Heritage Sites to Discover in Bangladesh
Bangladesh, a riverine country nestled on the fertile delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers – boasts a history as dynamic as its landscape. This vibrant settlement has been a cradle of civilizations – where art, commerce, and spiritual practices have flourished. The diversity of these traditions is still vividly represented in the country’s rich tapestry of heritage sites. This article delves into five heritage sites that offer a glimpse into the cultural amalgamation, divine quests, and architectural splendour of this land.
Somapura Mahavihāra: A Monumental Buddhist Monastery South of the Himalayas
Somapura Mahavihāra is located in Paharpur, Naogaon district of Bangladesh. It is the second-largest Buddhist monastery in Southeast Asia – encompassing a dimension of 281 x 280 m.
The monastery complex spans over a sprawling 27 acres of land, embodying a quadrangular structure with an entryway on the north. The central shrine stands on a cruciform plan reflecting the four cardinal directions (Copplestone, 2024) with three gradually descending terraces. This cross-shaped layout is also deemed to be a portrayal of the five ‘Eternal Buddhas’ who are an important part of Buddhist philosophies. 177 monastic cells serve as living quarters for the best minds of the Buddhist faith across the southern region of the Himalayas.
The southeastern part of the monastery complex used to serve the daily affairs of the monks which consisted of a kitchen, drainage system, and several wells. (Breuil & Gill, 2020) The area outside the monastery on the southwest is an open bathing platform which was probably used for the monks’ ablutions. A brick-laid ghāt to the southeast of the monastery suggests the existence of an old bed of a river. (Breuil & Gill, 2020)
What sets Somapura Mahavihāra apart are its terracotta panels representing the artistry of Buddhist and Hindu influences. These intricate works render scenes from daily life, mythological tales, and symbolic motifs. A large stone sculpture was found on the southern side of the temple. (Copplestone, 2024) Somapura Monastery has served as an intellectual centre for almost 300 years and was not rediscovered until 1807. A small museum nearby showcases artefacts excavated from the area, including pottery, statues, and Sanskrit texts.
Panam Nagar: A Merchant City from the Colonial Era
Panam Nagar, located in Sonargaon near Dhaka, was a prominent trade centre and the capital of the Bengal Sultanate in the 13th century. It lost its capital status during the Mughal period. However, during the colonial era, wealthy Hindu merchants who migrated from Kolkata transformed it into a vibrant residential zone. The city was finally abandoned following the partition of India, leaving a designated heritage site by the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh.
Panam Nagar is spread along a narrow criss-cross street featuring 52 buildings surviving on either side of the road – 31 on the north and 21 on the south; with an average elevation of 6 to 9 meters. (Khanam, 2020) The prime construction material is bricks which were moulded in various shapes to achieve a decorative look. Studies (Hussain 1997; Shaikh 2004) have identified four distinct types of dwelling houses in Panam Nagar. According to Eshika, 2010 central hall-type houses centre around an exquisite hall – embodying the status quo of the owner. Courtyard-type houses feature an open-to-the-sky court as seen in rural houses of Bengal. Consolidated type houses form the majority in Panam Nagar as they incorporate a transitional space between the street and the interior, such as a veranda, entrance portal, or raised plinth. Compartment-type houses lack interior spatial divisions but feature balanced outer facades to harmonise with the surrounding environment.
The architectural style of Panam Nagar reflects a hybrid colonial design, influenced by local zamindars and Kolkata-based merchants (baniyas). (Mowla, 2000) This is seen in the use of Corinthian columns, pediments, and semi-circular arches in entrances. (Mowla, 2008) Column types vary from circular columns on traditional ‘kalasa’ (pitcher) bases to rectangular brick columns. Arches and capitals are adorned with floral and geometric motifs such as rosettes, creepers, and buds or geometric patterns like pyramids, chessboards, diamonds, etc. Windows often feature semi-circular arches within rectangular frames. Decorative elements include tinted glass, glazed tiles, and local chinitikri work – amplifying the aesthetics of Panam’s buildings. The intermix of rich architectural features makes Panam a phenomenal heritage site.
Ahsan Manzil: The Pink Palace of Dhaka
Ahsan Manzil, or the ‘Pink Palace’- is one of Dhaka’s iconic monuments and heritage buildings. Once known as ‘Rang Mahal’, this magnificent building served as the residence and recreational space of the Nawabs of Dhaka. Constructed in the mid-19th century, the palace was named after Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. Gradually, the Rang Mahal evolved into a hobnobbing zone for political and cultural encounters between the elites of East Bengal in the colonial era.
