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Coordinates: 25°07′21″N 88°37′13″E / 25.1225°N 88.6202°E / 25.1225; 88.6202
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{{Orphan|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox Historic Site
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Dibar Dighi
| name = Dibar Dighi
| native_name = দ্বিবর দিঘি
| native_name = দিবর দীঘি
| native_language = Bengali
| native_language = Bengali
| image =A_View_of_Dibor_Dighi.jpg
| image =A_View_of_Dibor_Dighi.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_size = 200px
| caption = view of Dibor Dighi
| caption = View of Dibor Dighi
| designation1 =
| designation1 =
| designation1_date =
| designation1_date =
| designation1_number =
| designation1_number =
| designation1_criteria =
| designation1_criteria =
| designation1_type =
| designation1_type =
| designation1_free1name =
| designation1_free1name =
| designation1_free1value = [[Bangladesh]]
| designation1_free1value = [[Bangladesh]]
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2value =
| designation1_free2value =
| location =[[Patnitala Upazila]] [[Naogaon District]], Bangladesh
| location =[[Patnitala Upazila]], [[Naogaon District]], Bangladesh
| elevation =
| elevation =
| built =
| built =
| built_for =
| built_for =
| architect =
| architect =
| architecture =
| architecture =
⚫
| map_caption =
| latitude = 25.1225
| coordinates = {{coord|25.1225|88.6202|region:BD_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| longitude = 88.6202
| locmapin = Bangladesh
⚫
| map_caption =
| coord_display = inline
}}
}}


'''Dibar Dighi''' ({{lang-bn|দ্বিবর দিঘি}}) is a [[Reservoir|tank]] in [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book|last=Rahman|first=Kazi Mostafizur|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh|publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]|year=2012|editor1-last=Islam|editor1-first=Sirajul|editor1-link=Sirajul Islam|edition=Second|chapter=Dibar Dighi and Kaivarta Stambha|editor2-last=Jamal|editor2-first=Ahmed A.|chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dibar_Dighi_and_Kaivarta_Stambha}}</ref>
'''Dibar Dighi''' ({{lang-bn|দিবর দীঘি}}) is a [[Reservoir|tank]] in [[Bangladesh]]. An octagonal granite pillar, associated with Kaivarta chief [[Varendra rebellion#The dynasty|Dibya]], who usurped the Pala throne, stands in the centre of the tank.<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book|last=Rahman|first=Kazi Mostafizur|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh|publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]|year=2012|editor1-last=Islam|editor1-first=Sirajul|editor1-link=Sirajul Islam|edition=Second|chapter=Dibar Dighi and Kaivarta Stambha|editor2-last=Jamal|editor2-first=Ahmed A.|chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dibar_Dighi_and_Kaivarta_Stambha}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" />


== Location ==
== Location ==
The site is located in Dibar village, on the northern side of Nazipur-Sapahar highway in [[Patnitala Upazila]] of [[Naogaon District]].<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dibar Pillar- A Medieval Wonder {{!}} Independent|url=https://m.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/93064|access-date=2021-06-23|website=m.theindependentbd.com}}</ref>
The site is located in Dibar village, on the northern side of Nazipur-Sapahar highway in [[Patnitala Upazila]] of [[Naogaon District]].<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Dibar Pillar- A Medieval Wonder {{!}} Independent|url=https://m.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/93064|access-date=2022-01-03|website=m.theindependentbd.com}}</ref>


