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Need for preservation and development of Karnasubarna, a
heritage site in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.-laid
SHRI YUSUF PATHAN (BAHARAMPUR): I wish to draw the
attention towards the need to preserve and develop the ancient
heritage site of Karnasubarna, the capital of Shashanka, the first
independent ruler of Bengal. Located in present day Murshidabad
district, the site finds mention in Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang's
accounts, who described it as densely populated and prosperous.
Excavations in the 1960s by archaeologists from the Calcutta
University revealed ruins of Shashanka's citadel as well as that of a
Buddhist monastic complex. These included the ruins of
Raktamritika Mahavihara, considered to be older than the Nalanda
Mahavihara. These ruins were subsequently declared a site of
national importance. However, they lie in neglect today and are
gradually weathering due to climate change. The absence of basic
tourist infrastructure and amenities discourage tourist footfall. The
local community is also reluctant to preserve this site due to the
lack of revenue generation opportunities. Fresh excavations of this
site could shed more light on an important chapter of our history.
Further development could encourage visitors to Karnasubarna
and support the local economy. Hence, I request the Government
to take immediate steps to conserve and promote Karnasubarna
and protect Bengali and Indian cultural heritage.