Festival starts celebrating Bhitargarh's archaeological past

Archaeology offers a unique viewpoint on human history and culture that greatly contributes to the understanding of both the ancient and the recent past.

With a view to raising awareness among locals about historical importance of the country's ancient fort city Bhitargarh and developing public interest in preservation of the heritage, a seven-day Bhitargarh Utshab (festival) kicks off today at the archaeological site in Panchagarh Sadar upazila. 

The Centre for Archeological Studies (CAS) of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organised the event. 

Located about 16km north of Panchagarh, Bhitargarh is protected by four quadrangle walls made of earth and bricks -- each maintaining a considerable distance from another. Its outer walls accompanied by moats surrounding a 25-sq km area was part of ancient Kamrup state.

The festival will remain open for all from 11:00am to 3:00pm every day, featuring a photography exhibition, children's painting, debate, quiz competitions for the locals, Satya Pirer Gaan (a form of local drama), and cultural functions.   In this regard, a press briefing took place at Panchagarh Press Club on Thursday where Dr Shahnaj Husne Jahan, director of CAS at ULAB, spoke.  

Panchagarh Zila Parishad Chairman Amanullah Bachhu will inaugurate the event as chief guest and Sadar upazila Chairman Anwar Sadat Samrat as a special guest, said Shahnaj.    

Prof Imran Rahman, vice chancellor of ULAB, will also join the session.

Dr Shahnaj said a team of General Education Department of ULAB headed by her started an archaeological excavation in Bhitargarh in 2009. 

"The excavation brought to light some interesting features of post Gupta period structures at Bhitargarh. The team also found a cruciform temple of post Gupta period of 7th century AD along with other artefacts like copper and iron made objects and a black stone statue of goddess Manasa.   

"The city people maintained good business relations with Mohasthangarh city as well as different places in India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and some other South Asian countries through rivers," said Dr Shahnaj.

“Bhitargarh is on the verge of collapse, as locals are building structures within the site, violating the High Court's order imposing a suspension on all kinds of construction work in the area.” CAS is trying to engage the local inhabitants with the excavation, so they become susceptible to their own heritage, she said.