Rare rocks speak of the past at Panchagarh
Petrified wood and fossilised rocks, granite, quartzite shell, lime stone, hard rock, basalt, silica, clay-rock, sea-shells, ancient pottery-Rocks Museum lacks in nothing.
First of its kind in the country, located at the Panchargarh Government Women’s College compound, the museum showcases various shaped and coloured rocks collected from the southern region of the country.
The museum is a dream come true, initiated by the ex-principal of the college Nazmul Haque in 1997.
The items on display include pieces dating back to thousands of years, arranged according to the chronological time period of the rivers and underground rocks of Panchagarh.
The museum's collection has anthropological value too. Bricks, stone sculptures and terracotta items are among the collections dating back to three hundred to two thousand years.
The household items including 'kanchia', wooden sandals, 'topuni', pots, 'kia' and, little pots for vermillion, utensils of the indigenous community. There are idols of Vishnu and Ganesh. Metal utensils, panchapradip (lamps), dhol (drums), ektara (one-stringed instrument), sakamchuki (bidi made by the Santhals), Mughal warriors’ swords, bamboo fences with floral designs inscribed with the date of collection and origin are in the museum.
A pair of 300-year-old boats carved out of single logs are among the attractions in the main building.
Most of the rocks were collected from Bhitargarh castle area and nearby regions. Legend says king Prithu had his capital at Bhitargarh about 1,500 years ago.
The museum is small, the rare antiquities fascinate visitors.
There are many objects of archaeological value in the museum, but they could not be displayed properly due to lack of space and planning, says archaeologist Shahnaz Husne Jahan. She stressed the need for government attention to develop the museum further.
“There is no curator, no government funding, so collecting has come to a halt,” said Kanai Lal Kundu, principle of Panchagarh Government Women's College.