Important of the Archaeological

Sites of South-East Bangladesh

Archaeological Sites at Lalmai-Mainamati Region
Archaeological Sites at Lalmai-Mainamati Region
 Geographical setting of Lalmai-Manamati region
Lalmai Hills-north-south extended low hill range of
about 17 km long and 2.4 km wide and about 8 km
westward from Comilla town is called the Lalmai-
Mainamati hill range.

The northern part of the hill range is locally known

as Mainamati, while the southern part is known as
Lalmai. The name Lalmai is probably derived from
red soil or from the Lalambi forest, close to
Devaparvata, the capital of the Deva dynasty of
Samatata, was somewhere in the Mainamati hill.
Archaeological Sites at Lalmai-Mainamati Region
The Lalmai hill area lies between the latitudes
23°20”N to 23°30”N and longitudes 91°05”E to
91°10”E. It covers an area of about 33 sq km. The
hill ranges run through the middle of Comilla district.
The average height of the hills is about 15m but some
peaks rise up to 45m or more.

Most of the hilltops are covered by reddish-brown

soil, which makes beautiful scenery of the hill range.
These covering reddish-brown deposits are called
Madhupur Formation of Pleistocene age.
Archaeological Sites at Lalmai-Mainamati Region
Mainamati an isolated ridge of low hills in the eastern
margins of deltaic Bangladesh, about 8 km to the west
of Comilla town is a very familiar name in our cultural
heritage, where archaeological excavations have
revealed very significant materials. A landmark of our
ancient history, it represents a small mass of quasi-
lateritic old alluvium.

These highlands were once thickly wooded with an

abundance of wild life, but modern developments
have indecently disturbed its serene and sublime
Archaeological Sites at Lalmai-Mainamati Region
The twin names - Lalmai- Mainamati - of
the place have significant link with the
past:

Lalmai or the southern part is identical

with Lalambi-vana of the Chandra
epigraphs, while the northern part recalls
the name of the legendary Chandra queen
‘Maynamati’, mentioned in local folk song.
Archaeological Sites at Lalmai-Mainamati Region
The archaeological finds have now established beyond any
doubt that the cultural and political centre of ancient
Vanga-Samatata (southeast Bengal) was located here. The
glory and magnitude of that remarkable past is emphatically
manifest in the innumerable monuments, mounds and
excavated remains, adequately supplemented by an
impressive array of stray finds from the area.

Mainamati today is, however, better known for its Buddhist

remains exposed by excavations. Here, indeed, lies the
greatest assemblage of ancient Buddhist remains in
Bangladesh.
Site map of Lalmai-Mainamati region
Salban Vihara, Mainamati
Mainamati

Fossil wood collected from Lalmai hill.

Mainamati

Gupta Imitation Gold Coin

Mainamati

Bronze Buddha
Mainamati
Mainamati
Mainamati
Salban Vihara and its location
 Salban Vihara is located about 8 km to the west of Comilla
town. The archaeological records have now established
beyond any doubt that the cultural and political centre of
ancient Vanga-Samatata (southeast Bengal).

The most outstanding of the monastic architecture exposed

at Mainamati is the Salban Vihara. The complex represents a
plan of four ranges of living cells, a total of 115, round a
central courtyard. The courtyard is a perfect square with
167.68 m each side externally.
Mainamati
 Salban Vihara
There is a cruciform temple situated in the centre of
the courtyard. The only entrance of the vihara is
located on the north side which is approached by a
brick-paved path measured 53.08 m long and 0.91 m
wide. The entrance hall is flanked by guard-rooms.

All the rooms are fronted by a continuous verandah.

The outer walls of the cells are 5.03 m thick.
Excavations have revealed four periods. A few
subsidiary buildings, mainly shrines, stupas have
been found within the courtyard.
Mainamati

 The central temple Salvan Vihara

The central temple of the Salban Vihara, as has
been found today, is an accumulation of the
remains of four temples built at successive stages
beginning with the huge cruciform temple at the
bottom.

