Independent University Bangladesh
Department of History and Civilization
Course Name: History and Civilization
Assignment Title: Wari Bateshwar: The
Remarkable Past and Unveiling the Past
by an Archaeologist
Student Name: Sumaia Afrin Tisha
Student ID: 2431395
Introduction to Wari-Bateshwar
Wari-Bateshwar, located in the Narsingdi district of Bangladesh, is one of South
Asia’s most remarkable archaeological discoveries. This ancient fortified city,
dating back to around 450 BCE, reveals ruins that are approximately 2,500 years
old. Situated near the former course of the Brahmaputra River, Wari-Bateshwar
challenges earlier assumptions about the timeline of early urban civilization in
Bengal, suggesting that complex societies developed in this region much earlier
than previously [Link], Wari-Bateshwar was part of the ancient
region known as Somatata. The site came to light through the everyday activities
of local villagers — cultivation of land, digging for drains and garbage pits, and
gathering red soil for traditional mud houses frequently unearthed ancient artifacts.
After heavy rains, beads made from semi-precious stones and glass, as well as
silver punch-marked coins, often became visible on the surface, hinting at a once-
thriving ancient [Link] the 1930s, local schoolteacher Hanif Pathan and later
his son Habibullah Pathan began studying the site out of sheer curiosity. However,
despite their efforts, Wari-Bateshwar remained largely overlooked by professional
archaeologists for several decades. It was not until 1989 that systematic
archaeological exploration began, leading to regular excavations starting from
2000. These excavations have revealed significant evidence of an organized urban
center, marking Wari-Bateshwar as a key site in understanding the early history of
Bengal and South As
.
Historical significance of
Wari-Bateshwar
Before the discovery of Wari-Bateshwar, it was commonly believed that Bengal’s
ancient history was less rich and less urbanized compared to other contemporary
civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization or the Mauryan Empire.
However, archaeological findings at Wari-Bateshwar — including fortified
structures, silver punch-marked coins, semi-precious stone beads, specialized
pottery, and various tools — suggest the existence of a highly organized urban
center. This center appears to have been deeply engaged in long-distance trade,
possibly extending its connections to Southeast Asia and even the Roman
[Link] site displays distinct characteristics of early urbanism, such as planned
settlement patterns, specialized craftsmanship, and a complex economy based on
trade and monetary transactions. The discovery of silver punch-marked coins,
among the oldest found in Bengal, indicates the use of currency in economic
activities and points to a developed monetary system. The pottery remains,
particularly the Northern Black Polished Ware and Black-and-Red Ware, reveal
cultural similarities with other advanced ancient civilizations, confirming Bengal’s
early participation in broader regional [Link] significance of Wari-
Bateshwar can be further emphasized through three major aspects:
Firstly, Wari-Bateshwar appears to have been contemporary with major urban
centers of the 6th–4th centuries BCE, such as Magadha, Kashi, and Kosala. It is
believed that Wari-Bateshwar may have been the capital of an ancient state.
Professor Dilip Kumar Chakrabarti, a renowned archaeologist and professor at the
University of Cambridge, has suggested that Wari-Bateshwar functioned as the
political center or capital of this early state [Link], the importance of
Wari-Bateshwar is magnified by its connection to the ancient Silk Route, a vast
network of trade routes that connected South Asia to Rome, Egypt, and Southeast
Asia. The discovery of Mediterranean-style rouletted pottery and bronze artifacts at
the site strongly suggests that Wari-Bateshwar was engaged in international trade.
According to Professor Chakrabarti, Wari-Bateshwar likely maintained
commercial links with Southeast Asia and the Roman Empire, highlighting its role
as a significant trading [Link], another remarkable discovery is the presence
of pit dwellings, or pit houses. These structures were likely used as storerooms for
preserving goods and as living quarters. Similar settlement patterns have been
identified at Inamgaon in Maharashtra, India, indicating cultural and architectural
connections between Wari-Bateshwar and other ancient settlements across the
subcontinent Taken together, these findings reveal that Wari-Bateshwar was not
just a local center of economic and administrative activity but was part of a broader
network of early civilizations. Its discovery challenges earlier assumptions that
Bengal lagged behind in urban and state formation. Instead, it establishes Bengal
as a region with a thriving urban culture, advanced technological knowledge, and
significant contributions to the early history of South Asia.
How the Discovery of Wari-
Bateshwar Changed the
Historical Narrative
The discovery of Wari-Bateshwar has brought about a major shift in the
understanding of Bengal's ancient history. Previously, it was widely believed that
Bengal developed civilization much later than other regions of South Asia.
However, findings from Wari-Bateshwar reveal that Bengal had a rich, urban
culture over two thousand years ago. The evidence uncovered at the site —
including trade networks, administrative systems, advanced technologies, and
international connections — fundamentally changes the historical narrative about
the region’s past.
Analysis of the excavated artifacts shows that Wari-Bateshwar was a significant
and prosperous trading center, functioning as an important river port. The
discovery of sandwich glass beads and rouletted ware indicates commercial links
with the Roman Empire. Additionally, the presence of semi-precious stone beads
made from agate, jasper, chalcedony, quartz, and amethyst suggests that raw
materials were imported from distant regions, possibly from the Vindhya mountain
region of southern India, underscoring Wari-Bateshwar’s extensive trade
connections.
The large number of punch-marked silver coins discovered at the site further
highlights Wari-Bateshwar's role as a vibrant trade hub and points to the existence
of an organized administrative system. These coins were once so abundant that
local people collected and sold them by weight. Their presence strongly suggests
governance structures, including kings or administrators. Moreover, the fortified
city structure itself provides clear evidence of administrative planning and social
organization.
