Five Garhs, Maharaja Digi and the Tragedy
Md. Ziaul Haque Howlader
Like the many other districts of Bangladesh, Panchagarh bears a distinct name because of historical and physiographical features. According to history and folktale, there were five garhs (forts) within the Panchagarh region. During the Period of 2-3rd century AD, there were five garhs or fort cities – Bhitargarh, Hosaingarh, Rajangarh, Mirgarh and Debengarh in the northern district of Bengal. The very name of Panchagarh derives from these pancha-garhs or five fort-cities. In fact, these five garhs were the defensive fort cities in this region. Among the five garhs, some parts of Hossaingarh and Mirgarh are now attached to India part. These garhs now important archaeological heritages of Bangladesh.
During the ancient period, there existed different small kingdoms. The five garhs were spread over an area of about twenty-five square kilometers, among which the Bhitargarh is most significant. In terms of area, Bhitargarh was the largest one, which was of twelve square kilometers. It was the capital of King Jaleswar. In the ‘Kamrup Burunji’, King Jaleswar is referred to as King Prithu. It is believed that King Prithu’s house was about one hundred thirty-five meters away from Maharaja’s Dighi. It is believed that Bhitargarh was established as an independent kingdom in the late 6th century or early 7th century. Being located on ancient trade routes and river routes, the residents of the Bhitargarh area probably maintained commercial and cultural contacts with Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Assam, Cooch Behar, Tibet, China, Bihar and West and South Bengal. During his reign, King Prithu built palaces and temples in Bhitargarh. A huge pond was dug here, which is known as the Maharaja’s Dighi.
Maharaja Dighi is a large pond of 1500-year-old in Bangladesh. It is located at Bhitargarh area in Panchagarh – the northernmost district of the country. It is about Sixteen kilometer away from Panchagarh district town. Maharaja means great-king. As the large pond was dug by the great king Prithu, it was named after him.
The Dighi is spread over an area of about fifty-four acres land. The area of the dighi includes the banks, which are eight-hundred yards north to south and four hundred yards east to west. The height of the banks is about twenty feet. Local people believe that the water depth is more than forty feet. Maharaja Dighi attracts many tourists every year. Tourists also visit the other attractions here such as Garh (fort), plain-land tee gardens and have a glance the peak of Kanchenjunga located in East-Sikkim of India, especially in winter. The ten-brick-built ghats of Maharaja’s pond and the green trees on the high banks built of bricks and earth on both sides of the ghats (landing) also lure tourists.
But the king’s ruling came to an end with his committing suicide. The Kichak – a dishonest lower-caste tenant of the king – had hatched a conspiracy against the king. When King Prithu was attacked by the dishonest and low-caste people Kichak, he committed suicide in the water of that pond along with his family to protect his sanctity and dignity. His soldiers also followed him. As a result, King Prithu’s reign came to an end. Although most of the visible structures of the historic Bhitargarh fort city spread over an area of about twenty-five square kilometers have been lost to the evolution of time, the historic Maharaja’s pond still survives. Travel enthusiasts come there every day to see this huge pond.
Legend has it that once upon a time, when local people organized a wedding ceremony, they had to go to the bank of the pond the day before and ask for the dishes. Dishes would be brought to the bank of the pond invisibly as needed for the ceremony. After use, they had to clean them and return them. Apart from this, local people used to get good results by making wishes on the bank of the pond regarding various family or marital problems. However, even though that scenario is no longer here, there exist a beautiful vista across the vast pond. The surroundings of the pond are filled with the chirping of birds all the time owing to the green trees.
Surrounded by green tea gardens on the plains, bordering India, free from noise, and surrounded by dense shade of trees, Maharaja’s pond along with the Bhitargarh fort city attracts tourists greatly. Especially every year during the winter season, most of the tourists who come to Tentulia in Panchagarh also visit the beautiful Maharaja Dighi. Sitting on the banks of the Dighi, they are captivated by the natural beauty. The waves of the vast water body, and the chirping of various birds enthralled the visitors. Tourists walk along the high and wide banks around the Dighi in the shade of the trees and lose themselves in nature. Some people travel in boats in the waters of the Dighi. In winter, the chirping of guest birds in the green trees on the banks of the Dighi creates a charming atmosphere on the banks of the Dighi. Along with this, the beauty of the Dighi is enhanced by two stairs on both sides of its entrance. Every year on the first day of Boishakh, a fair is held on the banks of the Dighi. People of all ages flock to the fair.
The author is GM of BPC.