Sriti o Chetona Museum

 

    The main gate of the Dargah Located in Sylhet district of Bangladesh, the Shah Jalal Dargah (Bengali: শাহজালাল দরগাহ) is the shrine and burial place of the 14th century Muslim saint Shah Jalal.  The Bada Gumbad. The site, known as a dargah, was originally a temple which was captured or occupied by the sufis in 1500 CE. Post the occupation, several alterations and renovations were made to its structures over the following centuries. It became a religious centre in the region, respected across multiple ruling administrations and greatly venerated among Bengali Muslims, with local folklore and legends developing around it. The extensive surrounding compound serves several functions and includes four mosques, a religious school and a public cemetery among others. The Dargah is presently the largest and most visited religious site in Bangladesh. Main plaza with the Dargah Gate in the background. Shah Jalal was a Sufi saint traditionally accredited with the Muslim conquest ...

  Situated in the biggest village of the world, Baniachong(alt. Baniyachong, Hobiganj district, Sylhet division), the Bibir Muqam Masjid or Bibir Dargah is an ancient structure which is actually a Hindu temple that was converted some time in the 18th century CE or earlier.  History Baniachong constituted the grand estate (zamindari) of Anwar Khan, who was looked upon as a raja by the local people. Estate of Baniachong was so vast it crisscrossed all districts of Sylhet region as well as the greater Mymensingh, Dhaka and Comilla. In accordance with the Pargana system introduced by Murshid Quli Khan in 1722, Anwar Khan claimed tenure of 28 Parganas of Muazzamabad, but his claim was rejected after an investigation by the revenue office, as these Parganas belong to the posterity of Shah Muazzam Uddin Qureshi, who assumed the name of Muazzam Khan when he ascended the throne of Muazzamabad. Hence, these 28 Parganas: Banshikunda (Vamshikunda), Ranadigha, Shelvarsh, Sukhaid, Bétaal, P...

Pregnant victims wait at an abortion clinic in Dacca. During the campaign of terror in Bangladesh, the erstwhile East Pakistan, thousands of women were raped by West Pakistani soldiers. Now many victims have been shunned by their husbands and families. (From Aubrey Menon's report in NYT) "The Rapes of Bangladesh", a report by Aubrey Menon in NYT dated July 23, 1972.

"Why They Fled Pakistan - And Won't Go Back" Khushwant Singh's article in the New York Times dated August 1, 1971. 

  "Hindus Are Targets of Army Terror in an East Pakistani Town" New York Times report, 4th of July, 1971. 

  New York Times report dated 30/03/1971. 

 

  A Bangladesh newspaper report dated 02/02/1971 reports the findings of mass graves in Jhalakati (Jhalokati) and Sirajganj districts.   

  Extract from the Ramayana. By Hazra Chitrakar. Nayagram style of Patochitra.  Extract from Chandi Mangal. By Meena Chitrakar. Nayagram style. 

  Maa Durga and family. Medinipur Patochitra. 

  Maa Manasa. Kalighat Patochitra. 

  Bengal Patochitra, inspired by the Aboriginal life and culture in West Bengal.  Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons. ©বাক্যবাগীশ

  Archaeological activities exhibition of Bengal Patachitra. Photographed during the 'Unveiling the Earth' tilted exhibition of Archaeological Activities, was held at the Gaganendranath Shilpa Pradarshashala, Kolkata from 12th to 15th September, 2014. It was organized by the Directorate of Archaeology & Museums of Information & cultural Affairs Department, West Bengal State Government. Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons. ©Biswajit Ganguly

  A Patua-shilpi performing Patua-sangeet with a patochitra scroll in hand, which will gradually unfold as the song progresses. Image: Collected. Wikimedia Commons. 