Subsequently, the temple took a rectangular

shape. The first shrine was built in the form of a
Greek cross measuring 51.82 m. from arm to arm.
The basement walls were decorated with a string
course of terracotta plaques.
 Mainamati
 Shalvan Vihara
The exposed temple structure shows a broad
staircase on the north side leading to an
entrance hall, with a pillared pavilion in the
centre.

It was connected with the Caitya or the inner hall

by a covered passage. The roof of the Caitya
rested on 12 brick pillars. The temple cell with a
tiered pedestal for the image is at the southern
end of the hall, surrounded by a 1.52 m wide
Mainamati

 Salban Vihara
Mainamati

 Salban Vihara
Salban Vihara
Salban Vihara
Salban vihar

Salban Vihara
The courtyard is generally brick paved and crowded
with a host of auxiliary structures, mostly votive
stupas, subsidiary shrines and chapels.

Eight copperplate inscriptions – one of a Gupta king,

three of the Khadga kings and four of the Deva kings
– have been found in the Salban Vihara excavation.
Nearly three hundred fifty coins of gold and silver
have been recovered.
Mainamati

 Salban Vihara: Cell

 The average size of the monastery cell is 3.7 x 3.7m,
separated from one another by 1.68m thick partition
wall. Each of them was provided with a threshold
wooden door and usually with 3 corbelled niches in the
inner walls.

 Period I: The excavator unearthed plentiful antiquities

in the early level of vihara cell. Fireplaces associated
with ashes, charcoal and body fragments of cooking pots
are quite common in this level. The facts probably
suggest that the monks cooked their food individually at
that stage.
Mainamati

 Salban Vihara
 Period II: During this period, the original door passage was
bricked up to build new floors and thresholds on top. The
process was repeated in the next period also.

 Period III: In this period new architectural features were added

in cells such as niches or lobbies in the back walls, brick masonry
platforms inside the cells and staircases in the corner rooms.

 Period IV: The structural remains of this last period are

preserved only on the northern side of the monastery, on the
west of the gateway. Cubicles were rebuilt after reducing the
thickness of the wall from 5m to 3m and pushing the verandah
and cell backwards.
Mainamati

The central shrine

Each of the chapels of the central shrine
of Salban Vihara appears to have contained
a large bronze image of Buddha as
evidenced by the discovery of damaged
statue in the western cell.
The basement walls of both the eastern
and western projection are in a wonderful
state of preservation.
Mainamati

 The central shrine

They are elaborated with two courses of
ornamental bricks and a string course of
terracotta plaques, illustrating in bas relief.

The approach to the shrine was from the north

through a stepped terrace, leading to a 2m
wide circumambulatory passage, which was
carried around the entire building
communicating with the chapels in the
Mainamati

The central shrine

It has a pillared tower in the centre. It was
connected with the inner hall by a covered
passage. The roof of the inner hall rested on
12 brick pillars.

The worship chamber with a tired pedestal

for the image is on the southern side of the
hall, surrounded by a wide circumambulatory
path.
Mainamati

The central shrine

The side rooms, which probably represented
chapels and the galleries with niches and cubicles,
were provided with wooden doors and windows. A
number of offsets in the basement walls and
cornices were decorated with mouldings to relieve
the plainness of its external face.

4th period: The remains of the 4th or last period

were too scanty to give any idea about its original
shape.
Mainamati
Mainamati
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Harikaladeva copperplate
Mainamati

General view of the staircase of Salban Vihara main temple

Mainamati

General view of inside steps of Salban Vihara main gateway

Mainamati
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 Outside temple of Salban Vihara (Plate 6.8)

Outside the monastery walls, on the northwest
corner of Salban Vihara, situated a ruined temple of
unknown type in Mainamati. The temple faces east
with columned terrace in the front.

The temple is an rectangle shape in the centre. It

has a 1.98m wide circumambulatory path all around
the temple. The circumambulatory path built with a
colonnade of circular pillars in the south, west and
northern sides.
Mainamati

 Outside temple of Salban Vihara (Plate 6.8)

The shrine built of dressed bricks. The shrine is
approached from the east by a broad brick-lined
approach path, which led the worshippers to the
sanctum through a staircase and an entrance
passage.

