Dr. Ardhendu Ray, Research Associate at National Mission on Monuments & Antiquities, ASI, aims to bring to light the early historic archaeology, trade & trade routes, heritage management, museum studies, history and archaeology of Bishnupur region, Bankura Dist. West Bengal.
The town derives its name from Lord ‘Bishnu’ in the name of whom have been devoted a good number of temples. In the days of its glory, Bishnupur was the capital of the ancient kingdom of the legendary kings of the Malla dynasty. The religious contour of Bishnupur is closely associated with the rise of Vaishnavisn in Bengal, post-Chaitanya era. The relevance of Vaishnavism and the religious character of the Bishnupur are the most significant feature, so far as the rise and development of Vaishnavism in Rarh of Bengal is concerned. To investigate the rise of Vaishnavism through this temple is a humble endeavor for archaeological sources of the Bishnupur sub-division.
This region still retains a wide-recognised reputation as a living centre of folk crafts in terracotta, metal, cotton weaving, and is also associated with its repository of the world famous Baluchari and Swarnachari silk sarees, which are exquisite handloom creations of master weaver’s of Bishnupur, and preserve a local style of classical music known as the Bishnupur gharana.
In Bishnupur, there are about 30 temples, dated to medieval times based on their inscription. The chronology of the temples is 16th century CE. to early 19th century CE. Most of the temples are built in brick, and a few in laterite based on the availability of material, and are mostly square on plan with a few exceptions in rectangular.
Since ancient times, Mallabhum has been well recognized as the seat of art and culture. Bishnupur, the capital of the Malla kings, has a long history since 695 CE. and was a seat of the throne for many kings. Besides their political and socio-cultural interest, they spread their spiritual spirit, and believed among their subjects. Moreover, the conquerors expressed thought, beliefs, and socio-cultural interest, by building up archaeological temples, and bestowed kingly patronage for the advancement of music, literature and art of Rarh area.
The temples of Bishnupur mainly follow a style exclusively developed inBengal with a slight variation of north Indian type. Here, there are also some deul type temples showing how the Bengal sthapatis(architect) had acquired considerable proficiency in erecting temples in different style. The monumental temples which are magnificent in their architectural style, and the terracotta decoration formed upon the walls of most of these temples, are preserved in an excellent state. McCutchion gives a descriptive list of no less than thirteen main variations of the late mediaeval temples of Bengal which evolved throughout Bengal during the Sultanate, and early Mughal rule. These were: Rekha, Pirha, Bangla, Chala,Ratna, Spired, Octagonal, Flat-roofed, Porched, Mancha, Rasamancha, and anomalous combinations. These main types had 53 variants. The Vaishnava kings of Bisnupur patronized the evolution of the Bisnupur style. The use of laterite made the temples more lasting and massive than the older brick built temples. The Bisnupur style was characterized by the Ekaratna, or the uninspired temple. Terracotta sculpture was also developed in a big way in Bishnupur.
Late mediaeval terracotta art in Bengal was leavened with Vaishnavism. The Radha-Krisna legend became the favourite subject of the unknown terracotta artists. In magnificent detail, marked by wonderful variegation, they sculptured the following subjects: The legend of Krisna‘s birth; the destruction of tyrant kamsa by Krisna and Balarama; the killing of Putana; the subjugation of the hydra-headed and monstrous snake Kaliya by adolescent Krisna; the charming pranks of Krisna the toddler. The various aspects of Krisna’s amours; The ten incarnations of Visnu etc. The principal legends of the Ramayana, including the exploits of Hanumana are also depicted.
In the context of literary activities, the development of music with its classical identity also supplemented the overall development of cultural status of the region including the music school of Bishnupur gharana. Their involvement of ruling families that is the Mallas, for the upliftment of socio-cultural status including the religion, and other traditions could not be ruled out.
References:
Banerjee, Amiya Kumar, 1968, West Bengal District Gazetteers, Bankura, The State Editor, Calcutta.
Biswas, S.S., 1992, Bishnupur, Archaeological survey of India, New Delhi.
Biswas, S.S., Haque Z., 1995, Terracotta temples of Bengal, Friend Publisher, Calcutta.
Mallik, Abhayapada, 1921, History of Bishnupur Raj, Published by the Author, Vishnupur.
Malley, L.S.S. ‘O’, 1908, Bengal District Gazetteers, Bankura, the Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, Calcutta.
McCutchion, David J. 1967, The Temples of Bankura Districts, Writers Workshop, Calcutta.
McCutchion David J. 1972, Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origins and Classification, The Asiatic Society Monograph Series, Vol.XX, Calcutta.
Michell, George (ed.), 1983, Brick Temples of Bengal (from the archives of David McCutchion), Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
