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What is Wari-Bateshwar known for?
Its archaeological significance as a fort-city and the discovery of ancient tools and human habitations.
Who was the first torchbearer to bring archaeological significance to Wari-Bateshwar?
Wari-Bateshwar is located in the Narshingdi district.
True
The discovery of a _____ temple in Wari-Bateshwar suggests the existence of Buddhist culture.
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What is used to describe the features of an urbanization according to Gordon Child?
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What evidence has been found that suggests the area was a river port?
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Which archaeological findings confirm Wari-Bateshwar's connections with the Indian subcontinent?
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Where is Wari-Bateshwar located?
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What types of artifacts have been found at Wari-Bateshwar?
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The first archaeological significance of Wari-Bateshwar was recognized in the 1940s.
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Who was the first person to bring attention to the archaeological significance of Wari-Bateshwar?
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What feature helps confirm ancient settlement patterns in Wari-Bateshwar?
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What type of temple was found about 4 km away from Wari-Bateshwar?
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The urbanization process in ancient Wari-Bateshwar included the practice of art, literature, and science.
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According to Kautilya Kayata, what defines a city?
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What is suggested about the relationship of Wari-Bateshwar with other regions?
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What type of coins were discovered at Wari-Bateshwar?
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Study Notes
Wari-Bateshwar’s Significance
- Wari-Bateshwar is an archaeological site located in the Narshingdi district, Bangladesh.
- It is known for the presence of ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples.
- R.D. Banerji, a renowned archaeologist, was the first to recognize its archaeological significance in the early 20th century.
Evidence of Ancient Culture
- The discovery of a Buddhist temple in Wari-Bateshwar suggests the existence of Buddhist culture in the region.
Urban Features
- Gordon Childe's criteria of urban features provide a framework for understanding the characteristics of an ancient urban center.
- The features include a complex society, specialization of labor, and the development of a centralized government.
Evidence of River Port
- The discovery of remains of a stone jetty along with pottery shards suggests that Wari-Bateshwar was once a thriving river port.
Connections to India
- Evidence of terracotta figurines, seals, and pottery found at Wari-Bateshwar points to connections with the Indian subcontinent.
Wari-Bateshwar
- Located in the villages of Wari and Bateshwar, Belabo Thana, Narshingdi district.
- Considered the most ancient location in Bangladesh.
- Contains pre-historic tools of fossil wood, stone beads, broken pottery.
- Recent excavations have discovered evidence of ancient roads and human habitations, potentially signifying the earliest urban civilization in Bangladesh.
- Md Hanif Pathan, a local school teacher, drew attention to the archaeological significance of the area in the 1930s.
- His son, Md Habibullah Pathan, continued collecting antiquities and studying the site.
- Dr. Sufi Mustafizur Rahman of the Department of Archeology at Jahangirnagar University has been involved in the excavation process since 2000.
- Located near the bank of the old Brahmaputra River, with 50 identified archaeological sites.
- Evidence suggests settlements were established in flood-free zones, demonstrating advanced town planning and intellectual capabilities of ancient settlers.
- Similar settlement patterns have been observed at Mahasthangarh (Pundranagar) in Bogra and the Allahabad region of Uttar Pradesh, India.
- A Buddhist structure, a lotus temple, was discovered in Mondirbhita, approximately 4 km from Wari-Bateshwar.
- The temple features a lotus with eight petals made of red bricks, likely symbolizing the 'Eight Noble Paths' of Buddhism: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
- The lotus temple suggests the presence of Buddhist culture in ancient Wari-Bateshwar.
- A large Buddhist Vihara (viharika) was found in Jankhartek, further indicating the Buddhist population of Wari-Bateshwar.
- Wari-Bateshwar is referred to as a fort-city, city, or urban center.
- Kautilya Kayata's Arthashastra defines forts as cities, living spaces enclosed by high walls and moats.
- Ancient cities were governed by rules and regulations established by artisans and trader groups.
- Gordon Child identified features of urbanization, including abundant memorials, dense populations, diverse social classes, and sophisticated architecture.
- Amalandu Ghosh emphasized the importance of administrative frameworks and the development of trader groups for the emergence and growth of cities.
- Wari-Bateshwar, a river port and trade center, likely due to the presence of the Old Brahmaputra river.
- Artefacts found, including Rouletted Ware, sandwich glass beads, knobbed ware, northern black polished ware, beads, amulets, and pendants, indicate connections with various regions of the Indian subcontinent.
- Connections with Southeast Asia are also suggested.
- The discovery of Bangladesh's oldest metal road, measuring 18 meters long and 5 meters wide, was made in the area.
- Two types of punch-marked silver coins have been discovered in Wari-Bateshwar, along with gold, copper, and terracotta coins.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the Wari-Bateshwar archaeological site, one of the oldest locations in Bangladesh. This quiz covers the site's history, significant discoveries, and the contributions of key archaeologists involved in its excavation. Explore the ancient tools, roads, and coins that hint at early urban civilization in the region.
