Ancient Terracotta Idol Unearthed During Pond Excavation

An ancient terracotta idol was discovered during the renovation of a pond in Tarash Upazila, Sirajganj district. The artifact was recovered on Monday afternoon, 27 April 2026, from the Sona Dighi pond located in Choubaria village within the Baruhas Union of the Upazila. While the discovery has sparked archaeological interest, experts have yet to confirm whether the figure represents the Hindu deity Vishnu or a Buddhist deity.

Discovery and Recovery Process

The excavation was part of the Nimgaichi community-based fisheries project, aimed at renovating the historic Sona Dighi pond. Local resident Gouranga Sarkar reported that the discovery occurred while an excavator was removing soil to deepen the water body. During the digging process, the head and hand portions of the idol emerged from the earth.

Upon noticing the object, workers and locals immediately halted the excavation and notified the authorities. Sub-Inspector Dayal Kumar Banerjee of Tarash Police Station arrived at the site to secure the find. According to his statement, the artifact initially appeared to be made of stone due to the encrusted soil; however, after careful cleaning, it was identified as a terracotta sculpture.

Academic and Expert Assessment

The fragment has been examined by Dr Rifat Ur Rahman, a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Rabindra University. He noted that the incomplete state of the idol makes a definitive identification difficult. While some local observers suggest it may be a Vishnu or Buddhist statue, Dr Rahman emphasised that the absence of a full torso and identifying attributes leaves the matter open to debate.

Regarding the age of the artifact, Professor Rahman stated that it is impossible to determine a specific historical period without formal laboratory analysis and carbon dating. He confirmed that the physical evidence must undergo rigorous testing before any chronological claims can be validated.

Regional Archaeological Context

The Tarash region is well-known for its rich archaeological heritage, particularly spanning the Pala and Sena dynasties (approximately 8th to 12th centuries AD). Numerous artifacts, including stone and terracotta sculptures from these eras, have been recovered from this vicinity in the past. These findings are currently preserved in major national institutions.

Official Status

Md. Habibur Rahman, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tarash Police Station, confirmed that the black terracotta idol was found in a partially broken state. He stated that police personnel were dispatched to ensure the safe transport of the artifact to the station for temporary custody. Following standard administrative procedures for archaeological finds, the department is expected to coordinate with the Directorate of Archaeology for further preservation and research.