Mathurapur Deul : Mound from the Bara-Bhuiyans Reign
Ganja : Madhukhali : Faridpur : Bangladesh
What is Mound ?
A mound is a general term for an artificial heaped pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris. The most common use is in reference to natural earthen formation such as hills and mountains, particularly if they appear artificial. In the archaeology, the term "mound" has specific and technical connotations. In this sense, a mound is a deliberately constructed elevated earthen structure or earthwork, intended for a range of potential uses. In European and Asian archaeology, the word "tumulus" may be used as a synonym for an artificial hill, particularly if the hill is related to particular burial customs. (Wiki)
Ganja : Madhukhali : Faridpur : Bangladesh
Introduction
Mathurapur Deul(high mound) is an archeological heritage, a unique vestige of the Bara-Bhuiyans reign in Faridpur. Like most of the archeological places, this one is a 16th century architect comprising terracotta from Hindu Myth. The Deul is situated at Mathurapur of Gajna union under Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur district. Though Deul means the wall in Bangla, but its not a wall at all.
What is Mound ?
A mound is a general term for an artificial heaped pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris. The most common use is in reference to natural earthen formation such as hills and mountains, particularly if they appear artificial. In the archaeology, the term "mound" has specific and technical connotations. In this sense, a mound is a deliberately constructed elevated earthen structure or earthwork, intended for a range of potential uses. In European and Asian archaeology, the word "tumulus" may be used as a synonym for an artificial hill, particularly if the hill is related to particular burial customs. (Wiki)
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| The Daily Star 2008-07-05 |
Hight of Mathurapur Mound
I am confused about the hight of this medieval mound, because there are several statistics available about its hight varied from 70 to 90 feet. Department of Archeology provided that this authentic structure is 80 feet hight.
Terracotta
I am confused about the hight of this medieval mound, because there are several statistics available about its hight varied from 70 to 90 feet. Department of Archeology provided that this authentic structure is 80 feet hight.
Terracotta
One look at the structure reveals its unique beauty: Fashioned out of terracotta, the Deul is decorated with numerous mythical figures such as terracotta flowers and foliage, gods and goddesses, Hanuman in ecstatic mood, nude dancing figures, and horses in motion.
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| The Daily Star 2008-07-05 |
The Myth
There are several myth about building the artificial mound. I prefer the most authentic proof related to the Raja Sitaram also known as Mukunda Ray, the King of self sovereign Bhusna, just four kilometers from this Duel, built this Duel.The beleaguered king turned for help to King Pratapadittya of Jessore and Isa Khan of Sonargaon. Both sent soldiers to help Sitaram. However, the soldiers of the two rulers arrived late, as they had to cross the rivers Garai, Madhumati, Chandana and Padma. As the Mughal soldiers attacked Bhusana, King Sitaram fought back valiantly and won the battle. Later, gathering strength from Delhi, the Mughal soldiers once again engaged in the battle and won the fight.
Other mythes
King Mathura Mohan, after whom the village was named. Mathura wished to build a tomb in his lifetime and he was buried beside the Deul after his death. However, other schools of thought strongly refute this theory.
According to Sultana Zakia Bedura, research assistant of Archaeology Department, there was a Subedar of Fatehabad named Sangram Singh who built the Deul.According to another reference this region was familiar as Fatehabad and divided into 30 parganas. One of these, Bhusana, was ruled by a king called Satrajit who was defeated by Mughal soldiers. To celebrate their victory, the latter built the Deul.Another wonderful mythological story has it that the Deul was seven-storied and there was the flowing Chandana River. Envious of each other, the Deul wanted to make the river dry, while the river wanted to drown the Deul. At last, the Deul won; it was partially drowned but left the river dry. Chandana River is no more.
