COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 69 | Page Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 03, Issue 01, June-2016

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 70 | Page Come Across the Capital of Vijayasena; Uncover the Forgotten Historic Landscapes

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 71 | Page Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 03, Issue 01, June-2016

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 72 | Page Come Across the Capital of Vijayasena; Uncover the Forgotten Historic Landscapes

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 73 | Page Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 03, Issue 01, June-2016

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 74 | Page Come Across the Capital of Vijayasena; Uncover the Forgotten Historic Landscapes

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. Source: Field Survey, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once Plate 2 : Fragments of Plate 3 : TC ball from VN. Plate 4: Brick wall visible at north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound Shiblingya from RV. VN. and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 75 | Page Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 03, Issue 01, June-2016

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged Source: Field Survey, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. Plate 5 : Khirki/Lock from Plate 6:Broken stone pillar thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 RV. from RV. Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 76 | Page Come Across the Capital of Vijayasena; Uncover the Forgotten Historic Landscapes

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 77 | Page Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 03, Issue 01, June-2016

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 78 | Page Come Across the Capital of Vijayasena; Uncover the Forgotten Historic Landscapes

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 79 | Page Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 03, Issue 01, June-2016

COME ACROSS THE CAPITAL OF VIJAYASENA: UNCOVER THE Kakonhat-Dhamkura-Amnura pacca road crossed the site and it divides the site from the abut plain land (Figure 2). In addition, two more mounds have been locat- DISCUSSION supporting pillar of the house which is the three worlds and the one that remains of city. Besides the capital Kodom Sohor, there was another city of Vijaynagara which more than 40 years. FORGOTTEN HISTORIC LANDSCAPES investigation, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad Chanda visited the area in 1910 (Chanda into two parts now. The site is approximately 4km north-east to Rajabari haat bus ed opposite to the dairy firm which is called Grass Research Centre. In Rajabari vita the mountains" (Majumder 1929). During the survey, two mammoth decorated could have been used as a cantonment and port city. Vijayanagara was consummate 12. They opined some relevant matters which are obligatory to be a city for a place. Mizanur Rahman* 2005) and A K M Zakaria in the mid 70's (Zakaria 2007) whereas both did the job in stoppage and it is almost 6km far from Rajshahi bypass bus stoppage towards the 1-4, plethora of artifacts like potsherds,brickbats, Shiblingya/Gouripattaya (mea- There is no quintessential piece of material to prove Vijayanagara as the pillar had been discovered in the crop field (Photo 1). No one should be confused place as a naval defense system besides artillery because of proximity of large Such as, use of iron, agriculture, skilled artisan community, trade and culture historical approach7 (Trigger 2002). Besides this, collectors from the Varen- north-west. sured by 3feet long, 2 feet width and 1 foot high (Plate 2)), lower part of the door capital of Vijayasena, inevitably. Paltry literary evidence with few hypotheses that the decorated pillar laid down on the earth was an integral part of Pradyumneś- mighty river and fortification wall. In addition, Vijayasena had naval defense and commerce and so on. ABSTRACT dra Research Museum visited this area and collected varieties of artifacts for with a sign of Khirki/Lock made of stone (Plate 5), a broken upper part of stone which are based on archaeological knowledge as well as geographical/ecological vara temple. In addition, Sena rulers have adhered of Hinduism and they belonged he attacked and conquered some regions by navy (Majumder 1929). Alongside museum display8 (Chanda 2005). pillar (where abacus is distinct and the decoration of pillar is found Corinthian) setting will be focused here that can be conducive to perceive the existence of the to Brahmanya cast. It was more logical that, such temple would be erected at the defensive use of Vijaynagara, it might have been utilized as a port, location of References The Barind tract is a well-known geological unit which encompasses several types of (Plate 6), terracotta ball (Plate 3) etc have been found. Between the mounds, one capital or not. Firstly, In Pavanaduta, ancient literary works