This time we went to Bikrampur (Munshiganj), the capital of ancient Bengal on our tour. Although there is a lot to see in Munshiganj, we saw a few places in our one-day tour. On May 7, 2022, at 7 AM, I left Dhaka with Mahbub Bhai @user_not_found for Bikrampur. Let us first shed some light on the history of Bikrampur.
History of Bikrampur
Bikrampur (“City of Courage”) was a pargana situated 19 kilometres (12 mi) south of Dhaka, the modern capital city of Bangladesh. In the present day, it is known as Munshiganj District of Bangladesh. It is a historic region in Bengal and was a part of the Bhawal Estate. The name Bikrampur has emanated from the loving memory of King Vikramaditya.
Ashoka, the emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, ruled all of major parts of Bengal from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. Being a devotee of Gautama Buddha, he propagated Buddhism across his kingdom which included Bikrampur to the east. Following the high ideals of this religion, Pala Kings came to Bikrampur to rule the region 770–810 AD. Since then, Bikrampur has been ruled by different rulers, such as, Chandra Era (reigned 930 – 975 AD), Varman Dynasty (1035-1150 CE), Sen Era which was continued till Emperor Akbar established Bikrampur as one of the 52 parganas of Sonargaon Sarkar in Bengal subah during his administrative reforms in 1572–1580.
During the Mughal rule they built a new town Idrakpur which was named after Mughal faujdar Idrak. Idrakpur was strategically very significant place for Mughal subadar Mir Jumla. It was the junction of Meghna, Shitalakshya, Ichhamati & Dhaleshwari rivers. Idrakpur fort was built on the bank of Ichhamati river which was the route to the Portuguese & Magh pirates. Idrakpur was the naval base of naval fleet 200 frigates with mortars - cannons. Mir Jumla was successful for protecting his capital Dhaka from pirates. As a result, for being a strategically important place, for defense, Idrakpur (Munshiganj) was becoming popular and developed by the Mughal rulers. The British changed the name Idrakpur as Munshiganj after the name of Munshi Hyder Hosaain (or Munshi Enayet Ali), a local zamindar who was from the village Kazi Kasba in Rampal. Bikrampur was never a district from British to Bangladesh period. In 1945, Munshiganj (Idrakpur) was declared as subdivision of East Indian Company. In 01 March 1984 Munshiganj (Idrakpur) was declared as district of Dhaka division.
Now let’s come to the context of travel…
Muktarpur Bridge
The sixth Bangladesh-China friendship bridge over the river Dhaleswari that connects Narayanganj and Munshiganj district is another attractive place to visit at Munshiganj. This bridge is at Muktarpur, all buses from Dhaka to Munshiganj used to give a stoppage at the base of the bridge.
Even though we were there at summer season, but at the middle of the bridge, there’s always plenty of cool airs from the river, and that was enough to ease the hot from the sun. It’s a lovely place to enjoy our time. At Every moment, under the bridge, different types of water vehicles are passing. Some are bigger in size, some are smaller. Some boats are carrying goods, like sand, woods, etc. Some are trawler that carrying people to their destination. Also, from the middle of the bridge, you can enjoy the beauty of the river Dhaleswari. At the both side of the bridge there are lovely scene to watch. The water of the river is clean.
Baba Adam Mosque
The Mosque of Baba Adam is an ancient mosque from Bangladesh and is a protected architecture. It is located in Munshiganj district. More specifically it is in the village named Koshba of Rekabi bazar union. This mosque is also known as Baba Adam Shahi Mosjid. Baba Adam mosque is a six-dome mosque that was built during 1483 by someone named Malik Kafur. It was the ruling period of Sultan Fateh Shah. The measurement of the mosque is 10m x 3.75m, and the wall of the mosque is 2 meter thick. The mosque has 6 domes in two rows. FYI, in English Mosjid means mosque.
There is a grave of a Muslim saint named Baba Adam just beside the mosque. There is a story amongst the local people that Baba Adam came here during the ruling period of Ballal Sen. He came here to spread the religion Islam. But Baba Adam was killed by the order of Ballal Sen, and he was buried here later on. But as per history looks like those two people were from two different times.
The Archaeological Survey of India once took the initiative to renovate and preserve this mosque once in 1909. But then nothing happened. In 1991, the Iron Boundary Fence was erected by the Bangladesh Department of Archeology. However, due to lack of proper maintenance, cracks and worshipers are not being accommodated in some places of the historic mosque. About five hundred and fifty years have passed and the prayers in the mosque have never stopped. This unique Muslim installation has been supervised by the Department of Archeology since 1947. Yet its condition is serious. The walls have fallen. Dilapidated floor. Durba grass has grown on the roof. The entrance is almost broken. It seems that this old installation is constantly complaining about its survival.