== Architecture ==
== Architecture ==


=== Dibar Dighi ===
=== Dibar Dighi ===
[[Alexander Cunningham]], whose "servant" visited the site in 1879-80, noted the lake to spread about 1200 square ft.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Cunningham|first=Sir Alexander|url=https://books.google.co.ao/books?id=gW8IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA123|title=Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879-80 from Patna to Sunargaon ...|date=1882|publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing|pages=123|language=en}}</ref>{{efn|On the role played by these "servants", see {{Cite book|last=Raj|first=Kapil|chapter=When Human Travellers become Instruments: The Indo-British Exploration of Central Asia in the Nineteenth Century|date=2007|title=Relocating Modern Science: Circulation and the Construction of Knowledge in South Asia and Europe, 1650–1900|pages=181–222|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK|doi=10.1057/9780230625310_7|isbn=978-0-230-62531-0}}}} Average depth was about 12 ft.<ref name=":1" /> The tank currently occupies about 20 acres of land and sits atop a mound, spread over 100 acres.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=পত্নীতলা উপজেলা|url=http://http/%3A%2F%2Fwww.patnitala.naogaon.gov.bd%2Fsite%2Ftop_banner%2F8df6a40d-1ab1-11e7-8120-286ed488c766%2F%25E0%25A6%2590%25E0%25A6%25A4%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25B9%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%2595-%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25AC%25E0%25A6%25B0-%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%2598%25E0%25A6%25BF-|access-date=2021-06-23|website=http|language=en}}</ref>
[[Alexander Cunningham]], whose "servant" visited the site in 1879–80, noted the lake to spread about 1200 square ft.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Cunningham |first=Sir Alexander |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gW8IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA123 |title=Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879-80 from Patna to Sunargaon ... |date=1882 |publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing |pages=123 |language=en}}</ref>{{efn|On the role played by these "servants", see {{Cite book |last=Raj |first=Kapil |chapter=When Human Travellers become Instruments: The Indo-British Exploration of Central Asia in the Nineteenth Century |date=2007 |title=Relocating Modern Science: Circulation and the Construction of Knowledge in South Asia and Europe, 1650–1900 |pages=181–222 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |doi=10.1057/9780230625310_7 |isbn=978-0-230-62531-0}}}} Average depth was about 12&nbsp;ft.<ref name=":1" /> The tank currently occupies about 20 acres of land and sits atop a mound, spread over 100 acres.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |script-title=bn:ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দিঘি |trans-title=Historic Dibar Dighi |url=http://www.patnitala.naogaon.gov.bd/site/top_banner/8df6a40d-1ab1-11e7-8120-286ed488c766/%25E0%25A6%2590%25E0%25A6%25A4%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25B9%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%2595-%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25AC%25E0%25A6%25B0-%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%2598%25E0%25A6%25BF- |access-date=2021-06-23 |website=Patnitala Upazila |language=bn}}</ref>


=== Kaivarta Stambha ===
=== Kaivarta Stambha ===
[[File:Dibar Dighi 3.jpg|thumb|Dibar Stambha]]
⚫
The tank is primarily famed for housing a semi-submerged granite pillar — locally known as ''Kaivarta Stambha'' — in its center.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Chakrabarti|first=Dilip K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ty9uAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Dibar+Dighi%22|title=Ancient Bangladesh, a study of the archaeologcial sources|date=1992|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=155}}</ref> The apex of the pillar is crown shaped and decorated with three inflated circular rings.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> The pillar does not have any inscriptions.<ref name=":4" /> [[Francis Buchanan-Hamilton|Francis Buchanon-Hamilton]]'s survey of Bengal (1807-08) measured the net height to be 22.5 cubits (33 ft, 75 in) and the diameter to be 6.5 cubits (9 ft, 9 in).<ref name=":1" />{{Efn|Cunningham later noted that this was actually the value of circumference.<ref name=":1" /> Cunningham's "servant" committed the same error, too.<ref name=":1" />}}{{efn|For a critical perspective on Hamilton's survey of Bengal, see {{Cite journal|last=Vicziany|first=Marika|date=October 1986|title=Imperialism, Botany and Statistics in early Nineteenth-Century India: The Surveys of Francis Buchanan (1762–1829)|journal=Modern Asian Studies|language=en|volume=20|issue=4|pages=625–660|doi=10.1017/S0026749X00013676|issn=1469-8099}}}} He had deemed it to be octagonal in shape.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Dibar Dighi 10.jpg|thumb|Fishing at Dibar Dighi, with Dibar Stambha is the background]]
⚫
The tank is primarily famed for housing a semi-submerged granite pillar — locally known as ''Kaivarta Stambha'' — in its center.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6">{{cite book|last=Chakrabarti|first=Dilip K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ty9uAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Dibar+Dighi%22|title=Ancient Bangladesh, a study of the archaeologcial sources|date=1992|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=155|isbn=978-0-19-562879-1}}</ref> The apex of the pillar is crown shaped and decorated with three inflated circular rings.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> The pillar does not have any inscriptions.<ref name=":4" /> [[Francis Buchanan-Hamilton|Francis Buchanon-Hamilton]]'s survey of Bengal (1807–08) measured the net height to be 22.5 cubits (33&nbsp;ft, 75 in) and the diameter to be 6.5 cubits (9&nbsp;ft, 9 in).<ref name=":1" />{{Efn|Cunningham later noted that this was actually the value of circumference.<ref name=":1" /> Cunningham's "servant" committed the same error, too.<ref name=":1" />}}{{efn|For a critical perspective on Hamilton's survey of Bengal, see {{Cite journal|last=Vicziany|first=Marika|date=October 1986|title=Imperialism, Botany and Statistics in early Nineteenth-Century India: The Surveys of Francis Buchanan (1762–1829)|journal=Modern Asian Studies|language=en|volume=20|issue=4|pages=625–660|doi=10.1017/S0026749X00013676|issn=1469-8099}} For an overview of British surveys and their roles in colonial knowledge production, see {{Cite book|title=Mapping an Empire: The Geographical Construction of British India, 1765-1843|last=Edney|first=Matthew H.|date=1997|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=0-226-18486-2}}}} He had deemed it to be octagonal in shape.<ref name=":1" />


