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UNEARTHING 8TH CENTURY

Buddhist vihar in Ctg
SIFAYET ULLAH, Ctg
Ruins of an ancient settlement, likely that of a renowned Buddhist vihar (educational institution), has been excavated in Biswamura area of Chattogram’s Karnaphuli upazila recently.
A team of the Department of Archeology found some brick-made walls and concrete floors beneath the earth after digging a chunk of Deyang hill in the area.
“The findings show that the area was inhabited dating back to between the 8th and 12th century,” said AKM Saifur Rahman, regional director of the archeology department in Chattogram.
“These bricks are similar to those found in Mahasthangarh, one of the archaeological sites in Bangladesh, in Shibganj upazila of Bogura,” he added.
During a recent visit to the spot, this correspondent observed that workers, under the supervision of two archaeologists, are digging to unearth the ancient structures.
“We have found some brick-made walls and concrete floors that are mostly intact,” said Niaz Makhdum, a research assistant of the archeology department.
“According to history, there used to be a renowned Buddhist educational institution named Pandit Vihar there in the 8th century,” Dr Jinabodhi Bhikkhu, a researcher and professor of Chittagong University.
The institution was one of the four prestigious universities and Buddhist monasteries of ancient India.
“The vihar was also rich with various invaluable artefacts from the Pala Dynasty,” Prof Jinabodhi also said, quoting a writing on Bangladesh’s Buddhist artefacts (from 4th to 12th century) of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, published in 1999.
“The artefacts are preserved in various museums around the country, which all were found from Deyang hill in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila many years ago,” he said.
“The structure of the vihar could be found if the area can be excavated and studied properly,” he claimed.
Faruk Chowdhury, chairman of Karnaphuli upazila parishad, said, “We are helping them with all our heart, as they are finding out about our rich history.”
Meanwhile, the team is preparing a report based on the findings for submission to the higher authority.
In a survey last year, the archeology department found evidence of ancient structures in the area. Following this, a team of the department, including 10 trained professionals, began excavation on September 16.
The first phase of the excavation activity will end by this October, said AKM Saifur Rahman.
“After research of the existing materials, we will decide our future plan on this site,” he added.
According to a research article, titled “Pandit Vihar: The Old University of Chittagong”, the institution was destroyed by shelling during the time of a battle when northern Chittagong came under Mughal reign in 1666. Over the years, extreme weather events gradually turned the site into ruins.
Dharmapala, the second king of Pala period in the 8th century, established 50 monasteries including the Pandit Vihar, according to the article.