Geographical Location of Bangadesh/Bangabhumi By K.K.Debnath (drkkdebnath@gmail.com)

Geographical Location of Bangadesh/Bangabhumi

By K.K.Debnath (drkkdebnath@gmail.com)

Every major civilization of the World is identified with some name which is defined by its people, its characteristic and their place of living. However a civilization cannot grow without any integration of people.

Any civilization at the very primitive stage was tribal civilization. There were continuous fighting among them and the ultimate result was mix-ups of bloods, rituals, beliefs, etc or of civilizations of various tribals and this process continues even today. In this process of development, the dominant and superior culture absorbed the good features of other culture while on the other hand many existing features of their previous culture were left behind  and get discarded and ultimately get lost to make this mixed or composite culture better. The adoption and adaptation of superior culture is noticed in every civilization of the World. Thus we have come across various civilizations like Egyptian Civilization, Anatolian Civilization, Mitranian Civilization, Chinese Civilization, Indian Civilization, etc.

Looking at Indian civilization, even though it is known as Sindhu civilization or Hindu civilization, it is divided in to various smaller civilizations, yet very significant. They are primarily developed at 1) Indus valley (Mahen Jo Daro and Harappa) of West India, 2)  at south of Vindhya Mountain around the valley of Rivers Kaveri, Krishna and Godavari 3) Ganga Lohit Valley of eastern and 4) Central India.

Sindhu civilization is developed around Sindhu valley, which is formed by river Sindhu and its major tributaries are Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikini (Chenab), Purusni (Ravi), Bipasha (Beas), Satudri (Sutlej), DrisadvatI (Saraswati).

Gangal civilization is developed around Gangalohit or Gangal or Bongal Valley is formed by Amsumati (Yamuna/Kalindi), Ganga, Gomati, Ghagra/Gondak, Rapti, Baghmati, Koshi, Mahananda, Teesta, Mansai, Torsa, Raidak, Sonkosh and Lohit.

The Dravidian culture could not be integrated in line with Sindhu and Gangalohit cultures due to its topological environment, in comparison to Sapta-Sindhus valley and Gangalohit valley and developed separately at the valleyies of various rivers.

Thus it can be seen that for development of a major culture and its civilization, the environment plays a most important role. The bigger valley has bigger civilization. Thus Gangalohit becomes the largest civilization of India. It is being spread from present Kamroop on the north east to Hardwar on the North West, from Harikel (Chittagong) on the southern tip of east to Brajbhumi on South West, While Himalaya in North and Vindhya and bay of Bongal or Gongal in the south. The reason is easy movements of people from place to place and fertile land.

The comparative study of Vedic literature and Jain (Arhat) literature indicates that the primitiveness of Arhat religion and its Sramanic culture with respect to Vedic religion. The origin of this religion and culture is founded to be at Gongal valley and spread from there to Pundravardhana (Kamroop) on the east and Mohon Jo daro and Harappa to the west. However at a later stage due to the influence of materialistic Mitranian culture of its neighbours Aryana and Iran, it became prominent in Sindhu Valley and probably Vedic religion is a combination of Materialistic aspect of Indira-Mitranian culture and Sramanic culture of Arhat religion.

According to Jain literature there was a Taboo on writing or recording, however they could not resists the same for a long time and at a later date started recording their events. But it was very late for Jains and by that time Vedic people of Sindhu valley were much ahead of Jains. This made Samaskrita as the first recorded Language of India.

Thus we could see that all Arhat (Jain) Tirthamkars found to be born in the Gongal Valley. We find Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Buddha are all born in this Gongal Valley. In the west of this valley, it was known as Ganga Valley while on the east it was known as Gonga-Lohit valley. This Gangalohit valley in course of time might become Gongal and gradually the name Bongal appeared. At a later date at the time of Sanskritization, the river Lohit was named as Brahma Putra.

*****************************************************************************************

In the Vedic literature of Brahmanas and Aryankas of 800 to 600 BC, two countries viz. Anga and Vanga at the eastern part of India were mentioned.

Anga was found to be at the east of Magadha and its capital was Champa (Near present Bhagalpur). However, there was no particular place found as “Vanga”, even in Buddhists and Jaina literature. Buddhists literature mentioned about sixteen great powers or solasha Manajanapadas, which were in existence prior to birth of Gautama Buddha, during seventh century BC and early sixth Century BC.

This gives an indication that the place mentioned as Vanga in Satapatha Brahmana may not be the place as Vanga of today. The present Location of Bengal appeared in the History for the first time during the Islamic period around 13th century AD only. Earlier to this the present area of Bengal was divided and different parts of it were known by different names. The present area of Bengal was comprised of Pundravardhana, Gauda, Karna_ Subarna, Rardh, Samatata, and Dandabhukti of Ancient India.

