NTP

 Yes — Chandraketugarh, near Berachampa in South Bengal, is indeed an ancient site with a strong legacy of maritime trade.

🏺 How old is it?

Archaeological evidence suggests occupation from around 3rd century BCE (and possibly earlier) through the Gupta period (up to ~12th century CE in later phases).

This means it flourished during:

• The late Mauryan period
• The Shunga–Kushana periods
• The Gupta era

It is roughly contemporary with other major early historic trade centers in eastern India.

🌊 Maritime Trade Legacy

Chandraketugarh was located near ancient river channels connected to the Bidyadhari River, which flowed into the Bay of Bengal. In antiquity, this region had navigable waterways linking it to:

• Southeast Asia
• Sri Lanka
• Possibly Roman trade networks via eastern coastal routes

Findings include:

• Terracotta plaques of exceptional craftsmanship
• Seals and sealings with Brahmi script
• Roman-style artifacts
• Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
• Beads, ivory objects, and fine ceramics

All of these indicate it was part of an active international trade network.

⚓ Connection to Ancient Bengal Ports

Some scholars speculate that Chandraketugarh may have been linked to or associated with the ancient port known as Tamralipta (modern Tamluk), one of the most important ports of ancient eastern India.

While Tamralipta is more definitively recorded in classical sources, Chandraketugarh appears to have been a major regional urban and trade center connected to that maritime world.

🧭 Historical Significance

Chandraketugarh shows that:

• Bengal was not peripheral — it was commercially vibrant.
• Maritime trade in South Bengal is over 2,000 years old.
• The delta region supported sophisticated urban culture long before medieval times.

If you like, I can describe what daily life in Chandraketugarh might have looked like during its trading peak.