Bhabanipur Zamindar Bari
| Bhabanipur Zamindar Bari | |
|---|---|
ভবানীপুর জমিদার বাড়ি | |
 | |
Alternative names | Bhabanipur Rajbari |
General information | |
| Type | Residential |
Architectural style | Roman architecture |
| Location | Atrai Upazila, Bhabanipur Village, Atrai Upazila, Naogaon District, Bangladesh |
| Opened | Unknown |
| Owner | Girijashankar Chowdhury |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Brick, surki, and iron rods |
| Floor count | 2 |
Bhabanipur Zamindar Bari is a historic zamindar palace located in Atrai Upazila of Naogaon District within the Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. It is locally known as Bhabanipur Rajbari or Bhabanipur Palace.[1][2][3][4]
Location
The zamindar palace is situated in Choudhury Bhabanipur village of Shahagola Union under Atrai Upazila in Naogaon District. It is located approximately 24 kilometers south of Naogaon Sadar Upazila. The estate sits adjacent to the Bhabanipur Bazar on the banks of the Atrai River and the Chhoti Jamuna River.[1][5] The palace is about 8 kilometers away from the Atrai Upazila headquarters.[2][4]
History
The Bhabanipur zamindar lineage was founded by Zamindar Girijashankar Chowdhury. However, the exact date of the establishment of the estate and the construction of the palace remains unknown. Girijashankar Chowdhury managed the estate until his death, after which his only son, Priyashankar Chowdhury, took over management. During Priyashankar's tenure, the zamindari expanded significantly, and the beauty of the palace grounds was enhanced. At that time, two Nepalese guards were stationed at the main gate to protect the palace.[1][6]
Among the descendants, Zamindar Priyashankar Chowdhury was well-regarded by the local population. He undertook numerous development projects for the welfare of his subjects, including constructing roads, excavating ponds, and establishing educational institutions. He was the father of six sons and six daughters. Following the partition of India and the subsequent abolition of the zamindari system, he decided to move to Kolkata, India, with his family. However, his fourth son, Pratapshotshankar, disagreed with this decision. Priyashankar moved to Kolkata with the rest of the family, leaving Pratapshotshankar behind. Pratapshotshankar Chowdhury continued to reside in the palace with his wife and children. He later worked as a school teacher at the Hatiapara Government Primary School and passed away in 2005. Currently, his son, Abhijit Chowdhury, lives in the palace.[7][8]
Architecture
The main structure is a two-story residential palace constructed in the Roman architectural style. The palace complex contains three private temples: the Durga Temple, the Gopinath Temple, and the Basanti Temple. It also features a masonry-lined water well and a pond with paved stairs (ghat). Adjacent to the pond is a building known as the Ganbari (music house), which was used for musical performances and entertainment during the zamindari era. Near the Ganbari lies a drawing-room (parlor) where the zamindars used to hold judicial courts and arbitration meetings. A large flower garden sits in front of the parlor, and the entire palace complex is surrounded by an assortment of local and exotic flowers, fruits, medicinal plants, and ornamental foliage.[1][5][6]
Current Status
Due to a lack of preservation efforts by authorities, all structures within the zamindar estate are currently in a state of ruin.[6][7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Rana, Babul Akhter (6 October 2016). "কালের সাক্ষী ভবানীপুর জমিদারবাড়ি". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- 1 2 "ভবানীপুর জমিদার বাড়ি". National Web Portal of Bangladesh (in Bengali). Retrieved 2020-06-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "আত্রাইয়ের দর্শনীয় স্থানগুলোতে উপচে পড়া ভিড় - বেড়িয়ে আসুন". The Daily Observer. 19 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- 1 2 "আত্রাইয়ের দর্শনীয় স্থানগুলোতে দর্শনার্থীদের উপচেপড়া ভিড়". Daily Nayadiganta (in Bengali). Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- 1 2 "বিলুপ্তির দ্বারপ্রান্তে ভবানীপুর জমিদার বাড়ি". Jago News (in Bengali). 5 October 2016. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- 1 2 3 "বিলুপ্তির পথে নওগাঁর ভবানীপুর জমিদার বাড়ি". Daily Ittefaq. 5 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- 1 2 "অবহেলায় হারিয়ে যেতে বসেছে আত্রাইয়ের ঐতিহাসিক নিদর্শন". Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). 11 January 2017. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- ↑ "কেমন আছে ঐতিহ্যবাহী সেই ভবানীপুর জমিদার বাড়ি?". bdnewshour24.com. 2016-10-04. Archived from the original on 2020-06-28. Retrieved 2020-06-27.