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Chapter 5 Ancient Sites and Settlement

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 Ancient Sites and
Settlements
Several literary sources and pilgrim accounts suggest that Buddhism
emerged in Bangladesh during the reign of the Mauryan Emperor
Asoka (c. 268-232 BC). However, archaeological evidences collected
so far do not support this view. On the basis of inscriptions as well as
archaeological remains, it can be suggested that Buddhism flourished in
Bangladesh during the 5th-12th centuries AD under the royal patronage
of the Gupta (c. 320-550 AD), Khadga (c. 625-705 AD), Rata (c. 635-
675?), Deva (c. 750-800 AD), Pala (c. 756-1161 AD) and Chandra (c. 900-
1050 AD) kings. Inscriptions, seals, sealings, manuscripts and pilgrim
accounts mention a number of Buddhist sites in ancient Bangladesh.
The prominent sites are Dharmapaladeva Mahavihara, Jagaddala
Mahavihara, Bhavadeva Mahavihara and Ratnatraya which are identified
with Paharpur Vihara of Naogaon, Jagaddala Vihara of Naogaon, Salban
Vihara of Comilla and Kutila Mura of Comilla respectively. Besides, a
number of Buddhist religious sites like Asrama Vihara, Raja Vihara,
Sakyabhiksu Acharya Jitasena Viharika, Nandadirghika Mahavihara,
Haritaka-Dharmasabha, Kserta Vihara, Mahabhogasrama, Vendamati
Viharika, Mahanta Vihara, Aphanak Mahavihara and Mrigasthapan
Stupa that were mentioned in inscriptions and manuscripts are yet to
be identified.1 Tibetan sources also mentioned a number of viharas
in Bangladesh which played an important role in translating Buddhist
texts from Sanskrit to Tibetan language. These were Devikot Vihara,
Pandit Vihara, Sannagor Vihara, Pattikerak Vihara, Kanakstupa Vihara,
Vikrampuri Vihara, Jagaddala Mahavihara etc.2 Moreover, a number
of locations have been identified as Buddhist religious places through
archaeological explorations and excavations in various parts of
Bangladesh (Map 1). If we pin point these locations in the map it can
be seen that the ancient Pundra-Varendra region of Greater Bogra,
Dinajpur and Naogaon districts, the Lalmai-Mainamati region (Map 2)
of Comilla district and the Madhupur Tract of Dhaka and Narshingdi
districts were the places where Buddhism flourished in ancient
Bangladesh. A few stray sites were also in existence in Munshiganj,
Jessore and Magura districts of Bangladesh.

1 See Inscriptional Records part of this book for detail.

2 Niharranjan Roy, Bangalir Itihas : Adiparba (in Bangla) (Dey’s Publishing, Kolkata, 1993, 2nd edition), p. 524.

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 61

 88° 18'2 8" 89° 36'5 6" 90° 55'2 4" 92° 13'5 2"

2 6°1 6'05 "

2 6° 16'0 5"
1

2 5°0 0'52 "

2 5° 00'5 2"
2
3 8
4 7
5 6

2 3°4 5'39 "

2 3° 45'3 9"

Legend 10
9 11

1 Sitakot Vihara

2 Jagaddala Vihara
14-21
12
3 Paharpur Vihara

4 Satya Pir Bhita

2 2°3 0'26 "

2 2° 30'2 6"

13
5 Halud Vihara

6 Bihar Dhap

7 Bhasu Vihara

8 Merh Tilla Vihara

9 Raja Harish Chandraer Buruj

10 Rajasan Dhibi

2 1°1 5'13 "

2 1° 15'1 3"

11 Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad

12 Bathbhita

13 Bharat Bhayna

14 Rani Mainamatir Prasad

15 Kutila Mura

16 Ananda Vihara
88° 18'2 8" 89° 36'5 6" 90° 55'2 4" 92° 13'5 2"
17 Bhoja Vihara

18 Bharat Bhayna
RF 1: 4087684
19 Latikot Mura

20 Rupban Mura

21 Salban Vihara Map 1 Location of the ancient Buddhist sites (selected) in Bangladesh

62 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 91°10’

25°

25°

Legend

1 Itakhola Mura

2 Rupban Mura

3 Kutila Mura
91°10’
4 Ananda Vihara

5 Salban Vihara
RF 1: 70900
6 Latikot Mura

7 Bhoja Vihara

Map 2 Location of ancient Buddhist sites in the Lalmai-Mainamati region, Comilla 8 Rani Mainamatir Prasad

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 63

 A number of momentous Buddhist sites have already been unearthed through
archaeological excavations in Bangladesh. Among these, Bihar Dhap (Totaram Panditer
Dhap) and Bhasu Vihara (Narapatir Dhap) in Bogra; Sitakot Vihara in Dinajpur; Paharpur
Vihara, Halud Vihara, Jagaddala Vihara and Satya Pir Bhita in Noagaon; Rupban Mura,
Itakhola Mura, Bhoja Vihara (Bhoja Rajara Prasad), Ananda Vihara, Salban Vihara, Kutila
Mura, Latikot Mura and Rani Mainamatir Prasad in Comilla; Raja Harish Chandraer
Prasad, Rajasan and Raja Harish Chandraer Buruj in Dhaka; Bharat Bhayna in Jessore
and Bathbhita in Magura are noteworthy. Most of the sites consist of brick-built shrines,
viharas and votive stupas. Below, we describe only some of the prominent Buddhist sites
of ancient Bangladesh.

Bihar Dhap (Totaram Panditer Dhap)

Bihar Dhap (24°57’50.99’’ N 89°17’56.48’’ E) is situated in the village Bihar of Shibganj

upazila in Bogra district. This site is locally known as Totaram Panditer Dhap. It is only
four km north-east from ancient Pundranagara (Mahasthangarh of Bogra). The Chinese
pilgrim Hiuen Tsang mentioned a vihara named Po-shi-po Sangharama, 6 km west of
Pundranagara during his visit from about 638 AD to 645 AD in this part of Bengal.

First Phase Second Phase

RF 1 : 1140

Plate 2 Terracotta head from

Bihar Dhap, Bogra Figure 1 Ground plan of Bihar Dhap Vihara and shrine complex, Bogra

64 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 3 Terracotta head from
Bihar Dhap, Bogra

Plate 1 Ruins of Bihar Dhap Vihara, Bogra

Later in 1879-80, Alexander Cunningham surveyed this region and identified village
Bihar (now Bihar Dhap) as the Po-shi-po Sangharama, described by Hiuen Tsang.3 The
excavators4 of the site also support Cunningham’s opinion. But the identification is still
a questionable one.

The marks of four different structures have been traced here through excavations. Among
them one has been completely unearthed and it contains the feature of a Buddhist vihara
(Figure 1) (Plate 1). It is situated in the north of the site and measures 61 m × 57 m. There
are 37 cells around an open courtyard. The entrance (20.8 m × 6.4 m) is in the middle of Plate 4 Terracotta figure from
Bihar Dhap, Bogra
the east wing. It was flanked on the outside probably by two guardrooms. The outer wall
of the vihara which is also the back wall of the cells is 2.6 m wide. Another structure has
been exposed partially and only a wall of 34 m has been opened adjacent to the above
mentioned vihara on its south side. This is believed to be the remains of another vihara.
Three cells in the east wing have been exposed completely and two cells in the south
wing partially.

Besides these viharas, foundations of two shrines were partially unearthed through
excavations. One of the shrines is almost square (29 m × 29.5 m). It had the main entrance
with six steps on the north. The shrine was rebuilt as the first one was destroyed. At the
3 Alexander Cunningham, Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879-80 from Patna to Sunargaon (Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi, 1882,
reprint in 2000), vol. XV, p. 103. Plate 5 Terracotta plaque
4 Md. Shafiqul Alam, Md. Abul Hashem Miah and Md. Abdul Khaleque, Excavations at Bihar Dhap, Bogra (Department of Archaeology, Government depicting young boys in a race
of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2000), p. 2. from Bihar Dhap, Bogra

