Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
ArchaeologyOnline: Archaeological Information on the Web: 2011 Society for Historical Archaeology Student P...
ArchaeologyOnline: Archaeological Information on the Web: 2011 Society for Historical Archaeology Student P...: "Below are the guidelines for the 2011 SHA Student Paper Prize.as you can see, the deadline is nearing (November 15th)..so.if you are current..."
SAVE SONARGAON AND PANAM NAGAR
===================================
These historical sites Sonargaon and Panam Nagar are in danger of being lost for lack of coordinated programmes to protect them,"
According to me, Sonargaon as a historical place that bears many symbols of archaeological development of ancient Bengal and the authorities concerned should protect these for the next generation. "It's a place which can attract tourists from abroad too,
The government should take immediate steps to provide transport
facility, especially bus services up to the spot, so that people from capital Dhaka can visit the place in comfort.A famous university was established in this importantf Sonargaon, in the 14th century and many great scholars from across the world used to teach the students. "Among many historical events,there was a slave market there during the Muslim rule."A planned city, Panam Nagar, was built there which is now in shabby condition.
"We should protect these historical sites for the future generation."Very Recently in the name of conservation these historically Importants Monuments were made as a Modern Building.This is really a Painful story of our History.
According to history, Sonargaon was the capital of eastern Bengal under the rulers of Shahi Sultan during the medieval age. It now survives as a township about 27 kilometers southeast of Dhaka but from the old remains it appears
to encompass a wide tract bounded on the east, west and south by the Meghna, the Shitalakhya and the Dhaleshwari rivers respectively and on the north by the Brahmaputra.With the annexation of the Muslim principality of Lakhnauti by Shamsuddin Firuz Shah in the 14th century,
Sonargaon became the seat of an independent ruler under his son and successor Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah and after the fall it became the headquarters of the eastern province of Bengal under Tughlaqs till 1338
Most ordinary people spend the bulk of their lives moving from one building to another, traveling ever-increasing distances in cars, buses, trains or on foot, with more and more chores to carry out in less and less time.
Individuals find that their quality of life, whether in the developed world or in developing societies, is conditioned by the quality of the environment being built around them by others - increasing the sense of individual alienation, especially among the underprivileged.
Rapid urbanization is expected to continue, drawing two-thirds of the world population into cities by the next century.
By the year 2030, the urban population in developing countries will be twice the size of the rural population.
In some cases, urban sprawls will not only dominate a country's economic life but take up most of its physical space, turning it into a vast urban territory.
In the over-populated cities of the developing South, other than in a few "museum towns", the demolition of entire historic urban sectors, the abandonment of unique historic buildings, and the construction of new buildings that
are incongruous, to say the least, with the integrity of the historic urban fabric are combining to transform the cities' very identity. Furthermore, work to upgrade roads and improve mass transport systems, while necessary,
may unfortunately be done without due regard to maintaining the integrity of historic centres.
If the essence of heritage protection is to preserve the ingenuity of the past for future generations, as well as to stimulate new creations, heritage must have a meaning in contemporary society. This is a fundamental precept of
the World Heritage Convention, contained in Article 5. For heritage preservation that denies modernity, that obstructs development, that attempts to freeze time, would be counter-productive to the ultimate goal of
human progress.
Despite globalization, the reality of each individual city is unique and complex. There are no "urban models" of reference, only case studies. I hope that the architects, urbanists and mayors who have kindly agreed to
participate in this conference will demonstrate to us, through such case studies, the ways in which each city's future can be anchored in its individual identity. Let us all strive to protect and build an "urban heritage" as the basis for developing urban policies for the city of the future, the city of the new, democratic age.
SAVE SONARGAON AND PANAM NAGAR
SAVE SONARGAON AND PANAM NAGAR
SAVE SONARGAON AND PANAM NAGAR
===================================
These historical sites Sonargaon and Panam Nagar are in danger of being lost for lack of coordinated programmes to protect them,"
According to me, Sonargaon as a historical place that bears many symbols of archaeological development of ancient Bengal and the authorities concerned should protect these for the next generation. "It's a place which can attract tourists from abroad too,
The government should take immediate steps to provide transport
facility, especially bus services up to the spot, so that people from capital Dhaka can visit the place in comfort.A famous university was established in this importantf Sonargaon, in the 14th century and many great scholars from across the world used to teach the students. "Among many historical events,there was a slave market there during the Muslim rule."A planned city, Panam Nagar, was built there which is now in shabby condition.