Gajari of Rampal Raja Ballal Sen
The Gajari tree at Rampal during the reign of King Ballal Sen is now a witness to history. Munshiganj Sadar Upazila Rampal Union has this very valuable Gajari tree with dry wooden poles.
It is said that elephants were tied to this Gajari tree during the reign of King Ballal Sen. It is also rumored that the Gajari tree died in May 1930 for the first time and turned into a dry wooden pole.
Rampal Dighi (Lake)
Rampal Dighi is one of the most ancient Dighi (large pond) in Munshiganj District. It is about 1500m long from north to south and 300m wide. Recently built Rampal College stands on its northern bank. Rampal Dighi covers an area of about 55 acres of land.
Ballal Sen (reign: 1160-1179) was the second ruler of the Sen dynasty of Bengal. He was the son and successor of Vijay Sen, the founder of Sen dynasty. King Ballal Sen was a famous ruler of Sen dynasty in Bikrampur.
One day his mother told him that the tenants need a good & suitable source of water for their everyday use. The kind King set arrangement for making a very large pond. Actually, his mother was instructed by some Angelic figures in a lucid dream. So, according to her dream she decided to walk a mile. Her walkway will be the area of the pond.
After the pond is being dug, there was no water at all. Again, according to the instruction of an angelic entity the King decided to sacrifice himself. But at last moment kings’ friend Rampal took his place. Rampal sacrificed himself and the pond was filled with water instantly. But unfortunately, today there is no water in this pond anymore.
Idrakpur Fort
Idrakpur Fort is a Mughal architecture located in Munshiganj town of Munshiganj district. Mir Jumla, the subadar and general of Bengal, built this fort in 160 A.D. at a place called Idrakpur on the west bank of the then Ichhamati river in the present Munshiganj district headquarters. The fort is slightly smaller in size than Hajiganj and Sonakanda forts in Narayanganj. 62 m × 62 m. This rectangular brick fort was built to protect the whole area including Dhaka and Narayanganj from the then Mughal pirates and Portuguese invasion.
There is a rumor that this fort was connected with Lalbagh fort in Dhaka by tunnel. Ichhamati, Dhaleshwari, Meghna and Shitalakshya rivers are located within three kilometers of the fort. The Idrakpur fort was declared a protected antiquity in 1909 as a unique masterpiece of Mughal architecture.
According to another source, the ancient name of Munshiganj was Idrakpur. It is said that there was a man named Munshi Haider Hossain in Idrakpur during the Mughal rule. The Mughal rulers appointed him faujdar. Munshiganj was named after Munshi Haider Hossain, a very kind and philanthropist.
Source: https://www.travelmate.com.bd/idrakpur-fort/
Bikrampur Vihara
Bikrampur Vihara is an ancient Buddhist vihara at Raghurampur village, Bikrampur, Munshiganj District in Bangladesh.
The discovery was announced on 23 March 2013, after four years of excavation conducted jointly by Agrasar Bikrampur Foundation, a local sociocultural organization, and the Archaeology Department of Jahangirnagar University. The excavation was financed by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
On 23 March 2013, Director of the Archaeological Excavation and Research in Bikrampur region, declared the discovery of this 1000-year-old Buddhist Vihara. Over 100 precious idols and sculptures have been found till March, 2013.
This is one of the thirty viharas built by Emperor Dharmapala during his regime c. 820 as the second emperor of the Pala Empire. It is connected to Atiśa, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. During the time of Atiśa, this region was the center of Buddhist education and some 8,000 students and professors came to study at Bikrampur from as far as China, Tibet, Nepal and Thailand.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikrampur_Vihara
Atish Dipankar Memorial Complex
World famous Buddhist scholar and philosopher Atish Depankar Shreegyen (982-1054) was born in the Bajrajogini village of Bikrampur in Bangladesh. He went to Tibet, where Buddhism was declined, at the invitation of the Tibetan king, and established Buddhism there once again.
Due to his remarkable contribution to Buddhism, he is highly venerated and respected in Buddhist society of China, Japan, Korea, Nepal and Taiwan. He died in Tibet at the age of 73. After 1000 years of his death His holy relics were brought in Bangladesh and placed in his birthplace. And with the help of Chinese government largest stupa of Bangladesh was built on His holy relics. Beside the stupa Atish Memorial Complex, Atish memorial library, Meditation room and Museum were built by Bangladesh government.
