Varendra Research Society
Encyclopedia
Varendra Research Society (1910–1963) was established in Rajshahi in 1910 for the promotion of studies and research into the History of Bengal
in general, and in particular of the Varendra
area
felt the necessity and justification of establishing such an institution that would explore the precious past of this region. Henceforth, The Varendra Research Society was established in 1910, and the founder of the Society Kumar Sarat Kumar Ray, the scion of Dighapatiya Royal family accompanied by Aksaya Kumar Maitreya, a leading lawyer and renowned historian; Ramaprasad Chanda
, a reputed scholar in history
, art
and archeology
was founded with a standing tribute to the princely generosity of Kumar Sarat Kumar Ray as a president; the great scholarship of Aksaya Kumar Maitreya as a Director; Ramaprasad Chanda, as an honorary Secretary.
History of Bengal
The history of Bengal includes modern day Bangladesh and West Bengal, dates back four millennia. To some extent, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers separated it from the mainland of India, though at times, Bengal has played an important role in the history of India.- Etymology :The exact origin...
in general, and in particular of the Varendra
Varendra
Varendra was a region of Bengal, now in Bangladesh. It included the Pundravardhana or Pundra Kingdom region.According to Cunningham the boundary of Varendra was the Ganges and the Mahananda on the west, the Karatoya on the east, the Padma on the south and the land between Koochbihar and the Terai...
area
History
Some of the leading and enlightened citizens of RajshahiRajshahi
The city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
felt the necessity and justification of establishing such an institution that would explore the precious past of this region. Henceforth, The Varendra Research Society was established in 1910, and the founder of the Society Kumar Sarat Kumar Ray, the scion of Dighapatiya Royal family accompanied by Aksaya Kumar Maitreya, a leading lawyer and renowned historian; Ramaprasad Chanda
Ramaprasad Chanda
Ramaprasad Chanda was an Indian historian and archaeologist from Bengal. A pioneer in his field in South Asia, Chanda's lasting legacy is the Varendra Research Museum, he established in Rajshahi , a leading institute for research on History of Bengal.-Early life:Born on August 15, 1873 at...
, a reputed scholar in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and archeology
Founding Directors
- Kumar Sarat Kumar Ray
- Aksaya Kumar Maitreya
- Rakhaldas BandyopadhyayRakhaldas BandyopadhyayRakhaldas Bandyopadhyay , also known as R. D. Banerji, was an Indian historian and a native Indian pioneer in the fields of Indian archaeology, epigraphy and palaeography. He was the Manindra Chandra Nandy Professor of Ancient Indian History and Culture at the Banaras Hindu University from 1928-30...
Organization
The Varendra Research MuseumVarendra Research Museum
Varendra Museum is a museum, research center and popular visitor attraction located at the heart of Rajshahi town and maintained by Rajshahi University in Bangladesh.-History:...
was founded with a standing tribute to the princely generosity of Kumar Sarat Kumar Ray as a president; the great scholarship of Aksaya Kumar Maitreya as a Director; Ramaprasad Chanda, as an honorary Secretary.
Publications
The society published...- Journal of the Varendra Research Society
- twelve Annual Reports and 9 Monographs containing 31 articles, two works on inscriptions, one on ethnology, one on dynastic history,
- a catalogue of the archaeological relics in the museum,
- a list of inscriptions, and
- several carefully edited Sanskrit texts.
Archaeological Excavations
- Excavated the Pradyumneshvar Tank at Deopara in RajshahiRajshahiThe city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
district and recovered from its bed as many as 64 pieces of sculpture and three terracotta Manasa-ghatas. - Excavated a high mound at Cossipur, 5 miles from Balurghat in West DinajpurDinajpurThe Dinajpur District was split between India and Bangladesh. The term can refer to the following:* Dinajpur District, Bangladesh** In the district, there is the Upazila of Dinajpur Sadar* West Dinajpur district, India. It was split on 1992-04-01 into:...
and uncovered brick built walls, a brick built road approaching the mound and a number of sculptures. - Excavated the sites at Mahisantosh and Kumarpur in RajshahiRajshahiThe city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
district and collected a number of antiquities. - Excavations at PaharpurPaharpurPaharpur is a census town in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar.-Demographics: India census, Paharpur had a population of 5758. Males constitute 68% of the population and females 32%. Paharpur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
were undertaken by the Society in collaboration with the University of CalcuttaUniversity of CalcuttaThe University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
.