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 65


Plate 6 Terracotta toy from
Bihar Dhap, Bogra
Plate 11 Buddha (c. 6th century AD)
from Bhasu Vihara, Bogra
66 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
same time a new shrine (9.70 m × 9.40 m) was constructed on the west side linking it with
the old one. Terracotta plaques were used for decorating the walls during the first phase
of construction. But it wasn’t done during the reconstruction phase. During the third
phase of construction, 2 cm thickness plaster was used on the walls of the both shrines.
The plaster– known as Bajralep– was produced by using plaster materials like sticky clay,
dust, sand etc. mixed with animal glue. It is a unique architectural feature which has not
been discovered so far in any ancient monument in Bangladesh.5 The complete plan of
the other shrine could not be revealed, as the excavation has not yet been completed. So
far an area of 12m from east to west and 9.5m from north to south has been unearthed
revealing the entrance, the walkway and the floor of the shrine. The entrance of the
shrine has ten steps.
The remarkable antiquities recovered from Bihar Dhap excavations are a bronze image,
a silver coin of Sultan Sikandar Shah (1358-1390 AD), terracotta heads (Plates 2-3),
terracotta figures (Plate 4), terracotta plaques with and without inscription (Plate 5),
terracotta sealings, ornamented bricks, terracotta toys (Plate 6) etc. On the basis of the
stratigrahic sequence of excavations and the discovered inscribed terracotta plaques
it is assumed that the site was inhabited in the late 6th/ early 7th century AD and which
continued for the next few centuries.6
Bhasu Vihara (Narapatir Dhap)
Bhasu Vihara (24°58’58.42’’ N 89°17’50.89’’ E) is situated at Bhasu Bihar village under
Bihar union of Shibganj upazila of Bogra district. This site is also known as Narapatir
Dhap. This site is only 5 km north-west of ancient Pundranagara (Mahasthangarh, Bogra).
The ruins of two viharas and one shrine have been exposed through excavations (Figure
2) (Plates 7-10). The north facing shrine was built on a semi-cruciform ground plan (38.1
m × 26.36 m). The assembly hall or mandapa was in the centre of the shrine. There
were three pradakshina patha at three heights. The upper part of the shrine has not yet
been fully excavated. There was terracotta plaque decoration on the outer facade of the
lower terrace. The large vihara is rectangular (56.08 m × 49.07 m). There are 30 cells for
mendicants with a running veranda facing the inner courtyard of the vihara. There is a
staircase to the south wing. A pillared entrance in the middle of the south wing leads to
the hallway of the vihara. There was no central shrine in this vihara. The central cell of
the north wing was found to contain a pedestal in the centre and thus denoted a shrine.
The small vihara is also rectangular (48.77 m × 46.33 m) in plan. The entrance is on the
east wing, built with a pillared hallway and two projecting guardrooms. There are 26 cells
arranged in four wings around an open courtyard.
Over 1200 antiquities including 60 bronze votive sculptures, 250 terracotta or baked
clay sealings, 27 intact terracotta plaques, many ornamental bricks and other minor
antiquities have been found through excavations.7 A small sand stone sculpture of
5 Md. Mahabubul Alam and Mst. Nahid Sultana, “Bihardhape Bajralep” (in Bangla), Pratnocharcha, vol. 2, 2008, pp. 97-100.
6 Md. Shafiqul Alam, Md. Abul Hashem Miah and Md. Abdul Khaleque, Excavations at Bihar Dhap, Bogra (Department of Archaeology, Government
of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2000), p. 38.
7 Nazimuddin Ahmed (ed.), Bangladesh Archaeology (Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh, Dacca, 1979), vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 47-
67.
 Plate 12 Terracotta plaque depicting deer
with her young from Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

Plate 13 Terracotta plaque depicting deer

with her young from Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

RF 1 : 1402

Figure 2 Ground plan of Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

Plate 14 Terracotta plaque depicting

makara from Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

Plate 15 Terracotta plaque depicting an

Plate 7 Bhasu Vihara, Bogra Plate 8 Bhasu Vihara, Bogra affluent person attending his attendant
before excavation during excavation from Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 67

 Plate 9 Ruins of Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

Plate 16 Terracotta plaque depicting

warrior from Bhasu Vihara, Bogra

Plate 17 Terracotta plaque depicting

Gandharva couple from
Bhasu Vihara, Bogra Plate 10 Ruins of Bhasu Vihara Shrine, Bogra

68 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

Buddha (Plate 11) was collected from the ruins of Bhasu Vihara before excavation. The
terracotta plaques of Narapatir Dhap deserve special mention because of their lively
expressiveness and crude but vigorous style of the folk art (Plates 12-17). These have
been made of finer clay and apparently better executed and better fired than those
of Paharpur Vihara of Naogaon and Salban Vihara of Comilla district. The revealed
architecture and antiquities of Bhasu Vihara indicate that the vihara was active from the
6th to 11th centuries AD.

Sitakot Vihara

Sitakot Vihara (25°24’50.46’’ N 89°03’02.40’’ E) is situated at the village Marash of

Nawabganj upazila in Dinajpur district. A square shaped vihara (65.23 m × 64.11 m)
has been unearthed through the excavations (Figure 3) (Plates 18-19). The vihara has
41 cells. Each cell is connected to a wide veranda by a doorway. Another wall from the
side of courtyard separates the veranda from open courtyard to fulfill the privacy of the
mendicants. The central entrance is in the centre of the north wing and has guardrooms.
Another sub-entrance is at the east wing of the vihara. There is no shrine or structure
at the open courtyard. The central shrine is at the middle of the south wing. A pillared
pavilion built in front of the shrine is intended to serve as the mandapa. Eastern and west
wings also have one large cell each with a substantial brick platform in the middle. These
platforms were possibly used to install sculptures. Five small cells outside the south-east
corner, linked through a passage, might be the toilet complex for the mendicants. No
terracotta plaque or ornamentation has been found on the structure.

Plate 18 Sitakot Vihara, Dinajpur

before excavation

RF 1 : 1068.5

Figure 3 Ground plan of Sitakot Vihara, Dinajpur Plate 19 Ruins of Sitakot Vihara, Dinajpur

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 69


Figure 5 North elevation of the central
shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon
Figure 6 West elevation of the central
shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon
Figure 7 South elevation of the central
shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon
Figure 8 East elevation of the central
shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon
70 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
The notable findings discovered from the site are two bronze images of Padmapani and
Manjusri and a large number of iron pieces.8 The exposed structure represents fully
developed Buddhist architecture of the 7th-8th centuries AD.
Paharpur Vihara
Paharpur Vihara (25°01’51.94’’ N 88°58’36.60’’ E) is located at Paharpur, a small village
of Paharpur union of Badalgachhi upazila under the district of Naogaon. This site has
been extensively excavated by Dikshit9 during the 1930s. It is basically a quadrangular
Buddhist vihara complex (Figure 4) (Plate 20) with a colossal shrine (Figures 5-8) (Plates
RF 1 : 2957.9
Figure 4 Ground plan of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon
8 Most of the antiquities are reported to have been lost from Dinajur Museum where they were stored or exhibited. No photographs or drawings are
also available. Nazimuddin Ahmed (ed.), Bangladesh Archaeology (Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh, Dacca, 1979), vol. 1,
no. 1, p. 29.
9 KN Dikshit, Excavation at Paharpur, Bengal, Memoirs of Archaeological Survey of India, No. 55 (Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi, 1938; reprint
in 1999).
21-22) of a cruciform floor plan in the centre of the courtyard and with an elaborate
gateway (Plate 23) on the north. The north-facing central shrine measures 108.473m
north-south and 95.67 m east-west, with angles of projection between the arms. It has
three raised terraces. There are some stairs leading to the terraces. The first terrace
of the shrine has a pradakshina patha. In the second terrace, a pradakshina patha with
parapet wall was made to run parallel to the outline of the plan. The basement wall of
the shrine is unique and artistic. The monotony of the plain surface of the basement wall
was broken by the insertion of 63 stone base-reliefs (Plate 24) at most of the projections
and at intervals in specially built recesses in the middle of the wall. Among these
sculptures only one is a Buddhist image and the rest represent the Brahminical faith
(Plates 25-26) as well Tantric order of Pre-Pala period. Above the rows of stone reliefs
there is a projecting cornice with a course of half-round moulding. In between the row of
stone reliefs and projected cornice terracotta plaques (more than 2000 still survive) are
fixed in rows and run throughout the length of the wall, parallel to the present ground
level. These plaques primarily represent the folk art of ancient Bangladesh. Buddhist
(Plates 27-28) and Brahminical deities, auspicious symbols (Plate 29), mythology, men
and women engaged in various activities (Plate 30), warriors (Plate 31), acrobats, flora,
fauna (Plate 32) etc. are depicted on these plaques. The height of the shrine is about 23
m above ground level. The arrangement of the structure at the lower-terrace suggests
that the shrine was capped by some sort of superstructure with elaborate covering or
roof. An elaborate drainage arrangement was provided in the entire area of the main Plate 21 Central shrine of Paharpur
shrine. Vihara, Naogaon before excavation

Plate 22 Central shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

Plate 20 Paharpur Vihara (aerial view), Naogaon Plate 23 Gateway of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 71

 Plate 25 Balarama (c. 7th century AD) Plate 26 Siva (c. 7th century AD) with
from the basement wall of the central crescent moon on head from the
shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon basement wall of the central shrine
of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

Plate 24 Stone base-relief (c. 7th century AD)

at the basement wall of the central shrine of Plate 27 Terracotta from depicting Aksobhya Plate 28 Terracotta plaque depicting dharmachakra
Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon plaque from Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

72 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

The vihara is square in plan and its outside measures 281 m on each side. There
are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the other three sides, making a total number
of 177 cells along the enclosure walls on the four sides. A spacious veranda runs in
front of the rows. In the middle of each of the wing except the north there exists a
special block, consisting of three cells and a passage around them. Each cell measures
4.26 m × 4.11 m on average. In the middle of the northern wing there exists
the imposing gateway complex with pillared exterior hall, interior hall, strong rooms
and staircases. There was a subsidiary gate on the same side in between the main
gateway complex and the north-east corner. Apart from the central shrine in the 8
hectare courtyard, there are many other subsidiary structural remains including
a number of votive stupas, a model of central shrine (Plate 33), five shrines (pancha-
bedi) (Plate 34), kitchen and refectory, masonry drain, wells etc. There are a number of
sporadic structural ruins surroundings the vihara. These are Bathing Ghat, Gandheswari
Temple and Satya Pir Bhita.

