dhap.

16. Malpukuria Dhap.

17. Yogir Dhap.

18. Podmobhatir Dhap.

19. Kanai Dhap.

20. Dulu Mojhir Bhita.

21. Podda Debhir Bhita.

22. Rastala Dhap.

23. Shoshitola Dhap.

24. Dhonbandhor Dhap.


23

25. Chader Dhap.

26. Shindinath Dhap.

27. Shalibahon Rajar Kacharibari Dhipi.

28. Kacher Angina.

29. Mongolnather Dhap.

30. ChhoutoTengra/ Babur Dhap/ Kethar Dhap.

31. Boro Tengra/ Shonyashir Dhap.

Condition Stability, integrity, authenticity etc; list sub-components as necessary. Include photo-documentation

List of components inside the citadel:

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 (kneeling with folded hands) 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 centuries) were revealed.


24

Conservation History List chronologically by year of completion. Include the sponsoring organization, location and type of intervention (e.g. minor repairs, consolidation, stabilization, restoration, anastylosis, reconstruction etc.) and outcomes to date.

1879 : The site was rightly identified by Sir Alexander Cunningham. 1907 : Digging at a point called ‘KHODARPATHER BHITA’: By K.C.Nandi and engineer of PWD 1928-29 :First systematic archaeological excavation in site

JAHAJGHATA, MUNIRGHON & BAIRAGIRVITA : by K.N.Diksit an officer of Indian Archaeological Survey. The excavation of that session had yielded only bricks having size of 25.3cm X 21.3 cm X 4cm.

1934-36 :Excavation resumed at another point called BAIRAGIR BHITA and GOVINDA VITA 1960-61 : Distinct marks of four building period were excavated, commencing from 4th-6th century AD to the 15th -16th

century AD were demarcated in the rampart in and near the projecting eastern end of the north rampart. 1961 : The mound of PARASURAMER PRASAD (palace) about 274 m to the south of Bairagir Bhita. It contains

remains of three occupation period. 1965-66 : excavation was conducted in an area on the close northwest of MAJAR. (The tomb) .Excavation also conducted in MANKALIRDHAP. 1988-1989 : A gateway was exposed at a point that is 442 m west from northeast corner. : By Bangladesh Archaeological

Department 1991 : Another ruinous gate way at a little distance from southeast corner and in the east rampart has been revealed. 1992-1998 : Excavation has been conducted in the area lying between the BAIRAGIR BHITA and the GATEWAY exposed

in 1991 as a Bangle Franco joint venture. The joint venture is still going on as a second phase on the western adjoining area of the MAJAR.

France-Bangladesh Joint Venture excavations at MAHASTHANGARH The joint excavation was started in 1993 following a contact made between the Ministry of Cultural affairs,

People’s republic of Bangladesh and the Ministry of foreign affairs, France in 1992.Its continuing every year till this one. The selected area of this phase of excavation was confined in the mid-eastern sector of citadel. Excavation has yielded in all 18 archaeological levels in association with 23 layers.


25

Of the layers, nos1 to 2 may tentatively be proposed as Period I assignable to circa 12th-18th century AD,nos 3 to 4 as Period-II assigned to circa 8th -12th century AD, nos 5 to 6 as Period-III assigned to circa 3rd -8th century AD, nos 7 to 13 as Period-IV assigned to circa 1st century BC -4th centuryBC and ,nos 14 to 22 as Period-V assigned to circa 5th century BC. Therefore they have virgin soil at depth of 17m to 16 m.

Prognosis Given larger social context and likely future developments

_Overgrowth of population will soon remove the unexcavated sites for infrastructural development. _ No specific future oriented development goal of authority that would slow down insufficient preservation process. _The site has great potentiality as a tourist site, but poor management, facilities and development will discourage tourism growth.

Top Priorities

_The authority is only concerned with periodic excavation of site to uncover archaeological evidences. No specific effort was seen for architectural conservation and restoration. _A long-term management planning is needed for to involve local community people with preservation process. _The top priority should be to prevent community people from damaging the site but train them to preserve them. _A well trained, skilled and well management authority should be one of the top priorities. _Issues of tourism development must be one of top priorities to make Mahasthan gar accessible to most people.


26

SECTION 02

Component 02: THE STRUCTURES OUTSIDE THE CITADEL

Description Period(s) of construction Predominant materials and construction techniques Character

Condition

Outside the citadel

Bihar and Bhasu-Bihar About a mile north, are the ruins known as Bhasu-Bihar; consisting of two extensive mounds close together ,with a smaller

mound a little to their west. Cunningham, who visited the ruins in 1879, identified them as those of the Poshi-po monastery and

its neighbouring monuments described by Hiuen Tsang (A.S.R.; XV; p. 103).

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 citadel. 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 Hymen 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 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.


27

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 (temple consecrated to Kartika), mentioned in Korotoya 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 Korotoya 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, and

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.

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

Conservation History

1928-29 : The nearest point outside the citadel was excavated named GOBINDA BHITA.(mound of Hindu God Gobhinda).it was also excavated in 1934-35 and


28

1960.Through seriously decayed in 1922 by the devastating eager of the Korotoya river yet the mound showed four distinct periods of occupations. Remains of Govinda vita has been dated in a time bracket ranging from 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD 1934-36 :Situated at village Gokul and at a distance of 3 km to the south of the citadel ,the mound named Gokul Medh (mound of legendary merchant laksminder who was in fear of snake byte because of an exaction by the snake goddess Manassa) was excavated. 1973-1976 :Excavation conducted in different phases in NARAPATIR DHAP.(mound of a ruler) 1980-83 : A mound locally known as Mangalkot (bethel of benefaction),located 1 km to the west of citadel, was put under regular excavation. 1991 :excavation conducted in Siladevi’s Ghat(landing place of daughter of king parshuram,Totaram Panditer Dhap(House of Famous scholar) and Vihar Dhap 1994-1995 : there are three more partially exacaveted mounds in the western suburb of the citadel. Of them, one named

GODAIBARI DHAP; 1 km southeast from southeast corner of citadel was excavated in 1994-1995. 1997 : Another mound called KANSER DHAP (place of a man named Kansa) was brought under a trial trench

excavation program. The next excavated mound is house of king of SALIVAHANA situated in village Aurora situated towards 5km

southeast corner of citadel. The last one of excavated mound is called KHULLANAR DHAP(mound of a lady named Khullana).It is situated

in the village Chengispur and at the distance of 700 m towards west of northeast corner of the citadel. Major Problems and Pathologies

Same as component one

Prognosis Same as component one Top Priorities

Same as component one


29

SECTION 03

: DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL IMPORTANT STRUCTURES BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CITADEL

This section includes a detailed description of key structures of Mahasthangarh situated in both inside and outside of the citadel with photo documentation. This contains individual history, excavation history, and present state of conservation.

KEY COMPONANTS INSIDE AND AROUND THE CITADEL 1.Khudar-pathar Dhap Location: Inside the citadel.

Structural description: About 200 yards to the north-west of the dargah is a mound which is named after an enormous door-sill

of granite stone which lies on it. The stone measures about 10' x 2½’ x 2½’ and has a floral design on its face, while the top is

recessed and provided with two socket holes for the door shutters, 6 ft. apart. According to the Gazetteer, all round these stone

excavations were made in 1907 to a depth of 5 ft. when a stone pavement was reached. During this excavation several carved

stones were obtained, one of which measuring 2' 3" .by 8" by 7" is now in the Museum at Rajshahi. It contains `three seated

Buddha figures in a line, of which the middle one is in the meditative pose. and those on the two sides in the earth-touching

pose. Each figure is placed within an arched niche. At the left end is a devotee seated with folded hands.' This points to the

temple being Buddhist, though Cunningham classed the `massive door sill' as that of a Hindu temple.'


