Itachuna Rajbari
| Itachuna Rajbari | |
|---|---|
 The façade of Itachuna Rajbari | |
Interactive map of the Itachuna Rajbari area | |
Alternative names | Bargee Danga |
General information | |
| Type | Palace |
Architectural style | Bengali architecture |
| Location | Itachuna, Hooghly district, West Bengal, India |
| Coordinates | 23°01′51.7″N 88°18′31.1″E / 23.031028°N 88.308639°E |
Completed | 1766 |
| Renovated | 1896 |
| Owner | Kundu family |
| Website | |
| https://www.itachunarajbari.com/ | |
Itachuna Rajbari is a heritage zamindar house in Itachuna village in Hooghly district, West Bengal, India.[1] It was established in 1766 by Safallya Narayan Kundu and remained associated with the Kundu family.[2] The building is a traditional Bengali mansion with a large courtyard and a thakurdalan. It underwent major renovation in 1896 and is currently managed by descendants of the Kundu family. In the 2010s, the property has been converted into a heritage homestay.[3][4]
History
During the mid-18th century, Bengal faced the Maratha invasions of Bengal.[5] The raids began around 1742, during the reign of Alivardi Khan, the Nawab of Bengal, and continued for about a decade.[6]
The raids were connected with the collection of chauth, a payment claimed by the Marathas that was generally equivalent to one-fourth of the revenue.[7] The raids affected several parts of Bengal Subah, with Katwa serving as an important centre before the Maratha cavalry extended their activities towards other areas, including Medinipur.[8]
The raids eventually ended after the Nawab of Bengal reached a peace agreement with the Marathas. Some Maratha groups later settled in Bengal and became integrated into the local society.[9][7]
Some of the Maratha Bargis known as Kundans settled in the area and gradually came to be known as the Kundus.[5]
Owing to the association with these Maratha Bargis, the Rajbari is also locally referred to as the "Bargee Danga".[10] The Rajbari was built in 1766 during the tenure of Safallya Narayan Kundu.[6] In 1896, the palace was refurbished significantly by Safallya Narayan Kundu's son, Narayan Kundu, and Dhruba Narayan Kundu's father.[9]
Abolition of the zamindari system
Following the abolition of the zamindari system in India after the First Amendment of the Constitution of India in 1951, much of the family's property was acquired by the state government for the establishment of schools, hospitals and providing other public services. This affected the family's estates and caused significant difficulties in the maintenance of the Rajbari.[9]
Architecture
The Rajbari is divided into five sections: a central courtyard area known as the Thakur dalan, a dance hall with alpana decoration, a kitchen section, a guesthouse and an Andarmahal. The property also contains a worshipping room dedicated to the family deities.[6]
The Andarmahal has living quarters and staircase traditionally reserved for the women of the household. The small windows in the corridors of the Anadarmahal allowed the women to look outside without being easily seen from outside.[5][10]
The dance hall contains a chandelier and hand-operated ceiling fans. Most of the old furniture have been retained — including metal storage chests, old chairs, wooden tables, carved bedposts and low sofas. Portraits of various family ancestors are hung on the walls of the dance hall. The complex also has a pond known as the Khirki Pukur, which is reserved for the exclusive use by the women of the household.[9][11] There's also a meeting hall with a large chandelier.[5]
The building retains several features of its earlier design, including high-beamed ceilings and thick walls.[5] The rooms open onto a garden terrace furnished with antique pieces and a fountain.[12] The outer section includes a kachari house, accounts room and the room used by the market official. The courtyard is adorned with arrays of cast-iron large lamp posts.[13]
The complex also includes an art gallery, an engraved family tree chart, spiral staircases and a number of temples.[14] The Thakur dalan, located across the main courtyard, houses the family deity Shreedhar Jiu, who is also referred to as Narayana.[15]
Restoration
In the early 2010s, parts of the Rajbari, which is spread over 20 acres, was converted into a heritage homestay.[16] Dhruba Narayan Kundu returned to Itachuna after spending nearly three decades in the United States.[9] Along with Rabindra Narayan and Basav Narayan Kundu, he restored the property in association with Mylestones & Journeys, to preserve the historic property and promote tourism in the surrounding village.[7]