Besides the architectural ruins, a huge number of antiquities such as copperplate

inscriptions, stone inscriptions, seals, sealings, stone and metal sculptures (Plate 35),
coins, terracotta slabs impressed with figures of Bodhisattvas in different asanas (Plate
36), storage jar, ink pots etc. have been revealed through excavations from Paharpur
Vihara. Some of the antiquities are really interesting in terms of their place of finding
and their meanings. A copperplate inscription of 159 Gupta era (479 AD) found from the
upper terrace of the north-east corner of the central shrine mentioned the existence of a
Jaina establishment in the place of Paharpur. In the excavation of 1982, a life size burned
bronze sculpture of Buddha was found. This burnt sculpture might be the proof of a
fire set up by the Vangala Army during the 11th century AD as mentioned in the Nalanda
Mahavihara inscription of Vipulashrimitra. Besides these, four stone inscriptions have
been also found in the south-east corner of the vihara. Interestingly one silver coin (788 Plate 29 Terracotta plaque depicting vajra
from Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

Plate 31 Terracotta plaque depicting

Plate 30 Terracotta depicting women gossiping Plate 32 Terracotta plaque depicting elephant and horse in warrior on horse from Paharpur
plaque from Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon dancing mode from Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon Vihara, Naogaon

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 73

 Plate 33 Central shrine and its model
of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

Plate 34 Pancha-bedi and the central

shrine of Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

74 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 36 Terracotta slab depicting
Tathagatas in different asanas from
Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

AD) of Khalifa Harun-ur-Rashid of Baghdad was found along with some other coins of
Bengal sultans. Only four Pala copper coins (?) and a jar full of shell were found. Paharpur
Vihara was built by the Pala King Dharmapala (c. 770-810 AD) as indicated by terracotta
sealing (Plate 37) discovered from the site.10

Paharpur Vihara represents the most spectacular and magnificent monument in

Bangladesh and the single largest Buddhist vihara to the south of the Himalayas.
The Vajrayana Buddhism evolved in this vihara from the 8th century onwards and it was
a renowned intellectual centre in the Buddhist world until the 12th century. Historically
famous scholars11 like Dipankara Srijnana (c. 982-1054 AD), Ratnakara Santi and others
stayed here for a couple of years. Because of its outstanding universal significance
and historical and archaeological importance, the site was inscribed on the World Plate 35 Buddha (c. 9th-10th centuries AD)
from Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon
Heritage List in 1985.

Satya Pir Bhita

Satya Pir Bhita (25°01’49.95’’ N 88°58’52.64’’ E) stands at Paharpur village of Badalgachhi

upazila of Naogaon district. The famous Paharpur Vihara is only 320 m to its east.
Though the name Satya Pir Bhita suggests the house of a Muslim saint but actually it is a
Buddhist site consisting of a shrine (Figure 9) (Plate 38) and a cluster of 132 votive stupas
(Plate 39). It is believed to be a part of the great Paharpur Vihara. The Muslim name was
not adopted before the 15th-16th centuries AD. The irregular rectangular shape of the
complex is 75.45m long in the east, 90.9 m in the west, 42.42 m in the south and 53.60 m
in the north. The evidence of brick walls has been found in all three core directions except
the north. The ruin of a gateway has been found in the south. The most important part
Plate 37 Terracotta sealing depicting
dharmachakra and the name of the
10 See Seals and Sealings part of this book for details. founder of the vihara with location from
11 See Personalities and Scholars part of this book for details. Paharpur Vihara, Naogaon

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 75

 of the complex is a shrine (24.24 m × 15.52 m) situated at the east. A stone image of Tara
has been recovered from the site. The sanctum is in the north and a pillared hall with
pradakshina patha is in the south. There are at least 132 votive stupas of different sizes
and shapes surrounding the whole complex. The most remarkable among the stupas
is a 3.10m square sized stupa in the south-east of the complex. A relic chamber of 1sq
metre has been unearthed here through excavation which, most amazingly, discovered
a few thousand clay made miniature votive stupas. Pilgrims visiting the site might have
brought those miniatures to show veneration to their goddess and throw them into the
brick stupa chamber. In Bangladesh, this is the only ancient site with such a large number
of structural votive stupas. The principal antiquities discovered from Satya Pir Bhita are
sculptures of Tara and Jambhala, terracotta plaques, carved bricks, semi-precious stone
beads, a few thousand votive stupa made of clay etc.12

RF 1 : 848.4

Figure 9 Ground plan of Satya Pir Bhita, Naogaon

Plate 39 Cluster of 132 votive stupas at 12 KN Dikshit, Excavation at Paharpur, Bengal, Memoirs of Archaeological Survey of India, No. 55 (Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi, 1938; reprint
Satya Pir Bhita, Naogaon in 1999), p. 84.

76 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 38 Ruins of Satya Pir Bhita, Naogaon

A copperplate inscription from Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar, India of the 12th century
AD mentions the establishment of a shrine of Tara and a water body at Somapura
Mahavihara. Some believe that Satya Pir Bhita is the above mentioned shrine of that
inscription. But the evidence of excavations clearly indicates that the complex of Satya
Pir Bhita was established long before the 12th century AD. It might be contemporary with
the Paharpur Vihara i.e. 8th-10th centuries AD.

Halud Vihara

Halud Vihara (24°55’56.99’’ N 88°58’16.98’’ E) stands on the river Tulshiganga, only 15km
south of Paharpur Vihara in Badalgachhi upazila of Naogaon district. The site has been Plate 41 Staircase of the Halud
Vihara Shrine, Naogaon
vandalized by local brick hunters and land grabbers. The limited excavations have
unearthed remains of a shrine complex of a solid square structure (5.80 m × 5.80 m)
which probably was the base of a stupa, two unequal oblong rooms (Plate 40), a staircase
(Plate 41) and part of the enclosure wall of the complex (Figure 10).13 The large room
might be a mandapa (5.55 m × 3.20 m) and the small one might be the shrine (2.6 m × 1.6
m). There is a 1.1 m wide pradakshina patha around this structure. A number of objects
including an inscribed terracotta sealing, terracotta plaques, ornamental bricks, stone
pedestal, iron objects etc. have been unearthed through excavations. The excavation
work is not yet completed. There are at least five more mounds besides the present
Halud Vihara mound (Plate 42). The small scale excavations have done so far here

13 Md. Abul Hashem Miah and Md. Abu Musa, A Preliminary Report on Excavations at Halud Vihara Naogaon (Department of Archaeology, Plate 42 Halud Vihara
Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2000), pp. 2-5. mound, Naogaon

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 77

 RF 1 : 580

Figure 10 Ground plan of Halud Vihara Shrine, Naogaon

indicate the existence of a fairly prosperous Buddhist site. The exposed structures and
antiquities indicate that Halud Vihara is contemporary with the famous Paharpur Vihara
and may be dated to 8th-9th centuries AD.14

Plate 40 Ruins of Halud Vihara Shrine, Naogaon

14 Md. Abul Hashem Miah and Md. Abu Musa, A Preliminary Report on Excavations at Halud Vihara Naogaon (Department of Archaeology,
Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2000), p. 2.

78 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

Merh Tilla Vihara

Merh Tilla Vihara (25°06’26.8’’ N 89°28’56.9’’ E) is situated at village Shahebganj in

Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha district. This site was discovered during the
establishment of Rangpur Sugar Mill in 1954-57. The site was almost destroyed for setting
up the sugar mill. In 1959, the Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh
conducted trial excavation under the supervision of Nazimuddin Ahmed.15 At that time
only five mounds survived. The largest among the mounds is known as Merh Tilla. The
excavation has revealed the ruins of a structure of square (56.388 m × 56.388 m) floor
plan. There are 24 cells with a running veranda facing the inner courtyard (Figure 11).
The whole structure has a single entrance to the east. The characteristics of the structure
indicate the existence of a small Buddhist vihara, although except a terracotta votive
stupa,16 no other religious artifact was found from the site.

Excavation has exposed two cultural layers of the site, the earliest layer belonging to the
8th-12th centuries AD and the latest layer to the 14th-16th centuries AD. The earlier one is
the actual occupational level of the site. Artifacts found from this layer are terracotta
plaques, semi-precious stone beads, bangles, a broken stone sculpture with incomplete
inscription and an unidentified small bronze sculpture.17 One silver punch-marked coin

RF 1 : 867.5

Figure 11 Ground plan of Merh Tilla Vihara, Gaibandha

15 Nazimuddin Ahmed, ‘Shahebganjer Prachin Dhanshastup’ (in Bangla) Abu Mohamed Habibullah Smarakgrantha, Salahuddin Ahmed, Momtazur
Rahman Tarafdar and Ajoy Roy (eds.) (Bangladesh Itihas Parishad, Dhaka, 1991), pp. 214-219.
16 Nazimuddin Ahmed, ‘Shahebganjer Prachin Dhanshastup’ (in Bangla) Abu Mohamed Habibullah Smarakgrantha, Salahuddin Ahmed, Momtazur
Rahman Tarafdar and Ajoy Roy (eds.) (Bangladesh Itihas Parishad, Dhaka, 1991), p. 218.
17 Nazimuddin Ahmed, ‘Shahebganjer Prachin Dhanshastup’ (in Bangla) Abu Mohamed Habibullah Smarakgrantha, Salahuddin Ahmed, Momtazur
Rahman Tarafdar and Ajoy Roy (eds.) (Bangladesh Itihas Parishad, Dhaka, 1991), p. 219.