30

Excavation History: The point of Khodarpathar Bhita was excavated in 1907 by one engineer of the then district authority As a

result of that excavation, partial fabric of some non-descriptive type of compartments were exposed. A few years later, the ASI

officials saw some pieces of stones of bigger size were lying scattered on the surface of the same point Some of the pieces were

carved with transcendent Buddha along with devotees in anjali> `mood of adoration kneeling disposition along with folded hands'

posture in style of / 5th-6th century AD. Of them, one is now deposited in Varendra Museum The rest of the pieces are still laying

in the placement of their occurrences. They bear marks of petal motif and sockets for hinges at their different points. Thus they

resembled mostly to doorsills, door- frames and lintels.

Present Status: Open for visitors but not well preserved.Settlement of people beside the structure.

Current state of conservation: No conservation effort was found on the site. Inappropriate use by local people is the major

threat for the site.

FIG 09 : Khudar-pathar Dhap (Stone of God) FIG 10 : Khudar-pathar Dhap (Stone of God)


31

2. Mankhalir Dhap and Kund

Location: Beside the tomb.

Structural description: About 400 ft. further north with a kind or deep pit lying at its foot. From this mound Cunningham

obtained `a considerable number of. carved bricks, such as are always found in the ruins of temples, and which still exist in situ

in the fine brick temple of Bhitargaolt. There were moldings of cornices of many varieties, portions of undulated eaves, and of

antalaka fruits of pinnacles of a temple.' He got also 'twelve square terra-cotta alto-relieves, and one small pilaster or baluster,

which formed the upright of two of those panels of a long frieze.' They were all of coarse workmanship and of soft red brick, but

of much variety in the designs-including men in various positions, a wheel, a ram, a bull, a tiger, a caparisoned horse. a parrot,

unknown bird, a lion sitting to front, a circular lotus flower. Along with these he obtained `two old bronze figures of Ganesa and

Garuda. and a fragment of blue stone pedestal with the end of an inscription in medieval Nigarl characters reading nagrabhara.

Cunningham derived the name of the mound from a `Raja Man Singh' who Said to have preceded ‘raja Parasurama’ Some

persons suggest that the Mould is named after the Muslim Mankalis of Ghoraghat who were such a power in north Bengal at the

close of the Pathan rule. A more probable derivation of the name is front the Jaina apostle Goshala who was called Mamkhali-

putra in 1912. I Collected at this mould the torso of a crude and unfinished Jaina image, which Cunningham also appears to

have noticed and which is now in the Museum at Rajshahi, and the prevalence of the Jaina faith at Pundravarddhana, is attested

by the attested by the Aradana-kalpa-latika as well as Huen Tsang's Travels.

Excavation History: Mankhalir Dhap had a scabrous surface that contained many pieces of minor cultural findings in the

beginning of the last century. Of the surface findings, a terracotta pinnacle, decorative elements of terracotta cornice, adulatory

fragmentary terracotta eves, terracotta plaques with alto-relievo motifs of square size, fragmentary terracotta balusters, a Bronze

Ganesha, a bronze Garuda and a fragmentary inscribed stone pedestal. The text of the inscriptional piece has been read

nagrahara in script datable to the 10th-11th century AD. Some of the terracotta pieces bear the figurines of men dispensing


32

varying poses, wheel, ram, bull, tiger, caparisoned horse, parrot, a bird of unidentified species, lion and lotus. Excavation at this

point was conducted in 1965-66 when the base-ruins of a 15-domed mosque along with the vestiges of out-buildings in its

adjacent area were discovered. The latter include a chamber supposed to be the residential accommodation of the Imam>

`leader of the prayer' and an ablution platform. On ground of architecture, the mosque can be dated in the 15th-16th century

AD.The plan of the mosque is quite interesting as it has showed all the characteristic features of a standard mosque and thereby

it is the only example of its kind in Bengal.

Present Status: Open for visitors but not well preserved. Located beside the tomb are causing serious destruction of new

construction by Tomb authority.

Current state of conservation: No conservation effort was found on the site. Erotion and looting of bricks are the key problems.

FIG 12: Mankalir Dhap(Ruins of a mosque) FIG 11: Mankhalir Dhap


33

3.Parasuramer Bari(palace) and Jiyat kunda

Location: This mould is situated some 600 ft. north of Mankhali dhap Inside the citadel.

Structural description: This mould is situated with the `Jihad kind' or `Well of Life' hears it: According to the Gazetteer, p. 157,

two rooms of modern date were found inside the mound in the excavations of 1907.

The `Jiyat-kund' `well has a diameter of 14 ft.at the top, diminishing on account of offsets as it goes deeper. 'The descent to the

water was made by isolated stones projecting from the wall. Near it lies a huge granite stone carved with the elephant trunk'

design probably of the Gupta age.

Excavation history: In 1961, the mound of Parasuramer Prasad about 274m to the south of Bairagir Bhita was excavated. It contains the remains of

three occupation periods. The earliest period has been assigned to the 8th century AD as it contains some pieces of terracotta

plaques along with a stone visnupatta of typical Pala origin. Period- II has been assigned to 15th-16th century AD, as it is

associated with some glazed shards of Indo-Muslim origin. Period- III is related with secular building plan and two coins. The

coins were issued by the British East India Company in 1835AD and 1853AD In the recent years of 1995-98, an interesting study

was made by Laurent Volay and Severine Sanz on the architectural plan exposed in the mound According to this study, the lost

building was situated within a walled compound measuring 55m from east to west and 40m from north to south. Facing east,

through an in-center ballroom, the compound is halved into two sectors, i.e. the outer-yard and the inner-yard. The former is

barring of any structure whereas the latter accommodates a group of four units of building centering round a third

Present status: Settlement constructed over the site. Water logging inside the mound. At high risk level.

Current state of conservation: The structure was excavated before but not conserves red. After excavation the structure was

covered with soil. So the remains are in a great threat of being washed out by rain, erosion.Illegal settlement over the site also a

major issue of conservation


34

FIG 13 : Parasuramer Bari

FIG 15 : House of King Parasurama


35

5.Govinda Dhap (Bhita) Location: The nearest point outside the citadel is called Govinda Bhita `mound of the Hindu god Govinda' where excavation was

first conducted in 1928-29, 1934-35 and 1960. It is situated only 185m northeast of Jahajghata and close to the bight of the

moribund Karatoya.Outside the Citadel. Structural description: Higher up the Korotoya and separated from the north-eastern corner of the garh by the road stands this mound, which according

to the Karatiya-mahatmyam marks a limit of the sacred ground of Mahasthan. , according to the Gazetteer, pp. 158-59, at the

foot of the mound on its northern side and facing ; the river, there was a long stone wall submerged under water, which was

examined in 1907 by making excavations all round it. It was then found that the wall was semicircular in shape, evidently built to

protect the buildings on the mound from erosion by the Korotoya, and that there was a Ghat quite separate from it on the east

side. The wall was some 150 feet long and 4 feet high. The. Wall and the Ghat were washed away by the North Bengal flood of

1922. The river side below the mound was strewn over, before the flood, with blocks of stone. some of them beautifully carved,

and it is still called Patharghata.

