Rajsahi Archeological Tour Package Highlights

The ancient Capital of Send Dynasty in Bengal

Gauda or Gaur, a great historical city, located 100 km west of Rajshahi, on the Bangladesh- India border, is like an architectural park where ruins and relics lie scattered in the middle of the fields, mango orchard and public areas on the both side of the border. Gaur was the ancient capital of Hindu Sena Dynasty and known as Lakhnauti, after which the khiljis from Turkistan took control for three centuries, to be followed in the 15th century by the Afgans. During the ruling time of Afgan Gaur became a prosperous city spread of 32 sq km and surrounded by fortified ramparts and a moat. Archeological monuments and artifacts of Bangladesh side of Gaur are Chhota sona Mosque, Tahakhana Palace, tomb of Shah Niamatullah, Tohakhana Mosque, Darshabari Mosque, Khania Dighi Mosque, Dhania Chak Mosque. Now, none of the structures from earlier Hindu kingdom remain.

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Gem of Sultanate Architecture

Chhota Sona Masjid or Small golden Mosque, built between 1493 and 1519 by Majlis Mansur Wali Muhammad bin Ali, during the ruling time of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah, a finest specimen of Sultanate architecture. The gilding employed in the ornamentation that has given the building its appellation Chhota Sona Mosque (Small golden Mosque) does not exist now. It is a simple rectangular structure it exterior measuring 82’ x 57’ x 20’ and its interior 70’ – 4” x 40’- 9”.

This brick structure is embellished with Rajmahal black stone facing on the exterior and this transition between materials is visible at point where the domes begin. The main attraction being the superb decoration carved on the black stone wall. On both the inner and outer walls, ornate stone work in shallow relief cover the surface. The mosque is one of the best preserved Sultanate monuments under the protection of Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Bangladesh.

or Hammam of Shah Niamatullah

The Persian word Tahakhana means cooler house or palace, built in 17th century by the Governor of Bengal Shah Shuja, as his temporary residence. Shah Shuja constructed this palace on honor of his spiritual advisor, the saint Shah Niamatullah, whom he often visited here. Just beyond of Tahakhana palace, located the attractive Shah Nimatatullah Mosque, a beautiful three domed mosque, built in1560. Close by this mosque, Mausoleum of Shah Nimatullah.

Built in 1479, by Shamsuddin Abul Muzzffar Yusuf Shah during the Ilyas Shahi era. Darasbari mosque is the most prominent mosque, located in Bangladesh part of Gaur. The structure of the Darasbari mosque is a wonderful presentation of the Sultanate architecture. The gorgeous ornamentation of this mosque is the most unique character and due its spectacular Sultanate architecture, it created its identity as the independent Bengal style of the mediaeval era.

Puthia, now a beautiful Hindu village located at 23 km east of Rajshahi town, was home of one of the ancient dynasties who once upon a time ruled the entire Rajshahi district from their magnificent Puthia Palace. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, the dynasty of Puthia was formed by its founder Pitambar, who was appointed by Akbar to rule the entire Rajshahi region as a local governor. His son Nilambar got the most honorific title of Raja from Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his obedience to the Mughal Empire. Raja Nilambar built a Palace on stone carved foundation in 16th century, which was collapsed during the great Assam earthquake in 1891. Then, in 1895, Queen Hemanta Kumari built another beautiful Palace on the same foundation which is still standing in a dilapidated condition as a memento of the lost glories of Puthia Raja and Moharani. The Palace of Puthia, for its magnificent Greek style architecture and beautifully landscaped courtyard and gardens, attracts tourist and history enthusiasts from in and around the world

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A large number of country’s finest terracotta Hindu temples were built by the Hindu land lords of the Puthia Raj family, who were noted patrons of Rajshahi. There are 17 large and small Hindu temple exists at Puthaia now. It’s a beautiful place to walk around to the temple complex.

The most starling “do-chala” Pancharatna Govinda Hindu temple, built in between 1823 and 1895 by Hemanta Kumari, queen of Puthia state, located behind the Palace. It’s a large, square structure with intricate terracotta designs embellishing the surface. Most of the terracotta panels depict scenes from the love affair between Radha and Krishna as told in Hindu epics and the temple is now contains a Krishna shrine as well.

Built in 1823, the Shiva Temple was erected by the Queen Bhuvan Mohini Devi at the entarance of Puthia village. Shiva temple decorated with numerous miniature “ratnas” on the main tower and on the four smaller towers on the roof of the ground floor. This beautiful ornate temple is an excellent example of the five- spire style architecture common in northern India. In the center of the temple lies the largest black basalt “Shiva Linga” and the corridors have a touch of Jaipuri architecture.

This is the oldest museum with the richest collection of Bangladesh, founded in 1910 with patronization of the Maharaja Dighapatia. Housed within is a fantastic and superbly curated collection of relics spanning the entire subcontinent, from the earliest civilization of Mohenjo-Daro in Pakistan to local archaeological excavation sites. You will experience the wonderful sculpture galleries, with exquisite figurines of Hindu gods and goddesses and mythical figures.