Bikrampur's historic significance

Bikrampur belongs to Munshiganj district. It is one of the oldest districts in terms of archaeology, architecture, sculpture, science, education, temples and monasteries in Bangladesh.

Here many bridges, tin-shade houses are seen almost at all the places. People are very cordial and hospitable in this area. Around all kinds of vegetables are produced in this district. On May 11, 2018 I visited Munshiganj district. My reflections on some of the historical places of Bikrampur are stated below.

Nateshwar Buddhist Temple Bikrampur is an old and prosperous locality. It was the capital of Banga and Samatat regions. It was considered as winning tent or capital in the old copper-plate and also considered as 'Shreevikramnipur' in the other books.

The well practice of education, science, literature, industry, religion, culture had been going on as sacred place in this sub continent which is known as the valley of Ganges-Padma-Meghna-Brahmaputra- Dhaleshwari-Ichamati since ancient time. Somebody thinks wrong that almost all the old symbols/patterns of rich Bikrampur were gone to  Kirtinasa Padma. Actually, wrong ideas have been spread out about the enriched Bikrampur without digging to investigate the old symbols.

Copper-plate, stone, inscription, metals, statue and sculpture of gods and goddesses of Hindu  and Buddha are found by digging mud and cultivating lands, reports Agrashar Bikrampur Foundation.

Though it is pathetic it is true that there were no steps on archaeological research in this region in the past in spite of having hint rich city of civilization in the age of antiquity and medieval in Bikrampur. Nalini Kanta Bhattasali, founder of Dhaka Museum, took step once to dig archaeological at the beginning of thirty decade in the last century in Tongibari upazila but he could not ahead it.

'Agrashar Bikrampur Foundation', founded by politicians, researchers and poet Nuh-Ul-Alam Lenin took step on digging archaeological, researching and investigating in this region in 2010 after 80 years of Bhattasali's step.

Formal archaeological digging was started in February, 2010 by the limited financial help of Cultural Affairs Ministry of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

Nuh-Ul-Alam Lenin was the total research conductor. Researchers, students of Archaeological Department of Jahangirnagar and Comilla University and other experts took part to seek tradition, survey and excavation works by the take care of Prof Dr Sufi Mostafizur Rahman. Nine experimental excavations were conducted at three villages of Rampal and Bajrajogini unions in 2010 (first), reports Agrashar Bikrampur Foundation'.    

Old living symbols were identified at every archaeological place. Six Bhikkhu rooms of a Buddha Bihar and five piles were discovered by continuous excavation in Raghurampur.

It is an important and memorable event in the history of Bangladesh to discover a Buddhist Temple  in 990-1050 AD (Kaborno-14 date) in Bikrampur region.

This valuable discovery will give place Bikrampur newly not only in Bangladesh but also in the history of the world. Because Atish Dipankar Shreegan (980-1054 AD) was the famous person at Bajrajogini in Bikrampur. Atish went to Tibet   by the invitation of King Chang Choop to remove decay of Buddhist religion. He composed 175 basic books while staying there in 16 years. Tibetans awarded him as Ho-Bo-Je title means second Buddha, India Dharampaul all Buddha community of world together  titled him as Dipankar Srijnan, Atish.

Our idea that there was a deep connection between Atish Dipankar and newly discovered Buddha Bihar. More important sources will be discovered on this matter if research continues. Different sources say, there was a Buddha Bihar named 'Bikrampuri' before Magadh in Bangla. Paul emperor Dharampaul might establish Bikrampuri Bihar which was a famous education center in east India.

Chandra dynasty Kings also contributed to develop spread out of Bikrampuri Bihar. By the way, Paul emperor Dharampaul built around 30 Buddha Bihar. On the other hand, Chandra dynasty Kings were the rulers of Samatat. China traveler Hiuen Tsang referred 30 Buddha Bihars in Samatat in seventh century. 

