তাম্রলিপ্তের ঐশ্বর্য : প্রাচীন যুগ থেকে বর্তমান যুগ/ The Splendour of Tamralipta: From Ancient Times to the Present Era

Abstract

Tamralipta, known today as Tamluk, is one of the ancient and historically significant cities of Bengal. It is situated on the left bank of the Rupnarayan River in the north-eastern part of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. From ancient times to the present day, Tamralipta has played an important role in the history, culture, religion and political life of Bengal.References to Tamralipta as a port and kingdom can be found in the Mahabharata, the Puranas and other ancient texts. The Buddhist Mahavamsa and the accounts of the Greek traveller Megasthenes also mention the importance of the region. The Chinese traveller Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), who visited India in the seventh century CE, described Tamralipta as a prosperous port situated near the Bay of Bengal. These accounts indicate its importance as an ancient centre of maritime trade.Tamralipta is also rich in religious and archaeological heritage. The famous Bargabhima Temple is an important historical and religious landmark. The remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries and other archaeological objects preserved in the Tamluk Museum provide valuable evidence of its glorious past. The history of the Tamralipta Rajbari is also an important part of the region's heritage.During British rule, Tamralipta became an important centre of the freedom movement. Hamilton School and its teachers and students helped to spread patriotic ideas. Khudiram Bose, Sushil  Kumar dhara and Ajay Mukhopadhyay are among the personalities associated with this patriotic tradition. The people of Tamluk actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.The formation of the Tamralipta National Government in 1942 was a remarkable event in the history of the freedom struggle. Despite British repression, the people remained determined. Matangini Hazra, a seventy-three-year-old freedom fighter, sacrificed her life during the movement. Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose also visited Tamluk. Tamluk Leaders such as Ajay Mukherjee, Sushil Dhara and Satish Samanta were associated with its political history.Tamralipta has also enriched Bengal's intellectual and artistic heritage. Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Mukunda Das, Suniti Kumar Chatterji and Dr. Srikumar Banerjee visited the region. Artist Paresh Maity, who received the Padma Bhushan in 2014, has brought international recognition to the region.Thus, from ancient times to the present, Tamralipta has preserved its historical glory. Its maritime heritage, cultural traditions, freedom struggle and artistic achievements make it an important and valuable part of Bengal's history.