  Chaalchitra, a part of Bengal Patochitra, referred to the background Patochitra of the Durga Pratima. History of the Patochitra (পটচিত্র) Patochitra or Pattachitra is an ancient folk art form originating in the eastern Indian states of Paschimbanga (West Bengal) and Odisha.  This traditional, cloth-based scroll painting is known for its intricate details and depictions of puranic narratives and folktales or lokgathas inscribed in it.  In Odisha the Pattachitras were originally created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, as well as other temples. In Paschimbanga, they were originally used as a visual device during the performance of a song. The Bengal Patochitra is a traditional, historical and puranic heritage of Paschim Banga. There are mainly 5 variations of the Bengal Patochitra:  The Durga Pat Chaalchitra Tribal Patochitra Medinipur Patochitra And Kalighat Patochitra.  The subject matter of Bengal Patochitra is mostly puranic narratives, ...

  Durga Sara. An aspect of Bengal Patochitra. Depicting Maa Durga on a lion slaying Mahisasura along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh and Shiva above her head. History of the Patochitra (পটচিত্র) Patochitra or Pattachitra is an ancient folk art form originating in the eastern Indian states of Paschimbanga (West Bengal) and Odisha.  This traditional, cloth-based scroll painting is known for its intricate details and depictions of puranic narratives and folktales or lokgathas inscribed in it.  In Odisha the Pattachitras were originally created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, as well as other temples. In Paschimbanga, they were originally used as a visual device during the performance of a song. The Bengal Patochitra is a traditional, historical and puranic heritage of Paschim Banga. There are mainly 5 variations of the Bengal Patochitra:  The Durga Pat Chaalchitra Tribal Patochitra Medinipur Patochitra And Kalighat Patochitra.  The sub...

  Extract of Chandi Mangal.  By Hazra Chitrakar. Nayagram(Pingla) style of cloth painting or patachitra. History of the Patochitra (পটচিত্র) Patochitra or Pattachitra is an ancient folk art form originating in the eastern Indian states of Paschimbanga (West Bengal) and Odisha.  This traditional, cloth-based scroll painting is known for its intricate details and depictions of puranic narratives and folktales or lokgathas inscribed in it.  In Odisha the Pattachitras were originally created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, as well as other temples. In Paschimbanga, they were originally used as a visual device during the performance of a song. The Bengal Patochitra is a traditional, historical and puranic heritage of Paschim Banga. There are mainly 5 variations of the Bengal Patochitra:  The Durga Pat Chaalchitra Tribal Patochitra Medinipur Patochitra And Kalighat Patochitra.  The subject matter of Bengal Patochitra is mostly puranic narrat...

  Location: Mangalbari, Bhim Er Paanti, Naogaon. Depiction: Bengali language from over a eleven hundred years ago. Bengali was once written using Brahmi script.  The pillar depicts a poem from a 'Charjapad' written by a poet who describes how poverty has affected his life.  "টালতে মোর ঘর নাহি পড়বেষী। হাড়ীতে ভাত নাহি নিতি আবেশী। বেঙ্গ সংসার বডহিল জাঅ। দুহিল দুধ কি বেন্টে ষামায়।" My house is on a hillock, I have no neighbours There is no rice in my pipkin(handi), I starve every day My family is growing every day like that of a frog's,  The milk goes back to the udder of the cow. 

  Rani Rashmoni's Kali Mandir, Dakshineswar  Year: 1890

  Year: 1850

 

  Image Courtesy: পুরনো কলকাতার চালচিত্র 

 

  Exhibit: Ceramic Vase Depiction: Woman warrior holding giant axe along with other women warriors.  Time: 100 BCE or older

  Satcholliser Diary সাতচল্লিশের ডায়েরি Book by Nirmal Kumar Basu লেখক: নির্মলকুমার বসু Publisher: Punascha পুনশ্চ Excerpt from book.

Archaeological Sites of East Bengal (Ancient Vanga-Suhma-Pundra)  MAHASTHANGARH Mahasthangarh (Bengali: মহাস্থানগড় Môhasthangôṛ) is one of the earliest urban archaeological sites so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains 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 fortified area was in use until the 18th century AD. Location: Mahasthan, Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh (East Bengal) Coordinates: 24°57′40″N 89°20′34″E Type: Settlement History Founded: Not later than 3rd century BC Abandoned: 18th century AD Mahasthangarh is the oldest archaeological site in Bangladesh. It dates back to 300 BCE and was the ancient capital of the Pundra Kingdom. Etymology Mahasthan means a place that has excellent sanc...