Ruins of Buddhism in Paharpur - Bangladesh

The Organization of Science and Education into the United Nations Culture has recognized - the Buddhist ruins in Paharpur of Bangladesh are the World Cultural Heritage in 1985.

For a very long time in history, Bangladesh today was once part of India. That time was called Bengal , the history of modern Bangladesh was quite short. The borders of Bangladesh today are established with the partition of Bengal and India in 1947, when the region became part of East Pakistan, a newly established country. What is interesting is that although Bangladesh is a country with an overwhelming number of Muslims, Buddhism still plays a small role in the nation's history and culture. Nationally, Buddhism is the third largest religion in this country.

Ruins of Buddhism in Paharpur

The number of Buddhists is not a factor that makes Buddhism important in Bangladesh, but the main thing is the history of Buddhism here. The distance from Bodhgaya to Bengal is not far and this area plays a huge role in the development of Buddhism. Buddhist scholars in Bangladesh said that the Buddha preached at Majjhimadesh of the Indian kingdom, a land extended to the town of Kajangal, which is the city of Mahasal in Bangladesh today. They believed that the Buddha came to Kajangal and preached two dharma teachings to the followers there. However, there is no historical evidence that the Buddha came to a part of Bangladesh to preach in his life.

Under the time of Emperor Ashoka (304-232 BC), Buddhism was steadily developed as the number one religion in Bengal, and Buddhism continued to thrive in the region until the 12th century. Bengal becomes the last stronghold of Buddhism while Hinduism and Islam are gradually dominating the Subcontinent.

In the fifth century, the Chinese astrologer, Phap Hien, visited Tamralipti (West Bengal, India) and saw 24 Buddhist monasteries. By the 7th century, Xuanzang visited different parts of Bengal. In Samatata (Noakhali district of Bangladesh today), he saw 30 monasteries with more than 2,000 monks, and in Karnasuvarna (North Bengal) there are 10 monasteries with 2,000 monks. In addition, in Tamralipti, he saw 10 monasteries with 1,000 monks. At Pundravardhana (Mahastan, Bogra district in the present), he saw 20 monasteries with 3,000 monks. Archaeological excavations in Mainamati, Comilla district have discovered the Salvana monastery, which remains the ruins of the historic monastery of Kanakastupa, where Xuanzang visited. From 750 to 1150, Buddhism flourished to the height of Bangladesh's history under the patronage of Pala dynasties, such as King Gopala, Dharmapala and Devapala. From 1150 to 1760, Buddhism gradually disappeared from Bangladesh. After the recession of Pala kings, the Hindu army came to dominate Bengal and suppressed Buddhism. The surviving Buddhists retreated to the Chittagong area. In less than a century, the Sena dynasties were overwhelmed by the tide of Islam.

Viahara Paharpur area has famous temples including Somapura Mahavira . This temple was built by Pala Dharmapala emperors (770 - 810). Paharpur is a small village about 5 km west of Bangladesh's Rajshahi district. It has large temples and temples, considered one of the most important and largest temples in the Himalayas.

The remaining Buddha statue in Paharpur

Somapura Mahavira is a large temple with magnificent architecture, both in size and sophisticated. Somapura Mahavira is shaped like a quadrilateral, a very large temple with a giant cross in the middle of the courtyard and north of the temple has a small complex of gates. The walls surrounding the temple are beautifully decorated with walls, 3.5 meters thick and 5 meters high, terracotta decorative pieces carved into Bengal's religious reflections. Many stone reliefs carved with images of Buddhism are extremely delicate. The architecture of the temple has greatly influenced the architecture of other Buddhist countries including remote countries like Cambodia or Indonesia.

Carved walls.

Close-up of carved figures at Viahara Paharpur

Somapura Mahavira Temple of Viahara Paharpur contains evidence of the development of Mahayana Buddhism. From the 7th to 12th centuries, this is a large and famous Buddhist center of the whole region. The temple was designed completely in accordance with its religious functions, so it had a great influence on the architecture of other temples in the area later on.
In archaeological excavations in this ruins, archaeologists have excavated quite a number of artifacts. However, Somapura Mahavira's archeological artifacts have also been stolen and damaged. Antique collectors in many countries took advantage of the gaps in management to acquire many artifacts in this ruins.

By 1956 -1957, the Bangladesh government had built a museum to store and display excavated artifacts from the Buddhist ruins in Paharpur. At the same time, find and buy artifacts stole from collectors and exhibitors at the Museum, exhibits including terracotta pieces with images of gods, goddesses, coins and copies. carving, decorative bricks and small clay statues.