Bangladesh is considerably rich in archaeological wealth, especially of the medieval period both during the Muslim and pre-Muslim rules, though most of it is still unexplored and unknown. Since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, our Government has undertaken a number of field projects including a comprehensive survey and exploration of the hitherto unexplored areas and a fairly ambitious scheme of excavations on selected sites.
Though the activities are in a limited scale, the discoveries have been significant, while new information and fresh evidence are coming out gradually. These fresh explorations would substantially add to our knowledge of the history and chronology of ancient Bangladesh and various aspects of her life and culture.
The earlier history of Bangladesh reveals that Buddhism received royal patronage from some important ruling dynasties like the great Pala rulers, the Chandras and the Deva Kings. Under their royal patronage numerous well-organized, self-contained monasteries sprang up all over the country.
Paharpur - Largest Buddhist Seat of learning,
Mahasthangarh-The oldest archaeological site
Mainamoti - ancient Buddhist settlements.
The much anticipated Mainamoti trip by the students of Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (Advertising, English and Mass Communication) of AIUB to Comilla become a reality at last, when on the 24th of July 2009, at 8.30 AM, the AIUB buses, packed with food, water and hungry students (hungry for knowledge), rolled off from Campus 7.
The course teacher Mr Niaz Majumdar under the course Arts and Aesthetics arranged the study tour along with Dr. Buddha Dev Biswas, Head of the Social Science Department.
An isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted -with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements of the 8th to 12th century A.D. known as Mainamati-Laimai range are extended through the centre of the district of Comilla.
The tour started from Salban Vihara, which is almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Laimai hill range consists of 115 cells, built around a spacious courtyard with cruciform temple in the centre facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur Monastery. There was a new temple which has been just discovered (5 months ago), and it contains beautiful terracotta panels all around and motifs are mostly from Hindu mythology, it really was a bonus for students.
Kotila Mura situated on a flattened hillock, about 5 km north of Salban Vihara inside the Comilla Cantonment is a picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here three stupas are found side by side representing the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewels i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
The Mainamoti site Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold and silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues have been recovered mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and hundreds of terracotta plaques.
The Department of Social Science would like to express its sincere gratitude to one Mr Jahangir, a senior officer of BARD in Mainamoti for his support, hospitality and arranging delicious lunch for 50 persons along with raaso malli. Finally our sincere gratitude to the University administration for providing support and making this event a success. |
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