had been written by capital where the king lived. A large tank was also visible at Kodom Sohor which Pathor Ghata could indicate that. It is really a perplexing matter to find out ancient land formation as well as historically potent sites elsewhere. People found their Although Chandra (2005) suggested Vijayanagara as the capital of Vijayase- large tank with plenty of abandoned artifacts is situated. Dhoyi (cited in Majumder 1929 ), where for the first time they have been known the had been described in the inscription. Alongside stone pillar and tank, myriad relics quintessentially only by exploration. It is firmly believed that proper archaeo- 1. Bandyopadhyay, H(2004) Bangiya Sabdakosh, Sahitya Academy, Kolkata. livelihood as well as security in this land from the very beginning of human habita- na without any explanation which had been supported by Zakaria (Zakaria 2007) in name of the place Vijaypura as the capital. Then in 1910, Rai Bahadur Ramaprasad fragments of black basalt had been found in Kodom Sohor. The all are conducive to logical excavations will remain boon for perceiving possible matters of the past time 2. Chanda, R(2005) Gaur Rajmala, Dey's Publishing, Kolkata. tion in the Bengal delta. A reconnaissance archaeological survey had been divulged two ancient cities Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor in the Deopara union of Godagari later. Chakravarti (cited in Majumder 2003) and Majumdar (2003) differ with Chan- Chanda, conducted an archaeological exploration in the Godagari region and guess Kodom Sohor as the capital city of the king Vijayasena. as well as culture. 3. Childe, G(1969) Man Makes Himself, The New American Library, London. thana under Rajshahi district during the Sena king Vijayasena. The aim of this article dra. There is no other hypothesis available here apropos the pre-Medieval capital of opined that the modern village Vijayanagara should be considered as the site of 4. Erdosy, G(1987) Early Historic Cities of Northern India in South Indian Studies, is to amplify the spatial significance of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor apropos Vijayasena. In our recent visits, a novel idea has been developed on the basis of Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 Source: Field Survey, 2017 Vijaypura cited in Dhoyi's Pavanaduta and suggested that it was the capital of The Senas were as brave as they fought against many neighbouring rulers Endnotes v-3, Delhi. p-62-63. artifact and ecofacts as well as written and inscriptional sources. Inspite of having archaeological and ecological9 evidences. Map 1: Location, extent and size of Vijayanagara Figure 1: Contour Map of Vijayanagara Mound 3 Behind the dairy firm, in the southern side, a place known as Pathor Ghata Vijaysena (Majumder 1929). Majumdar (2003) mentioned that Vijaypura was the like Nanya, Vira and the kings of a Gauda, Kamarupa and Kalinga (Majumder 5. Haggett, P(1965) Locational Analysis in Human Geography, London cited in the paucity of archaeological investigation on this region, some scholars tried to is located (Map 2). This place is mostly important because of its geographical capital of Lakshmanasena. Besides this, Chakravarti (cited in Majumdar 2003) 1929). Besides, Vijayasena had a strong naval army and organized an attack against 1. Copperplate is called Tamrosason in Bengali which is widely used to circulate Peter. L.D (2001) Field Archaeology an introduction, UCL, London. P-42-45. establish the fact that Vijayanagara was a capital of the Sena king Vijayasena. The The shape of Vijayanagara city is determined almost rectangular with slight royal order, declaration of land grant or acclamation of ruler. In some cases it's 6. Majumdar, R.C(2003) The History of Bengal, V-1, Hindu period. BR publishing present study has revealed that Kodom Sohor was the centre of the capital of METHODOLOGY location. Pathor Ghata (PG) is classified in lower altitude than RV in the plain land opined that the Vijaypura of Dhoyi's Pavanaduta is similar to Nadiyā. In addition, western rulers through the course of the river Ganges (Majumder 1929). If it is Vijayasena while Vijayanagara was used as a cantonment or defense centre as well curve in the southern end, inclined to the outline of a palaeochannel and an edge of the Barind tract where an oxbow lake has been found abut to PG, originally was Majumdar believed that the identification of Vijaypura is more preferable to Nadiyā considered the fact is true, where was the garrison as well as a naval port? In addi- called prososti in Bengali while it describes acclamation of ruler. Corporation, Kolkata. as a river port. It is also a predominant goal of this research to prepare a map show- Before going to the field, pre-survey research had been conducted properly; outlined from its mainland towards north (Map 2) which recognized quite aberrant the Ganges flow and now it shifted more to the south. An Oxbow lake, usually, is a than that of Vijayanagara of Godagari, Rajshahi. If the explanation could be taken as tion, the significant number of trades had been conducted at