Lesson 1/54 min
Mahasthangarh
In 1879 Sir Alexander Cunningham identified a ruin on the bank of the Karatoya in Bogura as ancient Pundranagara. In 1928–29 the first planned excavation began there under K. N. Dikshit.
Mahasthangarh at a glance
- Location: Bogura district, on the bank of the Karatoya river
- Ancient name Pundranagara; the ruins of ancient Pundravardhana
- Citing Banglapedia, the book calls it the oldest and biggest city site of Bangladesh
- Identified by Cunningham in 1879; first planned excavation 1928–29, K. N. Dikshit
- Finds from the Maurya and Gupta periods; an inscription in Brahmi script and Prakrit language, of the 3rd century BCE
- Notable scholars who visited: Buchanan Hamilton, O’Donnell, Westmacott, Cunningham
Sights and remains
- Shrine of Shah Sultan Balkhi; full name Hazrat Shah Sultan Ibrahim Balkhi Mahisawar (R.)
- Behula's Basar Ghar, Govinda Bhita and Jiyantakunda
- Bairagir Bhita and Govinda Bhita
- Bhasu (Basu) Vihara: ruins of a sanghārāma showing Gupta and Pala architectural styles; the book dates it to the 8th century; locals call it “Narapatir Dhap”
- Gokul Vihara is also at Mahasthangarh
Watch out: The book says the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came here in 638. Other sources place his visit in the mid-7th century, between 639 and 645; remember only “7th century”.
Check yourself
On which river is Mahasthangarh, and what is its ancient name?
At a glance
- 1
Mahasthangarh is in Bogura, on the Karatoya; ancient name Pundranagara (Pundravardhana).
- 2
Sir Alexander Cunningham identified the site in 1879; K. N. Dikshit excavated it in 1928–29.
- 3
A Brahmi inscription of the 3rd century BCE was found here.
- 4
The shrine of Shah Sultan Balkhi, Behula's Basar Ghar, Govinda Bhita and Bhasu Vihara are at Mahasthangarh.