"We should protect these historical sites for the future generation."Very Recently in the name of conservation these historically Importants Monuments were made as a Modern Building.This is really a Painful story of our History.
According to history, Sonargaon was the capital of eastern Bengal under the rulers of Shahi Sultan during the medieval age. It now survives as a township about 27 kilometers southeast of Dhaka but from the old remains it appears
to encompass a wide tract bounded on the east, west and south by the Meghna, the Shitalakhya and the Dhaleshwari rivers respectively and on the north by the Brahmaputra.With the annexation of the Muslim principality of Lakhnauti by Shamsuddin Firuz Shah in the 14th century,
Sonargaon became the seat of an independent ruler under his son and successor Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah and after the fall it became the headquarters of the eastern province of Bengal under Tughlaqs till 1338
Most ordinary people spend the bulk of their lives moving from one building to another, traveling ever-increasing distances in cars, buses, trains or on foot, with more and more chores to carry out in less and less time.
Individuals find that their quality of life, whether in the developed world or in developing societies, is conditioned by the quality of the environment being built around them by others - increasing the sense of individual alienation, especially among the underprivileged.
Rapid urbanization is expected to continue, drawing two-thirds of the world population into cities by the next century.
By the year 2030, the urban population in developing countries will be twice the size of the rural population.
In some cases, urban sprawls will not only dominate a country's economic life but take up most of its physical space, turning it into a vast urban territory.
In the over-populated cities of the developing South, other than in a few "museum towns", the demolition of entire historic urban sectors, the abandonment of unique historic buildings, and the construction of new buildings that
are incongruous, to say the least, with the integrity of the historic urban fabric are combining to transform the cities' very identity. Furthermore, work to upgrade roads and improve mass transport systems, while necessary,
may unfortunately be done without due regard to maintaining the integrity of historic centres.
If the essence of heritage protection is to preserve the ingenuity of the past for future generations, as well as to stimulate new creations, heritage must have a meaning in contemporary society. This is a fundamental precept of
the World Heritage Convention, contained in Article 5. For heritage preservation that denies modernity, that obstructs development, that attempts to freeze time, would be counter-productive to the ultimate goal of
human progress.
Despite globalization, the reality of each individual city is unique and complex. There are no "urban models" of reference, only case studies. I hope that the architects, urbanists and mayors who have kindly agreed to
participate in this conference will demonstrate to us, through such case studies, the ways in which each city's future can be anchored in its individual identity. Let us all strive to protect and build an "urban heritage" as the basis for developing urban policies for the city of the future, the city of the new, democratic age.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN BANGLADESH
Islamic Architectural Heritage
In Bangladesh.
MOHAMMED ALI
REGIONAL DIRECTOR [RETD]
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY
BANGLADESH.
Despite south east Asia being heir to a rich architectural heritage of various religious persuasion spreading over two thousand years ironically to day we are left with very little of our glorious legacy. Besides always being for a field from the epicenter of powers in the subcontinent other factors also combined to obliterate those derelict monuments, such as recurrent inundation, frequent shifting of the myriads of rivers and streams, treasure-hunting, modern development, etc.
The survival of historic areas is of capital importance to every conscious citizen seeking to preserve their Cultural identity. This is an area where all the renowned archaeologist of both national and International archaeologists should take proper care at the moment. Otherwise the nation may loose important Architectural Heritage of their own countries.
A nation is known by the standard of respect and care it takes to protect and maintain its Cultural wealth of which it is an heir. Increased awareness of the people of more advanced countries are now safeguarding certain "Historical Zones"in the urban as well as rural areas by introducing special provisions in their law as rural areas by introducing special provisions in their law which are under private ownership threatened by destruction or whole renovation.
