Contents: 1. Introduction/Pratapaditya Pal. 2. Mangalkot and Burdwan : antiquity and antiquities/Samir Kumar Mukherjee. 3. Chandraketugarh: enigmatic entrepot of ancient Bengal/Enamul Haque. 4. Paharpur: Buddhist complex of early Bengal/Dilip K. Chakrabarti. 5. Mainamati: city on the Red Hills/Gouriswar Bhattacharya. 6. Mahasthangarh: great citadel/Enamul Haque. 7. Gaur and Pandua: twin cities of the Bengal Sultans/Naseem Banerji. 8. Bishnupur: land of wrestlers/Asok K. Bhattacharya. 9. Hooghly: the common emporium/Gautam Sengupta. 10. Murshidabad: capital of fleeting glory/Pratapaditya Pal. 11. Index.

"This book is the third in the series of Marg studies in the regional cultures of the subcontinent-the first two being on the arts of Kutch and Orissa. The book focuses on both West Bengal and Bangladesh which, though parts of the subcontinent, are politically separate entities. However, until 1947, the two formed a single political unit known as Bengal. In a sense therefore the two "Bengals" are being united again in this volume through discourses on the common heritage. The volume is also distinguished by the fact that all the contributors are Bengalis from both halves of the divided state or sub-nation.

"The purpose of the book is to provide an overview of the material culture of Bengal through a selection of nine sites, three of which are now in Bangladesh and six in West Bengal. While some such as Chandraketugarh, Mahasthangarh and Mangalkot are archaeological sites, others are still thriving and sprawling settlements possessing rich remains of their glorious heritage. Some such as Bishnupur, Mainamati, or Murshidabad are well known names that resonate with historical or romantic associations. A few of the sites are already tourist "sights", though of regional significance, while others have great potential. Some are more neglected than others. It is hoped that this volume will result in a wider awareness of these heritage sites and sights among both the government and the public." (jacket)