Mahasthangarh

Quick Facts: Who was Mahasthangarh?

Subject:

Mahasthangarh

Known for:

Ancient urban archaeological site in Bangladesh, once known as Pundranagara.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site discovered so far in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj upazila of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana. A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script recording a land grant, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BCE. It was an important city under the Maurya Empire. The fortified area of the city was in use until the 8th century CE.

Career & Major Achievements

Mahasthan means a place that has excellent sanctity and garh means fort. Mahasthan was first mentioned in a 13th century Sanskrit text entitled Vallalcharita. It is also mentioned in an anonymous text Karatoya mahatmya, circumstantially placed in 12th–13th century. The same text also mentions two more names to mean the same place – Pundrakshetra, land of the Pundras, and Pundranagara, city of the Pundras. In 1685, an administrative decree mentioned the place as Mastangarh, a mixture of Sanskrit and Persian, meaning fortified place of an auspicious personage.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Subsequent discoveries have confirmed that the earlier name was Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura, and that the present name of Mahasthangarh is of later origin. Mahasthangarh (Pundranagar), the ancient capital of Pundravardhana, is located 11 km (6.8 mi) north of Bogra on the Bogra-Rangpur highway, with a feeder road (running along the eastern side of the ramparts of the citadel for 1.5 km) leading to Jahajghata and site museum. Buses are available for Bogra from Dhaka and take 41⁄2 hours for the journey via Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge across the Jamuna River. Accommodation is available at Bogra. It is believed that the city in the area was decided upon because it is one of the highest areas in Bangladesh.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1685: 1685 Milestone — In 1685, an administrative decree mentioned the place as Mastangarh, a mixture of Sanskrit and Persian, meaning fortified place of an auspicious personage.
2. 1931: 1931 Milestone — A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script recording a land grant, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BCE.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mahasthangarh

True or False: “The earliest evidence dating Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BCE came from a limestone slab found in 1931.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This slab bore six lines of Prakrit script in Brahmi script and recorded a land grant.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Historical peer (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• Brook Taylor — Historical peer (Born in 1685) (1685): English mathematician renowned for Taylor's theorem and series in analysis.
• Charles II of England — Historical peer (Died in 1685) (1685): The Stuart monarch who oversaw the Restoration of the English monarchy.

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