Palaces and Zaminder's Mansions in Bangladesh [Archive]

Tmac

May 4th, 2007, 06:48 AM

Ahsan Manjil : Built in 1872 and standing on the river Buriganga, this stately building offers the visitors a feeling of the life-style of the Nawabs of Dhaka. It is known as the Pink Palace, this building now houses a splendid museum.

Basically, it was the residence of the Nawabs. Nawab Abdul Gani renovated this building in the year 1872 and named it after his son Khaza Ahasanullah.

On the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka the Pink majestic, Ahsan Manjil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It is an epitome of the nation's rich cultural heritage.

Todays renovated Ahsan Manjil a monument of immense historical beauty.

It has 31 rooms with a huge dome atop which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries in 31 rooms displaying of traits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsanmanjil30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/ahsanmanjil66.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/473402317_0fcda8f957_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsanmanjil88.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsanmanjil67.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsnamanjil58.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsanmanjil51.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsanmanjil63.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/ahsanmanjil64.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/473337284_f2b5c317ec_b.jpg

Tmac

May 4th, 2007, 07:12 AM

The Bangabhaban the official residence of the President of Bangladesh, the head of state of Bangladesh. Located in the capital Dhaka, the palace was originally the temporary official residence of the British Viceroy of India. From 1947 to 1971, it was the residence of the Governor of East Pakistan.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/bangabhaban5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/bangabhaban5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangabhaban.jpg

Tmac

May 4th, 2007, 07:17 AM

Rose Garden Mansion: This formerly Zaminder mansion, known as the ‘Rose Garden’ is not a garden of roses but in reality it is a pleasure lodge, built in the late 19th century. The building which remains a private property to date, has been renovated and painted by its recent owners keeping the original character fully maintained.

The building has wonderful Corinthian columns and has on its ground floor eight apartments including a central hall whilst the upper floor has a further five apartments including a large dance hall in the middle.

In the front yard, there was a fountain, the structure of which still remains. There are several classical marble statues in the garden. Though the rose garden that has given the mansion its name does not exist anymore, the extensive lawn with a small pond in the middle that was overgrown with wild grass, thickets and clumps of weed have been cleared and is in the stage of recovery.

Visitors are allowed to visit the place as an afternoon refreshment spot. The owners said that they wish to maintain the building and they have no plans till now to use them as their residential quarters and nor to make it a profit-based tourist spot. This tall, massive building is in good condition and stands proudly reaching the skyline.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/rosegardenpalace6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/RoseGarden6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/rosegardenmansion3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/rosegardenmansion2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/rosegardenmansion.jpg

Dhakaiya

May 4th, 2007, 07:22 AM

A much needed thread. Good work Tmac!

mirzazeehan

May 4th, 2007, 06:13 PM

Nice pics Tmac!

tanzirian

May 4th, 2007, 09:23 PM

I had been thinking of starting a thread like this myself...but I'll wait now :) . Whenever I get to visit Bangladesh with sufficient time, I'll try to visit all the zamindar palaces I know of and get some pics. In the meantime...thanks Tmac! Two little points...the Dinajpur pictures shown are part of the temple complex, not the palace itself (which is not in a good state of preservation). Also, Rose Garden was built for musical performances, not as a residence.

On a side note, that is one whimsical minaret on that mosque behind the Rose Garden!

meghnarmajhi

May 4th, 2007, 10:59 PM

Wow... nice collection. You can publish them as a book.

Zaki

May 5th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Ya we definitely needed a thread for this. Nice work Tmac. Are there any eastasian style palaces in Bangladesh that you guys are aware of?

tanzirian

May 5th, 2007, 07:13 PM

^^ I don't know that I would call them "palaces" but there are some Japanese-style houses I read about in a Daily Star article one time. I will try to find and post the article here in the next couple of days.

