Where history comes alive

Walking down the aisles at Chittagong University Museum, a treasure trove of priceless antiquities and archaeological knowledge, it would seem as if history has come alive there.

Anyone would feel a thrill, as if she or he is travelling to the past, by simply looking at the displayed artifacts.

There is an ancient Surya idol at the sculpture section that is more than 2,400 years old, dating back to the Gupta Empire (320 and 550 CE). Numerous century-old specimens from different historical periods of this region are also on display.

This is the only university museum in Bangladesh. It started its journey with an initial collection of 30 pieces of art and artifacts that included robes and pillows, weapons and armours, stone inscriptions, sculptures, and brass plates, according to CU sources.

It was inaugurated on June 14, 1973, temporarily on the first floor of CU's arts faculty building. After a while, it was shifted to the Chattogram District Shilpakala Academy, before being relocated again to AR Mallick Bhaban on the CU campus in 1988. The museum found its own place in the three-storied Library and Museum Building of CU on August 10, 1992.

The items were collected by CU's Department of History before being handed over to the museum.

Over the years, the museum's collection became more enriched, with most of the items being donated to it.

The sculpture section has 52 ancient idols of different sizes, sculpted from rare black stones. A sandstone statue of Vishnu, collected from Mirsarai of Chattogram, is among the oldest specimens, dating back to the 9th century.

Besides, there are 28 bronze and some other metal sculptures, which are close to 2,800 years old, dating back to the Pala Empire (750–1161 CE).

The museum houses five permanent exhibition galleries on the first floor: Pre-History and Archaeological Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, Islamic Art Gallery, Folk Art Gallery, and Contemporary Art Gallery.

The ground floor comprises of Abdul Karim Reference Library, a conservation laboratory, a space for special exhibitions and workshops, a documentation and research service centre, and the museum's stores and offices.

The second floor houses a conference hall.

An open stage, thematic gardens and the yard complete the CU Museum's premises.

Professor AR Mallick, the first vice-chancellor of CU, and Professor Abdul Karim, the first head of the history department, took initiative to build up the museum's collection. Dr Shamsul Hossain, a former student of the history department, was its first academic staff, who later served as its deputy curator.

The CU authority allocates a fund for the museum's maintenance. However, it fails to draw enough attention from researchers and visitors due to lack of planning and exposure, according to sources.

It remains open for visitors from 9:00am till 1:30pm.

"The museum has been playing a vital role in historical research and academic knowledge for both teachers and students," said Professor Mahbubul Haque, dean of CU arts faculty and former curator.