Cunningham's expedition revised the height to be approximately 30 ft — the visible portion spanned 10 ft, the submerged portion 12 ft, and the rest, underground foundation.<ref name=":1" /> From the logged data, he determined the pillar to be nonagonal having side-length of 12 in. each; diameter came out to be 29 in.<ref name=":1" /> Cunningham regretted that he did not personally visit the site, noting that such a large single-shaft stone pillar was yet to be recorded in Indian subcontinent, after [[Ashoka]]'s reign.<ref name=":1" />
Cunningham's expedition revised the height to be approximately 30&nbsp;ft — the visible portion spanned 10&nbsp;ft, the submerged portion 12&nbsp;ft, and the rest, underground foundation.<ref name=":1" /> From the logged data, he determined the pillar to be nonagonal having side-length of 12 in. each; diameter came out to be 29 in.<ref name=":1" /> Cunningham regretted that he did not personally visit the site, noting that such a large single-shaft stone pillar was yet to be recorded in Indian subcontinent, after [[Ashoka]]'s reign.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
A Bangladeshi archaeologist confirmed Cunningham's approximation but changed the distribution; 12&nbsp;ft was above water level, 8&nbsp;ft was submerged, and 10&nbsp;ft was below ground.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Dibar Pillar- A Medieval Wonder|work=The Independent|location=Dhaka|url=https://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/93064|access-date=2021-06-23}}</ref>


⚫
A Bangladeshi archaeologist confirmed Cunningham's approximation but changed the distribution; 12 ft was above water level, 8 ft was submerged, and 10 ft was below ground.<ref name=":0" />
== History ==
== History ==
The site is yet to be accurately dated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dibar Dighi and Kaivarta pillar|url=http://dept.ru.ac.bd/ihc/Mostafiz/Dibardighi.htm|access-date=2021-06-23|website=dept.ru.ac.bd}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=নওগাঁয় এক রাতে তৈরি ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দীঘি {{!}} বাংলাদেশ প্রতিদিন|url=https://www.bd-pratidin.com/last-page/2019/01/22/393881|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Bangladesh Pratidin|language=en}}</ref> Cunningham had equated the place name (Debar) to be a corruption of [[Devapala (Pala dynasty)|Devapala]], who belonged to the early ninth century.<ref name=":1" /> Local legends construct a mythological origin, wherein the lake was dug within one night by a [[Jinn|''jinn'']].<ref name=":3" />
The site is yet to be accurately dated.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Dibar Dighi and Kaivarta pillar |url=http://dept.ru.ac.bd/ihc/Mostafiz/Dibardighi.htm |access-date=2021-06-23 |website=dept.ru.ac.bd}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |script-title=bn:নওগাঁয় এক রাতে তৈরি ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দীঘি |url=https://www.bd-pratidin.com/last-page/2019/01/22/393881 |access-date=2021-06-23 |work=Bangladesh Pratidin |language=bn}}</ref> The name of the village as 'Dibar' may be derived after the name of king Dibyak or Dibya.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /> Local legends construct a mythological origin, wherein the lake was dug within one night by a ''[[jinn]]''.<ref name=":3" />