Eight Buddha Bihars have already been discovered by the archaeological digging in Samatat. Once time Bikrampur was the capital of Banga and Samatat. So, Buddha Bihar, temple and piles are simply found here.

Significant archaeological things are being discovered by archaeological digging at Nateshwar Deul of Tongibari union. A Buddha temple of 9m x 9m size 8 angle figure, (every shoulders length is 4.6m), brick built canal and other architecture symbols were discovered by excavation in 2013 and 2014.
The temple is still present as the west-south side at 2.40m height though this Buddha temple was mostly damaged. Clinker bricks were used at the foundation of 1.75m width wall.

Perhaps, clinker bricks were selected as humidity protector. Extraordinary decoration are seen at the exterior side of the temple's wall. Beautiful reticular design by hand cutting brick and brick work of different figures gave the temple as solemn figure.

Bihar may have present beside temple and piles. An individual architecture is being discovered beside west side of huge figured archaeological mound which thought Nateshwar was developed city in ancient time.

Atish Dipankar Shreegan Atish Dipankar Shreegan (980-1054 AD) was a renowned person in Bikrampur. He studied at world famous Buddha Bihar Nalanda. He achieved more knowledge and was assigned as the principal of Bikrampur Mahavihara. He was also the principal of Somapura Mahavihara (Paharpur Bihar) for some days. Chandragorvo was the child name of Atish Dipankar.

  He occupied as the best devotee of Buddha in the world while crossing to young time where he is ignored and rootless  at his present own village. China Govt has established a memorandum remembering him at Bajrajogini village on 28th February, 2017. It was inaugurated by Most Ven. Chun Yi, Vice-President of Buddhist Association of China and H.H Sanghanayaka Suddhananda Mahathero and also president of Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar  Sangha.

Not only Atish Dipankar Shreegan reformed the Buddha religion in China at 1000 years back but also he introduced the irrigation, agriculture and medicine technology of Bangla. Atish Dipankar's place is after Buddha to the Buddhist religion followers.

But we came to know a little about his child life. There are questions-where did he receive education and Buddha religion? It is not possible to achieve knowledge on Buddha religion suddenly.  Hiuen Tsang/XuanzangWorld famous China traveler Hiuen Tsang (602-664 AD) came to Indian sub continent in 629 AD. He inspected Pundravardhana, (Pu-na-fa-tan-na), (Mahasthangarh, Bogura) and Samatat, (San-to-ch'a), (Cumill's Mainamati and Bikrampur) of Bangladesh.

He referred in his travelling stories about 20 Buddha Bihars, 100 Brahman temples in Pundranagar and Buddha Bihar in Samatat. He translated many books in China language. Besides, he brought 657 Buddha books in China from India.

Idrakpur FortIt's a Mughal instance and situated in the city of Munshiganj. Bangla Subedar Mir Jumla built it in 1660 to protect themselves from the attack of pirates. The fort was used like watch tower. Its area is middle like and some ponds inside it. There is a jail at the opposite side of the pond. All things made the fort aesthetic.

Gold Colored Twin TempleThese two temples are stood by together highly in a small place. Aristocratic image are noticed. Pigeons, mayna, parrot etc birds live in the holes of temple.

The temples impress anybody in this silent environment. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Complex Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Complex is another beautiful and nice tourist spot. The total environment shows landlord-type mood. There is a big pond, stairs, and many kinds of trees here. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Institution and College were established in 1921 and 1994 respectively. He was a scientist who discovered that life is present in plant.  And he also invented radio.

More important archaeological sites-Buddha temple, undamaged Buddha goddess statue of 5 feet length black basalt's stone, old boat, Daru wood (sculpture), wood's decorated pillar,  terracotta plate, mud plate etc have already been discovered by archaeological investigating and digging at Rampal, Bajrajogini and Tongibari unions.

We firmly hopeful that not only Buddha Bihars will be discovered but also all hiding instances of developed city of civilization  will be discovered if investigation, excavation and research continue properly at Bikrampur region.  

The writer is Sub Editor, The Asian Age.