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 79


Plate 43 Punch-marked coin
(c. 410-400 BC) from the
Merh Tilla region, Gaibandha
Plate 44 Coin of Kumaragupta I
(c. 415-455 AD) from the
Merh Tilla region, Gaibandha
Plate 45 Coin of Kumaragupta I
(c. 415-455 AD) from the
Merh Tilla region, Gaibandha
Plate 48 Stone altar at
Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon
80 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
(c. 410-400 BC)18 (Plate 43) and two silver coins of Kumaragupta I (c. 415-455 AD) (Plates
44-45) are reported from Shahebganj.19 It is a matter of great pity that the site has
been nearly completely destroyed. The features of the unearthed structure represent a
Buddhist vihara of the 8th-12th centuries AD.
Jagaddala Vihara
Jagaddala Vihara (25°09’32.19’’ N 88°53’15.19’’ E) is situated about 3km to the north-east
of Hatitakidanga Bazar on the Joypurhat-Dhamoirhat highway of Dhamoirhat upazila
in Naogaon district. The site is locally known as Vata Krisna Rajar Bari. Paharpur Vihara
is only 10 km north-west from this site. Jagaddala Mahavihara has been mentioned by
Sandhyakara Nandi in his Ramacharitam of the 12th century AD. A rectangular (105 m ×
85 m) Buddhist vihara has been unearthed here through excavations (Figure 12) (Plates
46-47).20 The layout of 28 cells has been traced. A stone altar (Plate 48) has been found in
these cells and in the adjacent veranda for setting icons. Stone doorsills (Plate 49) have
also been found in every entrance to the cells and the veranda. The vihara has some
unique architectural features which have never been found in other vihara architecture
in Bangladesh. There is a massive round tower (Plates 50-51) at each corner of this vihara.
The outer perimeter of the towers is 25.90 m. On the inner side, there is a room of 3.68
m diameter. There are also some petal shaped rooms in the corner of the west wing.
The main entrance of the vihara was at the east wing. A shrine (Plate 52) has been
found in the west wing. The inner structure faced east and consisted of a sanctum
in the backside and a six-pillared hallway or ante-chamber (mandapa) at the front.
Plate 46 Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon before excavation
18 Bulbul Ahmed and Noorul Islam, ‘Silver Punch-marked Coin from Shahebganj, Gaibandha District: Numismatic Study’ in Nazimuddin Ahmed
Commemoration Volume, Syed Mahmudul Hasan (ed.) (Islamic Art Organization Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2011), pp. 413-425.
19 Bulbul Ahmed, “Documentation of Gupta Coins found in Bangladesh” (Research Project Report, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar
University, Savar, Dhaka, 2009-2010).
20 Md. Abul Hasem Miah, “Archaeological Excavations at Jagaddala Vihara: A Preliminary Report”, Journal of Bengal Art, vol. 8, 2003, pp. 147-166.
RF 1 : 1235.29

Figure 12 Ground plan of Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon

Plate 49 Stone doorsill of a cell of

Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon

Plate 50 Rounded corner tower (side view)

Plate 47 Ruins of Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon of Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 81


Plate 51 Rounded corner tower
(top view) of Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon
Plate 52 Ruins of Jagaddala
Vihara Shrine, Naogaon
Plate 53 Khadirvani Tara
(c. 11th-12th centuries AD) from
Jagaddala Vihara, Naogaon
82 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
A pradakshina patha surrounds the shrine. The walls in the north, west and south besides
the pradakshina patha have one ornamented niche (kulungi) each. Every niche has a
pedestal for keeping an icon. The main icon possibly was kept at the sanctum. There
is another small shrine at the centre of the south wing. The shrine extends beyond the
wall. The excavation work is not yet complete. Extensive excavations are needed to find
more about the actual architectural pattern of the total complex. A good number of
stone sculptures21 including Khadirvani Tara (Plate 53), Tara, Hevajra, Visnu, two stone
pillars with inscriptions, terracotta plaques, a broken small bronze bell etc. have been
discovered from the site.
Jagaddala Vihara had some international affiliations. A number of Buddhist scholars
such as Bibhutichandra, Danasila, Mokshakaragupta and Subhakaragupta belonged to
this vihara and there are evidence of Tibetan translations of Sanskrit texts being actually
prepared at Jagaddala Vihara.22 The scholars of this vihara not only wrote on religious
texts but also made considerable contribution to the development of secular Sanskrit
literature, particularly poetry. Vidyakara, the compiler of Subhasitaratnakosa, was a
scholar of this famous vihara. On the basis of Sandhyakara Nandi’s Ramacharitam and
other antiquities found here it is assumed that Jagaddala Vihara was established by the
Pala King Ramapala (c. 1082-1124 AD).
Besides these sites, there are a number of other Buddhist sites situated in the Pundra-
Varendra region. Among these sites Biharoil in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi district,
Shalibahan Rajar Dhibi at village Arhole in Kharol upazila of Bogra district, Arun Dhap
at Chal Zinaid village in Nawabganj upazila, Sandalpur in Birampur upazila and Domile
in Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur district are noteworthy. In 1922-23, Dikshit partially
excavated a mound at Biharoil and unearthed the ruins of a vihara with a courtyard
at the centre.23 The site has been damaged by regular brick hunting and now it is not
possible to make any assumption about the features of this vihara. It might have been
established before the 5th century AD. In 1984-85, the Department of Archaeology,
Government of Bangladesh conducted a small scale excavation at Arun Dhap and
traced a Buddhist vihara. Through this excavation the four cardinal points and parts of
the east, west and north wings of a rectangular vihara (52.72 m × 32.80 m) have been
unearthed.24 In 2004-2005 the Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh
has conducted excavation at Shalibahan Rajar Bari in Kahalu upazila of Bogra district.
The incomplete excavation unearthed the ruins of a few cells, cell wall, veranda and a
floor of a vihara.25 The sites Sandalpur in Birampur upazila and Domile in Nawabganj
upazila of Dinajpur district were excavated by Swadhin Sen in 2007-2008. A stupa (Plate
54) has been unearthed at Sandalpur.26 At Domile, three viharas (Plate 55) and a small
21 See Iconographical Survivals part of this book for details.
22 Niharranjan Roy, Bangalir Itihas : Adiparba (in Bangla) (Dey’s Publishing, Kolkata, 1993, 2nd edition), p. 524.
23 KN Dikshit, Excavation and Research– Estern Circle, Bengal in Archaeological Survey of India Annual Report 1921-1922 (Archaeological Survey
of India, Delhi, 1923), pp. 107-108.
24 Md. Moshrraf Hossain, Pratnatattva: Udvav o Bikas (in Bangla) (Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1998), pp. 220-222.
25 Md. Shafiqul Alam and Lovely Yasmin, “Shalibahan Rajar Bari” (in Bangla) Pratnacharchha, vol. 1, not dated, pp. 9-11.
26 Personal communication with the excavator Swadhin Sen in 2014.
 Plate 54 Ruins of a stupa at Sandalpur in Birampur, Dinajpur

chaitya (Plate 56) have been excavated.27 Sayed Muhammad Kamrul Ahsan and Swadhin
Sen have carried out excavations at Itakura Dhibi under Ranagaon union in Bochaganj
upazila of Dinajpur district in 2015 and unearthed the ruins of a Buddhist temple and
13 stupas including 4 saririka stupas.28 The excavation reports of these sites have not yet
been published. Therefore, detailed features of these establishments are not known
to us. According to the excavator the establishments of Sandalpur and Domile could
be dated c. 7th-8th centuries AD. It should be mentioned here that besides these sites,
numerous sites of this region are assumed to be of Buddhist origin. Among them,
Batha Tala/Jhaljholi in Birganj upazila of Dinajpur district, Lohanipara-Chaprakot Mound
in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur district, Nowda-Rohanpur in Gomostaput upazila in
Nawabganj district and Agradigun Mound in Dhamurhat of Naogaon district etc. are
Plate 55 Ruins of Domile Vihara at
very much promise of further understanding of the Buddhist past of this region.29 Future Nawabganj, Dinajpur
excavation will, hopefully bring more details of these sites to light.