The word Vanga which was used in post Vedic literature of Brahmanas and Aryanyakas was probably appeared due to use of dual words, like, Jat-Pat, Len-Den, Jadu-Madhu, and Anga-Vanga etc.

The other possibility is that, it might be referred to Mithila and Dwar-Vanga. The name Mithila was not mentioned in the Vedic test. It appeared during Upanishad period for the first time. However Jaina literature mentioned that “There was a place called Mithila in Banga desha where Lord Rama’s wife Sita Devi was born”.

The name Dwar Vanga implies that the place is situated in Vanga and was used by outsiders as an entry point or gateway to Vanga desha. In the similar manner, the places Alipurduar, Boxaduar, Chamurchi duar etc. were named, which were the gateways or entry point for entering to the kingdom of Bhutan. The same way Haradwar is named for the gateway to the kingdom of Hara (or Lord Siva). The mountain range named as Sivalik range,

It is stated by historians that during the period of 6th century BC, neither Magadha nor Anga was influenced by Vedic culture and their inhabitants were regarded as strangers in Vedic Literatures.

Kosola was the eastern limit of Vedic culture. Magadha and Anga were still regarded with aversion. The people of these places were described as Vratyas, outside the pale of Brahminism or Vedic civilization.

 This also contradicts the popular belief that Aryans from Magadha migrated to Vanga or Bengal during 6th to 5th century BC, as Aryans were not found to be settled during the above said period at Magadha.

Therefore, in all probability, the place Vangadesha, as mentioned in ancient Brahminic literatures was not the present Bengal but present Dwar Vanga and the Adjoining areas on its eastern side. The similar way the people of South of Hindu Kush Mountain were termed as Hindus and the main river was named as River Sindhu / River Hindus / River Indus, the Valley was referred as Hindus Valley and the civilization was identified as Hindu Civilization. However, in reality the Eastern and South Eastern part of Sindhu Valley gradually became known as Hindustan. Therefore, the people of Ganges Valley or Brahmaputra Valley and the Deccan were also called as Hindustan/India, even though there is no state or place or locality is named as Hindustan.

Dr. N. R. Roy in his book “Bangalir Itihas" has mentioned that the area Dwar-Vanga was probably the North West frontier of Bengal,

Dr. R. D. Banerjee in his book "Banglar Itihas" has stated that the lower part of present Bengal was covered by huge dense forest and the people of East Asian countries used to refer this area as Vang-Lang, which was gradually changed to Vangal or Bangal in course of time.

The area from Dwar-Vanga to Vangal is a great plain valley formed by the two great rivers Bramhaputra and Ganga of India. The people living in this valley are having similar culture and habits; this great valley is surrounded by Great Himalayas on the North, Bay of Bengal at south, Arakani Hills, Lalmai Hills. Garo Hills on the eastern side, Orissa Hills, Chotonagpur hills extending up to Raj-Mahal Hills at the western side and the people living in this valley may be referred as Bengali and the civilisation may be referred as Bengali civilization In fact the king of Magadha ruled over this valley and people of this valley became the kings of Magadha as well and there was no Bihar during those period until the arrival of Islamic Rulers from Rig-Vedic places.

Therefore, in general it may be said that the area or valley formed by the conjunction of two great rivers Ganga and Bramhaputra surrounded by Himalayas on the North, Bay of Bengal at south, Arakani, Lalmai., Garo hills at the east and Raj Mahal hills at the west, extending up to Orissa through Chotonagpur hills etc. is known as Bengal. The civilization of

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

According to historians in post Vedic literature, Brahmanas and Aranyaks written during the period of from 800 BC to 600 BC, two countries viz. Anga and Banga at the Eastern part of present India were mentioned.

Anga country is in the east of ancient Magadha (present PATNA); its capital was known as Champa (near present Bhagalpur).However there was mention of a place by name banga or vanga in Buddhist literatures. Buddhists literature mentioned about sixteen great powers or solosha mahajanapadas, which were in existence prior to birth of Gautama Buddha (During the period from 7^th century BC to early 6^th century BC).

This gives an indication that the place mentioned in Brahman literature (in Satapatha Bramhana) may not be the place as Vanga of today.

The word “Vanga”,which was used in the post Vedic literature of Bramhanas and Aryanyakas was probably appeared due to use of dual words like; Len-Den, Jadu-Madhu, Jat-Pat, Anga-Vanga etc.

Another possibility is that, it might be referring to Mithila and Dwar-vanga .The name Mithila was not mentioned in the Vedic text and it appeared for the first time during Upanishadic period. It is stated by historians that during the period of 6^th century BC, neither Magadha nor Anga was influenced by Vedic culture and their inhabitants were regarded as strangers in Vedic literature. According to them Kosola was the last country in the east to adopt Vedic System and Magadha and Anga were regarded with aversion. The people of these countries were described as “Vratyas”, outside the pale of Vedic civilization or Bramhinical system. The present location of Bengal appeared in the literature for the first time during the period of rulers having faith in Islam around 13^th century AD only. Prior to that the present area of Bengal was divided and different parts of it were known by different names. The present or popular Bengal was comprised of Pundravardhana, Gauda, Karna-Subarna, Rardh, Samatata, Dandabhukti of ancient India.

The name “Vanga Desha” is found in ancient Jaina literature, and mentioned as “in ancient time there was a city by name Mithila of Vangadesha. And 22^nd Teerthamkar Nami Nath was born there”. Nami nath was born earlier to 23^rd Teerthamkar Parshanath. Parshanath was born 200 years earlier to 24^th Teerthamkar Mahaveer Jain. This Indicates that Mithila was a center of Jains long before 700 BC. Also upanishads were written around 600 BC to 400 BC., and the sages or Rhiris of Upanisadic period like Sage Yagnavalka, Sage Goutama, Sage Jabala were at the court of King Janaka of Mithila. When such is the case, how the people of this area can be termed as “Vratyas” and strangers? Not only this, this also contradicts the theory that Aryan migrated to Vanga or Bengal during the period from 6^th century BC to 5^th century BC, as Aryan were not found to be settled at Magadha during the said period at Magadha.

Therefore, in all probability the place “Vangadesha”, as mentioned in ancient Vedic literatures was not the present Bengal, but present Dwar-Bhanga and the adjoining areas. The similar thing we observe about India. The present India is not the ancient India. The ancient India or Hindustan was centered around river the Indus or Sindhu and the civilization is also knows as Indus civilization. Now the people of Ganges valley, Bramhaputra Valley and in the entire south together are called as India or Hindustan.

In the similar fashion let us look at the ancient Bangadesha. Dr. NR Roy in his book on ‘Banglar Itihas’ has stated that the area “Dwarbhanga” was probably the north west frontier of Bengal and was used by their neighbors at west  as an entry point or gateway to Bangadesha. Similar names we find to the various gateway or entry points for Bhutan even today. These are Alipur duar, Boxa duar, Chamurchi duar etc Hardwar is a gate way or entry point for the land of Hara or Siva. And the mountain range is named as Shivalik range.

Further to this, we find close similarity between present Bengali language and Maithily  language,  including scripts of both languages. Thus we can confidently say that Dwarbhanga was the northwest frontier of ancient Bangadesha. That may be the reason for addressing Poet Vidyapati as a Bengali poet Dr.RD Banerjee in his book “Banglar Itihas” has stated that lower part of present Bengal was covered by huge dense forest and the people of East Asian countries used to refer this area as Vang-lang, which gradually changed to Vangal or Bangal in course of time. Towards south west of present Bengal is Kalinga. As per historians Kalinga is situated between rivers the Mahanadi and Godavari and Odra country situated between river Godavari and river Krishna. This indicates that ancient Bangadesha was up to Mahanadi in the south west side. This may be the reason for honoring poet Jaidev as a Bengali poet, even though Orya people call him as Orya poet.  On the south east part Bengal is up to Chattagram and on the northeast it was up to kamrup.

Thus now we can frame up the area of ancient Bangadesha. It is an area formed by the valley of two great and mighty rivers, the Ganges and the Bramhaputra of India. It is extended up to Dwarbhanga in the North West frontier of Bangadesha, the eastern part of river Gandak and north of river the Ganges. In the north is surrounded by the Great Himalaya. On the north east the area was extended up to Kamrup, on the north bank of the river Bramhaputra. On the east it is bounded by Garo hills, lalmai hills, Tripura and finally by Arakan hills.

On the south it is bounded by the bay of Bangal. On the west it is surrounded by Orisa hill, the Chotonagpur hill and Rajmahal hill on the south of the river Ganges. People in this area may be referred as Bengali as in line with Indian .The civilization developed in this area may be referred as Bengali civilization. In fact the Kings of this valley ruled over Magadha and vice versa. There was no Bihar during those period until the arrival of invaders from so called Rig-Vedic places of Aryans. Even during Christian period of Europeans Banga, Bihar and Orisa was clubbed together for easy administration.

Therefore, in general it may be said that the area or valley formed by the two great rivers Ganga and bramhaputra together, surrounded by Himalaya on the north and Bay of Bengal at south; Arakani, Tripura, Lalmai, Garo hills on the east are river Gandak / Dwarbhanga and Rajmahal hills at the west extending up to Mahanadi(on the east of Katak city) through Chotonagpur hill etc is Bengal or Bangadesha. The civilization may be referred as Bengali Civilization.

 Thank You Readers.