NEW MAJOR BUDDHIST FIND MAY BE SIXTH CENTURY

A seven to eight acre site, surrounded by a series of five ramparts, that has been under excavation in North Bengal by Professor Shahnaz Husn Jahan, and students of University of Liberal Arts is now identified as a Buddhist development of sixth or seventh century CE.

Originally provisionally identified as a Hindu site, recent uncovering of the bases of large brick pillars in the centre of the location has raised the probability of remains of a Buddhist Stupa.

Evidence of overbuilding on lower levels of construction suggests lengthy periods of occupation, but fine detail in much of the brickwork is clear evidence of high status remains.

Bangladesh already has as large number of early Buddhist sites, including the World Heritage site at Paharpur. This latest find, however, appears to be even larger, more comparable perhaps with Mahasthan.

Tiger Tours chanced upon this development whilst locating further Rajbari and Zaminderbari to add to their Palaces and Princes travel packages. It will certainly be added to tourist opportunities within their fully escorted programmes, but is sure to attract a great deal of attention when the recent finds are finally reported.