The protection and preservation of an historical monument is not an end in itself unless it is attractively presented and integrated in the social and cultural life of the people surrounding it. These monuments are not isolated objects of curiosity preserved at the tax-prayer's cost. While preserving these treasured heirloom of the nation and using them, care must be taken to ensure that the use for which an Historical building was originally designed is consistent with the monument. Pathetic violation of this internationally accepted principle is however, glaring in this part of the world. The bulk of the protected Monuments in Asia particularly that of Bangladesh is of religious character, still in use, such as Mosque, Tomb, Eidgah and Hammam Khana and the like. Precisely for many of such reasons many of our important historical buildings of the country had to be 'Deprotected' and helplessly witness their spoliation. Conservation services in Developing countries are faced with manifold problems. Limited financial resources are one of the other or important obstacles to creating the needed administrative structure, establishing and running a variety of Museums, protecting historical sites, carrying out archaeological Excavations and starting restoration work on endangered monuments.However, adequate financial resources do not provide all these answers. These are usually a real source of anxiety for the Government of Bangladesh and that of south East Asia and other heritage conscious persons and organization of the world.
In spite of the great handicap under which the South East Asia [Particularly Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh] had been working it has carried out commendable conservation of some important historical/Architectural monuments of the country.
Bangladesh archaeology believes that, History is defined as a Biography of a nation. Scientific approach to national history necessitates the exploration of Archaeological sources.
The Muslim archaeological history of Bangladesh is divided into two major distinct periods. One was the advent of the Muslims of Sultanate Period (1204-1576 AD). This period experienced the introduction of new building types such as mosques and mausoleums. The buildings however, assumed tangible expressions through adoration of regional forms, using the existing features and local materials.
Next was the Mughal Period (1576-1757 AD). The Mughals were mighty builders; their architectural accomplishments in Bengal were modest & articulated. Mughal Architecture was defined by their standard three domed mosque and by panel decoration on plastered surfaces.
Protections of Heritage:
The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in its articles 24 stated that ‘The State shall adopt measures for the protection against disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments, objects or places or special artistic or historic importance or interest’.
In line with the Constitutional provision the Govt. enacted important law namely ‘‘the Antiquities act. 1968’’ where conservation, preservation, protection of heritage monuments are the main contents.
Protection of architectural heritage is predominantly important to safeguard it from being damaged. Awareness in the community is a major key area that needs to be high lighted. The Department of Archaeology developed school programme to sensitize the school children of neighborhood about protection of sites. Archaeological Engineers as routine Programme undertake activities to conserve and repair the Heritage site every year depending on the present situation of the buildings and the resources available. The major problems they face is the salinity on the walls, grounds, plasters, ceilings etc. Experts, specialists are trying hard to address this issue. UNESCO also has been requested to explore experts from abroad to attend this problem.
Tourism Potential:
Architectural Heritage sites are considered very attractive spot for tourists of Home and Abroad. Its potentials are gradually increasing. To enhance this potential the Govt. has under taken a project ‘South Asian Tourism infracture Development Project (Bangladesh Portion) with the support of Asian Development Bank. This package included Sait Gumbud Mosque (Sixty domed Mosque). In formulation of other projects, the Govt. considers Tourism potentials, and its requirements like safe Connectivity, Fooding, Lodging and law & Order situation as priority.
We have in our country ‘Bangladesh porjoton corporation’ (BPC). That Organization conducts all the tours in different Islamic heritage sites in the country.
There are private tourism organizations too which facilitate journey of the tourists, their lodgings and dinning. To strengthen the private partnership with Tour Operators an Event wise consultation are on.
Citizens of Bangladesh are always happy to extend their hospitality to visitors, in particular the foreign Tourists. Booklets, brushier, folders are regularly being published from various dept. like Islamic foundation, BPC, DOA etc. The Govt. has also given importance to introduce light & sound display in various important Islamic Heritage sites. Meanwhile, in Lalbagh Fort specific activities are going on.
In Bangladesh.
MOHAMMED ALI
REGIONAL DIRECTOR [RETD]
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY
BANGLADESH.
Despite south east Asia being heir to a rich architectural heritage of various religious persuasion spreading over two thousand years ironically to day we are left with very little of our glorious legacy. Besides always being for a field from the epicenter of powers in the subcontinent other factors also combined to obliterate those derelict monuments, such as recurrent inundation, frequent shifting of the myriads of rivers and streams, treasure-hunting, modern development, etc.
The survival of historic areas is of capital importance to every conscious citizen seeking to preserve their Cultural identity. This is an area where all the renowned archaeologist of both national and International archaeologists should take proper care at the moment. Otherwise the nation may loose important Architectural Heritage of their own countries.
