Report on Mainamati- Zinat Afrose
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Mainamati: Greatest Assemblage of Ancient Buddhist Settlements Zinat Afrose Introduction: The Mainamati-Lalmai range, an isolated low, dimpled range of hills dotted with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements from the 8th to 12th centuries A.D., runs through the heart of the Cumilla district. The wealthiest region of Bangladesh is Mainamati, Cumilla, which is home to the majority of the country's heritage sites. Shalban Bihara, located almost in the middle of the Mainamati Lalmai hill range, is made up of 115 cells arranged around a spacious courtyard with a cruciform temple in the centre facing its only gateway complex to the north which is similar to that of Paharpur Monastery. Kutila Mura is a charming Buddhist establishment located on a flattened hillock about 5 km north of Shalban Vihara within the Cumilla Cantonment. Three stupas stand side by side, symbolizing the Buddhist 'Trinity,' or three jewels, which are the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Charpatra Mura is a small oblong shrine located 2.5 kilometres northwest of the Kutila Mura stupas. The shrine is approached from the east via a gateway that leads to a large hall. Copper plates, gold and silver coins, and 86 bronze artefacts are among the many items on display at the Mainamati site museum. About 150 bronze statues, mostly from monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures, and hundreds of terracotta plaques have been found, each measuring 9" high and 8" to 12" wide on average. https://steemit.com/walkwithme/@boishakhitripty/walkwithme-to-moinamoti-buddhists-settlement Mainamati, an isolated ridge of low hills on the eastern margins of deltaic Bangladesh, about 8 excavations have uncovered important materials. It is a small mass of quasi-lateritic old alluvium that marks a historical landmark. The ridge, which runs for about 17 kilometres north, south from Mainamati village on the Gumti River to Chandi Mura near the Lalmai railway station, is set in the vast expanse of the fertile lower Meghna basin. The ridge is about 4.5 km wide at its widest points, and its highest peaks reach a height of about 45 meters. These mountains were once heavily forested, with an abundance of wildlife, but modern development has changed that. Background: Mainamati lies a range of low hills known as the Mainamati-Lalmai range which is dotted with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements dating from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The Founding Workers deliberately revealed the remains of what was believed to be a "small brick castle" during the reconstruction of the old axial road through these hills in 1875. It turned out to be a Buddhist monastery. The first Mainamati artefact, the copperplate of Ranavankamalla Harikaladeva, dated 1220 AD, was discovered in the same area 72 years earlier (1803), and records a description of Pattikera's capital city as "adorned with forts and monasteries." The name is still used in the locality's current Patikara pargana. The twin names - Lalmai- Mainamati - of the place have significant link with the past: Lalmai or the southern part is identical with Lalambi-vana of the Chandra epigraphs, while the northern part recalls the name of the legendary Chandra queen 'Maynamati', mentioned in local ballads and folk-songs. The archaeological discoveries have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was the cultural and political centre of ancient Vanga Samatata (southeast Bengal). The countless temples, mounds and excavated ruins, which are amply augmented by an impressive array of stray finds from the city, eloquently demonstrate the glory and significance of that remarkable history. During World War II, the ruins of Mainamati were rediscovered. The military came across ancient ruins at several points along the ridge while setting up an advanced camp. Following a hastily conducted survey, the government identified and secured 18 locations. Although the excavations are not yet complete and are limited in several ways, the findings and knowledge gathered so far provide a solid archaeological foundation for reconstructing the history and culture of this previously unknown area. Environment: Since the Mainamati Shalban Bihara is direct across the street, the site has a fantastic site force. A massive green chunk of shalban forest can be found in the site's south-west corner. Just to the west of the site is a new temple known as Mainamati new Buddhist bihara. The Shalban Bihar is split into two sections by two paths, one on the northern side and the other on the eastern side. Cumilla Cadet College, BARD, Teachers Training College, Mainamati cantonment is located just at the northern portion of the site and Cumilla University is located southern portion of the site. The location is at least 2 feet above road level on the contour level. Shalban forest is located on the southwest side of the selected site, at a minimum contour level of 25 feet. It's a quiet spot in the middle of a barren field, and it's one of Bangladesh's most popular tourist destinations. Since the chosen government site is so close to Mainamati shalban bihara, there