DEBALGARH MUSEUM
DEBALGARH MUSEUM inauguration programme , by Dr. Shankar Biswas ,
Professor, Department of History, Bankura University, 2017
An organisation named ' Debagram Debal Raja Puratatwa O Lokosanskriti Sangha ' ( A society registered under West Bengal Society Registration Act XXVI of 1961 vide Registration No. S0036635 of 2023-24 ) has been formed with the help of local enthusiastic people. The Society has been managing a site museum since the year 2017 as a nodal centre of research and conservation of tangible heritage and as a mass learning platform. The museum has been named as Debalgarh Museum. Debagram Debal Raja Puratatwa o Lokosanskriti Sangha has already taken up programmes to search and recover innumerable number of artefacts in the locality and preserve and conserve them in Debalgarh Museum.
Debalgarh : The potential and Outcome
Finding and recovery of thousands of artefacts in and around Debalgarh covering an area of 200 square kilometres in about 50 villages, amply evidence that an ancient civilization flourished and evolved cantering this site from pre-Gupta era to Sultanate period.
This hitherto unexplored and unexcavated site needs more attentions. No conservation programme and heritage awareness programme has yet been initiated except for the limited efforts made by the aforementioned organisation. The Museum has been regarded as the active centre of awareness development and mass learning platform regarding heritage and culture. As Nadia district has no district museum, a huge deficiency can be noticed so far as the conservation and management of tangible heritage of archaeological perspective is concerned.
Officials from The Archaeological Survey of India, Department of Archaeology, Govt. of West Bengal, The Asiatic Society and veteran archaeologists, historians and geographers and folklore from different universities have already visited the site and expressed great concern regarding the potential.This hitherto unexplored site holds all the potential to become the latest archaeo-tourist destination of Bengal and may add a new dimension so far as the regional history and archaeology of Bengal is concerned. Debalgarh, if properly explored, may well be another major attraction of archaeological and historical importance, which will surely draw attention of many domestic and international tourists in this district. Debalgarh museum will surely be able to play a pivotal role in this endeavour.
Debalgarh Museum : The Objectives
Continuity of civilization from pre- Gupta era to the colonial period worthy of heritage value with examples from museum exhibits.
To build a vibrant network connecting all the educational institutions of the state centring Debalgarh museum so as to create interest among the students and general public in this regard.
To create awareness in this regard among the students by organizing regular seminars, workshops etc. Cultivating leadership worthy of preservation of tradition among students and teachers. With their help, creating various region-based activities to preserve heritage.
Independent research work in the field of Geo archaeology, Archaeology, Folkculture analysis of ancient Bengal and in the arena of regional planning and development.
To promote interest through regular activities in various schools and help in building model museums in each school and if possible in colleges as mass learning platform.