Mahasthangarh (Ancient Pundranagara)
Mahasthan · Pundranagara
Mauryan 4th c BCE → Pala 12th c·Mauryan → Sunga → Gupta → Pala·🇧🇩 Rajshahi Division, Bogra District, Mahasthan on Karatoya River 12 km north of Bogra, Bangladesh
About
About Mahasthangarh (Ancient Pundranagara)
Ancient Pundranagara — Mauryan–Pala fortified city (4th c BCE–13th c CE) on Karatoya at Mahasthangarh, 12 km north Bogra. 1.5 km rampart, citadel mound, 1928–29 P.C. Sen excavation, France–Bangladesh mission. 3rd c BCE Brahmi inscription, Mauryan–Pala layers, Govinda Bhita, Gokul Medh.
Why it mattersEarliest city in Bangladesh — 2300-year stratigraphy
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Karatoya channel shift?
Theories
- 01Pundra as Ganges–Brahmaputra gateway
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 4th c BCE Mauryan
- Period
- Mauryan 4th c BCE → Pala 12th c
- Culture
- Mauryan → Sunga → Gupta → Pala
- Builders
- Mauryan/Pala
- Purpose
- Capital of Pundravardhana controlling Karatoya trade
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
4th c BCE
Mauryan foundation
3rd c BCE
Brahmi inscription
8th–12th c
Pala centre
On the ground
Structures & features
24.9611° N · 89.3428° E · 24 m · 2 mapped features
Northern Rampart and Govinda Bhita Temple
rampartCitadel rampart with shrine
24.9621° N · 89.3420° EGokul Medh (Behular Basar) Mound
mound48 m Pala brick temple mound 3 km south
24.9596° N · 89.3439° E