Mahansthangarh

Mahansthangarh

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

Considered the oldest city in Bangladesh, Mahasthangarh dates back to at least the 3rd century BC, and is an easy half-day trip from Bogra. Very few ancient structures remain within this walled complex (garh literally means fortification), so what you’ll see is essentially an archaeological site consisting of foundations and hillocks, which merely hint at past riches. Over the centuries, the site was home to Muslims, Hindus, and most importantly Buddhists. The Buddhist Pala emperors of North Bengal ruled over this region from the 8th to the 11th centuries and it is from this period that most of the visible remains belong. Amongst the ruins, a few relics still stand tall and command attention, and the rural setting is incredibly peaceful. All in all, it's a very pleasant excursion.

How to Go

You can reach Bogra by bus from anywhere in the country and go to Mahasthangarh by CNG. Mahasthangarh is located from 15 km North Sathmatha, Bogra