Itakhola Mura

Itakhola Mura (23°26’20.09’’ N 91°07’45.43’’ E) is located at the Lalmai-Mainamati region

in Comilla district. It served for a long time as a quarry for ancient bricks, hence the name.
Excavations have yielded a shrine complex (Figure 13) and an attached vihara (Figure
14) situated 42m to the north of the shrine.30 The shrine (Plates 57-58) was originally
built on a square shaped basement (13.1 m × 13.1 m). A small sanctum (2.4 m × 2.1
m) was built at the centre of its eastern or front side. Here a damaged life-sized stucco

27 Personal communication with the excavator Swadhin Sen in 2014.

28 http://www.kalerkantho.com/online/country-news/2015/07/27/249193 [Accessed: 4 August 2015]
29 AKM Zakariah, The Archaeological Heritage of Bangladesh (Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2011), pp. 111, 189-190, 342-345, 334. Plate 56 Ruins of a chaitya at Domile Vihara
30 Habibur Rahman, Itakhola Vihara (in Bangla) (Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1992), p. 14. in Nawabganj, Dinajpur

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 83

 image of Aksobhya (Plate 59) was found in situ.31 Subsequently, the shrine was enlarged
and elaborated by additions and alterations, especially by the addition of three long
narrow chapels similar to Rupban Mura shrine, in the eastern side after blocking the old
sanctum; thus giving the structure an oblong shape (41.4 m × 24 m). This establishment
is surrounded by a wide pradakshina patha and is enclosed by a boundary wall. This
shrine zone is again enclosed within a much larger boundary wall with panel design.
It contains three interesting subsidiary shrines, two in two corners of the eastern side,
and the other, at the back in the west. An elaborate entrance with 22 broad steps was
at the centre of the eastern side (Plate 60). Five votive stupas, semi-cruciform in shape
lie at the base of the long staircase. The vihara (39.17 m × 39.17 m) was constructed

RF 1 : 1118.4

Plate 57 Itakhola Mura Shrine at

Mainamati, Comilla before excavation

Figure 13 Ground plan of Itakhola Mura Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 58 Ruins of Itakhola Mura Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 59 Aksobhya (c. 8th -9th centuries AD) (in situ)
at Itakhola Mura Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla 31 See Iconographical Survivals part of this book for details.

84 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

around an open courtyard (Plate 61) on a separate hillock on the north of the shrine.
There are 19 cells and one entrance hall with following veranda. Some of the cells have
brick-built bedsteads. The entrance with two guardrooms was at the centre of the east
wing. Besides the in situ stucco image of Aksobhya, notable antiquities discovered form
this site are a copperplate inscription, three gold balls (19 tolas/221.616 gm), coins, six
bronze images, beads and broken terracotta plaques have been unearthed through
excavations.32

RF 1 : 712.18 First Phase Second Phase

Figure 14 Ground plan of Itakhola Mura Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 60 Ruins of the gateway of

Itakhola Mura Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 61 Ruins of Itakhola Mura Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 62 Rupban Mura Shrine at
32 Habibur Rahman, Itakhola Vihara (in Bangla) (Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1992), p. 32. Mainamati, Comilla before excavation

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 85


Plate 64 Ruins of Rupban Mura Vihara at
Mainamati, Comilla
Plate 66 Corbelled roof
(c. late 6th/early 7th -12th centuries AD)
(outside view) of Rupban Mura Shrine, Comilla
(reconstructed on the basis of distinct evidence)
Plate 67 Corbelled roof
(c. late 6th/early 7th -12th centuries AD)
(inside view) of Rupban Mura Shrine, Comilla
(reconstructed on the basis of distinct evidence)
86 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
The shrine may reasonably be dated to the middle of the 7th century AD.33 It seems that
the shrine represents the earliest period of Buddhist activities at the Lalmai-Mainamati
region, much before the cruciform shape became the fashion. But the vihara might have
been constructed much later– in the 10th century AD.34
Rupban Mura
Rupban Mura (23°26’11.17’’ N 91°07’45.22’’ E) is located on a hillock in between the
Bangladesh Academy of Rural Development and Border Guard Bangladesh establishment
at the Lalmai-Mainamati region of Comilla district. A semi-cruciform shrine (28.2 m × 28
m) (Plates 62-63), a rectangular vihara (35 m × 26 m) (Plate 64) and some other subsidiary
structures have been discovered here through excavations (Figure 15) (Plate 65).35 Like
the Itakhola Mura shrine a group of three long narrow chapels was built in the eastern
(front) side of the shrine. What is especially noteworthy is that a small part of corbelled
roof (Plates 66-67) of the western chapel of the semi-cruciform shrine was traced by the
excavators during excavation. This is the first time that the roof of an ancient building
in Bangladesh has been traced. A boundary wall within the oblong stupa courtyard
encloses all these structures. Its regular entrance is to the east, facing the entrance of
the separately built vihara.
RF 1 : 875
First Phase Second Phase Third Phase Fourth Phase
Figure 15 Ground plan of Rupban Mura Vihara and Shrine complex at Mainamati, Comilla
33 Abu Imam, Excavations at Mainamati: An Exploratory Study (The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka, 2000), p. 65.
34 Abu Imam, Excavations at Mainamati: An Exploratory Study (The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka, 2000), p. 65.
35 Md. Shafiqul Alam, Md. Tofael Ahmed Dewan, Muhammad Abdul Quadir and Md. Abul Hashem Miah, Excavation at Rupban Mura, Mainamati,
Comilla (Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2000), pp. 7-17.
 Plate 63 Ruins of Rupban Mura Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

The vihara is rectangular (35 m × 26 m) in shape and only 30 m south-east to the shrine.
There are 24 cells of different shapes. Each cell contains an open veranda which runs
around the entire courtyard. A broad corbelled drain was built in the courtyard to drain
out rainwater. There is a stair case at the north-east side probably to climb to the roof.
The central entrance is at the centre of the north wing with a guardroom on each side.
Significant discoveries from the site are a colossal stone Buddha (Plate 68), two miniature
bronze images, five debased gold coins of Balabhatta, three Harikela silver coins, a hoard
of bronze ingots and a large number of terracotta plaques. The architectural remains

Plate 68 Buddha (c. 7th century AD) from

Plate 65 Ruins of Rupban Mura Vihara and Shrine complex at Mainamati, Comilla Rupban Mura at Mainamati, Comilla

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 87

 and other antiquities discovered from this site indicate that the Buddhist establishment
of Rupban Mura may be dated to very late 6th/ early 7th to 12th centuries AD.

Kutila Mura

Kutila Mura (23°27’28.77’’ N 91°07’24.17’’ E) stands on top of the highest mound in

the north-eastern part of the Lalmai ridge of the Lalmai-Mainamati region of Comilla
district; about 3.2 km south of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. The site boasts of the
most attractive monument of this region. A complex of 12 stupas and 3 chaitya halls have
been unearthed here through excavations (Figure 16).36 The three main stupas (Plate 69)
here stand north-south in a row. They represent the three jewels of Buddhism– Buddha
(knowledge), Dharma (morality) and Sangha (discipline). Therefore, it is popularly known
as Tri-ratna Stupa. Five ancient epigraphic records discovered in the Lalmai-Mainamati
region refer to two ratnatraya shrines in this region. It may reasonably be inferred that
the Kutila Mura establishment was one of them. These stuaps have the shape of early
tradition i.e. with circular drums and a hemispherical dome. The crowing harmikas and
finials are missing. The basements of the stupa are square in shape. The ground plan of
the central stupa was designed in the shape of dharmachakra– the ‘Wheel of Law’. There
are a base of nine small stupas behind the Tri-ratna Stupa. Only the basements of the
stupas exist now. There are three chaitya halls surrounded by pradakshina patha in front
of the east of the Tri-ratna Stupa. All these structures were enclosed by 85.34m wall from
north to south and 68.58 m wall from east to west. Beside the architectural remains,
innumerable tiny terracotta and clay votive stupas, sealings (Plate 70) and Buddhist
sculptures in soft local stone were found here during excavations.37 Although the whole
complex hasn’t been excavated yet, there is a possibility of the presence of a vihara
inside the complex. On the basis of architectural style and antiquities found here it can
be stated that the time of the beginning of the complex was nearly 7th century AD. The

Plate 69 Ruins of Kutila Mura Tri-ratna Stupa complex at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 70 Terracotta sealing depicting 36 M. Harunur Rashid, The Early History of South-East Bengal in the Light of Archaeological Material (Itihash Academy, Dhaka, 2008), pp. 73-76.
Buddhist creed and a stupa in the middle 37 M. Harunur Rashid, The Early History of South-East Bengal in the Light of Archaeological Material (Itihash Academy, Dhaka, 2008), pp. 60, 63,
from Kutila Mura, Comilla 144.

88 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 RF 1 : 1219.14

First Phase Second Phase Third Phase

Figure 16 Ground plan of Kutila Mura Tri-ratna

Stupa complex at Mainamati, Comilla

last phase dates perhaps to the 13th century AD, as indicated by a gold coin of Abbasid
Caliph Mustassim Billah (1242-1285 AD) recovered from upper level of the site.38 The
most significant issue is that this is the only example of tri-ratna stupa within not only
Bangladesh but also in the entire subcontinent.

Ananda Vihara

Ananda Vihara (23°26’57.41’’ N 91°07’46.67’’ E) is the largest archaeological site in the

Lalmai-Mainamati region of Comilla district. The site is locally known as Ananda Rajar
Prasad. Hundreds of thousands of bricks were looted from the site during the World
War II. The incomplete excavation revealed the outlines of a large vihara (198 m × 198 m)
(Figure 17) and the central shrine (Figure 18) (Plate 71) in the open courtyard.39 The shrine
shows six construction periods.40 During the first and second period it was in cruciform
shape (55.95 m × 55.95 m). But in later periods it became rectangular due to several
reconstructions. The main entrance is at the centre of the north wing. The massive outer
wall of the vihara has offset decorations and mouldings. The inner veranda wall is also
decorated with mouldings and ornamental bricks. The entrance had a hallway to enter
into the courtyard of the vihara. Only 90m east of Ananda Vihara, there is a large artificial
water body named Ananda Rajar Dighi. This pond might have been dug to meet the need
of water for the mendicants of the vihara.