The walls are of considerable thickness, surviving at

present to a height of 3.65m. Four diagonally set
brick brackets are fixed at the corner of the cell
provide its only internal decoration.
Mainamati
Mainamati

(Plate 6.11: (a) General view of the verandah of Salban Vihara (north west side); (b) General view of the
outside wall of Salban Vihara (north east side); (c) General view of the cells of Salban Vihara (north east
Mainamati

Plate 6.40: Outside Stupas of Salban Vihara.

Mainamati

Plate 6.41: Inside Stupas of Saalban Vihara

Mainamati

Plate 6.12: (a) Miniature oblong shape temple with a circumambulatory path (inside Salban Vihara
complex); (b): Round pillar stupa temple in the courtyard of Salban Vihara.
Mainamati

Plate 6.13: (a) Dining hall establishment at Salban Vihara (southeast corner of the courtyard) ; (b)
Basement of a staircase to link verandah and the courtyard Salban Vihara (east side of the courtyard).
Mainamati

Plate 6.14: (a) Outside oblong shape temple with circumambulatory path; (b) Detail of round pillar (west
north side), outside colonnade temple of Salban Vihara.
Mainamati

Plate 6.15: Detail of round pillar stupa temple in the courtyard of Salban Vihara.
Mainamati

(a) Top view of Salban Vihara gateway complex ; (b) General view of Latikot Mura gateway; (c) General
view of Itakhola Mura Vihara gateway (View from the inner side)
Mainamati Date Contemporary
Ruling Dynasty
Central Shrine Monastery Remarks

13th Century and Later-Deva, Muslim      

Later

12th century Sena, Later-Deva Period VI Period VI Terminal date not

established,
probably 13th cent.
ACE.

10th 11th centuries Chandra Period V Period V  

9th century   Period IV Period IV Kantideva of

Harikela is the only
known ruler of this
period

8th century Early-Deva Period III Period III No earlier phase of

the monastery yet
discovered

Late 7th century Rata Period II    

Table I
7th century Khadga Period I   Period I........?
Salban Vihara Sequence
Mainamati

 The Monastery Sequence (Table I)

 The occupation of the monastery can be
broadly divided into four distinct periods
on the basis of stratigraphy and structural
changes in the building.

 This division is well-corroborated by the

evidence of the associated finds. The
sequence may be estimated as under:
Mainamati

 Period III (Early-Devas, 8th century ACE)

 The earliest period of the monastery corresponds
to Period III of the central shrine; Periods I and II
are missing.

 The remains of this period are in a remarkably good

state of preservation. It was exceptionally rich in
archaeological material-in fact most of the
antiquities recovered from the excavation belong
to it, and there is no doubt that this was the most
prosperous and flourishing period in the history of
the site.
Mainamati

 Period III (Early-Devas, 8th century ACE)

 The cultural debris accumulated during this period is also
the thickest, suggesting that it lasted for a long time.
Besides the original, at least two later floors were
associated with this period.

 The original floor was solidly built with two courses of

large-sized bricks plastered over with a thick coat of
Surkhi (powdered and crushed bricks mixed with lime),
while the later floors, built successively on top as the
occupation levels gradually rose, were either of brick
concrete or of clay.
Mainamati

 Period III (Early-Devas, 8th century ACE)

 From the evidence provided by the large joint of
objects of this period which include copper-plate
inscriptions, coins and seals.

 It is now possible to say that this imposing

monastery was originally built by the Early-Deva
ruler, Sri Bhavadeva, sometime during the early
part of the 8th century ACE. and that this first phase
lasted till the end of the 8th century, or even longer.
Mainamati

 Period IV (9th century ACE.)

 The occupation of this second phase is
separated from the first (Period III) by a thick
layer of debris and earth filling, and its floor
level rose considerably higher.

 The original door passages and thresholds of

the cells were bricked up and new ones were
built at the level of this new floor.
Mainamati

 Period IV (9th century ACE.)

This phase was associated with two, and at places even
three, floors: the earliest was paved with broken bricks and
concrete; the rest were of clay.
 
All of them were less solidly built and therefore less well-
preserved than the earlier floors. The evidences indicate
that there was no break in the life and culture of the
people, but the trend of degeneration is quite clear. This
period can be reasonably dated on the basis of the
evidence supplied by this excavation to the 9 th century
ACE.
Mainamati

 Period V (Chandras, 10th -11th cent. ACE.)

