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Mankalir Kunda Dhap a small conical mound, is located
about 100 yards north of the Khodai Pathar mound within the citadel area
of mahasthangarh
(in Bogra District). The mound overlooks a deep tank on the west. Alluding
to a curious local legend, Cunningham connected the name of the mound
with Raja Man Sing. Others thought that the mound derives its name from
the Muslim Mankhalis of Ghoraghat, who were very powerful during
the rule of the independent sultans of Bengal. Others speculate that the
mound assumed its name from the Jaina apostle Goshala, also known as Mamkhali
or Mamkhaliputta.
Whatever may be the origins of the name, the mound have
revealed some very significant archaeological remains such as: carved
bricks, mouldings of cornice, amalaka pieces of temple, a dozen
square terracotta altorelievos depicting various animal and floral motifs,
a small pilaster, two bronze images of Ganesha and Garuda, a Jaina stone
image, a fragmentary blue stone pedestal bearing an inscription in Nagari
character reading nagrahara. The finds suggest the existence of
a Hindu temple at the site, possibly of the Pala period.
Excavations at the site in 1965-66 exposed the foundation
of a 15-domed Sultani period mosque built on the ruins of a temple. [Ayub
Khan] |