38 Abu Imam, Excavations at Mainamati: An Exploratory Study (The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka, 2000), p. 54.
39 Md. Shafiqul Alam and Md. Abul Hashem Miah, Excavations at Ananda Vihara, Mainamati, Comilla 1979-82 (Department of Archaeology, Govern-
ment of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1999), pp. 4-12.
40 Md. Shafiqul Alam, Mizanur Rahman, Sadekuzzaman and Mujibur Rahman, “Pranatattatik Uthkhanan: Ananda Vihara” (in Bangla), Pratnocharcha,
vol. 4, December 2008, pp. 29-45.

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 89

 Plate 71 Ruins of Ananda Vihara Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

RF 1 : 3300 RF 1 : 1017.27

First Phase Second Phase Third Phase

First Phase Second Phase Third Phase
Fourth Phase Fifth Phase Sixth Phase Fourth Phase Fifth Phase Sixth Phase

Plate 72 Avalokitesvara
(c. 9th-10th centuries AD) from Ananda Figure 17 Ground plan of Ananda Vihara Figure 18 Ground plan of Ananda Vihara Shrine
Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla at Mainamati, Comilla at Mainamati, Comilla

90 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

A huge number of antiquities have been discovered from the site such as fossil wood
tools of Neolithic feature, post-Gupta gold coin, a hoard of 63 silver coins, a copperplate
inscription of Bhavadeva (Calcutta Copperplate Inscription of Bhavadeva of Devaparvata),
semi-precious stone beads, a bronze Avalokitesvara (Plate 72) image, an eight-handed
bronze sculpture of Tara, terracotta sealings (Plate 73) and plaques (Plates 74-75). The
popular description of the vihara as Ananda Rajar Prasad enshrines suggests it was
established by Anandadeva (last quarter of of the 7th century AD), the third king of Deva
dynasty and father of Bhavadeva (end of the 7th or beginning of the 8th century AD).
However, it appears from the above mentioned inscription that it was completed by his
son Bhavadeva. The construction of the vihara probably took place during the 7th century
AD. The vihara might have been in use up to the 13th century AD.41

Salban Vihara

Salban Vihara (23°25’34.29’’ N 91°08’15.73’’ E) is located at the middle of the Lalmai-

Mainamati region of Comilla district. According to a terracotta sealing discovered here,
the actual name of the vihara is Sri Bhavadeva Mahavihara Arya Bhikshu Sanghasya. A
vihara arranged in four wings around a central shrine has been unearthed here through
excavations (Figure 19) (Plates 76-77).42 The central shrine (Plate 78) is not at the centre
of the complex; it is rather close to the north wing. The shrine shows six construction
periods. The remains of the first two periods are buried below the Period III cruciform Plate 73 Terracotta sealing depicting
Aksobhya from Ananda Vihara at
shrine built with the vihara as a single complex. The next two periods (IV and V) contain Mainamati, Comilla
interesting developments in the plan of the shrine. In these periods, the cruciform shrine
was reformed by an oblong one. Fully open, spacious and functional, it was much nearer
to a Hindu shrine. In the last phase it was built in an irregular and shoddy manner. A
stair path from the north leads to the entrance hall. The square shaped vihara (167.64 m
× 167.64 m) has 115 cells facing an inner courtyard around the central shrine. A 2.59 m
wide veranda is attached in front of the cell and it rounds four wings of the vihara. The
back wall of the vihara is 5.06m wide. The open courtyard has many subsidiary structures
like small shrines, votive stupa and a community dining place (?).The main entrance is in
the middle of the north wing and has a 22.5 m wide front facade. There are two outer
guardrooms to the entrance.
Plate 74 Terracotta plaque depicting
There is an interesting medium-sized shrine (Plate 79) in the north-western side of blue lotus from Ananda Vihara at
the entrance. It looks more like a classical shrine representing an individual style not Mainamati, Comilla

hitherto observed in any other Buddhist site in Bangladesh. This structure is of modest
proportions and has a columned terrace at the front on the eastern side. The square
nave in the centre is enclosed by solid brick walls. On the outer side, the structure is
enclosed by an pradakshina patha within a finely constructed wall alternating with a
colonnade of three decorated circular brick pillars in the middle of each side.

41 Md. Shafiqul Alam and Md. Abul Hashem Miah, Excavations at Ananda Vihara, Mainamati, Comilla 1979-82 (Department of Archaeology, Govern-
ment of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1999), p. 21. Plate 75 Terracotta plaque depicting
42 M. Harunur Rashid, The Early History of South-East Bengal in the Light of Archaeological Material (Itihash Academy, Dhaka, 2008), pp. 40-47. makara from Ananda Vihara at
Mainamati, Comilla

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 91

 RF 1 : 3048

Fiure 19 Ground plan of Salban Vihara complex at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 76 Salban Vihara at Mainamati,

Comilla before excavation Plate 77 Ruins of Salban Vihara complex (aerial view) at Mainamati, Comilla

92 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 78 Ruins of Salban Vihara Central Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 79 Ruins of a shrine in the north-western side of Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 93

 Plate 80 Ruins of two shrines and four stupas outside
of the Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 82 Row of terracotta plaques at

small cruciform shrine inside Salban Plate 81 Ruins of a small cruciform shrine inside
Vihara in Mainamati, Comilla of the Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

94 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Coin of Samudragupta (c. 335-380 AD) Coin of Chandragupta II (c. 385-414 AD)

Coin of Jivadharanarata (c. later half of the 7th century AD) Coin of Anandadeva (c. last quarter of the 7th century AD)

Plate 83 Coins from Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Two small shrines inside the vihara and a cluster of two shrines and four stupas outside
the vihara (Plate 80) have been unearthed through recent excavations.43 Among these
structures, a small shrine (Plate 81) located at the south-west corner of the central shrine
is noteworthy. It is cruciform in ground plan and ornamented with rows of beautiful
terracotta plaques at the plinth (Plate 82).

Besides the structural remains a large number of antiquities have been discovered from
the site. Among these are eight inscriptions, bronze and stone sculptures, about 400 gold
(Plate 83) and silver coins, terracotta plaques (Plates 84-89), seals and sealings, unbaked
clay tablets (Plate 90), relic caskets (Plate 91) and other minor antiquities.44 Six periods of
construction of the vihara have been identified through excavations. The earliest phase
belongs to the 6th-7th centuries AD. But the grand vihara together with the cruciform
central shrine was built by Bhavadeva, sometime in the end of the 7th or beginning of the
8th century AD.45 The latest phase of the site belongs to the 13th century AD.46

43 Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Sadekuzzaman and Md. Mujibur Rahman, “Chattagram Anchalik Parichalak Officer Autadhin 2008-2009 Artho Bachare
Sampadito Kajer Protibedan” (in Bangla), Pratnocharcha, vol. 5, 2014, pp. 11-31.
44 M. Harunur Rashid, The Early History of South-East Bengal in the Light of Archaeological Material (Itihash Academy, Dhaka, 2008), pp. 85-147.
45 M. Harunur Rashid, The Early History of South-East Bengal in the Light of Archaeological Material (Itihash Academy, Dhaka, 2008), p. 47.
46 Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Sadekuzzaman and Md. Mujibur Rahman, “Chattagram Anchalik Parichalak Officer Autadhin 2008-2009 Artho Bachare
Sampadito Kajer Protibedan” (in Bangla), Pratnocharcha, vol. 5, 2014, p. 11.

