Jumbangla Desk: The history of human settlements in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is changing. Beyond the known history so far, there is evidence of the rich and developed township of ancient Dhaka, which can change the history of 400 years of Dhaka into a history of two and a half thousand years! With which the history of Pundranagar or Mahasthangarh and Uari-Bateshwar are similar in ancient times. Details from Daily Ittefaq's report-

Glazed and rolled pottery of early historic period has been unearthed in an archaeological excavation conducted at the former Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road in Old Dhaka in search of an ancient fort, archaeological researchers say. Which indicates Dhaka's commercial relationship or communication with the Mediterranean Sea and Persia or China. Uwari-Bateshwar and Pundravardhan or Mahasthangarh were also connected with this trade route or silk route in the pre-historic period.

The researchers also say that they have only read the rich history of 400 years of Dhaka on the basis of conventional ideas and information. In the past 1610, Subedar Islam Khan gave Dhaka the status of the capital of Sube Bengal. According to conventional information, Dhaka has received the status of capital five times since 1610 till today. However, according to a recent study, Dhaka, as a prosperous city, received the status of the capital seven times, which is a very rare event in the history of the world.

According to the sources concerned, archaeological excavations started for the first time in the 2016-17 financial year in the Central Jail area on Nazimuddin Road in Old Dhaka in search of Dhaka's early history. Excavations reveal evidence of the turning point in Dhaka's history. In front of the Jail Hospital and near the main Jail Gate, the surface survey revealed the presence of ancient brick and pottery fragments, and it was decided to conduct trial excavations at 11 spots in three places.

Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, a renowned archaeologist and professor of the archeology department of Jahangirnagar University and the supervisor of the excavation, said that signs of ancient human settlements were found in almost all the excavation pits in the central prison area, which later showed that the history of Dhaka is not only a few hundred years, but about 2,000 to 2,500 years. . Analyzing the location of archaeological sites according to the distance between Dhaka and surrounding areas, it can be seen that a rich human settlement and civilization developed in Dhaka since ancient times as an ideal land.

The archaeologist said that under his leadership, a group of archeology researchers and students of Jahangirnagar University conducted archaeological excavations in the old central jail in 2017-18. They carried out 11 excavations at five sites—the front of the main gate of the jail, the courtyard of Rajnigandha Bhavan, the front of the jail hospital, 10 cells and the western area of ​​Jamuna Bhavan. In it they found walls, rooms, drains, wells of an ancient fort. Apart from this, many types of archeological specimens have been found here, including khadi, Mughal period metal coins, various types of pottery, terracotta sculptures.

Mostafizur Rahman said, it has been proven from the evidence that there was a palace fort in Dhaka long before the arrival of Islam Khan. The fort mentioned in Dhaka by Subedar Islam Khan's commander and author Mirza Nathan in his book 'Baharistan-e-Gaybi' was later referred to by historians as 'Dhakadurg'. Islam Khan lived in this fort. But evidence from archeological excavations, after carbon-14 testing at the Beta Laboratory in the United States, dates back to 1430 AD. As a result, it can now be said with certainty that this fort was built before the arrival of Islam Khan and is not 'Dhakadurg'; Rather, it is consistent to say 'Dhaka Fort'.

Professor Sufi said, the history of Dhaka before Islam Khan is not clear. It was known from some monuments, including the Bint Bibi Mosque at Narinda, that there was a prosperous settlement here even before the arrival of Islam Khan. But through these excavations it is clearly proved that not only the township, there was at least one big palace fort and a prosperous city. Where the Subedar and his large army of 50,000 soldiers lived.

This archaeologist also said, this is our experimental excavation. We got a part in this excavation. Through this, there are many more important instructions to turn the tide of history across this area. But sadly, we are no longer allowed to do this excavation. Against this Professor Muntasir Mamun played a negative role. He obstructed by political influence in various ways. Since we made a big discovery. He is a specialist in Dhaka again. Was in the implementation committee. He had leadership. He did not even allow publicity about this important work. He obstructed in various ways. What secret information does he have? That's why it can't be done—that's what he said again and again. But these excavations are not for any learned historian, but for the people of the country. People of the country will not read research paper. Read media news. Attempts were made to contact Professor Muntasir Mamun to inquire about this, but he did not answer the phone.

Incidentally, the name of this excavation project is History of Old Dhaka Central Jail, Preservation of Historical Buildings and Development of Surroundings. If you want to know, project director Lt. Colonel Tawhid said that the Ministry of Interior is its initiative ministry. Dr. as a consultant on the basis of understanding with the Directorate of Prisons through them. Sufi Mustafiz was given permission to dig. He did some experimental excavations. Our official session with him ended with the submission of the report. He also made some recommendations. Based on that recommendation, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Directorate of Prisons and the Directorate of Archaeology. On the basis of that MoU, the Archeology Department is officially conducting excavations at several places suggested by Sufi Mustafiz Sir. Working according to Sir's guidelines. Since it is government land and project, mining is being done through government agency. But just as the soil accumulates in layers under the ground, so does history. Therefore, we have to look at each history with respect and work carefully to bring out each one, because we cannot destroy the history of freedom, the history of anti-British movement while looking for the history of two and a half thousand years of Dhaka.

An archaeologist, who did not want to be named, said that the few glazed pottery or rolled pottery found in excavations cannot be compared with the two and a half thousand year history of Pundravardhan. But the matter can be considered.

The Chief Advisor will felicitate the women footballers who won the SAFF title today