Another debris layer of considerable thickness
separated this occupation from the earlier one. It is
composed almost entirely of fallen building material
and earth filling.

There are clear indications that the period started

with substantial repairs and rebuilding of the
monastery, though its general plan and features still
remained unchanged.
Mainamati

 Period V (Chandras, 10th -11th cent. ACE.)

The cultural debris accumulated on top of them was
thin and considerably disturbed by masses of fallen
material. There is also a corresponding decrease in
the number of antiquities which now consisted
mostly of potsherds and iron nails, fragmentary
terracotta plaques and carved bricks.

It is difficult to date it precisely, but we may roughly

assign it to the Chandra period (10th -11th cent. ACE).
Mainamati

 Period VI (Later-Devas, 12th -13th cent. ACE.)

 The structural remains of the last phase of the
monastery are preserved only in the western
half of its north wing.

 There is no evidence of its existence in the

other wings. Even in the north wing, the
Period VI remains are very scantily preserved,
the outline of the structure being barely
traceable above the floor.
Mainamati

 Period VI (Later-Devas, 12th -13th cent. ACE.)

 The structural remains of the last phase of the
monastery are preserved only in the western
half of its north wing.

 There is no evidence of its existence in the

other wings. Even in the north wing, the
Period VI remains are very scantily preserved,
the outline of the structure being barely
traceable above the floor.
Mainamati

Ananda Vihara : 230 26’57.41” N 910 07’46.67”E

Ananda Vihara is the largest vihara of
Mainamati. The vihara probably founded by
king Anandadeva, father of king Bhavadeva.

The vihara is extensively damaged, very little

of the structures have survived. Excavations
have revealed the remnants of the gateway
complex on the northern side, patches of the
wall on the southern side and portions of the
central cruciform temple.
Mainamati

Plate 6.16: General view of cell and verandah of Ananda Vihara (north east side).
Mainamati
Mainamati

Plate 6.17: Ananda Vihara central temple, unearthed portion.

Mainamati

Itakhola Mura temple and Vihar (Plates 6.18-6.23; map 6.4 fig. 6.3)
Itakhola Mura temple is constructed earlier than the
Vihara. The Vihara established in the third period of the
temple.

The oblong temple with east-west axis has a square and

solid shrine measuring 13 m x 13 m situated at the western
end.

During the fourth period, three stupas were erected right

in front of the main entrance to the rectangular enclosure
(80.49 x 56.10 m).
Mainamati

Itakhola Mura temple and Vihar

At the same time, a cruciform shrine was added on
the west of the solid platform with a separate
walled enclosure.

Previously, the third period installed a huge image

of Tathagata Akshobhya made of stucco, a rare
medium of sculpture in Bangladesh. The Akhsobhya
was found damaged and headless and sealed with a
brick cover. Itakhola Vihara temple can be dated to
the third quarter of the 7th century.
Mainamati
Mainamati

Plate 6.18: (a) Conceal wall Itakhola Mura, Inner core; (b) Conceal wall Itakhola Mura, Outer core.
Mainamati

Plate 6.19: General view of Itakhola Mura Vihara main staircase.

Mainamati
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Plate 6.20: General view of the courtyard, Itakhola Vihara.

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Plate 6.21: Itakhola Mura temple with the circumambulatory path.

Mainamati

Plate 6.22: Buttress wall at the gateway of Itakhola Mura Vihara.

Mainamati

Plate 6.23: General view of Itakhola Mura temple complex.

Mainamati

 Rupban Mura Vihara: 230 26'11.17" N 910 07'45.22" E

 The Rupban Mura Vihara and the attached temple
together present a unique Buddhist establishment at
Mainamati. Built over three phases, the first one is
oblong shape (35m. EW and 26 m. NS) having an
entrance from the northern side.

 The 15 cells of the first phase, later on added

another 9 cells, making the monastery nearly square
(35 m. x 38 m.). The arrangement of a monastery in
two parts with separate courtyards is the only known
example of its kind.
Mainamati

Rupban Mura Vihara

 The temple also built in three phases. The first
phase temple is a square and solid shrine with a
projected cell for images in each of the cardinal
direction.