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 95

 Plate 84 Terracotta plaque depicting Plate 85 Terracotta plaque depicting deer
dharmachakra from Salban Vihara from Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla
at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 90 Unbaked clay tablet depicting

eight-handed Tara or Chunda from
Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 86 Terracotta plaque depicting kinnari from Plate 87 Terracotta plaque depicting amorous couple
Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla from Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 89 Terracotta plaque depicting fight between

Plate 88 Terracotta plaque depicting warrior from mongoose and snake from Salban Vihara at
Plate 91 Bronze relic casket from Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla
Salban Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla Mainamati, Comilla

96 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

Latikot Mura

Latikot Mura (23°26’19.37’’ N 91°07’53.19’’ E) is situated only 125 m east of Itakhola Mura
at the Lalmai-Mainamati region in Comilla district. Excavations have revealed the ruins
of a vihara of rectangular (north wing 47.25m, 48.16m south wing; east and west 44.80 m
each) ground plan (Figure 20) (Plate 92).47 There are 33 cells of same size (3.05 m × 3.05
m) with a running veranda facing the inner courtyard. The main entrance which has been
badly damaged has been indentified at the centre of the north wing. A separate square
platform (4.57 m × 4.57 m) with a cell (2.13 m × 2.13 m) was built in the east wing. These
structures are enclosed by a brick wall. This cell probably was used as mandapa. No key
antiquities have been found from excavations at this site, except for a few potsherds and
storage pots. The brick size and other characteristics of the vihara suggest that it was
probably constructed at around 8th century AD.48

Plate 92 Ruins of Latikot Mura Vihara

at Mainamati, Comilla RF 1 : 1120

47 Md. Shafiqul Alam and Lovely Yasmin, “Shalibahan Rajar Bari” (in Bangla), Pratnacharchha, vol. 1, not dated, pp. 12-14. Figure 20 Ground plan of Latikot Mura
48 Md. Shafiqul Alam and Lovely Yasmin, “Shalibahan Rajar Bari” (in Bangla), Pratnacharchha, vol. 1, not dated, p. 14. Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 97

 Bhoja Vihara (Bhoja Rajar Prasad)

Bhoja Vihara (23°26’31.48’’ N 91°07’53.43’’ E) is located at the centre of the Lalmai-

Mainamati region of Comilla district. This site is locally known as Bhoja Rajar Prasad. It is
the 3rd largest vihara in the Mainamati region, next to Ananda Vihara and Salban Vihara.
A huge water tank lies outward of the east wing of the vihara. This site was extensively
damaged by brick hunters during the World War II. A square vihara (137.2 m × 137.2 m)
with a large cruciform shrine (34 m × 34 m) at the centre of its open courtyard (Figure 21)
(Plate 93) has been unearthed through excavation.49 Its sanctum was sanctified by double
pradakshina patha. A wing of the vihara has been partially unearthed. Evidence suggests
that there were 13 cells for the mendicants in the south wing. Preliminary assumption
is there were at least 122 cells in this vihara. Huge amount of potsherd were laid near
the east wing which indicate the presence of a kitchen. Excavations here are still in the
initial stage and much remains in the open courtyard to be uncovered. The only entrance
to the vihara was in the middle of the north wing. It was erected in a wide front facade.

RF 1 : 1715

First Phase Second Phase Third Phase

Figure 21 Ground plan of Bhoja Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 94 Vajrasattva (c. 9th-10th centuries AD) from

Bhoja Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla 49 MA Qadir, ‘Recent Excavations’, in Mainamati-Devaparvata, ABM Hossain (ed.) (Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1997). pp. 122-123.

98 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 93 Ruins of Bhoja Vihara Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

A giant bronze image of Vajrasattva (1.41 m × 1.20 m × 67 cm) (Plate 94), two medium-
sized soft grey shale plaques delineating Aksobhya and Amitabha (Plate 95), terracotta
plaques etc. have been discovered from the site. The site might have belonged to the
9th-10th centuries AD.50

Rani Mainamatir Prasad

Rani Mainamatir Prasad (23°29’46.94’’ N 91°06’27.70’’ E) is the northernmost site in the

Lalmai-Mainamati region of Comilla district. Though the structure was supposed to be
a secular architecture like a palace but excavations have confirmed it as a large shrine
surrounded by a massive courtyard and rectangular boundary wall (Figure 22). The
structure is at the centre of the courtyard (Plates 96-98). Like most of the shrines of
this region, the structure’s first phase was constructed in a cruciform shape. Later the
cruciform shrine was transformed into a rectangular one. It is still not clear if there was
vihara for the mendicants within the boundary wall. The massive boundary wall of 3m
wide shows that there was a very important structure here. But inadequate excavation
work has not yet given us the opportunity to find out more about the edifice. Some
identical terracotta plaques (Plate 99) have been recovered through excavations from
the site which provide some pictures of the rural life of the time the vihara was in use.51
On the basis of architectural ruins and the context of the site, the site may be placed in
the 11th-13th centuries AD.52

50 Abu Imam, Excavations at Mainamati: An Exploratory Study (The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka, 2000), p. 102.
51 Tofael Ahmed Dewan, “Ranir Banglo Dhibite Samprati Abishkrito Poramatir Falok” (in Bangla), Pratnocharcha, vol. 2, 2008, pp. 75-80.
Plate 95 Amitabha (c. 8th-9th centuries AD)
52 Md. Mosarraf Mossain, Mainamati-Lalmai: Anecdote to History (Dibyaprakash, Dhaka, 2006), pp. 49-51. from Bhoja Vihara at Mainamati, Comilla

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 99

 RF 1 : 600

First Phase Second Phase Third Phase Fourth Phase

Figure 22 Ground plan of Rani Mainamatir

Prasad Shrine at Mainamati, Comilla

Plate 96 Rani Mainamatir Prasad at

Mainamati, Comilla before excavation

Plate 99 Terracotta plaque depicting a

farmer plowing land by two bulls from Rani Plate 97 Ruins of Rani Mainamatir Prasad Shrine
Mainamatir Prasad at Mainamati, Comilla at Mainamati, Comilla

100 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 98 Ruins of Rani Mainamatir Prasad Shrine (top view) at Mainamati, Comilla

Rajasan Dhibi

Rajasan Dhibi (23°50’52.75’’ N 90°16’03.29’’ E) is located about 1km east of Savar Bazar
Bus Stand of Dhaka district and also to the east of Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad. The
site bears evidences of the existence of a Buddhist vihara here. In 1913 an excavation of
casual nature was carried out in one of the five mounds of the site by Babu Harendra Nath
Ghosh, the Headmaster of a local high school. Birendra Nath Basu and Durga Prasanna
Ray Chowdhury collected two doubtful brick inscriptions from two men of Rajasan
village during their tour of Savar in 1913. Then in 1926 the site was again excavated
by RD Banerji of the Archaeological Survey of India. Foundations and plinths of some
structures (Plate 100) and a number of terracotta slabs with representations of pancha-
Tathagata and Bodhisattva in different asanas (Plate 101) were unearthed through
this excavation. They include a large pillar base, door jambs and lintels impressed with
figures of Bodhisattvas in different mudras. It appears that in the absence of stone in
the area, the architect experimented with terracotta as a substitute for making various
architectural elements. The site is at present being used for domestic and commercial
purpose (Plate 102). Beside the terracotta slabs, the other significant finds from the site
are post-Gupta gold coins. The site might be dated to the 6th-11th centuries AD on the Plate 101 Terracotta slab (c. 7th-8th centuries AD)
depicting pancha-Tathagata along with Bodhisattvas
basis of findings and the context. from Rajasan Dhibi at Savar, Dhaka

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 101


Plate 102 Rajasan Dhibi at Savar,
Dhaka at present
Plate 103 Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad
at Savar, Dhaka before excavation
102 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
Plate 100 Ruins of Rajasan Dhibi Vihara at Savar, Dhaka
(NK Bhattasali standing on the excavated remains, 1926)
Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad
Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad (23°50’48.25’’ N 90°15’45.36’’ E) is located only ½ km east
of Savar Bazar Bus Stand of Dhaka district around 26 km from Dhaka. A solid brick stupa
and a medium type vihara have been unearthed through excavations (Figure 23).53 This
complex was built through three construction periods. The stupa (Plates 103-105) has
a wide pradakshina patha around the medhi. The medhi was 26.21 m × 26.61 m and
the pradakshina patha was 4.41 m wide. There were four platforms from four main
quadrangles for entry into the main podium. In the 2nd period of construction, the main
podium was enlarged. As a result the pradakshina patha narrowed down to 1.21 m. The
enlargement of podium misplaced all three platforms except one at the south. In the 3rd
construction period, the medhi adjoining the with outer wall created the platform shape
of an Ekabingshathi Rath. The vihara is almost square (55.77 m × 55.47 m) (Plate 106)
and stands on the south of the stupa. There is an open running veranda in front of the
rows of cell. The floor of the cells is made of brick dust of 10-14 cm thickness. Notable
finds from this site include one post-Gupta gold coin, one Harikela silver coin and a few
bronze sculptures. The architectural features and antiquities indicate that the Buddhist
establishment of Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad was from the 6th-11th centuries AD.54
53 Md. Moshrraf Hossain, Pratnatattva: Udvav o Bikas (in Bangla) (Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1998), pp. 196-199.
54 Md. Moshrraf Hossain, Personality of Bangladesh (Bijoy Prakash, Dhaka, 2007), p. 49.
RF 1 : 587.05

Figure 23 Ground plan of Raja Harish Chandraer Prasad Vihara

and Shrine complex at Savar, Dhaka

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 103

 Plate 104 Ruins of Raja Harish Chandraer
Prasad Shrine at Savar, Dhaka

Raja Harish Chandraer Buruj

Raja Harish Chandraer Buruj (23°51’21.29’’ N 90°15’41.26’’ E) is situated only a few metres
east of the Radio Colony Bus Stand of Savar upazila of Dhaka district on the Dhaka-Aricha
high way. This site is locally known as Dagar Mura. It was discovered in 1982 while an iron
rerolling factory was being set up on the site. It was a complex of a small vihara and a
stupa.55 Unfortunately, the vihara was completely destroyed in the process of setting the
factory. The Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh carried out a rescue
excavation here in 1983-84 and unearthed a small stupa (10.60 m × 10.60 m) (Plate 106). It
is a solid cruciform shaped stupa with twelve angles. The height of the renovated stupa is
about 2 m. No mentionable antiquities have been discovered from the site. On the basis
of the existing features the site may be dated to the 7th to 8th centuries AD.