The recent excavation of the mound by the Archaeological Department has revealed the remains of two terraced temples of

considerable size and antiquity and at one spot a few coins of Iliac Shah and Mahmud Shah. Pathan rulers of Bengal,in the 14th

and 15th centuries.

Excavation history: Though seriously decayed in 1922 by the devastating eager of the Korotoya yet the mound showed four distinct periods of

occupation in association with 17 strata above the virgin soil up to the depth of 7.61m .The earliest occupation period is baring of

architectural activity and has yielded only a number of un inscribed variety of cast coins, NBPW shards, a circular seal bearing

Brahmin scripts along with wheat sheaves, a number of yakshi figurines relieved against smaller terracotta plaque background

demonstrating typical Sunga style and a fragmentary blue schist ring-stone engraved with a seated deer, a tiger, an elephant


36

with alternating purnaghata releasing festooned scrolls .The remaining three periods of occupation are associated with four

periods of construction-reconstruction.

The construction Period - 1, datable to the 5th century AD, is associated with some vedikas> `distinguished platform', a porch,

an ambulatory passage and a 45m long stone revetment running along the bank of the river Korotoya. Construction Period - II is

connected with the base remains of two lost temples inside a wall compound. The temple occupying the western sector shows

16 offsets and is accommodating a 1m8cm wide by 9m 14cm broad corridor in its mid-sector. On ground of stratigraphy and

architecture, it may be assigned to the 6th-7th century AD. Construction Period-III is represented only by an impoverished

crescent shaped wall running for 34m74cn with its thickness lm82cm at the broadest point. It is 24m38cm on both north and

south sides while its eastern wing is missing. This compound also contains a structure built in two tiers on the wreckage of

earlier temple. The lowest tier is composed of some blind cells. It has been assigned a date in the 8th-9th century AD.

Construction Period - IV has revealed nothing but some sporadic marks that resemble to a floor on which were lying some coins

belonging to the Muslim rulers of Delhi and Guada.Its masonry is crude and the planning is indiscriminate.

Hence, the remains of Govinda Bhita have been dated in a time-bracket ranging from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD.

In 1991, S. S. M. M. Rahman conducted a trail trench excavation on the western sector of the mound. In course of this trial

digging, the excavator has demarcated in all eight layers over the virgin soil within a total deposit of 2.60m. Of them, the lowest

layer no.8 shows marks of structural activity but is related with a good number of NBPW shards possessing the characteristic of

fine fabric, smooth texture, glossy surface and shades conforming jet black, red, golden as well as chocolate colors. Thus the

period may tentatively be assigned to 400-200BC. However, from the other evidences of the upper levels it is also clear that the

NBPW cultural trait continued till at least 1st century BC in the mound of Govinda Bhita. The overlying layer 7 has yielded some

sherds that possess characteristics of roulette decoration. Another important associated ware of this site is Red Ware.

Present status: The area is controlled by surrounding boundary and an entry point. An entry fee is required for this structure.


37

Current state of conservation: This structure is in a better condition than other sites. Under conservation effort by authority. But water logging over

The structure during rainy season is a problem.

FIG 16 : Govinda Bhita FIG 17: Govinda Vita


38

6. Bihar and Bhasu-Bihar (Narapatir Dhap) Location: Bhasu Vihara Located at about 6 km west of Mahasthangarh on the northern part of village Bhasu Vihara, under Bihar

union of Shibganj thana of Bogra district, about 500m west of the Nagar river. Cunningham identified this monastery with the Po-

Shi-Po mentioned by Hiuen-tsang, the 7th century Chinese pilgrim who found no less than 700 monks inhabiting the place.

Structural description: The ruins known as Bhasu-Bihar; consisting of two extensive mounds close together, with a smaller mound a little to their west.

Cunningham, who visited the ruins in 1879, identified them as those of the Poshi-po monastery and its neighboring monuments

described by Hiuen Tsang.Three mounds have been excavated here revealing the basal parts of two monasteries and one

shrine. Bhasu Vihara, locally known as Narapatir Dhap, is a complex of two rectangular monasteries and a semi-cruciform shrine

of the Post-Gupta period. Monastery 1 Built of burnt bricks set in mud mortar, this was roughly rectangular in plan, measuring

148.13m (north-south) by 139m (east-west). Twenty-six monastic cells, each measuring roughly 11m by 10m, were arranged on

the four sides of a square courtyard. The gateway complex, set in the middle of the east wing, presented an imposing facade. A

pillared entrance hall with an open front porch gives access to an inner hall that was placed in the same alignment as the cells.

Two guardrooms flanked the outer hall.

Excavation history: Excavation was conducted in one more intermittent session from 1973- 74 to 1975-76 at some points of Narapatir Dhap In these

sessions of excavation; base-ruins of two smaller quadrangular monasteries and a temple have been exposed. One of the

monasteries was buried in the western sector of the excavated area. It measures 49m37cm from north to south by 46m32cm


39

from east to west accommodating twenty-six monastic cells in its four wings with an open courtyard in the middle. It can be

entered from the east through an in-centre gateway. Towards 22.86m northeast of this monastery there lies the ruin of another

quadrangular monastery, measuring 56m8cm from east to west by 49m22cm from north to south. Facing south, it has thirty

monastic cells in all in its four wings around a courtyard. Towards 97m southeast of the two monasteries are lying the substantial

vestiges of a lost brick-built building which is cruciform in plan with its face on the south. The building measures 28m in length

and 26.59m in width and is encircled by a gradually receding processional pathway that consists of three steps around. Each

step is relieved with beautiful terracotta plaques and ornamental bricks depicting chess-board, pyramidal steps, and twisted rope

and dog-tooth motifs in style of the 10th-11th century AD. But Cunningham identified this very place as the spot of Po-shi-po

monastery that Wang Chwang (Hwen Thsang) visited in the 7th century AD. It is also important to note here that the monastery

mentioned by Hwen Thsang had considerable height, extent, numbers of towers and pavallions with a temple consecrated to

Kwantoztsai> `Avalokitesvara' that we did not come across during the last excavation. This may be due to having not conducted

excavation up to the virgin soil. Therefore, to confirm the statement made by Cunningham, it is necessary to conduct further

deep sounding in and around the exposed ruins of Bhasu Vihar. Among other important findings of Bhasu Vihar mention must be

made of more than 250 pieces of inscribed terracotta sealings and .many bronze figurines of outstanding iconographic interest.

Human figures, animals and birds, and various geometric and floral compositions dominate the basic themes of the terracotta

plaques. A large number of ornamental bricks, which were used to decorate the outer wall of the shrine along with terracotta

plaques, have been obtained. The common designs are the lotus petal, stepped pyramid, dental edge, wavy lines, floral and

chain motifs; the most common designs are lotus petal and stepped pyramid as we find at Mainamati, Paharpur and other

Buddhist sites. More than 250 inscribed terracotta sealings, out of which more than a hundred are decipherable, have been

obtained in excavations.

Present Status: The excavations at Bhasu Vihara have been limited only to the upper levels, dated to the tenth-eleventh century AD and have


40

not at all reached the seventh century levels of Hiuen-Tsang.

Current state of conservation: Under a restoration process. But the restoration techniques are not sufficient enough cause of

untrained workers and poor old restoration technoques.

FIG 18 :Bihara (The Budhist Monastery) FIG 19: Basu Bihara


41

7. Gokul Medh Location: Between Skander dhap and Mahasthan-garh lies the village of Gokul, which may be identified with Gopaogriha of the

Mahasthan inscription mentioned before. Through it a road leads westwards joining the Khetlal road at Chandnia hat. There are

several mounds and tanks in this village pointing to its ancient importance. The, two bigger mounds are now-a-days connected

with the legend of Manasa (as related in the local ballad of Padmapurana) and called respectively Lakhindarer Med' and 'Entail

Domain Pat.