In the next phase, on the top of the square shrine, a

cruciform temple (28.19 m. x 28.19 m.) was erected.
Flanking the main gateway, inside the enclosure,
foundations of two votive stupas are marked -- the
north one is square and the south one is octagonal.
Mainamati

Map 6.5: Recent satellite image of Rupban Mura form Google earth
Mainamati

Plate 6.24: General view of Rupban Mura temple, west view.

Mainamati

Plate 6.25: (a) General view of the courtyard, Rupban Mura Vihara, west view; (b) General view of
courtyard, Rupban Mura Vihara, east view.
Mainamati

Plate 6.26: General view of Rupban Mura Vihara, southeast view

Mainamati
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Mainamati

Rupban Mura Vihara

The most significant aspect of the Rupban Mura
temple is that a small portion of the corbelled roof
of an image chamber in the western side was found
intact by the excavators. This is so far the only
extant roof of an ancient building in Bangladesh.

However, it still remains difficult to conjecture the

superstructure of the temple. The most important of
the antiquities found at Rupban Mura is the colossal
sandstone image of standing (2.44 m) Buddha of c.
7th century CE.
Mainamati

 Rupban Mura Vihara

 The cruciform shrine building of Rupban Mura has 1.3 m thick
outer wall at the border which provides an entrance structure
in the centre of its east wall.

 The entrance has 1.5 m wide doorway which represented by a

projection in two terraces, having a staircase of four steps.

 A gap of 0.7m in the south wall of the cruciform enclosure

served as internal communication with the area --south and
west of the shrine and the monastery respectively as well as
with two structure themselves. The octagonal stupa surrounded
by a 0.6 m thick outer wall.
Mainamati

Corbelled drain
To drain out rainwater from the courtyard, a
0.4m deep and 0.3 m broad corbelled drain
was constructed in the eastern wing of the
courtyard.

A brick structure measuring 1.4 x 1.1 m has

been built at the mouth of the drain against
the back wall, so that water might pass out.
Mainamati

Plate 6.27: Airflow hole in the main gateway complex of Rupban Mura Vihara
Mainamati

 Subsidiary boundary wall

 In the western area (17.4 m x 15.8m) behind the shrine was
embarked by erecting a subsidiary boundary wall.

 The access to the area was provided from both the north and south
walls. In the centre of this enclosure, a votive stupa in the
cruciform plan was erected. Over which a rectangular shaped
pedestal was constructed in later.

 In the 3rd lower terrace, another subsidiary enclosure with a

provision of a small staircase with three steps is noticed.

 The remains of 3 votive stupas of diverse character are located

here.
Mainamati

Bhoja Vihara: 230 26’31.48” N 910 07’53.43” E

The Bhoja Vihara at Mainamati is a partially excavated site,
where a few cells and the gateway complex of the
monastery and central cruciform shrine have been
excavated so far.

The square monastery quadrangle has a cruciform temple in

the centre of the courtyard, which each arm measuring
46.44 m.

On each of the four faces of the central solid shaft of the
cruciform temple being surrounded by a circumambulatory
path.
Mainamati

Bhoja Vihara
 Among the antiquities of the Bhoja Vihara, the
most remarkable is the 9-10th century
magnificent bronze image of seated
Vajrasattva, which was buried inside the
northern image chamber.

A large number of beautiful terracotta plaques

have been recovered from the temple
basement.
Mainamati

Plate 6.28: General view of exposed cells of Bhoja Vihara (southeast view).
Mainamati

Plate 6.29: Conceal wall of Bhoja Vihara central temple.

Mainamati

Map 6.6: Recent satellite image of Bhoja Vihara central temple form Google earth
Mainamati

Plate 6.30: General view of Bhoja Vihara temple

Mainamati

Plate 6.31: (a) General view of the outside wall of Bhoja Vihara (north east corner); (b) General view of cell
of Bhoja Vihara (south east corner); (c) Main gateway of Bhoja Vihara (middle of north side).
Mainamati
Mainamati

Ranir Bunglow: 230 29’46.94” N 910 06’27.70” E

Excavations at Ranir Bunglow Mound in the Mainamati hills
have exposed the ruin of a stupendous cruciform temple.

