W e l c o m e t o t a t h y a b a n g l a

West Bengal : An Archaeological Profile

The archaeology of West Bengal still known in bits and pieces - through the early surveys and explorations to the excavations spanning the whole of twentieth century.

Evidence of human activities in pre-historic times comes from two different areas of West Bengal - Darjeeling Himalayas in the North and Western Upland. While the former revealed neoliths, southwestern Bengal revealed all the major stages of pre-historic tool-traditions. The Chalcolithic settlements emerged on the fringe of these pre-historic settlements, by utilising the natural resources of the zone opened up by its stone-age dwellers, essentially a community of hunters and gatherers. Chronological Horizon of stone age in West Bengal however remain uncertain. Chalolithic sites, dating roughly from the middle of the second millennium BC to about 500 BC, extends west ward from Burdwan to the lower slopes of the Chhotonagpur plateau. The settled life in West Bengal villages has its beginning in the Chalcolthic phase. The phase is characterised by agriculture and fishing, use of diagnostic black and red ware, copper objects and craft activities like pot and bead making. Between circa 4th century BC to 3rd century AD is the early historic period in West Bengal. Large settlements representing urban centres emerged in Southern, Western and Northern parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh, Mahasthan, Bangarh, Chandraketugarh, Tamluk, Mangalkot, Pokharna are some of the principal urban centres. Script, currency, weights and measures, trade, art object, brunt brick structures characterise the period.

Lack of material has hindered the way to proper understanding of the historical progress region from 4th to 9th century AD Raktamrittika Mahavihara in the vicinity of Sasanka's capital Karnasuvarna, the most important archaeological site of this era.

Pala and Sena rule extends from 9th to 12th century AD Extensively cultural activity is a mark of this period, evinced from numerous stone bronze and terracotta sculptures and sites like Jagajjivanpur Mahavihara, Ballaldhipi and Bharatpur. Bengal came under Turke-Afgan Rule in 13th Century. A district political identity, under one 'Banglah' developed gradually. This period witnessed a growth of indigenous crafts and spread of internal and external trade. Mosques and tombs in the indigenous idiom were built mostly to be seen in Gaur and Pandua, along with the distinctive School of temple architecture in different parts of West Bengal. Mughals subordinated Bengal in the 17th century, bringing with them elaborate administrative system and architectural traditions, manifested in numerous mosques especially in Murshidabad.

The post-plassey (1757) era in Bengal was the consolidation of British dominance in every sphere. Traditional temple and Mosque building activities continued even through the 19th century, though gradually simplistic in form. Dwelling Houses of Rajahs and Zamindars were built throughout the region in mixed styles. The remnants of such colonial grandeur are still to be found in Kolkata as well as in the countryside.