The Division of Rajshahi in the northwestern corner of Bangladesh is bordered on the east by the mighty Jamuna River and the Padma/Ganges River on the south, and shares a disputed border with India to the north and west, making access to Gaud, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in all of Bengal, almost impossible. During Partition, thehe ancient capital of Gaud was split through the middle and now part of it lies in Bangladesh and part in India.
Rajshahi Division has an impressive collection of sites which are spread over a wide area and are best reached by a private vehicle. Rajshahi is a University town, the center of the silk Industry, as well as being an important cultural center. Formerly it was also quite famous as a focal point for the Indigo trade with the Baro Kuthi building witness to the countless atrocities comitted by the Birtish related to this disreputable trade. The Varendra Research Museum is an essential starting point as it contains a massive collection of artifacts related to the area. The building itself is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles of the eighth and ninth centuries with the prevailing British influence of the 1920s. Inside is one of the finest collections of black stone sculptures in the country
Eighteen miles (29 km) east of Rajshahi town, in the village of Puthia, is a fascinating but little-known group of medieval Hindu temples. Besides the imposing Maharani's Palace (Puthia was formerly a large estate) there is an interesting variety of temples. At the entrance to the village is a large white stucco temple dedicated to Shiva, following a typical north Indian design and dating from 1823. To the left of the main facade of the palace is the Govinda Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna, which follows a typical Hindu temple shape prevalent in Bengal at the time. It is decorated with delicate terra-cotta panels depicting scenes from the Radha Krishna and other Hindu epics. At the back of the palace is another delightful Banglastyle miniature temple, which is in the shape of a Bengali bamboo hut but built of brick and adorned with some exquisite terra-cotta designs. Across a large tank to the right of the palace are a further pair of temples exhibiting a variation of styles. One, the Jagaddhatri Temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, is a combination of the Bangla style and the Chau-chala style, or hut-shaped roof with four slopes. The other temple alongside is also of the Chau-chala style. Both temples are liberally decorated with terra-cotta designs.
Rajshahi Silk is the name given to the silk products produced in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It is a famous name in the domain of clothing, especially in saris.
Rajshahi silk is a delicate and soft fibre produced from the cocoons of silkworms and is covered with a protein called Sericin. There are mainly three varieties of silks.
Mulberry Silk
Eri (or Endi) Silk and
Tassar Silk.
Among these varieties, Mulberry silk is the finest and is therefore the most valuable.
Saris and other products made out of Rajshahi silk are coveted by users in the country and in foreign countries. Rajshahi silk is available as fabric in colors and patterns for designers. Silk fabric is available in ranges for apparel and for other purposes.
Rajshahi houses a number of silk industries and a Silk Research Institute. The region's sericulture accounts for almost the entire silk output of Bangladesh. Approximately 100,000 people are directly or indirectly employed in this sector.
source-librabd.net,wikipidea