From an etymological perspective and literary history, it is currently argued that the tank and the pillar were commissioned to commemorate the victory of a local Kaivarta vassal, Dibyak (var. Dibya) over his 11th century overlord, [[Mahipala II]].<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Maitreẏa|first=Akshaẏakumāra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O05uAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Dibor+Dighi%22|title=The fall of the Pāla Empire|date=1987|publisher=University of North Bengal|page=44|author-link=Akshay Kumar Maitreya}}</ref><ref name=":0" />{{Efn|The only source for historical reconstruction is [[Ramacharitam]] by [[Sandhyakar Nandi]]. No epigraphical evidence exists of Dibyak.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ramacharitam, The - Banglapedia|url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ramacharitam,_The|access-date=2021-06-23|website=en.banglapedia.org}}</ref>}} The cause of the war between Dibyak and Mahipala II can not be ascertained — [[R. C. Majumdar]] interpreted it to be a rebellion by a local [[samanta]], strategically timed to the weakening of Pala authority whilst [[Ram Sharan Sharma]] took it to be a peasant rebellion against feudal suppression.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Furui|first=Ryosuke|date=2014|title=CHARACTERISTICS OF KAIVARTA REBELLION DELINEATED FROM THE RĀMACARITA|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158366|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=75|pages=93–98|issn=2249-1937}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Varendra Rebellion - Banglapedia|url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Varendra_Rebellion|access-date=2021-06-24|website=en.banglapedia.org}}</ref> The construction might have been executed in the reign of Dibyak himself or his successors — brother Rudak, and nephew Bhim.<ref name="Banglapedia" />{{Efn|Bhim was subdued by [[Ramapala]] (supported by his kinsmen and other samantas) a few years later, before being put to death; this brought the short-lived rule of Kaibartas over [[Barendra]] to an end.<ref name="Prothomalo">{{Cite web|last=প্রতিবেদক|first=নিজস্ব|title=আখতারুজ্জামান ইলিয়াসের না লেখা উপন্যাস|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/onnoalo/আখতারুজ্জামান-ইলিয়াসের-না-লেখা-উপন্যাস|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Prothomalo|language=bn}}</ref> Nandi was probably the court-poet of Ramapala.}}
From an etymological perspective and literary history, it is currently argued that the tank and the pillar were commissioned to commemorate the victory of a local Kaivarta vassal, Dibyak (var. Dibya) over his 11th century overlord, [[Mahipala II]].<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Maitreẏa |first=Akshaẏakumāra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O05uAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Dibor+Dighi%22 |title=The fall of the Pāla Empire |date=1987 |publisher=University of North Bengal |page=44 |author-link=Akshay Kumar Maitreya}}</ref><ref name=":0" />{{Efn|The main source for historical reconstruction is [[Ramacharitam]] by [[Sandhyakar Nandi]]. There are three other epigraphical records exist of Dibyak.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ramacharitam, The |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ramacharitam,_The |access-date=2021-06-23 |website=Banglapedia}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Varendra Rebellion - Banglapedia |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Varendra_Rebellion |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=en.banglapedia.org}}</ref> The cause of the war between Dibyak and Mahipala II can not be ascertained — [[R. C. Majumdar]] interpreted it to be a rebellion by a local [[samanta]], strategically timed to the weakening of Pala authority whilst [[Ram Sharan Sharma]] took it to be a peasant rebellion against feudal suppression.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Furui |first=Ryosuke |date=2014 |title=Characteristics of Kaivarta Rebellion Delineated from the Rāmacarita |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158366 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=75 |pages=93–98 |jstor=44158366 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Varendra Rebellion |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Varendra_Rebellion |access-date=2021-06-24 |website=Banglapedia}}</ref> The construction might have been executed in the reign of Dibyak himself or his successors — brother Rudak, and nephew Bhim.<ref name="Banglapedia" />{{Efn|Bhim was subdued by [[Ramapala]] (supported by his kinsmen and other samantas) later, and put to death; this brought the rule of Kaibartas over [[Barendra]] to an end.<ref name="Prothomalo">{{Cite news |script-title=bn:আখতারুজ্জামান ইলিয়াসের না লেখা উপন্যাস |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/onnoalo/আখতারুজ্জামান-ইলিয়াসের-না-লেখা-উপন্যাস |access-date=2021-06-23 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn}}</ref> Nandi was probably the court-poet of Ramapala.}}


