Protecting our heritage
By Galib Rahman Khan
Heritage bears the testimony of civilization, human achievement and cultural identity. Rich heritage is symbol of advanced civilization or societal legacy. Food habit, dress code, education and architecture are four key areas which represent a society, a civilization. Among these, architectural heritages are living archives of society and connect people to their roots.
We can get pure idea of previous generations from an archaeological site, particularly an architectural one. Indus Valley civilizations sites show the people were great urban planners. Their calibre still astonishes us. That civilization is one strong proof of an advanced Indian subcontinent 4,000 years back. Pompeii, an ancient Roman city totally sealed by lava of Mount Vesuvius, shows the world a civilization full of entertainment.
Architectural relics depict characteristics of past civilizations from which people can feel that time, and connect themselves with past generations. As a result, many nations carry out discovery, excavation, protection, preservation, restoration and reconstruction of architectural heritage. But it is not an easy task in many regions for a variety of reasons. Pressure of urbanisation, commercial interest, lack of awareness, fund crisis, poor technology, lack of willingness, war, even terrorism can create difficulties on the way to protect monumental jewels. In this context, April 18 is designated as International Day on Monuments and Sites, commonly known as World Heritage Day. It is promoted by International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an international body working in this particular field.
But what are we doing in Bangladesh? We are a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, the principal instrument ensuring the protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritages. Thus, let us review our activities towards our own heritage sites. Just three examples covering three major eras are enough to describe our attitude and action. As the largest delta, almost our whole country is low-lying, flat land. Despite such disadvantage, Bangladesh is enriched with numerous archaeological sites. But only two sites have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO till date.
Majestic Sompur Mahabihar is one of those. This edifice, commonly known as Paharpur Bihar (abode), was built by King Dharmapala and is one of five great mahabihar of this region. Its symmetric design is considered as one of the best in the world and the largest of its kind. Sompur Mahabihar represents the rich Bengal of past. Although it is a World Heritage Site, we have replaced original terracotta pieces by replicas _ in the name of preserving those. But then, we could not manage proper storage and have kept the original pieces in an inappropriate store! A course of action is being undertaken by South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project. Lets see what comes of it.
Another site is the medieval era settlement Khalifalabad of Bagerhat, developed by Turkish general Ulugh Khan Jahan (Khan Jahan Ali) on the edge of the Sundarbans fiorest. Renowned as the Mosque City of Bagerhat, it is an ancient wonder which was set far from the centre, where settlements like Gaur were established. Bagerhats structures represent Sultani period, with its own distinctive pattern called Khan Jahani Style. Ghat of Thakur Dhighi is the only surviving example of this in our country. Use of plaster was absent in walls of Sultani structures. A most notable building of this type is Shait Gambuj Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque). Its pillars (except five) are made of stone, also a Sultani style. We covered those pillars with plaster _ in the name of preservation! Recently, the plaster has been removed after long criticism.
Curzon Hall and its adjacent buildings of the same period are the best examples of Indo-Saracenic Revival Architecture, a late 19th century British colonial architecture movement that adopted and combined local elements like domes, in Bangladesh. The whole complex is a priceless asset of the state. Dhaka University (DU) is the guardian of these buildings. The DU authorities took extensive renovation programme. But it is a matter of great sorrow that the work was done by an unexperienced group who could not even manage the original red oxide colour. As a result, the structures look odd and such activities have hampered the heritage value. This is totally unexpected from an institution like DU.
Beside these, we have some common issues like use of tiles or any new elements thoroughly; making extension in such manner that reduce the weight of original structure; demolishing entire buildings to make way for new ones, etc. In this context, we have another peculiar, terrible habit _ removing bricks from old structures and reusing those to build new buildings! In this process, many of our gems have been fully looted or lost splendour. I, personally have had bitter experience in witnessing such illicit activity. The bricks on the van were telling, they were clearly taken from a colonial structure. But when we asked them about the source, they claimed to have purchased the new bricks from the shop! This is the reality.