It is to be noted that for a long time the archaeologists

cherished a notion that this commanding mound, already
bearing reference to the palace of a queen, would yield a
real secular edifice, befitting the capital city of
Devaparvata.

It now looks like that as all the nine excavated sites it is
also a religious site.
Mainamati

Ranir Bunglow massive boundary wall:

A 3.5 m thick solidly built massive brick
structure with strong revetment at lower level
surrounds the Ranir Bunglow establishment.

This boundary wall was exposed at several

points on all directions. A square projection has
been noticed in the eastern side of the
boundary wall, which indicates a bastion.
Mainamati

Ranir Bunglow massive boundary wall:

The semi-circular southwestern part as
well as the high north-western part could
be utilized as a watchtower or served as a
bastion.

The results of the limited excavations

suggested that it was definitely fortified
with a strong massively constructed wall.
Mainamati

Plate 6.32: (a) General view of Ranir Bunglo temple; (b) Ranir Bunglo temple, sanctum view; (c) Unidentified structure
at Ranir Bunglo temple north side boundary wall
Mainamati
Mainamati
Kutila Mura: 230 27’28.77” N 910 07’24.17” E
Three stupas in a row have come to light
at Kutila Mura in Mainamati. In each case,
the drum of the cylindrical shape of Kutila
Mura supports the hemispherical dome.

The basement is ornately designed. The

method of the construction of the central
stupa is somewhat unusual.
Mainamati

Kutila Mura
The cells thus created are filled with stone and
clay sculptures and numerous miniature stupas
of unbaked clay, produced from moulds.

The chambers also contained minute round

sealing impressed with the Buddhist creed. The
three main stupas at Kutila Mura have been
called Tri-ratna or three jewels of Buddhism,
representing the Buddha, the Dharma and the
Mainamati

Plate 6.33: General view of Kutila Mura tri-ratna stupas.

Mainamati

Plate 6.34: (a) General view of Kutila Mura stupa (west view); (b) Blocked wall, Kutila Mura stupa; (c) Another view
of a blocked wall, Kutila Mura stupa
Mainamati
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Kutila Mura
The plinths of these stupa shrines show deeply sunk
rectangular panels of dressed bricks.

The stupas were pierced on the eastern side by

three successive ground staircases which one led
the pilgrims to the inner complex.

The whole stupa complex of Kutila Mura is enclosed

in massive boundary wall decorated with recessed
panels.
Mainamati

Kutila Mura
The entrance is on the eastern side. The first period
of rebuilding disclosed that there were two
entrances on the east, one in the middle and the
other one was on the north.

The eastern side and in front of the three principal

stupas, there are three oblong temples of the second
rebuilding phase. There are also the traces of halls
in the first period of rebuilding. These halls have the
enclosed circumambulatory path.
Mainamati

Latikot Mura: 230 26’19.37” N 910 07’53.19” E

Latikot Mura was excavated in 2004-2005 by the
Department of Archaeology, Government of Bangladesh.

Excavation revealed the ruins of a rectangular shaped

Buddhist vihara. This vihara measured north wing 47.25m,
south wing 48.16m and east and west wings being 44 80m.
It has 33 cells for the monks.

The entrance of the vihara is in the centre of the north

wing but it is almost destroyed and therefore could not be
measured.
Mainamati

Latikot Mura
Two reconstruction phases are noticed in the vihara by the
excavators. The size of vihara in both periods remained the
same.

The small temple of Latikot Mura is measuring 2.13m x

2.13m and located in the near of the eastern of the vihara.

A courtyard is seen in front of the Garbhagriha. The

temple and courtyard are enclosed by another boundary
wall.
Mainamati

Map 6.8: Recent satellite image of Latikot Mura form Google earth
Mainamati
Mainamati

Plate 6.35: General view of Latikot Vihara.

Mainamati

Plate 6.36: General view of Latikot Mura temple.

Mainamati

2. Temple unearthed in outside of the vihara courtyard:

 The ruins of a temple have been uncovered
through the excavation of a circular mound
adjacent to the eastern boundary wall. Two
construction periods were found in the structures.

