An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s1.32

v1.c19.s1.32

(v) W. Bengal, Assam and the n.-e. hills. Chalcolithic sites have been found extensively distributed in the w. part of W. Bengal [4.14.4], although the major excavated sites are still only a few—PĀṆḌU RĀJĀR DHĪBĪ, MAHISDAL and BHARATPUR. The sequence in this area extends up to the historical period through the early Iron Age, and there is no doubt that the Rāḍha tract has always been of considerable significance in Bengal's history. Among the later sites the most important excavated one is Karṇasuvarṇa (RANGAMATI, RAJBADIDANGA) essentially of the Gupta and post-Gupta period. The lower Bhagirathi delta is full of early historical sites [4.18.5]: unpublished information suggests about 45 places from where early historical antiquities have been discovered, although a good number of these places may not be classified as settlements. Antiquities are discovered at a number of places in the fresh exposure of river-cliff sections, and it is possible that they have been carried by the river from upstream. Some work has been done at the two sites of CHANDRAKETUGARH and TAMLUK. In the old alluvium of Dts Dinajpur and Malda there are early historical sites such as BANGARH and Mahasthangarh, the latter just across the border in Bangladesh. There is no evidence of any significant historical penetration in W. Bengal *terai* before the Gupta and post-Gupta periods.