Noapara-Ishanchandranagar

Coordinates: 23°15′N 91°18′E / 23.25°N 91.3°E / 23.25; 91.3

Noapara-Ishanchandranagar is one of the largest unexplored archaeological sites in southeastern Bangladesh.^{[citation needed]}

Largely ruins from the Buddhist era in Bengal, many scholars^[who?] believe that the site of the ruins in these villages represent the lost city of Karmanta Vasaka, the 7th century Khadga capital of Samatata.

Location and extent

It is located 3 kilometres north of Chauddagram in the Comilla District, 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.

Buddhist ruins

Noapara is well-known for its ancient Buddhist stupas, 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 (40,000 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 (11 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 (150 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 Bangladesh
• History of Bengal
• History of Bangladesh

External links

• Banglapedia article