Bureaucratic gridlock stalls authenticity inquiry

BOGURA, July 04: An investigation into the authenticity and condition of 47 archaeological artefacts returned from France to the Mahasthangarh Museum in Bogura, along with a previously lost sculpture, has stalled amid bureaucratic tangles, raising fresh questions over one of Bangladesh's most sensitive cultural heritage cases.

Although two separate investigation committees have been formed over the past month, little tangible progress has been made, officials and people familiar with the matter told the FE.

Historians and archaeology researchers say the returned artefacts have never undergone a comprehensive scientific examination despite long-standing concerns over whether the objects brought back from France are the same as those originally sent for an international exhibition nearly two decades ago.

Instead, most of the artefacts have remained sealed in storage since their return.

The renewed investigation seeks to revisit a case dating back 17 years, when dozens of valuable antiquities from Mahasthangarh were shipped to France for an exhibition that was ultimately cancelled after one sculpture went missing during the second phase of transportation.

"There are legitimate grounds for verifying the authenticity of these artefacts," Syed Fazle Rabbi Dollar, general secretary of the Bogura History Research Council, told the FE.

He said antiquities worth millions of taka had been sent from the Mahasthangarh Archaeological Museum to the Guimet Museum in France, but doubts remain over whether the original objects were returned.

"The packages have remained unopened since they came back. Previously, these artefacts were displayed in the museum. We suspect that some of the returned items could be replicas, although this needs scientific verification," he said. Not everyone shares that assessment.

A member of a team of archaeology experts from Jahangirnagar University, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the artefacts had indeed been sent to France but were never exhibited.

Instead, they were returned following public criticism over the exhibition arrangements.

"Had they remained abroad for a longer period, there might have been greater reason for suspicion," he said.

Independent archaeology and epigraphy researcher Mukanta Bishwas said the authorities at the time had shown negligence in handling the collection.

"One Vishnu sculpture was damaged, yet no formal investigation was conducted. The artefacts were transported as sealed consignments and returned in the same condition. Questions remain over whether sufficient safeguards were in place," he said.

The Bogura district administration formed a nine-member inquiry committee on May 30, headed by Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaul Islam, to verify the authenticity of the 47 artefacts preserved at the Mahasthangarh Museum. The committee was initially asked to submit its findings within seven days.

On June 11, experts from Jahangirnagar University and the Department of Archaeology were added to the investigation and given 15 working days to prepare a report.

Although the deadline has since been extended by another 15 working days, the inquiry has yet to produce its findings.

Mr Islam acknowledged that the investigation had progressed more slowly than expected because of the need for coordination among several government agencies.

"Mahasthangarh is an irreplaceable part of Bangladesh's archaeological heritage, and the investigation is being conducted with utmost importance," he said, adding that the committee would try to complete its work within the extended timeframe.

The controversy resurfaced during a meeting of the Shibganj Upazila law and order committee on May 11, where questions were raised about the authenticity of the 47 artefacts.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam attended the meeting and subsequently instructed the authorities to investigate the matter.

According to official records, Bangladesh sent a collection of important archaeological artefacts from several museums to France in 2007 for a planned exhibition at the Guimet Museum in Paris. At least 47 valuable artefacts originated from the Mahasthangarh Museum.

AK M Syfur Rahman, director of the Department of Archaeology in Bogura, said resolving the issue is essential to protect Bangladesh's cultural heritage.

"There is still an opportunity to conduct proper scientific verification," he said, adding, "No single laboratory in Bangladesh has the capacity to complete all the required tests."

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