Noapara-Ishanchandranagar
Encyclopedia
Noapara-Ishanchandranagar is one of the largest unexplored archaeological sites in southeastern Bangladesh
.
Largely ruins from the Buddhist era in Bengal
, many scholars believe that the site of the ruins in these villages represent the lost city of Karmanta Vasaka, the 7th century Khadga
capital of Samatata
.
, and spreads over an extensive area of more than 9 square kilometres on both sides of the highway connecting Chittagong
to Dhaka
. The area west of the highway is considered to be the Noapara village, and believed to be smaller in size. The area located east of the highway stretches through 3 villages from south to north: Ishanchandranagar, Rajendrapur and Rangamatia. The ruins spread further north to the village of Sulakia. A short distance from the site to the east lies the international border with India
's state of Tripura
. These villages, apparently on higher grounds of compact reddish soil, contain ancient ruins. Though much of the ancient remains have disappeared from the surface now, much is still in evidence, and the ancient character of the place is largely undeciphered.
Of the three modern villages now occupying the ruins of the main site, Ishanchandranagar, the southern village is the largest and most important. Two ancient water ponds, the larger one on the west facing Noapara, and the smaller on the east facing the Tripura hills, bound it on two sides. Thus confined, the settlement was well defined and well protected in ancient times. It is widely believed to contain the ruins of a palace and administrative complex of an ancient capital city. Everywhere in these villages, heaps of ancient bricks and debris are noticeable on the surface but no valuable or significant cultural objects are in evidence.
s, and is believed to have been a centre of Buddhist religious activity. A distinct and sacred area of religious ceremonies was kept separate and spanned 10 acres (40,468.6 m²). Very recently the western part of this area has been filled up to widen the road although in the process a prominent landmark of history — a 35 feet (10.7 m) high and 300-year old Hindu
matha was demolished. The stupa area, alternatively called Bardhan or Bardhan Rajar Mura or Bhajan Mura, is closely associated with Bhavachandra, a very popular legendary king of the Comilla region.
Two major Buddhist stupas in Noapara are largely in a damaged and dilapidated condition, covered by dense vegetation and jungle growth; the stupas stand 25 feet (7.6 m) tall. Archaeologists found many terracota plaques on its walls in 1988, which were similar to ones recovered from the Shalvan Vihara. The monument was also destroyed in the 1990s. The other stupa at Noapara, smaller in size and more damaged and dilapidated, was lying near a large modern graveyard about 500 feet (152.4 m) north of this monument. It was standing about 12 feet (3.7 m) high here in 1976. Subsequently, it was totally demolished, probably to establish a community health centre, which covers the area now.
The northernmost village of Rangamatia was mentioned three times as an ancient kingdom in the Rajamala (a history of Tripura) by Kailash Chandra Singha. While the precise location was not described, the historical document notes it as situated east of the Kamalanka or Patikara kingdom. Rangamatia might have been the centre of this ancient kingdom. Rangamatia has been identified by some with Rohitagiri, the early kingdom and home of the Chandras of Bengal.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
.
Largely ruins from the Buddhist era in Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, many scholars believe that the site of the ruins in these villages represent the lost city of Karmanta Vasaka, the 7th century Khadga
Khadga
The Khadga Dynasty of Bengal was a family that ruled the areas of Vanga and later Samatata from the 7th to 8th Century CE. Chronoloically, they were the major power in central Bengal between the fall of the Kingdom of Gauda ruled by Shashanka and the rise of the Pala Empire established by Gopala...
capital of Samatata
Samatata
The Kingdom of Samatata was a kingdom in ancient Bengal, located at the mouth of the Brahmaputra river in the south east of Bengal. It was a vassal to the Gupta Empire....
.
Location and extent
It is located 3 kilometres north of Chauddagram in the Comilla DistrictComilla District
The district of Comilla consists 4543 mosques, 379 temples, 98 churches, 34 Buddhist temples and six tombs.-Places of interest:Important landmarks include Kotbari, a cantonment, or military installation and Kandirpar, considered the heart of the Comilla district...
