The Varendra Research Museum, established in 1910 and containing around 17,000 rare archaeological specimens, is managed by Rajshahi University (RU).
The country's first museum is losing its archaeological treasures due to lack of research due to the absence of an archaeology department. In this reality, the university administration has taken the initiative to launch an archaeology department focusing on the rich archaeological heritage of the Varendra region.
All policy decisions have already been taken and the activities of the department will begin soon after discussing with the UGC, said the university's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin.
Earlier, the new director of the university's Varendra Research Museum and professor Dr. Kazi Md. Mostafizur Rahman of the Department of Islamic History and Culture spoke about this initiative. He said that an initiative has been taken to launch the Department of Archaeology. Rajshahi should have been the first, because the artifacts are being found in North Bengal, and the biggest thing is that there is no such big museum anywhere else. We hope that it will be possible to implement it soon. Then a separate department will be able to take responsibility for research and maintenance.
Meanwhile, the Department of Archaeology first started its journey at Jahangirnagar University in 1992. The department was also opened at Comilla University in 2013. In addition, Begum Rokeya University, which was established in 2008, also has a department called 'History and Archaeology'.
On the other hand, historians and researchers consider this initiative for research, preservation, and higher education to be timely and important.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Rajshahi university, Professor Dr. Mohammad Belal Hossain, said, "It is unfortunate that the oldest Barendra Research Museum in the country is located in Rajshahi, but there was no separate department for research around it. I applaud the initiative taken by the administration. I hope that when this department is launched, new doors will open for archaeological research, conservation and higher education."
In this regard, the university's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Md. Farid Uddin Khan said, Rajshahi University has a heritage museum and it is the oldest museum in the region. But unfortunately, despite being the second largest university in the country, there is no archaeology department here.
He also said, if we notice that Jahangirnagar University, Begum Rokeya University and Kumilla University have these departments. We have talked about this and we have a land next to our Varendra Research Museum where we think it is possible if we take the initiative.
Regarding the launch of the Archaeology Department, Rajshahi University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin said, "It is necessary to launch the Archaeology Department here to preserve the pride and heritage of the first museum in Bengal and the university. We are thinking about the matter seriously. All our policy decisions have been taken, and work is underway to preserve and display the museum's artifacts. Once these preparations are complete, an attempt will be made to open the department very soon with the permission of the UGC."
Regarding the overall situation, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib said, there is a plan to open a research-based archaeology department. Although it is a time-consuming process, we are optimistic. This is a suitable place for archaeological research in North Bengal. As a prosperous university, Rajshahi should definitely have this department. We have taken our thoughts seriously.
It is worth noting that the latest independent department to be launched at Rajshahi University is the ‘Persian Language and Literature’ department. It started its activities on November 26, 2016.
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