The centuries-old Mathurapur Deul in Faridpur’s Madhukhali upazila is slowly falling into ruin as prolonged neglect, structural damage and unchecked tree growth threaten one of the region’s most distinctive archaeological monuments.
Several portions of the nearly 400-year-old structure have already collapsed, while the roots of a banyan tree growing on the monument have spread through cracks in the walls, raising fears of further deterioration.
Located in Mathurapur village under Gazna union, around 36 kilometres west of Faridpur town, the twelve-sided tower is regarded as a rare example of medieval temple architecture in Bangladesh. Historians believe the structure dates back to the seventeenth century, although no definitive historical record identifies its builder.
A popular local legend attributes the monument to Raja Man Singh, a general of Mughal emperor Akbar, who is said to have built it after defeating Raja Pratapaditya. Historians, however, say there is no reliable evidence supporting such a battle. Another regional account links the structure to Sangram Singh, a faujdar who served in Bhushana during the Mughal period.
The tower rises vertically for several metres before gradually tapering upward and currently stands around 21.2 metres tall, though locals say it was once higher. Its walls feature intricate terracotta artwork depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Inside is a small chamber accessible through a low arched entrance on the southern side. No idol or evidence of worship has been found there.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found a large section of bricks missing from the northern wall, creating a cavity roughly 10 inches deep. Additional damage was visible near the north-eastern corner. Locals said the collapse occurred recently after cracks widened during rainfall.
A banyan tree growing nearly 11 metres above the ground on the northern side has further endangered the structure, with roots penetrating deep into the wall.
Local resident Osman Mia said, “People from home and abroad come here every day, but due to lack of maintenance the deul is deteriorating. The person responsible for its upkeep has not come even once in the past three months.”
Md Tanzil Hossain Mia, another resident, said rainwater had seeped through cracks in the wall, weakening the bricks. “One day a visitor pulled on a loose brick while taking photos, causing several bricks to crumble. A few days later, a larger portion collapsed at night,” he said.
Sajjad Mia, a grocery shop owner near the site, alleged that the entrance gate has been stolen, another gate is missing, and even the tube well has disappeared. Drug addicts often gather inside the monument at night.
Shariful Islam, site director of the Department of Archaeology, said part of the northern wall collapsed about two weeks ago. After visiting the site, he sent video footage and reports to higher authorities.
He said officials instructed him to preserve the fallen bricks and informed him that an expert team would assess the damage.
Regarding the banyan tree, Shariful said it had already been growing on the structure before he took charge in August 2024. “I proposed removing it, but the Dhaka office asked me not to take any steps until further instructions,” he added.
Halima Afroz, assistant director of the Department of Archaeology’s regional office for Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, said no budget had been allocated for restoration work in the current fiscal year.
“Since the damage occurred near the end of the fiscal year, restoration work cannot begin now. If funds are allocated next fiscal year, conservation work will start,” she added.
