Protect Bangladesh’s oldest archaeological site: Court
By IANSFriday, February 11, 2011
DHAKA - The high court here has ordered enhanced security at Bangladeshs oldest archaeological site — dating back to 3rd century BC — where illegal digging is underway.
Taking note of media reports, the court Thursday asked the secretary, Ministry of Culture, to report within 10 days whether a mosque in the vicinity can be relocated to ensure that the third century BC site can be preserved better as a national heritage.
Located in Bogra district in northern Bangladesh, Mahasthangarh has the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana.
A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC.
The court sought details of the protection to be given at the site and said that, if need be, the elite para military Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) should be deployed, New Age newspaper said.
