Lack of space prevents display of artifacts in Varendra Museum

RAJSHAHI, Aug 8: The Varendra Research Museum, run by Rajshahi University (RU), here has over 10,000 old world artifacts but can showcase only one-third of them because of a tug-of-war for space.
The Varendra Research Museum collection consists of stone and metal sculptures, epigraphs, coins, pottery and plaques in terracotta, weapons, Arabic and Persian documents, paintings, books and periodicals, Sanskrit and Bangla manuscripts. But most of the articles have been stored in the museum.
"The museum, acquainted as the hoard of ancient and medieval signs, has started to lose its individuality due to indifference and negligence of the authority," said Professor Dr. Sultan Ahmad, acting director of the museum.
"Apart from these, the museum has also been suffering from lack of financial assistance, manpower crisis and different infrastructural problems for several years," he added.
History said the museum originated from Varendra Research Society, which was established in 1910 at the heart of the Rajshahi city by Saratkumar Ray and two of his close associates- Akshay Kumar Maitreya and Ramaprasad Chanda.
The Rajshahi University authorities took charge of the museum in 1964, but no notable action of the university has been seen yet in progress of the institution. Research sources said the centenary museum contains such archaeological items that are not available anywhere in the world.     ritushar.ru@gmail.com