Excavation at Khanjahan Ali’s residence resumes

The Department of Archeology has resumed excavating renowned Islamic preacher Khanjahan Ali's residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The excavation will delve deep into the layout of the land, architectural style and chronological order.

The relics unearthed by the excavation will be registered after examination and kept at different museums.

The results of this study will add to the archaeological significance of various establishments of the Khanjahan period, said Md Zayed, the custodian at the Department of Archeology in Bagerhat.

According to the Department of Archeology, UNESCO declared 17 sites, including the Shat Gambuj Mosque as World Heritage Sites in 1985. The residence of Khanjahan Ali located in Sundarghona area of ​​Bagerhat Sadar upazila is one of them. Khanjahan's homestead lied neglected for a long time.

The archaeological department has excavated the site several times to determine its archaeological significance since 2000. Following the earlier expeditions, the excavation work has resumed under the leadership of Afroza Khan Mita, regional director of Department of Archaeology in Khulna. Seven officers of different grades and 14 irregular workers have taken part in the excavation work and research.

Excavations, which began on December 31, have already uncovered brick walls, cement and sand floors, earthenware used during the Sultanate period, earthen lids and other utensils. Every day students and visitors from different local schools and colleges come to see the relics.

Abu Bakar Siddque, vice principal of a senior madrasa, said it was nice to see the 600-year-old brick walls and earthenware. The remnants must be preserved at different museums and the history should be carried forward for posterity.

Mallika Das, student of Bagerhat Government PC College, said, "I have come here with my friends to see the excavation work. Those who are involved in the work tell us the history by showing us various artefacts. We are reliving the history."

Al Amin, a field officer of the Department of Archeology in Khulna Regional Office, said 14 irregular workers along with the filed officers have been working from 6:30am to 2:30pm.

"Our excavation work started in December 31 and will end in January 31. Our research on this settlement will continue even after this," he said.

Custodian of the Department of Archeology in Bagerhat Md Zayed said the main purpose of the excavation work is to find out the layers of the land, the architectural style and the chronological order.

"We will research various datas including installations, bricks and utensils found through the excavation. These artefacts will be preserved in the museums under the direction of the Department of Archeology," he added.