Structural description: This structure forms the base of a shrine or stupa of 6th-7th century AD. Some terracotta plaques of the late Gupta period

associated with the shrine were also found. On top of this 5 meter high podium, a square temple with a porch was built during

the Sena period (11th - 12th century AD). A stone-slab was discovered at the centre of the shrine; it consists of twelve shallow

holes with a larger hole in the centre containing a tiny gold leaf bearing the figure of a recumbent bull in relief. This indicates that

the shrine was a Siva temple.

Excavation history: The mound faced excavation in 1934-36. As a result, structural vestiges of a lost curious structure have been exposed. It is

unique of its kind as was built on a 13m10cm terraced podium consisting of 172 rectangular blind cells, all being pecked with

rammed earth and brickbats. Finally it appeared to have been crowned over by a super-structure containing marks of two major

building periods. The surviving marks of each period of the super-structure represent a separate building plan. The earlier period

shows a rectangular plan facing west. In Period- II another rectangular room with a porch on the west was added to the former.

The latter bear marks of a re-building period also. During this re-building period the blocking of the earlier doorways and rising of

floor to the level to an unknown height took place. On excavating the earth from the floor of the Period- II, a small intrusive cell

containing a human skeleton, a shallow brick paved pit and a stone slab were salvaged. The latter bore a distinct incenter hole

encircled by twelve micro-holes on its dorsal surface. The in center hole contained a tiny gold leaf engraved with a recumbent


42

bull figure in style of reposed relief. Among other minor findings of this mound mentions may be made of some terracotta

plaques. The date of its first building period may be assigned to the 6th-7th century AD while Period- 11 to the l Ith12th century

AD. But nothing can be said decisively about the identity as well as utilitarian value of the super-structures at the present state of

our knowledge.

Present status: The authority has surrounded the structure by fence to protect it from unexpected traffic. Most famous and attractive structure of Mahasthangarh.

Current state of conservation: The structure is in a conservation effort. The site has been stabilized with a well designed

master plan. The visitor are accessible. But there is a threat of erosion and dismantle of structure by mobility ofmass visitors over

the structure.

FIG 20 : Gokul MedhFIG 21 : Visitors on GokulMedh


43

Promising Unexcavated mounds outside the citadel Apart from the preceding excavated mound, the neighborhood of Mahasthangarh, within 8km radius, is studded with several

unexcavated mounds, legendary spots and reservoirs of varying dimensions. Of the mounds, the following are a few to note.

(a) On the southeast: Bairagir Dhap measuring 65m x55m x 3m at a distance of 2.2km, Failar Dhap measuring 200m x

60m x 2m at a distance of 2.27km, Panchpeer measuring 90m x 60m x 3m at a distance of 3km, Kumragari Dhap occupying

0.16 hector of land at a distance of 3km and Balai Dhap measuring 20m x 15m x 5m at a distance of 1.5km in village

Barasaralpur; Dhanmantarir Dhap30m x 25m x 5m at a distance of 3km in village Hazradighi; Salivahana Rajarar Bari at a

distance of 5.5km in village Baghahali; Burir Than occupying 0.08 hector of land at a distance of 2km, Sannyasir Dhap

occupying 0.02 hector of land at a distance of 2km, Dolmancha measuring 60m x 20m x 3m at a distance of 2.5km and Sastitala

occupying 0.07 hector of land close to Dolmancha in village Chadmua-Haripur; Salivahana Rajar Bari at a distance of 7,25km in

village Arola; Jora Dhap measuring 60x 60 m x 4m at a distance of 4km in village Dharmapur; Dviper Dhap measuring 90m x

90m x 7m at a distance of 1.75km in village Kazipur; Primary School Dhap measuring 400m x 150m x 5m at a distance of 2.Skm

and Khamarbari at a distance of 2km in village Ramsahar; Chansaudagarer Bari measuring 300m x, 75mx 3m at a distance of

3km (pierced by Chanmua-Yogirbhavan Sarak), Dhanabhandar measuring 50m x 30m x 7m at a distance of 3.5km (appear to

have been much more extended on the south), Jhiltala measuring 300m x 200m x 2m at a distance of 5km (attached to a

reservoir called Kathar Dighi) and Singinather Dhap measuring 90m x 90m x 6m at a distance of 4km in village Rajakpur; Chota

Tengrar Dhap Guchcha called Bagur Dhap measuring 50m x 40m x 10m Mangalnather Dhap measuring 80m x 40m x 7m,

Bangsichapar measuring 90m x 50m x 2m, Bhatpara Dhap measuring 100m x 100m x1m Dulur Bari Dhap measuring 120m x

120m x 8m, Kangrachapor measuring 100m x 20m x 2m; Kutirara measuring 100m x 90m x 2m, Madhyapar Masjid Dhap

measuring 100m x 25m x 2m, Manner Dhap measuring SOm x lOm x 2m and Nara Dhap measuring 65m x 60m x 3m of village

Chota Tengra as well as Bara Dhap measuring 210m x 150m x 3m at a distance of 3km in village Bara Tengra.

(b) On the west: Maser Dhap measuring 40m x 30m x 4.5m at a distance of 6km in village Béchamel; Bismardhan Dhap


44

measuring 15m x 15m x 2.7m at a distance of 200m, Midair Darga Dhap measuring 91m x 60m x 3m at a distance of 800m,

Jogir Dhap measuring l0m x 9m x 3m at a distance of 500m, Andharkota measuring 26m x 25m x 5m at a distance of 1.Skm,

Kutur Dhap measuring 25m x 25m x 3m at a distance of 700m, Lunar Dhap measuring 60m x 50m x 4m at a distance of 250m

southeast of Khulnar Dhap in village Chengispur as well as Kanai Dhap at a distance of 1.Skm and close southwest of Godaibari

Dhap, Gavatalir Dhap measuring 40m x 30m x 2m at a distance of 2km and Gosaibari Dhap measuring 300m x 60m x 2m at a

distance of 3km in village Hukmapur. Besides, there are many mounds and reservoirs in villages called Palasbari, Mathura and

Bamanapar. They will be dealt separately in a corresponding up coming page for the sake of the better understanding the

historic resumption of the present study.

(c) On the northwest: Eidgah Dhap measuring 90m x 80m x 6m at a distance of 150m, Purva Fakirpara Dhap measuring

150m x 30m x 1.5m at a distance of 250m, Paschim Fakirpara Dhap at a distance of 270m, Khalifapara Dhap measuring 400m x

100m x lm - 1.5m at a distance of 400m and Kumbara Dhap measuring 15m x 15m x 3m at a distance of 100m in village

Ghagarduar; Chagalnaidha Dhap measuring 65m x 60m x 3m at a distance of 1.Skm and Dhaniker Dhap measuring 9m x 8m x

4m at a distance of 2km in village Dakshin Syampur; Dolmancha measuring 50m x 20m x 3m at a distance of 2.5km in village

Daulatpur; Nishanghata measuring 30m x 30m x 4m at a distance of 3.5km in village Panartik and nearer to Bhasu Vihara;

Kanjirhari (almost extinct) measuring 90m x 50m x 5m at a distance of 3km, Lizanir Dhap measuring 150m x 150m x 4m with an

elevation in the middle and appears to have been extended on the east with encircling reservoirs on all sides at a distance of

1.5km, Malinir Dhap measuring 50m x 40m x 5m appears to have been much more extended on the north at a distance of

2.25km, Malpukura Dhap measuring 45m x 40m x 3m appears to have been circular and attached with a reservoir on the west at

a distance of 3.25km close to a part of Bhimerjangal, Prachir Dhap measuring 90m x 75m x 2m with a depression at its center at

a distance of 3km and Surdighir Dhap measuring 75m x 60m x 5m encircled by a canal on the west, a reservoir on the east and

a mound named Jogir Dhap on the north at a distance of 2km in village Sekendrabad as well as Srikala Ara Dhap measuring

150m x 100m x 6m in village Hazrabari.

