Zoom into the a rare historical enclave – Pilak

Nestled in the southern fringes of Tripura, Pilak bear out the close relation between Northeast and Aarakan Civilisation, our Correspondent Ratnadeep Choudhury reports from this sleepy village about the treasure remains of timeless history.

We took three hours brisk drive from Agartala to reach Pilak, a small cornered village near Jolaibari in South Tripura's Belonia subdivision. It is rahter a sleepy hamlet which quietly treasures ancient remains of Buddhist mythology, the place not only holds the key to Tripura's ancient history, but can act as a link of the similarity between civilization of northeast to many other parts of Southeast Asia, where Buddhism has thrived for decades. As one approaches pinak, the paddy field around gives a nostalgic feel, and when one lands at the site he is bound to be mesmerized by the archeological relics that the place holds. But Pilak has never been fortunate to make a name for itself, over the past few decades this archaeological site which gives conclusive proof of the peaceful existence of Hindu-Buddhist culture spanning over 8th to 12th century, has been left away from spotlight, reasons best known to Centre and state.
This place could have easily fling Tripura on top of the country's archaeological and tourist map. Pilak, made its presence felt in the seventies with the finds of archaeological objet d'art, antiques including sandstone images mostly of Lord Buddha. Other images were that of Mahisasur Mardini, Surya Dev, Avolokiteswar. The exquisite terracotta images of Lord Buddha inscribed at Pilak is worth a sight. Although it was in the seventies that the place got recognition, but experts have opined that this enchanting place drew the attention of historians and researchers in 1927 when Samarendra Debbarma, a scion of Tripura's royal Manikya Dynasty, gave detailed references to the glorious remains of the place in his book entitled Tripura Smriti. Experts also added that German scholar Dr H.B.Beshart who spoke highly of the wealth of archaeological matters contained underground later echoed Debbarma’s views about Pilak, which is said to have close connection to Myanmar and the Arakan Civilization. But the safeguarding of these ancient relics at Pilak only started in 1973 under the initiation of the then Chief Minister of Tripura Sukhamay Sengupta.
According to archeologist, Pilak was reffered as as 'pilakko' in a stone inscription at Mruhang, which was then the capital of the old Aarakan, along the Aarakan ranges of now what we know as Myanmar. He asserted on the basis of Mog folklore and tradition of oral history that in remote past there was close cultural link between 'pilakko' and Arakan via Chittaong hill-tracts of present Bangladesh. 'The sculptural and architectural remains of Pilak closely resemble those found in the Maynamoti-Paharpur area in Comilla district. What, however, has brought Pilak into limelight afresh is the excavation of a full-sized Buddhist stupa in the 'Shyamsundar tilla' area. Explaining the importance of the newly excavated site Mr Narayan Chandra Debnath, a senior conservation assistant of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said' this is a full-size Buddhist stupa built in 11th century on the pattern of architecture during the reign of palas of Bengal '. Mr Debnath who has been in charge of the Pilak site since 1999 said the stupa had been excavated under the supervision of ASI superintendent Mr P.Kumaran since January 1999 and completed in March this year. He pointed out that the stone image of meditating Buddha found in the sanctum sanctorum of the stupa had 'very close affinity to tribal features on the mouth'. He said that Pilak archaeological site was spread over three square kms of land west of Jolaibari market area in Belonia subdivision.' The sites are known as 'Shyamsundar tilla', 'Thakurani tilla', 'Sagar doba', 'Debdaru' 'Basudebbari' around Jolaibari market' Mr Debnath added. Regarding the preservation of the site and its potential as a tourist spot Mr Thaikhai Chowhdury said the ASI had taken over the site since 1999 and its treasure trove was now under protection according to the provisions of government of India's relevant Act of 1958. He asserted that the state government had plans to develop the site for Buddhist tourists of South East Asia and other places' and for this we have submitted a project of Rs 150 crores to centre '. The centre will seek financial assistance from the government of Japan, he added. The state government has already developed the site as a tourist spot by setting up a cafetaria and providing other facilities for visitors from outside. The place also lies in a strategic location near the trijunction of Tripura, Chittagong hill-tracts of Bangladesh and present Myanmar'. 'Pilak is a treasure house of history which is just waiting to be unearthed'.