that time between 2. There is no concrete evidence regrading the capital of Hemantasena, the found- 7. Majumder, NG(1929) Inscriptions of Bengal, V.III, The Varendra Research ing the location and extent of Vijayanagara and Kodom Sohor, the two important but meanwhile detail maps like topographic, land use, communication and administra- Source: Field Survey, 2017 from many other ancient cities like Mahasthangarh (Rahman 1999), Wari-Batesh- sign of palaeochannel and is especially important in archaeology because of its true then where was the centre of Vijayasena's administration? Inscriptional analy- various destination including north and middle India specifically, they had to er of the Sena dynasty. It is assumed that first Sena capital was established in Society, Rajshahi. less discussed pre-Medieval urban centers of Bengal. tive, mouza and google satellite image had been collected from SRDI, LGED, DSG Plate1: Stone Pillar of Pradyumneśhvara Temple (?) war (Rahman 2013) or Kotalipara/Chandra Barman Court (Rahman 2013). Presum- probability of being used by archaic people in variegated ways. The geographical sis could be reliable to understand the possible place of capital of Vijayasena. Act import the large number of stone which they used to build the gargantuan temple north Bengal. 8. Prasad, K(1984) Cities, Crafts and Commerce Under the Kushanas, in South Key Words: Vijayanagara, Kodom Sohor, Vijayasena, Sena, capital, Deopara Prososti and so on. It was judgment sampling (Haggett 1965) which had been followed in the ably, the city was about 2 km long towards east-west and 0.75 km to the position of Pathor Ghata clearly indicates that it was a river port or a landing station upon discussion now Kodom Sohor is merely an alternative of the capital of as well as other structures. In addition, some semi-precious stones had been import- 3. Vikrampura is now located at Munshiganj district. Currently, a archaeological Indian Studies, v-3, Delhi. survey. In an archaeological survey, plethora techniques are being used throughout The gigantic stone pillars are meticulously decorated (Plate 1). Besides the north-south. Eastern part of the city started from the eastern boundary of Goat during the Sena period or from earlier. Presumably, the river had shifted a couple of Vijayasena in the north Bengal considering our present archaeological exploration. ed here. So, it can be said that the place Vijaynagara could have been used as a garri- research has been conducting there and so as to vast architectural remains have 9. Rahman, M(2014) An Archaeological Exploration at Chandravarman Court, INTRODUCTION the world while the most potent way of finding and recording sites are walking fallen pillar, the large brick wall has been traced beneath the top soil. Furthermore, Research Centre and at the time of foot walking survey, it was examined meticu- centuries ago and a vast bar had been deposited between the oxbow lake and the son/cantonment and the port city as well. More specially, the eastern part of Vijay- already been uncovered. Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in Cultural Contours of History and which were widely used in this research. Source: Google Earth, 2016; Based on Field Survey and Analysis by Author, 2017 a plethora of black basalt stone fragments, presumably it was an offshoot of sculp- lously, no archaeological remains have been found beyond the city line. Western present flow of the mighty Padma. In addition, myriad black basalt fragments/piec- If the verse of the Deopara inscription of Vijayasena is considered, then it nagara might be used as a port city which covers the area of present Goat Research 4. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. Archaeology, edited by Naik,K K and Reddy, E S, B.R. Publishing Corporation, In the ancient history of Bengal, capital city or any other city is important ture which had been made in this area, have been discovered here which indicates boundary located at the village of Kumorpur, where a large rampart like structure es have also been recorded from the surface of Pathor Ghata. The place could have will be more conducive to perceive that Pradyumneśvara>Padumshar was the Centre, Dairy Firm and Grass Firm with Vijaynagara Primary School. Presumably, 5. This place is situated at West Bengal, India. India. because of its pertinence with the human culture, political affiliation, pattern of life It was widely practiced technique to find the site in this footstep which is Map 1: Location, extent and size of Kodom Sohor indubitably, the area used for manufacturing sculptures. In some places of Kodom is visible which has been measured around 1 km in the north-south direction. The Source: Field Survey, 2017 been used to import stones from other places whereas hundreds of sculptures had centre of the capital of Vijayasena which might be locally known as Kodom Sohor. Pathar Ghata might be the port which was used for export and import. The Western 6. This place is also situated at West Bengal, India. 