(d) On the south: Naudapara Dhap measuring 100m x 75m x 2m yielding NBPW and BSW sherds at a distance of 6.60km


45

in village Barbakpur; Chander Dhap measuring 145m x 30m x 8m at a distance of 4km in village Hukmapur as well as Burir Than

measuring 45m x 30m x 7m and Ghopa Dhap measuring 90m x 75m x lOm in village Pirapata.

(e) On the southeast: Peer Borhan Alir Mazar measuring 90m x 45m x 3m close to the southeast corner of the citadel.

(f) On the east: Gaji-Kalur Bari measuring 35m x 30m x lm in village Sastimula. Its most significant findings include six

pieces of hewn black stone.

(g) Extinct mounds: Juraintala Dhap of Ghagarduar, Rastala Dhap measuring 30m x 20m x 6m, Sastitala Dhap measuring

32m x 29m x 3m, Cher Angina measuring 27m x 24m x 5m and sindhinath Dhap measuring 19m x l lm x 3m.

The surfaces of all these mounds are full of bricks, brickbats, potsherds as well as other fragmentary objects of daily use. Even

they show traces of sparse walling at places. Moreover, some are attached with reservoirs of different sizes. Among this class of

reservoirs Chunar Dighi, Sabdal Dighi, Kaibilki Pukur (now silted up), Malpukur, Khatayar Dighi, Jhijrailer Pukur, Sasanka Dighi,

Do-Satiner Dighi, Sura Dighi, Ketha Dighi, Madrafela Dighi, Sagar Dighi and Chhaighati Dighi are worthnoted. Secondly, many of

the mounds are found to be encircled by one more reservoirs. The best example is Deeper Dhap. On its east is a reservoir

called Kannamara Beel, on the west Adath Beel and on the north Chota Adath Gola Beel. Thirdly, some of the mounds are fairly

large in extent and each has one or two reservoirs attached with it and encircled by a cluster of smaller mounds in a manner as if

the bigger one is commanding from the center over the subordinate. It is the same case with the Deeper Dhap. On its east is a

reservoir called Kannamar Beel, on the west Adhat Beel and on the north Chota Adatgola Beal. Depending on these hoary

phenomenon some scholars are of opinion that several semi-autonomous communities sprung up there in different times at

several corners around Mahasthangarh


46

SECTION 04

PHOTO DOCUMENTATION OF MAHASTHANGARH AND ITS ENVIRON.

FIG 22: Google Earth Image locating different site in Mahasthangarh


47

FIG 23: Entry of the citadel

FIG 25: Remain rampart of the citadel

Fig 24: Corner bastion of the citadel.


48

FIG 26: View of Rampart from entry point.

FIG 27: Approaching stair to the Rampart: The main entry point in the Site for visitors.


49

FIG 28: Approaching stair from entry

Fig 29: Rampart from inside of citadel

FIG 30: Village inside the citadel.

FIG 31: village inside the citadel


50

FIG 32: Village people using rampart as a road.

FIG 33: Preserved and restored part of Rampart and tourists on it.

FIG 34: Rest house for officials and researcher, no one for general visitors.

FIG 35: Landscape infront of Museum


51

`

FIG 36 :Office of site custodian

FIG 37 :Evidences of History found in Mahasthan Statue of Budha

FIG 38 :Evidences of History found in Mahasthan,The Lord Shiva linga


52

FIG 39 :Evidences of History found in Mahasthan,Statue of Budha

FIG 40 :Visitors on Gokul Medh

FIG 41: Picnic area for coming visitors.


53

FIG 42: Local children act as a seller of books and untrained guides.

FIG 43: Visitors using structures as a circulation route.


54

FIG 44: Community people selling souvenirs beside the structures.

FIG 45: Temporary market place for villagers to sell good to upcoming visitors beside the tomb

FIG 46 : Local vernacular settlement around the site


55

FIG 47: Tomb of Shah Sultan Balkh, Local religious leader, one of major visitor attractions.

FIG 48: Poor villagers, beggars, frauds, vagabonds, good sellers take the tomb a source of income generation.

FIG 49: major part of the tomb built on ancient ruins.


56

SECTION 05: MAJOR PROBLEMS AND PATHOLOGIES OF THE SITE AND STRUCTURES.

Fig 50: Massive Cultivation on site by Villagers, Location: Mound of Parsuram Palace

Fig 51: Ruined brick dust mixed with soil in crop field,Location:Beside Parsuram Palace.

Fig 52: Unexcavated part of rampart, lack of financial support delaying preservation effort, Location: South-east part of Citadel.

Fig 53 : Unexcavated structure in side the citadel, lack of financial support delaying preservation effort, Location: Basu Bhihara

Major Problems and Pathologies Include photo-documentation


57

Fig 54: Looting of brick from ancient structures to make new settlement. Location: Beside Mankhalir Dhap (mound)

Fig 55: Looting of brick from ancient structures to make new settlement. Location: Beside Basu Bihara

Fig 56: Road built by local government over Ancient ruins. Location: Road beside Basu Bhihara.

Fig 57: Unplanned commercial shops by locals inside the citadel, Location: Northeast part of citadel.


58

Fig 58: Destroying structure for lack of maintenance, Location: East part of citadel.

Fig 59: Destroying structure for lack of maintenance, Location: East part of the citadel.

Fig 60: Vegetation, moss attack on surface. Location:Basu Bhihara

Fig 61: Vegetation on the site causing serious damage Of structures, Location:South east part of Citadel.


59

Fig 62: Uncontrolled accessibility of villagers and visitors. On the structure. Location: Gokul Medh

Fig 63: Trafficking of villagers and pet over the site Location:Basubhihara

Fig 64: Use of site and structure in agricultural Activities by Villagers, Location: West part of the rampart.

Fig 65: unprotected buffer area Location,: East side of the citadel.


60

Fig 66: Untrained restoration workers. Can’t differ between restoration and regular contraction. Location: restoration at Basu Bhihara.

Fig 67: Inappropriate restoration: Use of Modern materials, techniques as in restoration, Location: restoration at Basu Bhihara.


61

FIG 69: Unplanned, inefficient pedestrian Circulation, Location: Beside Jiyat kundu, well of life.


62

Fig 71: Poor and insufficient management of tourist amenities like Rest room, canteens. Location: Location: Inside the canteen, Beside museum.

Fig 70: Poor and insufficient management of tourist amenities like Rest room, canteens. Location: Inside the canteen, Beside museum.

Fig 72: Poor and insufficient management of tourist amenities like Rest room, canteens. Location: Near canteen.


63

Fig 73: Lack of monitoring by authority, Location: Khodar Pathor Bhita,south of citadel.

Fig 74: Villagers using site for household activities, Location: Location: Khodar Pathor Bhita,south of citadel.


