The Bangladesh region contains relics of the finest specimens
of Buddhist monastic architecture. The Buddhist vihara at Paharpur
occupied a quadrangle measuring more than 900 feet externally at each
site. "No single monastery of such dimensions" asserts an art
historian", has come to light in India, and the appellation mahavihara,
the great monastery as designating the place, can be considered entirely
appropriate". Similar vihara of Deva dynasty has been unearthed
at Mainamati. The relics of Mahasthangarh where the ancient city of Pundravardhana
was located suggest that a large monastery was built there. Of notable
sculptures in ancient Bengal, stone figures of Buddha from Ujani in Faridpur
district, Varaha avatara from Bogra (10th century) the Vishnu Stela
from Comilla (11th century) and Chandi image from Dhaka district (12th
century) deserve special mention. Another remarkable achievement was the
terracotta art of Paharpur which drew its inspiration from the simple
village life. This depicts the daily life of people with intense human
interest.
The Middle Age in Bengal saw the construction
of a large number of Islamic monuments which were characterized by massive
arches and bold clean lines. The emphasis was on utility and simplicity.
Among these monuments the Satgambuz mosque of Bagerhat, the mausoleum
of Shah Ali Bagdadi at Mirpur and the mosque of Rasti Khan at Hathazari
deserve special mention.
Architectural landmarks
of the recent era include the National Parliament building designed by
the renowned American architect Louis Kahn. Other landmarks include the
National Monument, the National Museum and the National Mosque.
![[Paharpur]](../images/scenes/paharpur.gif)
The Bangladesh region contains relics of the finest specimens
of Buddhist monastic architecture. The Buddhist vihara at Paharpur
occupied a quadrangle measuring more than 900 feet externally at each
site. "No single monastery of such dimensions" asserts an art
historian", has come to light in India, and the appellation mahavihara,
the great monastery as designating the place, can be considered entirely
appropriate". Similar vihara of Deva dynasty has been unearthed
at Mainamati. The relics of Mahasthangarh where the ancient city of Pundravardhana
was located suggest that a large monastery was built there. Of notable
sculptures in ancient Bengal, stone figures of Buddha from Ujani in Faridpur
district, Varaha avatara from Bogra (10th century) the Vishnu Stela
from Comilla (11th century) and Chandi image from Dhaka district (12th
century) deserve special mention. Another remarkable achievement was the
terracotta art of Paharpur which drew its inspiration from the simple
village life. This depicts the daily life of people with intense human
interest.![s[Satgambuz Mosque]](../images/scenes/shaat.gif)
The Middle Age in Bengal saw the construction
of a large number of Islamic monuments which were characterized by massive
arches and bold clean lines. The emphasis was on utility and simplicity.
Among these monuments the Satgambuz mosque of Bagerhat, the mausoleum
of Shah Ali Bagdadi at Mirpur and the mosque of Rasti Khan at Hathazari
deserve special mention.
Architectural landmarks
of the recent era include the National Parliament building designed by
the renowned American architect Louis Kahn. Other landmarks include the
National Monument, the National Museum and the National Mosque.