, and spreads over an extensive area of more than 9 square kilometres on both sides of the highway connecting Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
to Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
. The area west of the highway is considered to be the Noapara village, and believed to be smaller in size. The area located east of the highway stretches through 3 villages from south to north: Ishanchandranagar, Rajendrapur and Rangamatia. The ruins spread further north to the village of Sulakia. A short distance from the site to the east lies the international border with India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
's state of Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
. These villages, apparently on higher grounds of compact reddish soil, contain ancient ruins. Though much of the ancient remains have disappeared from the surface now, much is still in evidence, and the ancient character of the place is largely undeciphered.
Of the three modern villages now occupying the ruins of the main site, Ishanchandranagar, the southern village is the largest and most important. Two ancient water ponds, the larger one on the west facing Noapara, and the smaller on the east facing the Tripura hills, bound it on two sides. Thus confined, the settlement was well defined and well protected in ancient times. It is widely believed to contain the ruins of a palace and administrative complex of an ancient capital city. Everywhere in these villages, heaps of ancient bricks and debris are noticeable on the surface but no valuable or significant cultural objects are in evidence.
Buddhist ruins
Noapara is well-known for its ancient Buddhist stupaStupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
s, and is believed to have been a centre of Buddhist religious activity. A distinct and sacred area of religious ceremonies was kept separate and spanned 10 acres (40,468.6 m²). Very recently the western part of this area has been filled up to widen the road although in the process a prominent landmark of history — a 35 feet (10.7 m) high and 300-year old Hindu
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
matha was demolished. The stupa area, alternatively called Bardhan or Bardhan Rajar Mura or Bhajan Mura, is closely associated with Bhavachandra, a very popular legendary king of the Comilla region.
Two major Buddhist stupas in Noapara are largely in a damaged and dilapidated condition, covered by dense vegetation and jungle growth; the stupas stand 25 feet (7.6 m) tall. Archaeologists found many terracota plaques on its walls in 1988, which were similar to ones recovered from the Shalvan Vihara. The monument was also destroyed in the 1990s. The other stupa at Noapara, smaller in size and more damaged and dilapidated, was lying near a large modern graveyard about 500 feet (152.4 m) north of this monument. It was standing about 12 feet (3.7 m) high here in 1976. Subsequently, it was totally demolished, probably to establish a community health centre, which covers the area now.
Dol samudra and Rangamatia
Along the western side of Noapara lies a wide waterlogged depression popularly known as "Dol Samudra," extending up to Chauddagram and Laksam. Archaeologists believe this to have been a large ancient river, which may have served as the border between rival kingdoms. Until very recently, ferryboats plied regularly between the two villages. The landing place was called Rajghat; this evidently refers to a large masonry ghat which existed here in ancient times. Local tradition also alludes to a Rajbadi (palace) and a Rajdhani (capital city) in the locality.The northernmost village of Rangamatia was mentioned three times as an ancient kingdom in the Rajamala (a history of Tripura) by Kailash Chandra Singha. While the precise location was not described, the historical document notes it as situated east of the Kamalanka or Patikara kingdom. Rangamatia might have been the centre of this ancient kingdom. Rangamatia has been identified by some with Rohitagiri, the early kingdom and home of the Chandras of Bengal.
See also
- Buddhism in BangladeshBuddhism in BangladeshBuddhism is the third largest religion in Bangladesh with about 0.7% of population adhering to Theravada Buddhism. Most of the practiconers are the tribal Jumma people who are found mainly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where they constitute about 45% of the area's population.- Demographic Overview...
- History of BengalHistory of BengalThe history of Bengal includes modern day Bangladesh and West Bengal, dates back four millennia. To some extent, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers separated it from the mainland of India, though at times, Bengal has played an important role in the history of India.- Etymology :The exact origin...
- History of BangladeshHistory of BangladeshThe history of Bangladesh as a nation state began in 1971, when it seceded from Pakistan. Prior to the creation of Pakistan in 1947, modern-day Bangladesh was part of ancient, classical, medieval and colonial India....