64

5. Threats Please address threats to the site core and setting/buffer zone, specifying which is affected. Pical anthropogenic threats include neglect, inappropriate restoration, looting, and ‘borrowing’ for building materials, encroachment, new construction, pollution, industrial activities, armed conflict, vandalism, congestion, wear & tear, over-commodification. Typical environmental threats include flooding, rainfall, wind, desertification, fire, earthquakes, vegetation, and animal traffic. Phenomenon Impact

Character and extent (what and where)

Explanation Causality (how / why)

Implications Likely future outcome if unchecked

Recommendations

Unplanned Preservation Impact of unplanned preservation can be seen all over the area. No specific master plan to tie up excavation, preservation, activities on each structure.

Ignorance of authority I the key reason

If unchecked most of the site will soon lost its potentiality.

Well equipped and skilled management authority to revise the current plan.

Removal of Site Removal of unexcavated historic site is a common scenario in the site. A small part of total area is under excavation and preservation. most of the land still remained unexcavated.

Extension of field for cultivation, digging pond for water reservation.

Will lost important evidences of history

Strong monitoring and a user policy for people using the site.

New construction on site Over growing population on the site causing new constructions like houses, shops on the site.

Demand of infrastructure for overgrowing population living on the site.

Unexcavated site will be buried under new structures.

Proper monitoring and legal step to prevent construction on preservation sites.

Inappropriate restoration Lack of historic evidences causing inappropriate restoration of the structures.

Lack of appropriate research , absent of skilled conservators and untrained workers causing inappropriate restoration .

Inappropriate restoration can reduce the life scale of structure. it would also convey wrong information on the preserved structure.

Proper training for workers, involving skilled researcher and conservators.

Educated destruction Destruction caused by Unawareness of site, lack Destruction of the site Proper collaboration


65

educated people, govt offices, local government.

of collaboration with Archaeology department often causes destruction for infrastructural development.

between different organizations working in the site .

Looting of Building Material

In most of the sites, building materials are being looted or theft by local people .Most of them looks bricks of ancient structure and se in their modern construction.

OLD bricks are available for people living on the site. They often collect bricks from original structure and reuse it for their purpose.

Serious physical damage to ancient structures.

Proper monitoring, awareness and implication of law against the looter can help to prevent this.

Serious Decay Serious decay cause both by natural causes and manmade causes.

Heavy rainfall, extensive heat and wind causes decay of the sites. Use of earth surface for various purposes by inhabitants cause decay of historic site,

Will remove upper layer of historic evidences

Proper conservation and maintenances

Overgrowing vegetation Heavy rainfall and fertile land cause overgrowing vegetation on structures. Grasses, bushes, moss, even tree roots are common vegetation problem here.

The micro climate and lack of monitoring is the key reason

Vegetation cause serious harm to old bricks and reduce the strength of structure

Regular maintenance and proper medication.

Animal and human trafficking over the site

One of the major threats of the site. Both excavated and unexcavated sites have this problem.

The human settlement over the site and absence of any Control or boundary let local people, visitors, and cattle to walk over the site.

Cause serious decay of site and structure

Specific circulation path for villagers and visitors should be built. Structure should be protected through peripheral boundary.

Insufficient management Insufficient management causing negligence in site

Poor number of management employees

Reduce future potentiality as a tourism site.

Need to recruit more employees.


66

maintenance. The routine works like excavation, preservation, Monitoring cannot be done regularly.

according to site need. Lack of skill of present employees.

Tough to apply any future preservation policy

Have to ensure voluntary service from participation of local people.

Poor Drainage The site situated on a high terrace with good natural drainage. But now manmade topographic change causing water logging on some part of the site.

Change of topography by existing community people and unplanned development on site. To cover up the natural ponds canals for cultivation land, another reason for water logging.

Cause serious damage to structures under the sub soil.

Digging up pond and canals. Develop drainage system by local government. Prohibiting community people of unplanned development.

Smuggling antics Inter national racket with help of local inhabitants involved with smuggling of historic evidences like antic coins, stone sculptures, potteries etc.

The site is a great source of antics for international collectors. Local people, corrupted officials involved wit h these activities.

These histories evidences are national treasure and sources of knowledge. Smuggling antics cause serious smash up to govt property.

Strict law and order, proper policing around site and grow awareness among people against smugglers.

Further remarks:

6. Management Aspect Description Adequacy Legal & Regulatory Protection

Legal & regularity protection managed by different Government authorities. Do not have enough legal feed back from any legal institute.

Managing Authority - nominal

Office of site custodian, Mahasthangarh, Department of archaeology,

Lack of manpower manage the site

Managing Authority - actual

Regional office, Rajshahi Area, Department of archaeology, Government of Bangladesh

Poor collaboration of policy with the custodian office

Site Ownership – core Most of the areas are owned by local inhabitants. The department does not have enough authority


67

Areas under preservation owned by government. on the historic sites. Site Ownership – buffer zone

Most of the buffer areas are owned by local people. Areas under preservation owned by government.

Government own very small portion of total buffer area around the site.

Site Director Site Custodian, Department of archaeology, Mahasthangarh Absence of any specific qualification and experience to be employed as a site custodian.

Annual Budget 44,00,000BDT or 65,000 $ for preservation Very poor budget according to true need. Staff – size and composition

49 posts are available in Staff organogram, The custodian is the chief of all stuffs. members include asst. custodian,arcgaeologistresearcher,engineers,photographers,foremen,officeAssistants, guards,etc.

Most of the posts are vacant so number of workers is not appropriate.

Staff – training/expertise

No specific training is given to the staffs. Few of them are self trained. No position is available for trainer.

The skill level of staffs is not satisfactory.

Prior international capacity-building efforts

Not specific effort

Resources (labs, vehicles, computers etc)

No research lab, material testing lab available on the site. Site custodian is equipped with one personal computer for office use.

Researcher coming to this site for research does not get any resources to help their research activities. A well equipped research lab is an urgent need for the site.

Management Priorities Maintenance of the museum and preserved sites Carrying out yearly excavation on site.

Priorities are not very focused and well managed.

Management Planning Each year, one year long preservation plan is fulfilled by management authority.

Absence of long term management planning. Have to add sustainability as a management issue.

Boundaries and buffer zones - clarity and enforcement

Landscape development around buffer zone owned by authority. Un planned Human settlement around the buffer zone.

Education/Outreach No specific education on site

Interpretation – Have site values been articulated? Are they readily communicated to the public?

Not. The site is not communicative enough to the public as should be. The site potentialities must be explored to articulate the site values.

Community Involvement

Community people living in and around the site. No specific role in preservation but active role in destruction.

Authority does not have any policy to integrate community people with preservation activities. But The community people can be used as a useful


68

Some people have economic insolvencies with the historic value of site.

for preservation of the site.

Are current management systems effective and sufficient? _Current management systems are not effective enough and sufficient. What are the primary obstacles to effective management? _ Insufficient manpower to run all the activities. _Lack of experience and skill in preservation management. _Poor financial support or annual budget _lack of participatory involvement with existing community people, local government ,tourism board e.g. What are the most urgent site management needs? _proper training of management staffs on methodologies of sustainable historic preservation. _Effective land ownership policy to acquire lands of historic sites _Financial support to carry preservation activities in multiple sites at a time. _ What would you recommend as the top priorities for site management assistance? _Long term site management policy ensuring participation of different stakeholders. _International participation through Joint Preservation activities can boost the process and helpful to local staffs to gain enough experience and training. _ Since Bangladesh is a developing country, Government have very small preservation budget, so it is important to develop policy for income generation

through site resources. _Evidences collected from the site is stored scattered in three or four national and international museums. So researchers coming to the site do not get

a clear chronology and evidence of history to work with. The museum should be extended to store more evidences with good security. Further remarks:


69

7. Management Scorecard Rate each of the following areas on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest), justifying or qualifying your score as necessary. Area of Assessment Score

relative to comparable sites in country/region

Score relative to intl standards eg World Heritage Program

Comments

Overall Protection – Site Core 6 4 In Bangladesh most of the historic sites face inadequate protection

Overall Protection – Buffer Zone 5 4 Absence of site monitoring

Site Condition – Physical 7 4

Although Mahasthan is the oldest of all archaeological site ob Bangladesh, Most of the sites physically exists but ruined

Site Condition – Perceptual 6 4 Rural infrastructural development around the site.

