One of the most iconic and historic places in Bangladesh is the 1600-year-old city “Mahasthangarh”- situated 13 kilometre north to Bogra town.

It is called the “oldest known city” of Bangladesh. Each of its bricks represents the history of ancient and medieval Bengal.

After a four-hour journey from Dhaka, we reached Bogra at 11:00am earlier this month. The city is not as tranquil and sleepy as Dinajpur. Busy rickshaws, human haulers and four-stroke taxis will remind you of bustling Dhaka. We hired a three-wheeler loc named Tomtom to go to our destination -- Mahasthangarh.

In its golden years, Mahasthangarh was once known as Pundravardhana. From the archeological artifacts it is confirmed that the site was one of the most important cities of Mauryan, Gupta, Pala and later Hindu period.    

What to See:

The word Mahasthangarh stands for excellent sanctity and fort. Near about 1.5km long citadel walls that fortified heart of the ancient city contains several mounds and structural vestiges. Of these a few of notable structures inside the fort are: Jiat Kunda (well which, according to legends, has life giving power), Mankalir Dhap (place consecrated to Mankali), Parasuramer Basgriha (palace of a king named Parasuram), Bairagir Bhita (palace of a female anchorite), and Khodar Pathar Bhita (place of stone bestowed by God).

Hotels:

Hotel Akbaria

Phone: 01716-179982

Hotel Naaz Garden

Phone: 88-051- 62468, 66655

To know more watch the video story.