Archaeological remains of Nateshwar Deul
(Buried the ground a few days ago due to rainfall again reopen during winter season for excavation)
Atish Dipankar, a great scholar of Buddhism, was born in the village of Bajrajogini in Munshiganj Sadar of ancient Bikrampur. Nateshwar Deul is three miles west of this village. It is believed that Atish Dipankar used to worship Buddhism in this Buddhist monastery in Nateshwar. Historians believe that a Buddhist monastery was built here in 900 A.D. because of Atish Dipankar. Multiple discoveries are proving that this Buddhist monastery here was known all over the world as a rich Buddhist monastery. The Buddhist ‘Dharmachakra’ has 4.7.8.12.24 and even 31 spokes. Each of the spokes carries different meanings in the symbolic sense of Buddhism. The eight-pointed ‘Dharmachakra’ in the fifth octagonal stupa discovered at Nateshwar doubles the original eightfold path of Buddhism.
In Buddhism, the Dharmachakra has been considered as a single deity since ancient times. In Buddhism, 8 symbols are imagined as the eighth Mars. ‘Dharmachakra’ is one of them. The Dharmachakra is compared to the sun’s rays. Octagonal and round symbolic architecture. The eight-spoke Dharmachakra is a symbolic form of the main mantra of Buddhism. Before the discovery here, there was no news of ‘Dharmachakra’ anywhere else in Bangladesh. Besides, there are no reports of ‘Dharma Chakra’ anywhere in the Indian subcontinent. The ancient style of construction here bears the mark of extraordinary skill. The construction here has bricks laid vertically on a square foundation. The ‘Dharmachakra’ has been built on the pile of ‘Dharmachakra’ like the wheels of a bullock cart. Earlier, the first and fourth octagonal piles were discovered in the early stages of the Dharmachakra. Glimpses were seen. The newly discovered fifth octagonal stupa, the Dharmachakra, has eight spokes. The number of each spoke carries different meanings in the symbolic sense of Buddhism.
Archaeological excavations are being carried out on 10 acres of land at Nateshwar Deul.
Sonarong Jora Moth
Sonarong (means golden color) is a lovely village at Tongibari Upazila of Munshiganj district. This village belong a beautiful “Moth”(a place for praying by Hindu religious people) which is known as “Sonarong Jora Moth” (“twin moth”). It is used to call twin moth/temple, because it has two towers side by side. It may be around 150 feet high from the ground.
There is a large pond just in front of the Moth. This moth is not functioning now a days. Interviewing local people, we came to know that, there are no praying activities take place in this moth. The larger moth was made for “Shiva”(Hindu God), and made during 1843, and the smaller one for “Kali”(Hindu Goddess), and made during 1886. It was built by a Hindu merchant named “Rupchand” From stone inscriptions fixed over the temple’s entrance. The two towers of the moth are not equal sized. One is much larger than another one.
Both the towers of the moth are ornamented nicely with different types of leaf motif and blind alcoves.
Ghusal Bari (Palace)
Ghoshal Bari Zamindar Palace, about 150 years old (now rebuilt) zamindar bari is located just nearby the Radha-Krishna temple with its outstanding view at Khilpara, South Betka village, Tongibari Upazila, Munshiganj District.
Bikrampur Museum
Bikrampur Museum and Cultural Center is located in Munshiganj district of Bangladesh . [1] The Bangladesh government laid the foundation stone of the museum in 2014 by acquiring the land of Zamindar Jadunath Babu. [2] [3] The museum is open to the public six days a week, except on Thursdays.
Zamindar Raja Srinath Roy’s house in Uttar Balashur village of Bhagyakul union of Srinagar upazila. The last zamindar of this family was Jadunath Roy. The zamindar’s house has a huge old building with a temple built two hundred years ago. In order to preserve the memory of this house of Zamindar Jadunath Roy, a museum, guest house and theme park have been constructed on an area of about 13 and a half acres with the initiative of Bikrampur Foundation and government funding.
Archaeological excavations were started at Raghurampur and Nateshwar villages in Srinagar on the initiative of Bikrampur Foundation. Many archeological specimens have been found in these excavations. The museum has been built with about one hundred archeological specimens. There are two large earthenware pots on either side of the main entrance to the three-story building. The gallery on the left side of the ground floor is named after Zamindar Jadunath Roy. The museum has ancient maps of Bikrampur, photographs of various antiquities, Buddhist monastery, Hazrat Baba Adam (ra) Shaheed Mosque, Indrakpur fort, introductory photographs of Atish Dipankar. Besides, photographs of the stone statues preserved in the National Museum, Barind Museum and Calcutta Museum. There are various archeological specimens including terracotta tubes, earthenware pots, terracotta toys found from different areas of Bikrampur including Raghurampur and Nateshwar. Photographs with introductions of various scholars of Bikrampur,
The two rooms on the ground-floor of the museum are named Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Gallery and Zamindar Jadunath Roy Gallery. The second-floor gallery has been renamed as Muktijoddha Gallery.
Sri Sri Rajalakshmi Narayan Jiu Temple
It is a place of worship for the followers of traditional religions. Worship is always done here.