Setting Condition – Physical 6 5 Strong suburb setting around the site. Setting Condition – Perceptual 6 6

Strong suburb setting around the site. State of Conservation

7 3

Conservation in Mahasthan has been conducted from last 90 years by different phases. From that context conservation state is better than most of sites in Bangladesh. But not enough as its potentiality

Overall Threat Level 8 4 Overgrowth population, infrastructure major threats.

Visitor Experience / Current Tourism Appeal 7 4

Has a great scope for tourism development, but least infrastructure, facility for developing tourism. But appeal can be increased in future. Presence of local people is good but very few overseas tourists.

Tourism Development – Extent 4 3 Degree of tourism development at present context is near zero. Lack of advertisement,

accommodation, transportations, guidance, safety obstacles for tourism development. Tourism Development – Sustainability 6 4 At present no step is taken for sustainable tourism development

Future Tourism Potential 9 8 Has great scope for sustainable tourism development by involving local community


70

people in future. This can be one of the most attracting sites not only in Bangladesh but also in southeast Asia.

Overall Management 6 4 Less Manpower, budget, lack of skills are responsible for poor management.

Management Planning 6 4 Inappropriate short term management planning.

Management Resources 7 3 Lack of resources like research lab, vehicles, computers.

Community Involvement 7 3

Unplanned community involvement, Don’t have specific role playing scope for the community people in preservation process.

8. Stakeholders This purpose of this section is to establish an understanding of key stakeholder groups’ attitudes and aspirations regarding the site and their receptivity to, expectations for and likely concerns about preservation, tourism and community development. Stakeholder groups could include local residents, local government, formal and informal tourism service providers, religious / ethnic / indigenous groups, traditional site users, etc. Insert new rows as needed Stakeholder Group

Attitude/Agenda Representation in tourism planning (actual or potential)

Participation in tourism benefits (actual or potential)

Comments

Existing community people living within the site

Own maximum part of the site

Can be effective part of eco tourism.

Can be used as a source if income for site.

People living on the site are very crucial part for any tourism effort.

People depending on site to earn livelihoods

Involved in commercial activities like food shop, handicraft shop, transportation worker.

May be an important part to develop a commercial belt.

Source of income generation from tourism, help to improve life style of people involve in it, create

This will inspire local craftsmen, businessmen, potter, and weaver to develop a local market of commodities.


71

employment opportunity. Bangladesh tourism Board

Development of tourism Can play key role in developing tourism facilities in the site

Earn revenues from tourism. This site will help Tourism board to built a positive image of Bangladesh to the world outside.

Local Government Responsible for infrastructural development in local area under elected political authority.

Can integrate local development strategy with tourism planning

Will be financially benefited. If local government can be integrated with conservation process, tourism will be a social and political issue; it would be helpful to apply decisions on site.

Local NGO s working with community issues

Non government organizations working with different social, economic issues in community areas.

Can play important part in planning by providing fundamental supports to local people.

Will be benefited to achieve their development goals.

In Bangladesh NGOs play very important role in socioeconomic development in rural areas all over the country. Involving NGOs in developing tourism will be very helpful

Upcoming tourists Important part of the system.

Have effective role through participation.

Will participate in tourism benefit.

Need to attract tourists from all over the country and from overseas too ,for sustainable development

Local religious structure

Tomb of Famous religious mentor is one of the major tourist attractions of the site.

Must be a part of tourism planning, lots pf people coming to this tomb for ritual participation.

Major source of income generation cause of tourist crowing.

These structures can be used as an awareness education and increase attraction to the history.

Further remarks:

9. Tourism For the following section, either rate the quality of the item on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). Enter 0 if the item is absent. For asterisked cells, please enter the relevant statistic. Item Rating (0-5) or *Amount Comments Area Infrastructure Air Access O Don’t have any air port in this area. Ground Transport 3 Public bus and three wheeler available from city. But no tourist transportation, Complementary Attractions 2 Don’t have much complementary attractions except the rural landscape. Accommodations 1 No accommodation facility near the site. A rest house is located beside museum, only

accessible for visiting scholar or officials.


72

Personal Safety 3 Some threat and hazards from beggars, frauds, vagabonds. No overall patrolling on site by police but partial watching beside museum.

Site Annual Visitation – 2000 Near 80 000* As record from custodian office Annual Visitation – 2005 1,02,327 As record from custodian office Annual Visitation – 2010 1,49,575* As record from custodian office Proportion of foreign visitors

1,084*,0.71% of total visitor, ratio 1: 138

As record from custodian office

Estimated Ave. Length of Stay

6 to 8 hours* Lack of safety and accommodation do not allow visitors to stay after sunset.

Entry Fee – Domestic 10 BDT/0.14$* Entry Fee – International 100 BDT/1.45$* Annual Revenue 25,34,552 BDT /36,207$(by

2009-10) 33,00,000 BDT/ 47,143 $(by 2010-11)

Include museum ticket fee and parking fee. No fees for visiting structures.

Site Access / Transport 3 No transport inside the citadel, no control in site access Parking 4 Space provided for car parking .Parking fees applicable for vehicles. Security / First Aid 2 A police box located beside museum area, but no police patrolling. No first aid or medical

support at site. Restrooms 2 Insufficient rest room .No deviation for male and female. Refreshments 2 One rentable canteen for visitors supporting 10 people at a time. Rest areas 1 No shaded or resting areas along the route except trees. Crafts/souvenirs 3 Some souvenir shop located beside the TOMB AREA. Site access/circulation 2 No control in site accessibility. No guiding circulation way to visit all the structures.

Pedestrian walk ways not comfortable for walking. Interpretive Center 1 No interpretive center except museum Guides 1 No trained guides are available, few non trained historic book seller. Interpretive Signage 3 Beside each of sites a signage provided by Archaeology Depart with basic history about

the site. Interpretive Literature 2 No interpretive literature or book let or map is available. But some books are sold from

museum gate by Custodian office for researcher interested in history and conservation. What is the current tourism appeal of the site? How does this compare with other sites in the country/region? _the Tomb of religious mentor, Site museum, The mound of Gokul Medh are the key point of interest of people coming here. The historic myth of the religious mentor and myth of a king who was beaten by Snake goddess attract tourists from all over the country. attractions are:


73

_curiosity over myth and history _Religious purpose _charming rural landscape for leisure. _A place for annual get-together and picnic facility. In comparison to other sites in Bangladesh, Mahasthangarh faces similar problems and limitations like other historic places in country, But the ancient history, architecture, construction, cultural hierarchy, natural beauties, and vernacular livelihood set Mahasthan on a unique position and center for attraction than any other structure in this country. What is the overall future tourism potential of the site, taking into account social, economic and political dynamics at the site, local, regional and national levels? _the site has a great tourism potentiality. The existing society which now seems to be a threat for the site may be turned to useful resource for preserving the site. Effective tourism planning earns money, and local people should be the first beneficiary .That would help to develop a sustainable cycle of preservation. Eco tourism is a contemporary issue of sustainable preservation. If the tourism activities can run by local people that would be more effective. In future the site has a great potentiality to be a significant site of tourist attraction in South east Asia. What are the most significant obstacles to tourism development at the site? _Lack of sustainable policy of tourism planning. _Absence of infrastructure like accommodation, food, transportation. _Inappropriate promotion of site through media. _Ignorance of local community about history, lack of sensitivity on using the site. What are the most urgent priorities for the development of tourism at the site? _Developing a master plan to generate a cultural route which will connect all major structures physically and integrate tourist amenities (restrooms,restingplace,accommodation,transportation with this route. During this survey some major needs were came out after conducting some tourist. These are transportation in side and around the citadel, shaded resting place, guide with proper history, enough drinkable water, security from beggars, frauds.


74

10. References and Documentation (Insert new rows as needed) Collections, repositories and databases Name/Description Managing Agency Location/access Maps, GIS Title/Description Year Author/Agency Location/access FIG 01 : Location of Mahasthan and suburb FIG 02 :Citadel of Mahasthangarh FIG 03 :Fortified site of Mahasthangarh, with hypothesized settlement pattern in the site, hinterland through time. FIG 04 :Map of Mahasthan and Environs FIG 05 : Mahasthan and location of excavations FIG 06 : Area of habitation in Mahasthangarh FIG 07 : Paths taken during 1998-99 archaeological reconnaissance of Mahasthangarh Hinders,Large sites mentioned in text are indicated. FIG 08: Geological map of Bengal Basin

2001 First Interim report 1993-1999 France Bangladesh joint venture excavations At Mahasthan

Mahasthangarh city

FIG 22: Google Earth Image locating different site in Mahasthangarh

2003 GooleEarth

Photographs Title/Description Year Author/Agency Location/access FIG 09 : Khudar-pathar Dhap (Stone of God) FIG 10 : Khodarpathar Dhap (Stone of God) FIG 11: Mankhalir Dhap FIG 12: Mankalir Dhap(Ruins of a mosque) FIG 13 : Parasuramer Bari FIG 14 : House of King Parasurama

2011 Photographs Taken By Assessor on site

The city of Mahasthangarh and it’s environ.


75

FIG 15 : House of King Parasurama FIG 16 : Govinda Bhita FIG 17: Govinda Vita FIG 18 :Bihara (The Budhist Monastery) FIG 19: Basu Bihara FIG 20 : Gokul Medh FIG 21 : Visitors on GokulMedh FIG 23 : Entry of the citadel Fig 24 : Corner bastion of the citadel. FIG 25 :Remain rampart of the citadel FIG 26 : View of Rampart from entry point FIG 27: Approaching stair to the rampart: The main entry point in the site for visitors FIG 28 : Approaching stair from entry Fig 29: Rampart from inside of citadel FIG 30: Village inside the citadel. FIG 31: village inside the citadel FIG 32: Village people using rampart as a road. FIG 33: Preserved and restored part of Rampart and tourists on it. FIG 34: Rest house for officials and researcher, no one for general visitors. FIG 35:Landscape in front of Museum FIG 36 :Office of site custodian FIG 37 :Evidences of History found in Mahasthan,Statue of Budha FIG 38 :Evidences of History found in Mahasthan,The Lord Shiva linga FIG 39 :Evidences of History found in Mahasthan,Statue of Budha FIG 40 :Visitors on Gokul Medh FIG 41: Picnic area for coming visitors. FIG 42: Local children act as a seller of books and untrained guides. FIG 43: Visitors using structures as a circulation route. FIG 44: Community people selling souvenirs beside the structures. FIG 45:Temporary market place for villagers to sell good to upcoming visitors beside the tomb


76

FIG 46 : Local vernacular settlement around the site FIG 47: Tomb of Shah sultan Balkhi, Local religious leader, one of major visitor Attractions. FIG 48: Poor villagers, beggars, frauds, vagabonds, good sellers take the tomb a Source of income generation. FIG 49: Major part of the tomb built on ancient ruins Fig 50: Massive Cultivation on site by Villagers Fig 51: Ruined brick dust mixed with soil in crop field Fig 52: Unexcavated part of rampart, lack of financial support delaying preservation effort, Fig 53 :Unexcavated structure in side the citadel, lack of financial support delaying preservation effort Fig 54: Looting of brick from ancient structures to make new settlement Fig 55: Looting of brick from ancient structures to make new settlement. Fig 56: Road built by local government over Ancient ruins Fig 57: Unplanned commercial shops by locals inside the citadel Fig 58: Destroying structure for lack of maintenance Fig 59: Destroying structure for lack of maintenance Fig 60: Vegetation, moss attack on surface. Fig 61: Vegetation on the site causing serious damage Of structures Fig 62: Uncontrolled accessibility of villagers and visitors. On the structure. Fig 63: Trafficking of villagers and pet over the site Fig 64: Use of site and structure in agricultural Activities by Villagers Fig 65: unprotected buffer area Fig 66: Untrained restoration workers. Can’t differ between restoration and regular Contraction. Fig 67: Inappropriate restoration: Use of Modern materials, techniques as in


77

restoration, FIG 68: Uncontrolled access inside the preservation site FIG 69: Unplanned , inefficient pedestrian Circulation Fig 70: Poor and insufficient management of tourist amenities like Rest room ,canteens Fig 71: Poor and insufficient management of tourist amenities like Rest room, canteens. Fig 72: Poor and insufficient management of tourist amenities like Rest room, canteens Fig 73: Lack of monitoring by authority Fig 74: Villagers using site for household activities, Reports Title/Description Year Author/Agency Location/access

First Interim report 1993-1999

2001 Bangladesh Archaeology department

Ministry of Cultural affairs ,Bangladesh

Bangladesh Archaeology, Vol 1 No 1 1979 Bangladesh Archaeology department


Pratnacharcha-2,Quarterly report of Excavations March,2008 Bangladesh Archaeology department


Pratnacharcha-3, Quarterly report of Excavations June,2008 Bangladesh Archaeology department


Pratnacharcha-4, Quarterly report of Excavations Dec,2008 Bangladesh Archaeology department


Popular media including news and magazine articles, websites Title/Description Year Author/Agency Location/access Save the Mahasthangarh 2011 Swadhin Sen http://www.hrisouthasian.org/


78

Mahasthangarh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MahasthangarhHistory of Bogra and Mahasthangarh (Part-1) 2011 http://www.bogra.info/history2.html Mahasthangarh Bangla

Academy www.Banglapedia.com

Bibliography (academic and professional books and articles) Year Author, Title, Publisher Prabhas Chandra Sen, Mahastan and Its Environs, 1964 Ahmed N , Mahasthen , Karachi, 1960 Ahmed S, Inscriptions of Bengal, Vol 2 , Rajshahi 1986 ASR-Bogra , Archaeological Survey,Bogra 1993 Farrok.A A , Excavations at Mahasthengar ,Vol 2 , 1992 Miah. A. S ,An Access to Pundravardan City,Dhaka 1975 Huntington.L.S ,Some aspects of Bengal Stone sculpture. 1974 Journal of The Varedra Research Museum 2006 Hossain.M M , Mahasthen :Anecdote to history,Dibyaprakash,Dhaka

site conservation assessment v2.0

Documents