There's another story that Emperor Akbar sent his general Man Singh to defeat the 'Baro Bhuiyan' (the twelve rulers in Bengal). While Man Singh was successful, a close aide of his died in the battle. As a sign of commemoration, Man Singh had the Deul built.(Rezaul Karim, the Daily Star)
How to reach there
If anyone wants to go there from Faridpur Town, will find many local buses to come in Madhukhali.Bus for khulna, jhenaidah or Magura also goes through Madhukhali. It may take 45 minutes to reach Madhukhali bazar, which is a common node of Faridpur-Khulna Highway. After dropping at Madhukhali node, there is a feeder road goes to Rajbari town north to Madhukhali, the mound is situated 2 kilometers north from bazar, right side of that road. The bank of river Candana is in close vicinity (just left to that) mound. Rickshaw is best transport to reach duel from Madhukhali, it may take 10 taka fair for a single trip, 30 taka for up-down from Mahdukhali. Enjoy!
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Google Earth
There are several myth about building the artificial mound. I prefer the most authentic proof related to the Raja Sitaram also known as Mukunda Ray, the King of self sovereign Bhusna, just four kilometers from this Duel, built this Duel.The beleaguered king turned for help to King Pratapadittya of Jessore and Isa Khan of Sonargaon. Both sent soldiers to help Sitaram. However, the soldiers of the two rulers arrived late, as they had to cross the rivers Garai, Madhumati, Chandana and Padma. As the Mughal soldiers attacked Bhusana, King Sitaram fought back valiantly and won the battle. Later, gathering strength from Delhi, the Mughal soldiers once again engaged in the battle and won the fight.
Other mythes
King Mathura Mohan, after whom the village was named. Mathura wished to build a tomb in his lifetime and he was buried beside the Deul after his death. However, other schools of thought strongly refute this theory.
According to Sultana Zakia Bedura, research assistant of Archaeology Department, there was a Subedar of Fatehabad named Sangram Singh who built the Deul.According to another reference this region was familiar as Fatehabad and divided into 30 parganas. One of these, Bhusana, was ruled by a king called Satrajit who was defeated by Mughal soldiers. To celebrate their victory, the latter built the Deul.Another wonderful mythological story has it that the Deul was seven-storied and there was the flowing Chandana River. Envious of each other, the Deul wanted to make the river dry, while the river wanted to drown the Deul. At last, the Deul won; it was partially drowned but left the river dry. Chandana River is no more.
There's another story that Emperor Akbar sent his general Man Singh to defeat the 'Baro Bhuiyan' (the twelve rulers in Bengal). While Man Singh was successful, a close aide of his died in the battle. As a sign of commemoration, Man Singh had the Deul built.(Rezaul Karim, the Daily Star)
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| Travel route from Madhukhali Bazar (Click for Enlarge pix) |
If anyone wants to go there from Faridpur Town, will find many local buses to come in Madhukhali.Bus for khulna, jhenaidah or Magura also goes through Madhukhali. It may take 45 minutes to reach Madhukhali bazar, which is a common node of Faridpur-Khulna Highway. After dropping at Madhukhali node, there is a feeder road goes to Rajbari town north to Madhukhali, the mound is situated 2 kilometers north from bazar, right side of that road. The bank of river Candana is in close vicinity (just left to that) mound. Rickshaw is best transport to reach duel from Madhukhali, it may take 10 taka fair for a single trip, 30 taka for up-down from Mahdukhali. Enjoy!
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Google Earth
3 comments:
Great post as usual, Faysal! ;) However, you still have to convince me a bit more why you think it resembles a tumulus though, as from what I can gather, tumuli are burial mounts made out of soil and were created in this time period.
There is a huge gap of time, but both the tumuli and mound is basically created for the same purpose. The burial or burial function. Generally Hindus are cremated the corpse, but they also bury those who died before attain majority, or in war, and used to grave or buried together in a single place. Mathurapur mound was created in medieval age, followed the latest architecture instead of creating an ordinary mound.
I see what you mean now. Thanks for explaining. ;)
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