2,500-year-old relics found in Mahasthangarh

Archeologists have found 2,500-year-old relics along with various brick structures dating back to the Maurya, Shunga, Gupta and Paul eras at Mahasthangarh in Bogura. 

An 11-member joint Bangladesh-French team began excavations in Bairagi Vita at Mahasthangarh on November 9. In just a few days, the archeologists discovered a brick structure built dating back to more than 300 years BC (Before Christ). They have also found a number of brick structures built during the Shunga dynasty. 

Mojibur Rahman, an assistant director of the Department of Archeology and a member of the excavations team, said that in the process of the joint excavation the team came upon several brick structures built during the Maurya dynasty more than 2,300 years ago. At the same time, they have found some tiles from the Shunga era. 

Md Zahed, a member of the excavation team, said they have also found a brick-built well but could not ascertain yet as to when and by whom it was constructed. "No brick-built well was found in Mahasthangarh earlier. The bricks used in the well built on a unique architectural design were manufactured only for the well," he added. 

Mahasthan Museum custodian Razia Sultana, who is also part of the excavation team, said, "In this excavation, terracotta pots, beads, decorated bricks, glossy pieces of northern black pots and many other relics were found." 

She further said, "Mahasthangarh is now an archeological site where relics are found in every excavation. This time too we have found many things. The historical value of the items are enormous. I believe we will discover many important archeological relics if we continue the excavation."  

Coline Lefrancq, field director of the French team, said, "We have also found two-three imprinted copper coins."   

He noted, "We have found seven to eight wells in this excavation. Most of them are ancient. Initially, we believed that the wells were from the Gupta or Paul era." 

"Copper coins have been found in the top parts of the excavation. That is why it has been difficult for us to say exactly when the coins were used," said Coline Lefrancq. 

Dr Nahid Sultana, regional director (Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions) of the archeological department, said the excavations will continue for some more days. The first excavation took place in Bairagi Vita in 1928, headed by Indian Archeologist KN Dikkhit. At the time, different relics along with ancient structures were discovered.