Many researchers agree that Wari-Bateshwar was a prosperous commercial hub.
Since trade and commerce require safety and security, it is likely that the
administration played an active role in protecting merchants and maintaining trade
[Link] archaeological excavations have revealed brick architecture at Wari-
Bateshwar — a feature regarded by archaeologist Gordon Childe as a hallmark of
urbanization. Roads with gateways have been unearthed, and a 160-meter-long
street with alleyways has been identified. Around the fortified city, more than fifty
archaeological sites have been discovered, believed to have been agricultural
settlements. These farming communities likely supplied surplus crops to the
wealthy merchants, traders, priests, artisans, and government officials who resided
within the [Link] inhabitants of Wari-Bateshwar demonstrated remarkable
technological skills. They could carve beautiful ornamental beads from stone, melt
and mold metals to create coins, and use chemical substances for decorative
purposes. They also applied chemical coatings to produce Northern Black Polished
Ware pottery — a high-quality ceramic typically associated with urban culture.
Their mastery of high-temperature firing techniques and their knowledge of iron
processing further highlight their technological [Link] strategic design
of the inner and outer fortification walls demonstrates a strong grasp of geometry,
reflecting both scientific understanding and artistic sensibilities. Altogether, these
findings illustrate the advanced craftsmanship, technological expertise, and
aesthetic appreciation of the ancient people of [Link] presence of
Northern Black Polished Ware — associated with the Second Urbanization of the
Indian subcontinent — confirms that a well-organized, prosperous urban
civilization developed at Wari-Bateshwar. As archaeological research continues, it
is expected that even more insights into the richness and complexity of Wari-
Bateshwar’s urban history will [Link] archaeological evidence from Wari-
Bateshwar has thus reshaped our understanding of ancient Bengal, highlighting its
early achievements in urbanization, trade, technology, and governance. The site
not only confirms Bengal’s participation in early global commerce but also
challenges previous assumptions of delayed development. Today, Wari-Bateshwar
stands as a symbol of pride, proving that Bengal possessed a thriving, sophisticated
culture long before many other parts of the subcontinent.
Part 2: Unveiling the Past –
Insights from the 19 April
Seminar
On 19 April 2025, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar titled "Wari-
Bateshwar: In Search of Our Root", held at Independent University, Bangladesh
(IUB). The session was led by Professor Dr. Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, a
distinguished archaeologist from Jahangirnagar University. Professor Rahman has
played a crucial role in unearthing and preserving sites like Wari-Bateshwar,
Vikrampur, and the Dhaka Old Central Jail. Listening to him was both
enlightening and inspiring.
Dr. Rahman described the meticulous and patient process of archaeological
excavation. It begins with a survey of the area using both traditional methods and
modern technologies such as GPS mapping and ground-penetrating radar. After the
survey, archaeologists conduct trial trenches to understand the layers (strata) of the
site. Each layer is carefully recorded and excavated to preserve the integrity of the
historical record. Findings are documented meticulously, and sometimes artifacts
are sent for further chemical or radiocarbon analysis to determine their age.
He emphasized that excavation is not like treasure hunting. Archaeology is about
reconstructing human lives from whatever remains they left behind — pottery
shards, bones, coins, or walls. Excavators must dig slowly, often using brushes and
small tools, to avoid damaging fragile artifacts. They also maintain detailed field
notes, maps, and photographs.
However, the seminar also highlighted several challenges archaeologists face in
Bangladesh:
Natural challenges: Heavy rains, flooding, and soil erosion can damage
archaeological sites before they are fully studied.
Financial limitations: Excavations require significant funding, and there is
often a lack of continuous financial support for long-term research.
Technical limitations: Lack of access to cutting-edge technology can hinder
research accuracy.
Bureaucratic delays: Securing permits for excavation and artifact
transportation often involves navigating complicated legal and
administrative systems.
Public awareness: Sometimes, local communities are unaware of the
historical value of their land, leading to accidental destruction of sites.
Dr. Rahman also touched on important ethical and academic debates within
archaeology. For instance, who owns an artifact? Should artifacts remain where
they are found, or be moved to museums for preservation and study? Another
question raised was how interpretations can be influenced by a researcher's cultural
background or modern biases, which might misrepresent ancient societies.
One of the most memorable parts of the seminar was when Dr. Rahman shared
personal anecdotes from his field experiences. He spoke of the excitement of
finding a rare coin after days of careful digging, and the heartbreak when a
potential site was lost due to unplanned construction. His passion for preserving
Bangladesh’s past was contagious.
Attending this seminar deepened my appreciation for archaeology. It taught me
that unearthing the past is not just about finding old objects; it’s about reconnecting
with the roots of civilization, understanding human creativity and resilience, and
telling stories that might otherwise have been forgotten.
In conclusion, Dr. Rahman’s talk not only enriched my knowledge about Wari-
Bateshwar but also gave me a window into the demanding and rewarding life of an
archaeologist. It reinforced the importance of protecting our heritage and
supporting academic research that helps reveal the layers of our shared history.
References:
1. Rahman, S. M. (Year). Wari Bateshwar Shekhorer Sondane. [Publisher/Institution if
available].
2. Rahman, S. M. (2021). Wari Bateshwar in Bengali. Retrieved from
[Link]
3. Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Wari Bateshwar. Wikipedia. Retrieved from
[Link]
4. (n.d.). Wari Bateshwar. Scribd. Retrieved from
[Link]
