900-year-old temple found in Nilphamari

[Riyad]

It is said that Lord Buddha once in his life came to this region East Bengal to spread Buddhism and he was successful to convert the local people of East Bengal to Buddhism. East Bengal what today known as Bangladesh was a Buddhist country before Islamic invasion which came to force during 13th century. During Islamic invasion many Buddhists and low caste Hindus convert to Islam. Most Bangladeshi Muslims have Buddhist ancestry while few have Hindu ancestry. It was the predominant faith of the region until about the 12th century, Buddhism is now the third largest religion in Bangladesh with about 0.7% of population adhering to Theravada Buddhism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Bangladesh

Islam was introduced to Bengal in at least 8th century and later became main religion,[6]coming from mainly by the arrivals of Arab and Persian missionaries and merchants,[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Bangladesh#cite_note-theiranians-7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Bangladesh

 

[Bilal9]

OK back to topic.

This ruin found was most probably dedicated by Emperor Dharmapala.

700-1000 AD. The Paharpur Bhuddist Vihara or University established by Bangla's (then known as Vanga) Pala kings who were followers of Buddhism, following the spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century. Pala kings hailed from the northern Dhaka region and ruled large part of Northern India between 7th and 11th century (they established a puppet ruler as far North as Kannauj).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmapala_(emperor)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pala_Empire

Ruins of the stupa at Paharpur

 

[HeinzG]

Nothing unusal here.People of East Bengal were predominantly Buddhist a thousand years ago.Buddhism survived here long after it wiped out from other part of sub continent.That's why all the archeological site discovered here are Buddhist monument.Later those Buddhist converted to Islam but Hindus were not.That's why East Bengal became Muslim but West Bengal remain Hindus.

Can you elaborate a little?

 

[TopCat]

Can you elaborate a little?

After Sena dynasty(Bhramin) take over of Bengal from Palas (the buddhist kingdom), they started promoting Bhraminism and put the Buddhist under official Hindu religion but of lower caste. That angered the buddhist as they lost their social status overnight. So when Islam entered bengal they immediately converted to get back their ruler status.

Eastern Bengal, current Bangladesh has almost zero hindu ruins.