== Preservation ==
== Preservation ==
In 1939, the Central Government declared Dibar Dighi to be a heritage site.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CeQVAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Dibar+Dighi%22|title=Indian Information Series|date=1939|publisher=Bureau of Public Information|volume=4-5|location=India}}</ref> Rajshahi Social Forestry Division has created an artificial forest (alongside a mini-zoo) around the tank; boating trips seem to be allowed.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=টেলিভিশন|first=Ekushey TV {{!}} একুশে|title=কালের সাক্ষী নওগাঁর ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দীঘি|url=https://www.ekushey-tv.com/tour/news/107873|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Ekushey TV|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=প্রতিবেদক|first=নিজস্ব|title=এলিজার দেখা ৭|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/life/travel/এলিজার-দেখা-৭|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Prothomalo|language=bn}}</ref>
In 1939, the Central Government declared Dibar Dighi to be a heritage site.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CeQVAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Dibar+Dighi%22 |title=Indian Information Series |date=1939 |publisher=Bureau of Public Information |volume=4-5 |location=India}}</ref> Rajshahi Social Forestry Division has created an artificial forest (alongside a mini-zoo) around the tank; boating trips seem to be allowed.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:কালের সাক্ষী নওগাঁর ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দীঘি |url=https://www.ekushey-tv.com/tour/news/107873 |access-date=2021-06-23 |work=Ekushey TV |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:এলিজার দেখা ৭ |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/life/travel/এলিজার-দেখা-৭ |access-date=2021-06-23 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn}}</ref>
⚫
== Notes ==
⚫
{{Notelist}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Nazipur]]
* [[Nazipur]]
* [[Varendra rebellion]]
* [[Ramacharitam]]

⚫
== Notes ==
⚫
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Rebellions in India]]
[[Category:11th century in India]]
[[Category:History of Bengal]]
[[Category:Pala Empire]]
[[Category:Pala Empire]]
[[Category:Naogaon District]]
[[Category:Naogaon District]]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 3 June 2024

Dibar Dighi
Native name
Bengali: দিবর দীঘি
View of Dibor Dighi
LocationPatnitala Upazila, Naogaon District, Bangladesh
Coordinates25°07′21″N 88°37′13″E / 25.1225°N 88.6202°E / 25.1225; 88.6202

Dibar Dighi (Bengali: দিবর দীঘি) is a tank in Bangladesh. An octagonal granite pillar, associated with Kaivarta chief Dibya, who usurped the Pala throne, stands in the centre of the tank.[1][2][3]

Location

[edit]

The site is located in Dibar village, on the northern side of Nazipur-Sapahar highway in Patnitala Upazila of Naogaon District.[1][4]

Architecture

[edit]

Dibar Dighi

[edit]

Alexander Cunningham, whose "servant" visited the site in 1879–80, noted the lake to spread about 1200 square ft.[5][a] Average depth was about 12 ft.[5] The tank currently occupies about 20 acres of land and sits atop a mound, spread over 100 acres.[1][6]

Kaivarta Stambha

[edit]
Dibar Stambha
Fishing at Dibar Dighi, with Dibar Stambha is the background

The tank is primarily famed for housing a semi-submerged granite pillar — locally known as Kaivarta Stambha — in its center.[1][6][2] The apex of the pillar is crown shaped and decorated with three inflated circular rings.[1] The pillar does not have any inscriptions.[6] Francis Buchanon-Hamilton's survey of Bengal (1807–08) measured the net height to be 22.5 cubits (33 ft, 75 in) and the diameter to be 6.5 cubits (9 ft, 9 in).[5][b][c] He had deemed it to be octagonal in shape.[5]

Cunningham's expedition revised the height to be approximately 30 ft — the visible portion spanned 10 ft, the submerged portion 12 ft, and the rest, underground foundation.[5] From the logged data, he determined the pillar to be nonagonal having side-length of 12 in. each; diameter came out to be 29 in.[5] Cunningham regretted that he did not personally visit the site, noting that such a large single-shaft stone pillar was yet to be recorded in Indian subcontinent, after Ashoka's reign.[5]

A Bangladeshi archaeologist confirmed Cunningham's approximation but changed the distribution; 12 ft was above water level, 8 ft was submerged, and 10 ft was below ground.[7]