10. Rahman, SSM(1999) Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District, Bangladesh ways and so on. Kings generally used to live in the capitals, and issued copper- Sohor, farmers are not able to plough land due to ample brick wall/brickbats as well local people called it taksal (treasury/mint house). Despite the dearth of evidence 1 called systematic surface survey. In this process, surveyors move forward by foot, Figure 2: Contour map of Rajabari Vita 2 been found elsewhere from northern Bangladesh and especially from Godagari-Ta- It is hypothesized because, firstly, the Sena king Vijayasena (Verse-28) erected a part of Vijaynagara was a cantonment. Specifically, the name of the place Gorbari 7. Culture history is the traditional way that is used as a research methodology in (From Early Historic to Early Medieval Period), International Centre for the plates or the state poet also wrote prososti/praise on the kings and queens about 11 slowly on the landscapes. Using transects system, surface artifacts were also collect- Although, most of the landscape of western Barind is highly undulating as stone/stone fragments and that places are using for mango gardening by the on another three sides, it can be speculated that the rampart like structure could Source: Field Survey, 2017 nore region. temple Pradyumneśvara and a large tank for water; secondly, Deopara inscription indicates a fortified area (Bandyopadhyay 2004). Moreover, size, shape, extent and archaeology; before advent of processual approach, it was merely followed by Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. their gallantry, benevolence, conquer variegated countries or regions etc. In some ed from various points and places while it was tagged regarding site code, adminis- kodom shohor is almost flat and present human settlement is traced as clustered. A local people. have been part of a fortification. It Might be that the other part of the rampart had Figure 2: Distribution of Mound at Vijayanagara was found in this place; thirdly, during the survey, large number of brick structure location of Gorbari clearly indicate that it might be used for defensive purposes. archaeologist. 11. Rahman, SM and Pathan, HM(2014) Wari-Bateshwar; Shikorer Sondhane. cases, prososti contains exaggerated acclamations which were likely adulation and trative area, type of site, and survey year. Moreover, GPS (Garmin 78s) was used large tank has been found here measuring almost 209m×163m (Map1) at the west- been disappeared. The present state of our knowledge cannot decipher its earliest In the western side of the dairy farm, it is being used as an agricultural land had been traced beneath the surface soil at Kodom Sohor which indicates that large 8. By the grant of Zamindar of Dighapatia, Natore, archaeological exploration was Prothoma, Dhaka. sycophancy. to locate the site which also remained raw data for preparing map using Arc View. ern side of Rajshahi-Dhamkura-Amnura road. At the eastern bank of the large tank, VIJAYANAGARA use scrupulously. In addition, a moat has been found inside the fortification (Map 2) Behind the Goat Research Centre, the eastern part of the city, 5 small while some scarce houses are found, and it is also a part of ancient Vijayanagara. In number of brick built edifices including the palace (?) of the kings. Moreover, varie- CONCLUSION conducted in that region. 12. Trigger, BG (2002) History of Archaeological thought, Cambridge University unlikely other pre-Medieval or Early Historic city areas (Rahman 1999, 2013; mounds had been located which all are not so distinctive due to annihilation of 2 A literature review was also a part of the methodology while obtained data were a few settlements have been developed where a notice board had been erected by the surface of plough land, plenty of potsherds, terracotta balls etc. have been found gated semi-precious stone beads have been found in Kodom Sohor during the visit 9. In recent archaeological studies, ecology (landscape, river, palaeochannel, Press, London. It is widely described that there are manifold places (Cited in Majumder Vijayanagara is located on 24023''06'-24023''49' N and 88026''19'-88027''49' E. Rahman 2014). In our recent surveys in Vikrampura, for example, Vallalbari is various ways (Figure 2). The most distinctive mound is VN-3, 1m high from 3 being compared with that. the Archaeological Survey of India confirms that it was the found place of Deopara and this scenario is continued up to the Kumorpur mound. and few local enthusiastic collectors also showed some beads to the survey team. It is hypothesized that Kodom Sohor could have been the capital of meteorological paradigm and so on) is highly considered for understanding 13. Zakaria, AKM (2007), Bangladesher Pratno Sampad, Divya Prokash, Dhaka. 