Our archaeological heritages are mainly covered by Antiquities Act of 1968 (amended in 1976). Besides, Archaeological Works Code of 1934 and The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 support it. But those laws are not enough to deal with the issue in modern age. In this perspective, at the end of 2013, the Directorate of Archaeology (DOA), guardian authority and custodian of our heritage sites, drafted a new act _ Archaeological Heritage Act 2014 _ and called for feedback on the law. Most probably it should have passed in 2015. But there has been no progress till today.
The DOA has many limitations, too. They have to face complicated processes. Their budget system is not suitable. At first, DOA gets budget allocation and based on the allocated money, they have to set courses of action. In this way, no project can be properly done. The task of archaeology cannot follow such a method. Along with this, lack of awareness, weather condition_ particularly high humidity, geographic condition and structural character make the situation critical, no doubt about it.
But the scenario can be changed. A path was shown by eminent researcher and archaeologist Abul Kalam Muhammad Zakaria, a pioneer in this field. He had been working on the documentation of Mughal era archeological sites before his death in February this year at the age of 97. His individual effort is foundation for the future.
Moreover, monumental or structural heritages have no meaning without people. Without close association with the populace, especially in a country like Bangladesh with high density of population, there is no meaning to archaeology. The involvement of local people is a must to protect heritage sites. We have to do this along with increasing awareness. Without this process, the task of preserving our historical structures will be near to impossible. And this is the way to change the present picture. It is a great pleasure that related stakeholders, mainly working and pressure groups, are thinking in this way.
Jahangirnagar University (JU) is the pioneer institute in the academic field of archaeology in Bangladesh. At present day, archaeological work in this country is greatly mobilised by JUs archaeology department, along with its past and present students. Comilla University has recently opened an archaeology department, while the private University of Liberal Arts (ULAB) also has a small but strong setup. These institutes have huge theoretical impact. Researches are going on. Several other educational institutions, mainly architecture faculties of different universities, are also hard at work. They can help more in the conservation process.
The impact of such academic affiliation will be clearer if we give some examples. Currently, three groups are mainly active in archaeology: Oitihjya Onneswan led by Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, Swadhin Sens team and Shahnaj Husne Jahans team. The first two leaders are from JU and last one from ULAB. Among them, Mostafizur Rahmans group is most influential. They are excavating the sites of Wari-Bateshwar, the most prominent discovery in Narshingdi, and Bikrampur, in present-day Munshiganj. Swadhin Sens team works in highly potential Dinajpur region. And Husne Jahans group is working on the largest fortified city, Vitorgarh, in Panchagarh.
Besides the government and the above mentioned groups, several other organisations, mostly research-based, activists and pressure groups are active in the field. Urban Study Group (USG) led by architect Taimur Islam works mainly on the old part of Dhaka city. They arrange programmes like heritage walks, demonstration, drawing/ painting of heritage sites, light and sound shows to create awareness. Another such group is Save the Heritages of Bangladesh (STHOB). It is a Facebook (FB) group, led by architect Sazzadur Rasheed, with almost 14,500 members. Although it is a social media-based group, it tries to work constructively. The groups description on its FB page says: This page aims to raise awareness among people from all strata of society about the rich architectural heritage of Bangladesh through various means. All its actions are directed by that viewpoint. Arranging heritage tours is an important function of STHOB. It has already completed 19 heritage tours. Exploring new sites, re-exploring existing sites, documentation of sites visited and creating awareness among both local people and visitors are key objectives of such tours. We believe heritage tours can create positive impact on awareness building and documentation. STHOB is working on developing a database of our heritage sites, too.
Some other parties, like the International Centre for Study of Bengal Art (ICSBA) headed by Enamul Haque, and recently established ICOMOS Bangladesh led by Sharif Shams are also working to protect and preserve our rich heritage.
We believe that only laws or their enforcement cannot work without public response, which comes from strong awareness and involvement. Collective efforts from stakeholders will definitely change the scenario. Lets strive for a collective and systematic approach towards our invaluable architectural heritages.
The writer is a banker. He is affiliated with STHOB as an admin.
Photos: Archives
