Historical Baroda Kanta Math of Hizla upazila and Ulania Zamindar Bari of Mehendiganj upazila have been enlisted by archeology department to preserve as historical site.
Both sites are now on the verge of Ruination.
Two separate letters from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Archeology (DA) to Barishal Divisional Museum, confirmed their decisions on Tuesday, said Shahin Alam, custodian of the museum.
“We welcome the decision of DA to preserve it as an archeological site,” said Dr Ashoke Kumar Bhattacharjee, president of Preservation Committee of Baroda Kanta Math at Kauria Bazar of Guarekha Union under erosion affected Hizla upazila.
The dual-math or tomb was constructed on the cremation spots of local Zamindar Ram Kanai Mitra and his wife on three acres of land by their son Baroda Kanta Mitra Roy Chowdhuri, a local landlord in 1899.
The two math shaped building around 80 feet height attracts many visitors daily for its architectural beauty', he added .
On other hand, Ulania of Mehendiganj near the estuary of Meghna-Arial Kha, was looted several times by the Burmese Mogh and Portuguese pirates during Mughal period.
Shahbaz Khan, armed forces commander of Mughal Emperor Akbar, was sent to curb the pirates and the region was named as Shabazpur after him.
After his return to capital, the pirates again started to loot the area and then Aga Mehedi, an armed forces commander of Mughal Emperor Aurangajeeb, was sent in the Shabazpur region to contain the bully of Burmese Mogh and Portuguese pirates in the 16th century.
After curbing the pirates, Aga Mehedi returned to capital and Muhammad Hanif, accompanied descendent of Aga Mehedi, remained and settled at Ulania of Mehendiganj as Zamindar by taking patta from Mughal Emperor, said local historian Sirajuddin Ahmed, quoting local people and history books.
Muhammad Hanif constructed the Ulania Zamindar Bari with buildings, mosque, pond and other structures.
However, most of the evidences of that period except the part of the Zamindar Castle, mosque and pond already eroded away by mighty erosion of Meghna River and the remainder is also under threats of eroding away, said Atikur Rahman Himu, local activist of Mehendiganj for preservation of historical sites.
The Baroda Math of Hizla and Ulania Zamindar Bari of Mehendiganj are remarkable for its historical values and decorations.
So the department as per instruction of the ministry decided to take steps for preservation those valuable sites, said Shahin Anam, Custodian of Barisal Divisional Museum.
“The Archeology department will protect, repair and maintain the sights as public interest. A signboard would be set up for this announcement immediately,” he added.
AIMD
