Coherence of Local Myth and Archaeology: Discovering the Indra Raja’s Chronicles

Present paper analyzes the relationship between local myth and archaeological evidence at the location of Indra tila (22°42'27.33"N, 91°37'36.81"E) in the Sitakunda hill tract of southeastern Bangladesh. For centuries, the region has been related with the mythical ruler Indra, submerged structures, sacrosanct lakes (Komoldoh Dighi-next to the aforesaid tila) and stories of rich cultural heritage of a long-lost settlement. Paucity of appropriate archaeological material and scientific evidences, those age-old folkloristic traditions doesn’t stand on a proper academic ground.  Until recently archeological exploration at Wahedpur–Mirer sarai area revealed structural bricks, column bases, burnt clay objects and wall arrangements. Most interestingly, two brick samples from the main mound have revealed the thermoluminescence (TL) dating. The TL examination shows a firing age of roughly 2300 years BP (± 400 years) and 2500 years BP (± 500 years) respectively, or Early Historic Period, more specifically which falls into the dynastic time frame of Mauryan in Indian Subcontinent. in this regard, it’s worth mentioning that, only two archaeological sites been categorically associated with the time frame based on TL dating scientifically. Hence, Indra tila and archaeological sites within immediate vicinity poses a significant question to the history and archaeological researchers of the ancient Bengal, especially in present Bangladesh. In scholarly sphere, this scientific TL dating raises more question than it answered and open a new vista of research in the correlation between regional history and local mythological traditions. In the present study, these recent laboratory data of TL is examined along with the landscape features and most interestingly with previously known archaeological understanding with the region to sketch a clear picture of the region as well as history of the ancient Bengal.