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The anthology titled ‘Buddhist Heritage of Bangladesh’ containing of seventeen essays contributed by promising researchers and scholars on various aspects of Buddhism along with its unearthed relics may be esteemed a valuable publication in the vista of knowledge relating to the glorious past of our country. There is no denying the fact that the Buddhism is an old humanistic religion of the world preached by Gautam Buddha at the early 7th century BC. But what about her place in the land of ours? On the basis of archaeological sources and pilgrims’ accounts it can be propounded that the Buddhism penetrated and created a rich culture and Inner from Buddhist Heritage of Bangladesh (2)civilization in ancient Bangladesh from the 5th to the 12th centuries AD. The Viharas, Stupas, Muras and such other relics, the manifestation of Buddhist religion that spread over the land of Bangladesh testify to its flourishing past patronized by the rulers especially of the Pala dynasty( c.750-1161 AD ). A glance into this work shows that in one place are accumulated all the tools and salient features relating to the subject that may suffice to expose in cumulative way the rich heritage of Buddhism in Bangladesh.

This voluminous book of more than three hundred pages of glossy papers with fascinating bound is graced with a Forward written by Enamul Haque, Chairman, the International Centre for Study of Bengal Art and a competent authority on Art history. His remark and at the same appreciation may be deemed as guidance and encouragement. Bulbul Ahmed, the Editor then has spoken a few words to introduce the work. After this preliminary a great number of colorful illustrations from page 8 to page 27 shedding luster on the multidimensional aspects of the present Buddhists’ life are delineated for the interested readers and connoisseurs of visual art.

The entries of this treatise are systematized in the following order. 1. Introduction by D P Barua, pp. 29-41; 2. Inscriptional Records by Rudra Prasad Samaddar, pp. 43-49 ; 3. Seals and Sealings by Jibananda Basu, pp.51-53; 4.Pilgrim Accounts by Bulbul Ahmed & Md. Asaduzzaman, pp. 55-59; 5. Ancient Sites and Settlements by Bulbul Ahmed, Mohammad Abu Al Hasan, Md. Amiruzzaman, Md. Ataur Rahman & Khandokar Mahfuz Alam, pp.61-109 ; 6. Architectural Features by Bulbul Ahmed & Shameem Aminur Rahman, pp. 111-123; 7. Terracotta Ornamentation by Muhammed Shorab Uddin & Sharmin Rezowana, pp. 125-141; 8.Theological Advent and Evolution by Md. Mosharraf Hossain & Sharmin Rezowana, pp.143-147; 9. Iconographical Survivals by Md. Mosharraf Hossain & Swapan Kumar Biswas, pp. 149-215; 10. Bells by Sabikun Naher & Pranab K. Chattopadyaya, pp. 219- 225 ; 11. Symbolic and Iconic Representations on Coins by Bulbul Ahmed, pp. 227-231 ; 12. Poems and Songs by M. DaniulHuq, pp. 233-241; 13. Manuscript Paintings by Niru Shamsun Nahar & Mohammad Abu Al Hasan, pp.243-251; 14.Drama by Symon Zakaria, pp. 253-261; 15.Personalities and Scholars by Bandana Mukhopadhyay, pp. 263-273; 16.Recent Discoveries by Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, pp. 275-283 and 17.Mainamati: A Parallel to Nalanda ! .

It seems to me that every contributor has toiled much in collecting materials from available sources, pieced them together and brought an intelligent ending to theme of his study. Taking together all the essays incorporated in this book on the theme of Buddhism referred to above it may be opined that discussion, analysis and comment are prudently put over the ancient sites and settlements, viharas, stupas, muras, manuscript paintings, recent discoveries and such other related artifacts of Buddhist culture and civilization traced till now in Bangladesh.