A nation is known by the standard of respect and care it takes to protect and maintain its Cultural wealth of which it is an heir. Increased awareness of the people of more advanced countries are now safeguarding certain "Historical Zones"in the urban as well as rural areas by introducing special provisions in their law as rural areas by introducing special provisions in their law which are under private ownership threatened by destruction or whole renovation.
The protection and preservation of an historical monument is not an end in itself unless it is attractively presented and integrated in the social and cultural life of the people surrounding it. These monuments are not isolated objects of curiosity preserved at the tax-prayer's cost. While preserving these treasured heirloom of the nation and using them, care must be taken to ensure that the use for which an Historical building was originally designed is consistent with the monument. Pathetic violation of this internationally accepted principle is however, glaring in this part of the world. The bulk of the protected Monuments in Asia particularly that of Bangladesh is of religious character, still in use, such as Mosque, Tomb, Eidgah and Hammam Khana and the like. Precisely for many of such reasons many of our important historical buildings of the country had to be 'Deprotected' and helplessly witness their spoliation. Conservation services in Developing countries are faced with manifold problems. Limited financial resources are one of the other or important obstacles to creating the needed administrative structure, establishing and running a variety of Museums, protecting historical sites, carrying out archaeological Excavations and starting restoration work on endangered monuments.However, adequate financial resources do not provide all these answers. These are usually a real source of anxiety for the Government of Bangladesh and that of south East Asia and other heritage conscious persons and organization of the world.
In spite of the great handicap under which the South East Asia [Particularly Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh] had been working it has carried out commendable conservation of some important historical/Architectural monuments of the country.
Bangladesh archaeology believes that, History is defined as a Biography of a nation. Scientific approach to national history necessitates the exploration of Archaeological sources.
The Muslim archaeological history of Bangladesh is divided into two major distinct periods. One was the advent of the Muslims of Sultanate Period (1204-1576 AD). This period experienced the introduction of new building types such as mosques and mausoleums. The buildings however, assumed tangible expressions through adoration of regional forms, using the existing features and local materials.
Next was the Mughal Period (1576-1757 AD). The Mughals were mighty builders; their architectural accomplishments in Bengal were modest & articulated. Mughal Architecture was defined by their standard three domed mosque and by panel decoration on plastered surfaces.
Protections of Heritage:
The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in its articles 24 stated that ‘The State shall adopt measures for the protection against disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments, objects or places or special artistic or historic importance or interest’.
In line with the Constitutional provision the Govt. enacted important law namely ‘‘the Antiquities act. 1968’’ where conservation, preservation, protection of heritage monuments are the main contents.
Protection of architectural heritage is predominantly important to safeguard it from being damaged. Awareness in the community is a major key area that needs to be high lighted. The Department of Archaeology developed school programme to sensitize the school children of neighborhood about protection of sites. Archaeological Engineers as routine Programme undertake activities to conserve and repair the Heritage site every year depending on the present situation of the buildings and the resources available. The major problems they face is the salinity on the walls, grounds, plasters, ceilings etc. Experts, specialists are trying hard to address this issue. UNESCO also has been requested to explore experts from abroad to attend this problem.
Tourism Potential:
Architectural Heritage sites are considered very attractive spot for tourists of Home and Abroad. Its potentials are gradually increasing. To enhance this potential the Govt. has under taken a project ‘South Asian Tourism infracture Development Project (Bangladesh Portion) with the support of Asian Development Bank. This package included Sait Gumbud Mosque (Sixty domed Mosque). In formulation of other projects, the Govt. considers Tourism potentials, and its requirements like safe Connectivity, Fooding, Lodging and law & Order situation as priority.
We have in our country ‘Bangladesh porjoton corporation’ (BPC). That Organization conducts all the tours in different Islamic heritage sites in the country.
There are private tourism organizations too which facilitate journey of the tourists, their lodgings and dinning. To strengthen the private partnership with Tour Operators an Event wise consultation are on.
Citizens of Bangladesh are always happy to extend their hospitality to visitors, in particular the foreign Tourists. Booklets, brushier, folders are regularly being published from various dept. like Islamic foundation, BPC, DOA etc. The Govt. has also given importance to introduce light & sound display in various important Islamic Heritage sites. Meanwhile, in Lalbagh Fort specific activities are going on.
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