RAJSHAHI, Sept 12, 2022 (BSS) - The first museum established in erstwhile
East Bengal in 1910, Varendra Research Museum is very much a popular and
tourist attraction contributing a lot to showcasing the century-old
historical and archeological artifacts.
Located in Hossainiganj area in the metropolis and run by Rajshahi
University, the museum is enriched with the monuments that still defied the
ravages of man and nature.
Professor Abdul Mazid, Director of the museum, said the centuries-old
artifacts showcased at the museum present the glorious past of Bengal in
general and of Varendra in particular.
The museum library has a collection of books and periodicals, right from the
beginning, essential for research and higher studies in ancient and medieval
history and art and archaeology of Bengal.
Collection of the museum consists of stone and metal sculptures, epigraphs,
coins, pottery and plaques in terracotta, weapons, Arabic and Persian
documents, paintings, books and periodicals, Sanskrit and Bengali
manuscripts.
Referring to the historical and archeological records, Professor Mazid said
the museum originated from Varendra Research Society, which was established
by Saratkumar Ray and two of his close associates Akshay Kumar Maitreya and
Ramaprasad Chanda.
A large number of visitors from both home and abroad visit the museum
everyday from home and abroad, he added.
Saratkumar led an exploratory tour accompanied by AK Maitreya, Rakhaldas
Bandyopadhyay and a few others to Deopara, Palpara, Malancha, Jugpur, Itahar,
Chabbishnagar, Mandoil, Kumarpur, Khetur and Vijaynagar in early April 1910.
The party was able to collect 32 pieces of sculptures, including the life-
size images of Chandi from Mandoil.
Akshay Kumar constructed the museum building at his own cost on the land
donated by his elder brother Raja Pramada Nath Ray of Dighapatiya.
Lord Carmichael laid its foundation stone on 13 November 1916. The museum was
opened on 27 November 1919.
Gallery-1 showcases relics of the Indus Valley-Civilization (2500 BC), found
from the excavations at Paharpur in Bangladesh (8th-12th century AD), Persian
farmans and Bangla documents, Sanskrit inscriptions in old Bangla scripts,
glazed tiles, metal ware in Islamic style, hand written copies of the Holy
Quran, Bangla and Sanskrit manuscripts, Mughal paintings and miscellaneous
sculptures in stone and bronze, antiquities from Nalanda, Bihar and other
parts of India.
In gallery-2, there are Buddhist and Hindu stone sculptures and modern wood
sculptures.
Gallery-3 displays Hindu sculptures: images of Surya, Shiva, Ganesha and
Visnu. Cult icons of the Shaktas of Durga-Gauri-Uma-Parvati, the Matrikas and
Chamunda are displayed in gallery-4.
Gallery-5 offers images of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Taras, Jaina Tirthankaras
and minor gods and goddesses of Hinduism.
Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit and old Bangla stone inscriptions, sculptured
stones of the Muslim period, miharab, decorated doorjambs and lintels and a
pair of Sher Shah's Bronze cannons are displayed in gallery-6.
The upper row of the verandah is furnished with terracotta moulded plaques
from Paharpur.
In the bottom row, there are Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. The courtyard
offers a fascinating view of sculptured stones from Hindu and Muslim
buildings, stone pillars, Shiva Lingams and Yonipattas.
The number of Sanskrit manuscripts traced so far is 2,530. The museum can, at
present with 10,147 volumes, reasonably feel proud of its library.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi University authorities have renovated and modernized the
museum at a cost of Taka 70 lakh donated by American Cultural Center.
Prof Mazid said the museum has now been furnished with more modern
facilities, equipment and designs with construction of a new three-storied
building.