History

[edit]

The site is yet to be accurately dated.[8][3] The name of the village as 'Dibar' may be derived after the name of king Dibyak or Dibya.[1][4][8] Local legends construct a mythological origin, wherein the lake was dug within one night by a jinn.[3]

From an etymological perspective and literary history, it is currently argued that the tank and the pillar were commissioned to commemorate the victory of a local Kaivarta vassal, Dibyak (var. Dibya) over his 11th century overlord, Mahipala II.[1][9][7][d][11] The cause of the war between Dibyak and Mahipala II can not be ascertained — R. C. Majumdar interpreted it to be a rebellion by a local samanta, strategically timed to the weakening of Pala authority whilst Ram Sharan Sharma took it to be a peasant rebellion against feudal suppression.[12][13] The construction might have been executed in the reign of Dibyak himself or his successors — brother Rudak, and nephew Bhim.[1][e]

Preservation

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In 1939, the Central Government declared Dibar Dighi to be a heritage site.[15] Rajshahi Social Forestry Division has created an artificial forest (alongside a mini-zoo) around the tank; boating trips seem to be allowed.[3][16][17]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ On the role played by these "servants", see Raj, Kapil (2007). "When Human Travellers become Instruments: The Indo-British Exploration of Central Asia in the Nineteenth Century". Relocating Modern Science: Circulation and the Construction of Knowledge in South Asia and Europe, 1650–1900. Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 181–222. doi:10.1057/9780230625310_7. ISBN 978-0-230-62531-0.
  2. ^ Cunningham later noted that this was actually the value of circumference.[5] Cunningham's "servant" committed the same error, too.[5]
  3. ^ For a critical perspective on Hamilton's survey of Bengal, see Vicziany, Marika (October 1986). "Imperialism, Botany and Statistics in early Nineteenth-Century India: The Surveys of Francis Buchanan (1762–1829)". Modern Asian Studies. 20 (4): 625–660. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00013676. ISSN 1469-8099. For an overview of British surveys and their roles in colonial knowledge production, see Edney, Matthew H. (1997). Mapping an Empire: The Geographical Construction of British India, 1765-1843. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-18486-2.
  4. ^ The main source for historical reconstruction is Ramacharitam by Sandhyakar Nandi. There are three other epigraphical records exist of Dibyak.[10]
  5. ^ Bhim was subdued by Ramapala (supported by his kinsmen and other samantas) later, and put to death; this brought the rule of Kaibartas over Barendra to an end.[14] Nandi was probably the court-poet of Ramapala.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Rahman, Kazi Mostafizur (2012). "Dibar Dighi and Kaivarta Stambha". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. ^ a b Chakrabarti, Dilip K. (1992). Ancient Bangladesh, a study of the archaeologcial sources. Oxford University Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-19-562879-1.
  3. ^ a b c d নওগাঁয় এক রাতে তৈরি ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দীঘি. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Dibar Pillar- A Medieval Wonder | Independent". m.theindependentbd.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cunningham, Sir Alexander (1882). Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879-80 from Patna to Sunargaon ... Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing. p. 123.
  6. ^ a b c ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দিঘি [Historic Dibar Dighi]. Patnitala Upazila (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Dibar Pillar- A Medieval Wonder". The Independent. Dhaka. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Dibar Dighi and Kaivarta pillar". dept.ru.ac.bd. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  9. ^ Maitreẏa, Akshaẏakumāra (1987). The fall of the Pāla Empire. University of North Bengal. p. 44.
  10. ^ "Ramacharitam, The". Banglapedia. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Varendra Rebellion - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  12. ^ Furui, Ryosuke (2014). "Characteristics of Kaivarta Rebellion Delineated from the Rāmacarita". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 75: 93–98. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44158366.
  13. ^ "Varendra Rebellion". Banglapedia. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  14. ^ আখতারুজ্জামান ইলিয়াসের না লেখা উপন্যাস. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  15. ^ Indian Information Series. Vol. 4–5. India: Bureau of Public Information. 1939.
  16. ^ কালের সাক্ষী নওগাঁর ঐতিহাসিক দিবর দীঘি. Ekushey TV (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  17. ^ এলিজার দেখা ৭. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 June 2021.
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