2003) in ancient Bengal where Sena capitals were located, likewise Vikramapura, 10 Prososti of Vijayasena. In the tank, some colossal stone pieces are seen. Local assumed as the palace site of Sena king Vallal Sena, surrounded by a moat. adjacent flat land and it extents 150m ×160m (Figure 1) while the other 4 mounds are Finding such type of beads is inquisitive which indicates aristocrat people were Vijayasena where colossal temple, tank and probably kings palace (?) were over past phenomenon. Nadiyā,4 Lakshmanāvāti,5 Navadvpa.6 Vijayasena ruled over the North Bengal KODOM SOHOR people are inquisitive apropos the findings which have been found at the time of Administratively, Vijayanagara, is now a large modern village under the Deopara small as well as low in height than VN-3. The mound VN-3 is featured by the Kumorpur is completely different from other places of ancient Vijayanaga- living in that place. there. Moreover, Deopara stone inscription (prososti) had also been discovered in 10. The stones are so heavy that it is impossible to move it back and forth without during c. 1095-1158 AD, succeeded by Hemantasena (Majumdar 2003). An inscrip- ploughing, digging a ditch, putting tube wells and so on. Some stone beads of carne- Union of Vijayanagara mouza at Godagari police station in Rajshahi district. The presence of brick built wall (Plate 4), varieties of potsherds including black with slip ra although it is presumed that Kumorpur was an integral part of Vijayanagara. Kodom Sohor. It has a logic to believe that, (?) of the king Vijayasena was situated using crane. tion/prososti of Vijayasena had been found in Kodom Sohor of Deopara union Kodom Sohor is situated at the Deopara mouza of Deopara union under lian and agate have been found by inhabitants. Moreover, fragments of stone sculp- site is quite close to Rajshahi city towards Chapainawabganj before Godagari town and glaze which seems Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW?), glazed colored Gorbaria, a place at Kumorpur is well-known to local people as a mint house/tak- Act upon inscription, Vijayasena (Majumder 1929) constructed a temple at Kodom Sohor and it was the centre of his administration. Probably, there were 11. We met with Abdus Samad, Chief curator of Varendra Research Museum at the under Godagari police station of Rajshahi district in 1865 by C.T. Metcalfe. It Godagari police station of Rajshahi district, north of Jukhali river. The site is located ture had also been found by the residents what they showed us during exploration. and several government research organisations had established offices on the site, pottery, iron slag, stone fragments and so on. sal. The Gorbari is a rampart-like feature which is about 1 km long from south to Pradyumneśvara which was monumental in height and grandeur. "That Indra of adept artisan community who were adroit manufacturing sculptures, beads and Museum premises during exploration time. He claimed that ample number of indicates that North Bengal was a the centre of administration of Vijayasena which at 24026'26.24'' N and 88030'26.24" E. In this elementary survey, Kodom Sohor seems In addition, remnants of hundreds of thousands of potsherds are visible on the bank like Goat Research Centre, Dairy Research and Grass Research Centre as well. Once north and about 6 feet high as well as 10 feet wide. The structure is full of potsherds the earth built a lofty edifice of Pradyumneśvara, the wings, the plinth and the main many other art objects. It is because of finding plethora stone fragments and art stone sculptures and fragments had been collected from this area led by him. could be termed as the capital. In the early Medieval history of Bengal, these are square in shape while it was measured roughly one square kilometre. Presuamably, of the tank. On the eastern opposite of the tank, some mammoth stone pillars are you start a journey from Rajshahi town to Chapainawabganj, Rajabari, a bus stop Towards western side of the present Goat Research Centre, another mound and in many places, brick has been found. Despite beliefs of local people, it is convo- structure of which occupied the several quarters, and the middle and the uppermost objects which certainly proved their existence at Kodom Sohor. If we consider the He also said that a large number of sculptures have been preserved in Indian discussed in paltry without any spatial archaeological interpretations. Before this 12 the name kodom Sohor comes from Pradyumneśhvara>Podumshar>kodom Sohor. laid down in the crop field (Plate 1). before Godagari town is suitable to reach Vijayanagara. is situated called Rajabari Vita (RV), 4 more vita have been found here while RV 2 luted to presume it as a mint house without any methodological excavation. Gorbari parts stretched over the great ocean like space- (it is) the midday mountain of the arguments of Prasad (1984), Erdosy (1987) and childe (1969), it would be more National Museum, Kolkata and manifold foreign museums which were collect- mounds is more prominent among them and it figured out almost 1 meter high might have remained the westernmost part of Vijayanagara. rising and setting the sun who touches the eastern and western mountains, the favorable to understand the suitability of the place of Kodom Sohor as the capital ed from this area. Mr. Samad has been serving Varendra Research Museum for * Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University. 80 | Page