 The first construction phase is in the cruciform

plan, which measures 6.70 m. × 6.70 m. A 1.3 m.
the wide circumambulatory path was constructed
around the walls.
Mainamati

2. Temple unearthed in outside of the vihara courtyard:

 A square plan structure (7.77 m. × 7.77 m) is created in
the second construction phase. A new structure (6.10 m.
× 6.10 m.) has been constructed by keeping the
unchanged previous cruciform plan.

 Apart from this, the centre of the four sides of this

structure has raised 4 image chambers which measuring
1.45 m. × 0.91 m. A meditative Buddha statue of
measuring 10 cm. × 3 cm. made of local soft stone,
especially on the floor of image chamber on south-side,
has been discovered.
 Mainamati

 Socio-economic life of the people

 Samatata an ancient territorial unit in south-eastern Bengal, the
name of which is descriptive rather than ethnic. Samatata was a
distinct entity, well-known and well-recognised since
Samudragupta’s time (4th century ACE), and its earliest reference is
found in the Allahabad Prashasti, where it is mentioned as an
eastern frontier state along with Davaka, Kamarupa, Nepala and
Karttrpura.
 The Brhatsanghita (6th century ACE) refers to it and Vanga as
separate states. Hiun-Tsang, the 7th century Chinese traveler, relates
that he reached Samatata (San-mo-tat’a) after a southward journey
of 1200 or 1300 li from Kamarupa (eastern Assam) and the country,
more than 3000 li (about 800 km) in circuit, was on the sea-side and
was low and moist. He has described a Buddhist cultural centre in its
capital, which had an area of 20 li (5.5 km).
 Mainamati

 Socio-economic life of the people

 Further evidence for the location of Samatata is provided
by I-Tsing, who mentions that the Chinese priest Sheng-chi
(second half of the 7th century ACE) found Rajabhata ruling
over Samatata. This king has been identified with
Rajarajabhata of the Khadga Dynasty who ruled from the
capital (Jayaskandhavara) of Karmanta-vasaka, identified
with Badkanta near Comilla.
 A copperplate of Shridharana Rata, found at Kailan, about 8
km south-west of Comilla town, mentions the king as
Samatateshvara and their capital as Devaparvata, which
also appears to be the capital of the Devas, who ruled in 8 th
century ACE.
 Mainamati

 Socio-economic life of the people

 Samatata and Devaparvata also appear in the
copperplates of the Chandras, who ruled in 10th
century ACE. The association of Devaparvata with
parts of the Lalmai hills and the ruins near about
Mainamati are beyond any doubt.

 The Mehar copperplate of Damodaradeva (13 th

century) grants land in the vicinity of Mehar (14.5 km
south-east of Comilla). The area is mentioned to be
in the Samatata mandala.
 Mainamati

 Socio-economic life of the people

 On the basis of the evidence provided by a large
number of epigraphical records, the Chinese
writings, and the archaeological discoveries in
the Lalmai-Mainamati area, it can now be stated
with certainty that Samatata was formed of the
trans-Meghna territories of the Comilla-Noakhali
plain and the adjacent parts of hilly Tripura (the
Atabi-Khanda division of Samatata) in the east
and the Channel Islands in the south.
 Mainamati

 Socio-economic life of the people

 The land stretches longitudinally from the hills and haors of
the Sylhet border in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the
south. Its boundaries are well defined by the lofty hills and
mountains of Tripura and Arakan in the east and the
Meghna (combined waters of the Padma-Meghna-
Brahmaputra) in the west.

 Samatata played a prominent part in the history of the

region from 4th to 13th century ACE. Minhaj’s Saknat/
Sankat/ Sankanat probably refers to Samatata, along with
‘Bang’, where Laksmanasena’s associates fled after the sack
of Nadia.
Mainamati
 Socio-economic life of the people
 Finally Mainamati excavations have, thus,
thrown a flood of light on almost every aspect
of the life and culture of the southeastern part
of Bengal.

 It has supplied detailed information regarding

the social, political and economic condition of
the region and has led to the discovery of the
remarkable early Deva dynasty and of
Balabhatta, the founder of Devaparvata.
Thank You