ULAB’s Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) holds seminar on “Coinage Tradition of Samatata"

Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS), an archaeological research organization of country’s only liberal arts focused university ULAB, organized a seminar titled "Coinage Tradition of Samatata" on Thursday, 9 June 2016 at ULAB Auditorium, Campus A.

Seminar commenced at 3:30 p.m. with the welcoming speech delivered by the Vice Chancellor of ULAB, Professor Imran Rahman which was followed by an interesting paper presentation on the monetary system of Samatata, a sub-region of early medieval Bengal. Dr. Shariful Islam, a renowned epigraphist, numismatist and as well as the Deputy Keeper of Bangladesh National Museum, was the Keynote Speaker of the presentation.

By referring large number of gold coins found in Samatata region, Dr. Islam informed the audience about the significance of Samatata as an important trade center of Bengal during early medieval period. It played major role in both cultural and commercial exchange between Bengal and Southeast Asian countries. Through the major two rivers, Brahmaputra and Meghna, Samatata maintained an international trade network with Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, and the Southeast Asian countries.

CAS Director and Professor Dr. Shahnaj Husne Jahan also supported Dr. Islam’s statement by stating that the discovery of various types of coins in Samatata clearly proved that Bengal did not lie in the periphery of the Indian ocean trade network and maintained regular trade with southeast Asia in a manner envisaged in BIMSTEC much later. A large number of faculties, administrative officers, students were present in the seminar.

Photo Caption: 1. Dr. Shariful Islam, Deputy Keeper of Bangladesh National Museum delivering his speech.