is a significant shift. The site has immense tourist appeal, and the tourist force is already spirited. More than 50 sites were discovered during more routine and systematic surveys conducted between 1955 and 1957, when the entire ridge was unaffected by human activity. The bulk of those places are in the Cantonment's northern half of the mountain. In January 1955, archaeological excavations began. Nine of the 50 odd sites have been revealed thus far in many phases of excavation. https://www.google.com/search?q=moinamoti+comilla&tbm=isch&hl=en&chips=q:moinamoti+comilla,online_chips:shalban: O AbmdofKU o%3D&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbtdLjut3vAhX7mUsFHUgWDssQ4lYoAnoECAEQHQ&biw=1349&bih=647#imgrc=lxCrQv5 K k9pQwM Problems Mainamati facing: There is currently no accommodation or restaurant that can accommodate visitors from outside. The historical Shalbon Bihar and other archaeological sites, a popular tourist destination on the Lalmai-Mainamati hills in Comilla, are suffering from a lack of basic tourist facilities. Tourists are dissatisfied with basic services such as hotels and restaurants, as well as their management, at tourist destinations. According to reports, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation does little to draw tourists to the country. It is also uninterested in improving and preserving the Lalmai-Mainamati tourist area's natural view. Thousands of tourists visit this tourist attraction each year, especially between October and March. Furthermore, there is a lack of protection in the area for visitors. Importance: Historical locations, structures, artefacts, and manifestations of cultural, science, symbolic, spiritual, and religious significance are significant expressions of a society's history, heritage, identity, and religious beliefs. Their significance and position, especially in the importance of cultural identity and continuity in an ever-changing world, to receive a promotion. Historical, cultural, moral, and religiously significant institutions, spaces, locations, and landscapes are important components of a healthy and humane social life and community pride. The architectural evolution concerning the socio-cultural definition of a country's heritage can be misinterpreted and lead to virtual disappearance if proper restoration or conservation is not performed. https://www.google.com/search?q=moinamoti+comilla&tbm=isch&hl=en&chips=q:moinamoti+comi ll a,online_chips:shalban:OAbmdofKU o%3D&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbtdLjut3vAhX7mUsFHUgWDssQ4lYoAnoECAEQHQ&biw=1349 &b ih=647#imgrc=yYLdJPZ0vN1fDM Analysis: The excavations at Mainamati have thus shed light on nearly every aspect of life and culture in Bengal's southeastern region. It has provided extensive details about the region's social, political, and economic conditions, as well as the discovery of the remarkable early Deva dynasty and Balabhatta, Devaparvata's founder. It has resolved a variety of historical and geographical problems, such as the degree and limits of Samatata, the positions of Devaparvata, Pattikera, and Lalambi-vana (jungle), and Harikela's condition. More specifically, with the terracotta studies and study, as well as the classification and sequence dating of pottery types and other common artefacts, Mainamati has built a solid foundation for future research and investigations in the area. The discoveries at Mainamati have undoubtedly broadened our view of our history. The importance of this collection stems from the fact that it contains only authentic and current stratified materials from Southeast Asia. Recommendations: To foster historical and cultural continuity, as well as broad civic engagement in all forms of cultural events, the government encourages all levels of government, including all local authorities, to register the historical and culturally important areas in Cumilla wherever possible. Promote heritage recognition to emphasize its importance and the need for its preservation, as well as the financial feasibility of restoration. Conclusion: Mainamati historical site is our pride, many ancient dynasties are connected with this site. Thus this reflects our history and the importance of our culture. Antiquities are valuable items. The excavations at Mainamati have obtained an extraordinarily rich harvest of valuable antiquities, including twelve copperplate grants and shorter image inscriptions, over 400 gold and silver coins, and numerous terracotta figurines. The substance of these items come from Shalvan Vihara, which has been meticulously excavated. They contribute significantly to our understanding of ancient Vanga-Samatata, spanning about 700 years from the 6th to the 13th centuries AD. The excavations resulting in a total of twelve copperplate grants, which shed much-needed light on the history, culture, society, and economy of southeastern Bengal. The few dedicatory or votive inscriptions that bear the original name of Shalvan Vihara and its royal builder are very notable among the many short dedicatory or decorative manuscripts. Thus Mainamati holds much ancient pride and can uphold our country to the tourists. References: 1. Alam, M.S., 1992. Buddhist Establishments at Rupban Mura, Mainamati, Bangladesh.