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Complex
Sir J.C. Bose Complex is located at Rarikhal, Sreenagar, Munshiganj. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose (30 November 1858 - 23 November 1937) was a Bengali polymath, physicist, biologist, botanist, archaeologist, as well as an early writer of science fiction. He pioneered the investigation of radio and microwave optics, made very significant contributions to plant science, and laid the foundation of experimental science in the Indian subcontinent. He is sometimes considered the father of Bengali science fiction.
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was the first successful Bengali scientist to discover the life of plants. He also dreamed of inventing wireless devices. Jagadish Chandra Bose College and Complex has been built on thirty acres of his ancestral home.
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose 's house has 6 rooms. A room in the house has been converted into a museum. It is being used as a museum of Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose. The museum also has a portrait of Jagadish Chandra Bose, research papers and a handwritten manuscript. There is a letter written by Rabindranath Tagore to receive the Nobel, a letter written by Rabindranath to Jagadish Chandra Bose. The museum has 18 rare oil paintings, copies of lectures given by the Royal Society, and other rare items. Besides, there are 6 dighis (ponds) in this house.
It is known that Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose donated his property while he was alive. Suruj Bala Saha Vidyalaya was established there in 1921 and later Jagadish Chandra Bose Institution and College was established in 1991. The Jagadish Chandra Bose Complex was built in 2011 at the initiative of the Jagadish Chandra Bose Institution.
Source: https://dailyasianage.com/news/43738/an-extraordinary-place-for-travel
Shyamsiddhi Moth
Shyamsiddhi Math is a monastery located in Shyamsiddhi village in Srinagar upazila of Munshiganj district in Bangladesh. A Bangla inscription fixed over the doorway in the south side implies that it was constructed by one Sambhunath Majumder in 1758 (1836 AD). The math is named after by its location.
The monastery is considered to be the tallest monastery and tallest monument in the Indian subcontinent. The Qutub Minar in Delhi, India is 236 feet high. And the height of this monastery of Shyam Siddhi is 241 feet. The octagonal monastery is 21 feet long and 21 feet wide. However, unlike the Qutub Minar, it is not preserved, only the ruins of the Shyam Siddhi monastery now remain. The precious stone and brass pitcher of the monastery no longer exists, the doors and windows designed for its original structure have long since been stolen. Inside the monastery was a 3-foot-high Kasti stone Shivling, which was stolen late at night on September 30, 1995. The monastery was built by Sambhunath Majumdar, a wealthy man from Bikrampur. It is said that Sambhunath built this monastery in a dream when he was instructed to build a monastery on his father’s cheetah.
Solepur St. Joseph Church
St. Joseph Church is located in the village of Solepur in Kein Union of Sirajdikhan, the only one in Munshiganj district. It is a place of worship for the followers of Christianity.
Rai Bahadur Sreenath Palace
The house of Rai Bahadur Sreenath Roy is on the verge of destruction due to carelessness, neglect and lack of reforms. History Munshiganj district is a green land of tradition. The region has been rich in tradition and tradition since prehistoric times. Different dynasties have ruled in this Munshiganj region at different times. Much of the history of Munshiganj is still unread or neglected. Such a stressful history is the house of Rai Bahadur Sreenath Roy.
Location of Roy Bahadur Srinath Roy’s house in Shekhernagar village of Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district. The house is half a kilometer east of Shekhernagar Rai Bahadur Institution. This house on a few acres of scheduled land in the village is witnessing the future and is announcing its existence.
This house was built about two hundred years ago. The design of the house is square. The two-story building on the east side will be about 40 by 20 feet. The one-story building on the north side may be 20 feet. The 15-storey building on the west side and the 20-foot-tall one-storey building on the south side may be.
There are two ponds on the east and south side of the house. During the partition of India in 1947, all the family members of Raja Srinath Roy moved to Calcutta. The house of Raja Srinath Roy is made of brick surki and lime.
Rai Bahadur Sreenath Charitable Hospital
The British rulers conferred the titles of “King” and “Rai Bahadur” on Sreenath Roy, a wealthy man from Munshiganj. He was a generous man. Bangla 21 Shravan in 1322, Governor of Bengal Lord Carmichael came to the house of Rai Bahadur Sreenath Roy. The purpose of his visit was to inaugurate a charity clinic.
Rai Bahadur Sreenath Institution
It is a non-government school. This institute’s EIIN number is 111168. This institute is located in Shekhernagar, Munshiganj, Dhaka division. It’s geographical area is plain land. It offers classes upto Secondary level.
Other activities during tour
Prayer:
Lunch:
On the bank of Padma River:
On the bank of Ichamati River:
Centennial Gab tree:
Evening snacks:
