A fragment of an ancient terracotta idol has been discovered during pond renovation work in Tarash Upazila of Sirajganj district. The find was made on Monday (27 April) at noon in Sona Dighi, located in Choubaria village under Baruhas Union.
Only parts of the idol, including the head and sections of the arms, were recovered from the pond during excavation work. Its exact identity—whether it represents Lord Vishnu or a Buddhist figure—has not yet been confirmed.
According to local resident Gauranga Sarker, the pond was being renovated under the Nigamachi community-based fish farming project. An excavator machine was used for earth removal when the fragments of the idol surfaced unexpectedly from the soil.
Following the discovery, local residents informed the police. Sub-Inspector Dayal Kumar Banerjee of Tarash Police Station visited the site and recovered the artefact. He initially believed the object to be stone, but after cleaning it, confirmed that it was made of terracotta.
The precise nature of the idol remains undetermined. Professor Dr Rifat Ur Rahman of the Department of Sociology at Rabindra University stated that the incomplete condition of the object makes identification difficult. He noted that while some people believe it could be a Vishnu figure and others suggest a Buddhist origin, no definitive conclusion can be drawn without further examination.
He further added that laboratory testing would be required to determine the age and historical context of the artefact.
Local reports and previous findings indicate that the broader Tarash region has yielded several archaeological artefacts in the past, including objects believed to date back to the Pala and Sena periods. Some of these discoveries are preserved in institutions such as the Mahasthangarh Museum in Bogura, the Varendra Research Museum in Rajshahi, and the National Museum in Dhaka.
Tarash Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Habibur Rahman confirmed that the recovered terracotta idol was found in a partially damaged condition. He stated that arrangements are being made to take the artefact into police custody, after which it will likely be handed over to the relevant archaeological authorities for further examination.
Summary of the Incident
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sona Dighi pond, Choubaria village, Baruhas Union, Tarash Upazila, Sirajganj |
| Date and Time | Monday, 27 April (noon) |
| Discovery | Fragment of terracotta idol (head and arms) |
| Circumstances | Unearthed during pond renovation using excavator |
| Project | Community-based fish farming initiative |
| Initial Identification | Possibly Vishnu or Buddhist figure (unconfirmed) |
| Condition | Partially damaged idol |
| Expert Opinion | Requires laboratory testing for identification and dating |
| Current Status | Being taken into police custody for further process |
The discovery adds to a series of archaeological findings in the region, although the exact historical classification of this particular artefact remains pending scientific verification.