Tourism
The Rajbari provides around 14 rooms for accommodation, which are furnished with vintage furniture.[17] The rooms are named after members of a traditional Bengali joint family — Boro Boudi, Choto Boudi, Thakuma, Boro Pishi, Ginni Maa, Boro Maa, Mejo Maa, Bilash Manjari, Kaka Babu, Jyatha Moshai, Choto Pishi and Bordi.[8]
The property serves meals in traditional bell-metal utensils and include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Bengali dishes.[5][6]
The property offers guided tours of the palace. The property also includes mud huts and, several domestic birds and animals to represent a rural setting.[15] Visitors can stay at the Rajbari or in cottages located behind the main building.[13]
The property offers various activities for visitors, including various indoor games and outdoor sports, rural musical programmes, summer camps and day outings. Barbecues and bonfires are organised during winter, along with night walks.[7][18]
Popular culture
The Rajbari served as a filming location for the 2013 Hindi film Lootera starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha.[19] In the film, it was used to portray a princely estate.[20] The property has also been used for other film and television productions, including the Bengali films Rajmohol (2005), Paran Jai Jaliya Re (2009) and Goynar Baksho (2013). But around 2015, the owners stopped allowing film shoots because of the difficulties involved and concerns about damage to the property.[9]
References
- ↑ "This winter, rewind time in these heritage 'rajbaris' of West Bengal". The Indian Express. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Mondal, Bikram (7 September 2021). Broken Palace. Notion Press. pp. 132–133. ISBN 9781685544089. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Baisya, Ankita (15 December 2022). Potful of Memories: Travel and troubles. Clever Fox Publishing. pp. 4–10. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Saurya, Sengupta (21 June 2018). "Bengal's 'rajbaris' are slowly becoming boutique hotels". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 সেনগুপ্ত, সায়ন্তনী (30 May 2017). "কলকাতা থেকে একটু দূরে, ইটাচুনা রাজবাড়িতে". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 11 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Inside the Royal Past: A haunting story of the Itachuna Palace". Marca Money. 20 August 2024. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Chakrabarti, Ishani (8 March 2017). "The Haveli That Featured In Lootera Movie Is Haunted And We LivED It". ED Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Royal retreats, the heritage palace hotels of West Bengal". Get Bengal. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shutapa, Paul (9 September 2012). "Royalty revisits Bengal Palace". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Itachuna Rajbari: রবিবারের দুপুরে ভূরিভোজ রাজকীয়ভাবে করতে চান? আজই চলে যান ইটাচুনা রাজবাড়ি". TV9 Network (in Bengali). 6 May 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Mitra, Dola (28 March 2016). "Where Anklets Still Nights". Outlook. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "OT Wedding Wednesday: The Best Heritage Hotels In Kolkata To Host Your Wedding". Outlook Traveller. 30 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 "নতুন বছরে শহর ছেড়ে ঘুরে আসুন রাজবাড়ি থেকে, এলাহি আয়োজনে সময় কাটান ইটাচুনা গ্রামে". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 17 May 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Itachuna Rajbari- A Weekend Getaway In The Royal Ambience Near Kolkata". Tripoto. 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- 1 2 Chattopaadhyaay, Biswadip (8 March 2019). "Itachuna Rajbari: Royal getaway near Kolkata". Tripoto. Archived from the original on 7 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Laha Roy, Tasmayee (14 February 2017). "Rajbaris to come up as boutique hotels". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "6 Heritage Bungalows Near Kolkata That Will Give You Royal Feels". Curly Tales. 5 November 2024. Archived from the original on 10 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Itachuna: The Famous Ancient Rajbari of Bengal". Tribeca Care. 3 August 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Jha, Meenketan (30 December 2023). "Check Out The Spots Where These Bollywood Period Films Were Shot". Outlook Traveller. Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Viswamohan, Aysha (28 January 2023). Women Filmmakers in Contemporary Hindi Cinema. Springer International Publishing. p. 265. ISBN 9783031102325. Retrieved 4 April 2026.