Bangladesh is a land of historical heritage. The country possesses a wide variety of historical monuments, mansions and installations but reality is—most of the ancient and medieval architectures are on the verge of getting ruined or destroyed due to the negligence of the authorities.
It is true that some of our heritage sites had been destroyed before preservation. Additionally, the present condition of the heritage of the mediaeval ages, especially the Sultanate and the Mughal architecture is not in good health, but the infrastructural condition is not as bad as many other ancient architectures.
For the reason of my concerns, when I visit historical places in different part of Bangladesh, I see the real picture of frail condition of historical architecture.
However, I also find that the Department of Archeology has tried to preserve many historical places and architectural sites. Nonetheless, the steps taken by the Department of Archaeology are not sufficient enough as the real picture is not hopeful. Rather most of the historical architectures are exposed to ruin.
Additionally, I also visited some historical places and found those historical architecture buildings were never preserved at all. I raised a question regarding the preservation when I met a high official of the Department of Archaeology.
However, he informed me that they want to preserve all historical architecture buildings of Bangladesh; however, it is not possible always for the lack of financial support and skilled manpower.
Despite these facts and experience, still I hope that the Department of Archaeology will change their activities and they will undertake research to identify the original color of architectural heritage sites across the country. Without historical and archaeological finding, they cannot change the existing color of the historical architecture.
Although, I know that their funding is limited, I said that the Department of Archaeology’s work is not beyond question.
Why did I say it? My observation is: their preservation capacity of historical architecture is not well enough, but they do not take the proper steps for saving heritage in Bangladesh. I do believe, if they become cordial and sincere for preservation of historical heritage, the real picture must be changed.
Basically, some historical architectural sites in various historical places of Bangladesh are at risk. Without any natural disaster and human interfere, it has a great possibility to be smashed to soil anytime.
On the other hand, regrettably some of important historical heritage and architecture were already lost for lake of proper steps of the authority. So proper steps must be taken before the list of heritage and historical architecture exposed to destruction increases day by day.
Nevertheless, we know that painting is a very important part of preservation methods. It reflects the emotion of builder and also focuses on the condition of contemporary arts and painting. It has historical importance and is also considered a primary source of history.
Furthermore, the painting of architecture indicates the economic capacity of the ruler or initiator and also his mentality.
In historical perspectives, the painting of architecture is not a less important subject, it has a great historical significance. It can make a new history or history may be changed by a new painting. The methods of historical research, it has to consider primary sources of history.
In addition, if we see the preservation of historical painting of architecture in the present world, we can realize that most of the civilized country of the world has preserved their real painting of historical architecture.
On the other hand, the Department of Archaeology has no proper steps for preserving the historical painting of historical architectures from ancient age.
However, recently they have taken few steps for preserving the painting of architectural sites, although their preserving processes are totally off beam.
Moreover, without proper research they have decided the color of painting of historical architecture and used the new color for preservation.
For examples, a few years ago, we saw the color of the Shiva Temple (also known as is Math Temple of Patoair) which was built by the Poet Chandravati, daughter of the famous poet Dwija Bansidas of the Middle Age of Bengal, has been preserved by using a new color.
Local people and researchers are saying: new color does not appropriate to real one; preservation process is subject to total distortion. However, the Department of Archaeology said that their preservation process was scientific and they were using real color which was used by the maker at the time of building the construction.
They also confirmed that a colorful picture of the Shiva Temple had at hand of the department, which was captured by someone in 1948.
I had an observation on the point and the decision of the Department of Archaeology that they had changed the color of the Shiva Temple basically depending on the picture of 1948, which was not only unethical but also unlawful. Without proper research, the Department of Archaeology cannot say, the picture of 1948 is real.
I have a study on the history of the Shiva Temple and my statement is that the picture is not the contemporary picture. According to the famous historian and archaeologist AKM Zakariah, “the building appears on the late 17th century or very early of the 18th century.” Studying others historical sources, I support the view of Zakaria.
It is historically proven that the picture of 1948 was not relevant to contemporary source, it is totally secondary source.
The picture was taken near about 250 hundred years after the construction of the temple, not the contemporary time. In this situation, the Department of Archaeology has no right to change the color of the Shiva Temple by using a reference of the picture of 1948. However, I agree with the director of the Department of Archaeology that the photograph is an important source.
Nonetheless, it is not the right time for accepting final decision which is real. Before changing the color of Shiva Temple, the Department of Archaeology should take a research project for finding the real color. When they would get the result of research, they can confirm whether it is real or unreal and then have a right to change the color.
But unfortunately, they did not do this. So, I have a request to the authority, please never change the color of architecture in anywhere in Bangladesh, without proper research like the Shiva Temple of Kishorgonj.
Another unethical and unlawful work by the Department of Archaeology has been done in Khulna, when I visited another important historical place in near about Khulna town.
The place has a close relation to our famous poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) and it is known as Rabindra Complex.
Wherever the traditional setting exists, it must be kept. No new construction, demolition or modification which would alter the relations of mass and color must be allowed.” I want to believe that the Department of Archaeology must abide by the act.
It was the birthplace and father’s home of Tagore’s wife Mrinalini Devi (1872–1902). It has an aesthetic, historical building, which was built by Benimadhab, the father of Mrinalini.
I used to visit the Complex several times when I had gone to my village at the time of university vacation. So I know the complex very well. You can say me; I am an eye witness of infrastructures development of the complex.
Then again, last time, when I visited the complex, I did not think that a surprising matter was waiting for me. I found that the color of Mrinalini house was changed.
It was nice to look at, but historically not sounding. I was trying to search who had changed the color. A local journalist informed me that the Department of Archaeology has changed the color.
“Without any historical and archaeological research, the Department of Archaeology cannot change the color of any historical building,” I told him. But it is the reality that they had changed the color!
Despite these facts and experience, still I hope that the Department of Archaeology will change their activities and they will undertake research to identify the original color of architectural heritage sites across the country. Without historical and archaeological finding, they cannot change the existing color of the historical architecture.
I conclude by the quotation of the Venice Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites: “the conservation of a monument implies preserving a setting which is not out of scale.
Wherever the traditional setting exists, it must be kept. No new construction, demolition or modification which would alter the relations of mass and color must be allowed.” I want to believe that the Department of Archaeology must abide by the act.
*Md. Abusalah Sakender, Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic History & Culture and Advisor Editor, Nepal News.
