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Bhitagarh (Bengali: ভিটাগড় Bhiṭāgôṛ) is an ancient fort city built in sometime between sixth and seventh century. It is situated in Panchagarh District in Rangpur Division in the northern part of Bangladesh. This site is believed to be the largest fort city in Bangladesh. It was also a part of the historic Silk Route.
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History
Earlier, Bhitagarh was a sovereign city state, one of the largest in the Indian subcontinent. In the ancient times, it served as a transit point being a part of an important trade route linking the ancient kingdoms of Tibet with Pundravardhana and other ancient kingdoms of Bengal and eastern India. During the 15th century, it merged with Khen dynasty and served as a trade route between Assam and the Muslim territories in Bengal. It was also occupied by the Ahom Dynasty for a short period.
Recent excavations
The site came in the lime light after the recent excavations which unconcealed some 200 locations of significant historical interest inside the fort city. Several temples and terracotta Buddhist stupas are some of them. The city is expected to have the largest Buddhist vihara in Bangladesh undiscovered. Samples collected from the sites are significantly different from those of Somapura Mahavihara and Shalban vihara.