Besides these excavated sites, a good number of structural sites which are assumed
to be Buddhist await excavation in the Lalmai-Mainamati region. Among them Kotbari
Mura, Bairagir Mura, Rupban Kanyar Mura, Pucca Mura, Bardhan Rajar Mura etc. are
mentionable. In recent time Sufi Mostafizur Rahman has conducted excavations at a
number of sites in Narshingdi and Munshiganj districts.56

Plate 105 Ruins of Raja Harish Chandraer 55 MM Hoque, SMK Ahsan and SSM Rahman, “Pre-Muslim Settlement and Chronology of Savar Region”, Pratnatattava, vol. 3, 1996, pp. 10-11.
Prasad Vihara at Savar, Dhaka 56 See Recent Discoveries part of this book for details.

104 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH

 Plate 106 Ruins of Raja Harish Chandraer
Buruj Stupa at Savar, Dhaka

Bharat Bhayna

Bharat Bhayna (22°50’59.15’’ N 89°20’55.48’’ E) is situated on the bank of river Buri-

Bhadra in Keshobpur upazilla of Jessore district. Local people believe that it was built by
the mythical King Bharat. Dikshit surveyed this site in 1922 and assumed it as a Buddhist
shrine of the 5th century AD and one of the thirty sangharamas of Samatata (the trans-
Meghna basin with the epicentre at Lalmai-Mainamati of Comilla, Bangladesh) described
by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century AD.

Bharat Bhayna was a high (12.20 m) extensive mound within a plain land before excavation
(Plate 107). The mound was badly damaged by brick hunters. Several structural remains
of bricks have been exposed in very much damaged condition through excavations
(Plate 108). The excavation work is not yet complete. However, these exposed structural
remains (Plate 109) are sufficient to suggest that it is a shrine of cruciform floor plan
(99.40 m × 95.40 m) (Figure 24).57 The structure has a series of blind cells of different
shapes. The main structure is 11.88 m in height and gradually raised by cross walls of
different dimensions and orientation. The square cellular structure consists of four
cells at the centre of the mound measuring 11.30 m × 11.30 m. There are three rows
of blind cells surrounding the central block. All together these cells create a rectangular
Plate 107 Bharat Bhayna at Keshobpur,
57 Md. Abu Musa, “A Prototype Cruciform Temple of the Buddhist Pantheon in Bangladesh”, Journal of Bengal Art, vol. 4, 1999, p. 390. Jessore before excavation

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 105


Plate 108 Bharat Bhayna at Keshobpur,
Jessore during excavation
106 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
RF 1 : 801.61
Figure 24 Ground plan Bhaarat Bhayna Shrine at Keshobpur, Jessore
shape with projected arms containing 3-4 cells that create the cruciform shape. At the
base of the cruciform structure, there is a pradakshina patha surrounding the cruciform
configuration.
Besides the architectural remains, one terracotta human head of Gupta era, fragments of
some terracotta figurines, a few earthen oil lamps, some fragmented ornamental bricks,
two pieces of brick with foot print etc. have been unearthed during excavations. Besides
these excavated finds, fragments of two terracotta plaques were recovered in 2002 from
a pond and its bank in the vicinity of Bharat Bhayna which deserve special mention for
 Plate 109 Ruins of Bharat Bhayna Shrine at Keshobpur, Jessore

their huge dimension. The fragmented parts of one terracotta plaque indicate that the
complete plaque might have been around 1.42 m in height and 76 cm in width (Plate
110). The other might be around 1.54 m tall. These are probably the largest plaques ever
found not only in Bangladesh but also in Eastern India. Since the major portion of both
the plaques is missing, their detailed features could not be ascertained. The excavated
finds suggest that the site might have been developed in the 5th century AD.58

Bathbhita

Bathbhita (23°24’ N 89°22’ E) is located at village Tilla in Magura Sadar upazila of Magura
district. The Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh found this site in
1994-95 and carried out trail excavations in 2004-2005.59 The limited scale excavations
yielded a small part of a Buddhist vihara (Figure 25) (Plates 111-112). Only seven cells
have been unearthed through the excavations. It seems that the vihara was north facing.
The shrine was at the middle of the excavated wing. Excavation have yielded a number
of antiquities related to Buddhism, such as a few terracotta votive stupas.60 Besides,
two terracotta heads have also been found at the site (Plate 113). The site represents
two occupational periods. The first period belongs to the Early Historic Period (c. 2nd/1st
century BC) which is justified by the discovery of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)

58 Md. Abu Musa, “A Prototype Cruciform Temple of the Buddhist Pantheon in Bangladesh”, Journal of Bengal Art, vol. 4, 1999, p. 399.
59 Md. Mosharraf Hossain, ‘Bathvitai Protnoutkhanon: Math Parjaivittik ekti Parzalochona’ (in Bangla) in Centenary Commemorative Volume, Alamgir
Muhammad Serajuddin et al. (ed.), (Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka, 2013), p. 286. Plate 110 Terracotta plaque (fragmented)
60 Md. Mosharraf Hossain, ‘Bathvitai Protnoutkhanon: Math Parjaivittik ekti Parzalochona’ (in Bangla) in Centenary Commemorative Volume, Alamgir from the bank of a pond near Bharat
Muhammad Serajuddin et al. (ed.) (Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka, 2013), p. 293. Bhayna at Keshobpur, Jessore

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 107


Plate 111 Bathbhita at Magura Sadar,
Magura before excavation
Plate 113 Terracotta heads from
Bathbhita at Magura Sadar, Magura
108 BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH
RF 1 : 385.33
Figure 25 Ground plan Bathbhita Vihara at Magura Sadar, Magura
and Rouletted Ware from the site through excavation. The second period is dated from
12th/13th to 16th centuries AD and the vihara belonged to this period.61 It indicates that
after the disappearance of Buddhism from the Pundra-Varendra and Lalmai-Mainamati
regions in the 12th/13th century AD, it continued in a small scale in the South-Western
region of Bangladesh till the 16th century AD.
Buddhism did not spread in the South-Western region of Bangladesh to the extent that it
did in the Pundra-Varendra and the Lalmai-Mainamati regions during the ancient period.
Only a few ancient Buddhist sites are traced in this region. Besides Bharat Bhayna
and Bathbhita, the other notable Buddhist sites in this region are Murali-Kashba and
Gaurighona in Jessore district; Agra-Kopilmuni in Khulna district and Amdhah in Meherpur
district.62 Archaeological explorations and excavations are required to understand the
nature of these sites.
There are a lot of indications of Buddhist establishments in the Chittagong region during
the ancient period. Jhewari at Deyang Pahar in Anwara upazila of Chittagong district
and Ramkot of Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar district may be mentioned in this respect.
Sixty-six ancient bronze sculptures of Buddhist faith, one Buddhist shrine, one stupa
and three broken sculptures were discovered from Jhewari. Among the 66 sculptures,
59 are now preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, five are in the Asutosh Museum
of Indian Art, Kolkata (Plate 114) and the remaining two are in the Victoria and Albert
Museum, Mumbai.63 Besides these sculptures, there are some other Buddhist sculptures
found at Deyang Pahar at various times and preserved in the Chittagong Buddhist
Vihara.64 Several scholars tried to identity Jhewari with Pandit Vihara, the ancient vihara
61 Md. Mosharraf Hossain, ‘Bathvitai Protnoutkhanon: Math Parjaivittik ekti Parzalochona’ (in Bangla) in Centenary Commemorative Volume, Alamgir
Muhammad Serajuddin et al. (ed.) (Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka, 2013), p. 291.
62 AKM Zakariah, The Archaeological Heritage of Bangladesh (Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2011), pp. 438-339, 441-442, 462, 394-395.
63 Asok K Bhattacharya, Jhewari Bronze Buddhas: A Study in History and Style (Indian Museum, Kolkata, 1989), p. 3.
64 Jinabodhi Bhikkhu and Kankon Kanti Barua, ‘Prachin Bidhyapith Pandit Vihara o Jhewari’ (in Bangla) in Centenary Commemorative Volume,
Alamgir Muhammad Serajuddin et al. (ed.) (Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka, 2013), pp. 383-384.
 Plate 112 Ruins of Bathbhita Vihara at Magura Sadar, Magura

mentioned in various Buddhist traditions.65 There are ruins of quite a few monuments
also in Ramkot. The site was in all probability a Buddhist vihara of ancient period. But it is
very unfortunate that the site has almost disappeared. Future archaeological excavations
will shed bring light on these significant Buddhist sites.
Bulbul Ahmed
Mohammad Abu Al Hasan
Md. Amiruzzaman
Md. Ataur Rahman
Khandokar Mahfuz Alam

Plate 114 Aksobhya

65 Jinabodhi Bhikkhu and Kankon Kanti Barua, ‘Prachin Bidhyapith Pandit Vihara o Jhewari’ (in Bangla) in Centenary Commemorative Volume, (c. 10th-11th centuries AD)
Alamgir Muhammad Serajuddin et al. (ed.) (Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka, 2013), p. 378. from Jhewari hoard, Chittagong

BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF BANGLADESH 109

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