The palace’s distinctive pink façade and Indo-Saracenic architectural heritage make it a standout structure. Along with recessed verandahs, the onion-shaped bulbous dome that was meant to dominate the skyline of Old Dacca is still prominent – echoing the Mughal reign in Bengal. A triple-arched entrance capped by a pediment bears the hallmark of European design style. The dialogue between western Greco-Roman columns and the traditional Indian motifs establishes a composite architectural language. (Morshed, 2018)
According to Morshed, 2018, this fine Indo-European building stands on a 1.2-meter-high plinth. with a dimension of 125.4m by 28.75m, the walls of the palace are about 0.78 meters in width. The ground floor has a height of 5 metres while the first floor stands at 5.8 metres. The octagonal dome ascends to a height of 12 meters, and the width of the palace spans 57 meters. A grand staircase leads to a raised plaza – offering a panoramic view of the Buriganga River.
The interior of the palace is uniformly divided on either side of the dome. The eastern section of the ground floor contains six rooms and a dining hall, while the western section includes a billiard room. On the first floor, there is a spacious drawing room, a card room, and a library. Additionally, the first floor features a large Darbar Hall, a Dance hall (Jalsaghar and Nacch Ghar), and a Hindustani room. The rooms are adorned with wooden, vaulted ceilings and the doorways are glazed with tinted glass treatments. The stair railings are adorned with iron vine leaves, adding to the palace’s grandeur and grace.
Lalbagh Fort: A Mughal Masterpiece
Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete Mughal riverine fortress complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is a significant historical heritage site. Built in 1678 by Prince Azam Khan and later overseen by Shaista Khan, the fort stands as a landmark of the Mughal Empire in Bengal.
The complex spans about 18 acres and includes Diwan-i-Aam (Audience Hall), a mosque, and Bibi Pari’s Mausoleum. The main structures are arranged in an axial layout mirroring the quintessential Mughal planning system. The fort’s formal gardens, lush green courts and waterways follow the Chaharbagh style, symbolising the idea of paradise in the Islamic faith – featuring symmetrical patterns, flowing water, and fountains.
According to Rasheed et al., 2023, Diwan-i-Aam, (Audience Hall) is a two-storied structure that houses administrative functions and features a central hallway, and connected apartments. Bibi Pari’s Mausoleum is dedicated to Shaista Khan’s daughter – towering as the central tomb. The walls of the mausoleum are embellished with white marble and a decorative metal-plated octagonal dome above the burial chamber. The Mosque is a modest three-domed structure with a square water tank in front for ablutions, blending function and beauty. The Hammam Khana (bathhouse) is located near the Diwan-i-Aam, it includes clay pipes and underground facilities for water heating, suggesting advanced engineering systems to ensure comfort at that time.
The rooftop garden, decorated with fountains and waterfalls, and the terracotta pipe water distribution system exemplify Mughal innovation. The fort features defensive walls with bastions and a network of mysterious tunnels, possibly escape routes to the Buriganga River. However, the residential layout and quadrilateral gardens suggest the heritage fort was used for luxury accommodation rather than a defensive siege fort. ( Khan,2019 )
Mainamati: The Seat of Ancient Buddhist Heritage
Mainamati is located in Comilla, Bangladesh. It is an archaeological treasure and one of the most significant early medieval Buddhist heritage sites in South Asia. Spanning the 7th to 13th centuries CE, this region boasts over 50 Buddhist sites, including vihāras, stupas, and temples, showcasing the importance of Mainamati as a centre of Buddhism in Bengal.
Mainamati’s architectural style reflects its monastic character, with key sites such as Salbanvihāra, Ananda vihāra, and Kutila Mura emphasising cruciform temples, monastic cells, and central courtyards. According to Bhuiyan, 2018, Salban vihāra measures 167.6m on each side, it contains 115 monk cells around a central courtyard and a large cruciform temple. The gateway is flanked by guard rooms and decorated with terracotta plaques. Ananda vihāra (Ananda Raja’s Palace) is the largest monastery, measuring 198m per side, features a central temple and has numerous artefacts, and terracotta sealings. Bhoja vihāra (Bhojaraja’s Palace) is a cruciform temple at its centre surrounded by 122 monk cells.
Kutila Mura is known for its unique tri-ratna stupas symbolizing the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, the site also features additional stupas representing Tathagata. Rupban Mura features an early vihāra with a small structure and a life-size sandstone Buddha statue. Coins and terracotta plaques were also discovered. Itakhola Mura has 20 monastic cells, and rare stucco figures and Latikot vihāra has a rectangular complex with 33 monastic cells and a 1.98m-wide verandah.
Excavations have unearthed artefacts like bronze sculptures, terracotta plaques, gold and silver coins, and clay votive stupas – shedding light on the era’s artistic and economic richness. Notable finds include life-size Buddha statues, bronze Vajrasattva, Amitabha Aksobhya, and Vajrasattva images, and copper plate inscriptions that document the region’s history and monastic heritage.
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