Object description

Gauḍa is a historic city of Bengal in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, and one of the most prominent capitals in classical and medieval Indian subcontinent. Located on the border between India and Bangladesh, with most of its ruins on the Indian side and a few structures on the Bangladeshi side, it was once one of the most populous cities in the world. The ruins of this former city now straddle the international border and are divided between the Malda district of West Bengal and Chapai Nawabganj District of Rajshahi Division. The Kotwali Gate, formerly part of the citadel, now marks the border checkpoint between the two countries.