While the "Boat House" in Dhanmandi does not follow any particular style, it is more East Asian than anything else IMO.

tanzirian

May 7th, 2007, 01:19 AM

A few years ago Daily Star produced a fine series of articles on various aspects of Bangladesh's heritage. Included were several articles on zamindar mansions, including the one on Dinajpur Rajbari below. Although some of the old zamindar mansions are, thankfully, in a good state of preservation (as seen in Tmac's pics), unfortunately many more are not. The pictures Tmac posted of Dinajpur Rajbari previously in this thread are actually of the temple complex attached to this mansion. The temple is well preserved but the actual mansion itself is not. Although sadly this mansion has seen better days, the ruins themselves have a certain charm.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din1.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din2.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din3.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din4.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din5.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din6.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din7.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din8.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din10.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din11.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/din9.jpg

Dinajpur Rajbari

Discovering the hidden glory

A day begins as the sun lifts up the horizon and peeps by the side of the two-storey grand palace. Scarlet hibiscus blooms. Mandira makes a sweet melody. A tulshi plant raises its proud head from the courtyard sacred altar. An elegant woman -- probably the ranima with vermilion on her forehead and in red bordered, white sari -- goes with her attendants toward the puja mandap. Servants and other inhabitants become busy with the Rajbari activities and the day rolls on. These are a few of the broken images that play with imagination as one observes the desolate ruins of the Rajbari of the flourishing and powerful zamindars of Dinajpur.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the aristocratic feudal lords of the land were known as zamindars. They often held courtesy titles of rajas and maharajas. These rajas or maharajas expressed their power and glamour in many ways and the architectural forms and structures built by them were one such expression. Often these ornamented, picturesque palaces translated the combined architectural language of European Renaissance, Mughal and Bengali styles.

Some of the rajas and maharajas of Dinajpur were powerful and enlightened and had embellished their religious structures with beautifully carved stone columns, gateways and other ornamental pieces quarried from the ancient ruins of Bangarh (ancient Kotivarsha). Some of these pieces have taken their place in the museum. The Dinajpur Rajbari is one such building that precariously stands as ruins on the northeastern outskirts of Dinajpur town and comprises a residential building, temples and puja mandap, large backyards, gardens and ponds -- all fulfilling the luxurious lifestyle of the rajas.

The Rajbari Complex might have been once approached by wide roads, where horse carriages moved about. But now the palatial ruins -- lonely -- are approached through an equally dilapidated narrow metal road projecting only imaginations of the past glory.

Tales of history relate that Dinajpur derived its name from Raja Dinaj or Dinaraj, founder of the Dinajpur Rajbari. But others say that after usurping the Ilyas Shahi rule, the famous Raja Ganesh of the early 15th century was the real founder of this house for a brief period. At the end of the 17th century Srimanta Dutta Chaudhury became the zamindar of Dinajpur and after him, his sister's son Sukhdeva Ghosh inherited the property as Srimanta's son had a premature death. Sukhdeva's son Prannath Ray became famous and powerful and began the construction of the famous Kantanagar Nava-Ratna Temple, now known as the Kantajir Mandir, one of the most precious heritage structures.

The Rajbari is entered through a tall, arched lion-gate facing west. One will find a daintily painted Krishna temple on the left, some abandoned outhouses in front and another gateway to the right which provides access to an inner square courtyard on about 100 square feet. Facing inward to the open courtyard on the east is a flat roofed large temple or nat mandir. The temple is exclusively decorated with attractive stucco floral motifs, while the front verandah is supported on four semi-Corinthian pillars and the main hall carried on another set of columns. Behind the temple is a square block of two-storey building known as Rani-Mahal similarly enclosing a square open courtyard. The main palace block -- decaying -- is farther east.

The highly ornate oblong Krishna Temple of the Rajbari family is laid out around a central open courtyard. The Mandapa is approached by a flight of stairs and the entry faç

ade is embellished by three rows of ringed columns of the Corinthian order with intricate ornamented cusped arches in between. The central part of the parapet above is also accentuated with floral motifs and the rest of the parapet is relieved with plain plastered panels and elements like pinnacles to variegate the skyline.

It is difficult to conceive what the main palace block looked like when it was young and bold. Wild leaves and veins have wrapped the building like octopus tendrils while the skeleton and naked brick structures give a horrid look as the ageing plaster is almost worn out of the walls. In different parts of the building, structural girders are exposed while there is no roof above. Still from his historical study and the remaining ruins, Dr Nazimuddin Ahmed gave a vivid description of the structures in one of his publications published in 1986.

"The imposing façade of the two-storey palace, facing east has a broad frontage of about 150 feet. The central part carrying a 10 feet wide verandah above is projected prominently. The front projection has a series of elegant Ionic columns in pairs with round shafts on the upper floor.

"The parapet is plain except for a curved plaque-wall in the centre, bearing in relief, two elephants standing face to face and holding a crown. Above and below it are some indistinct English letters. On either side of the balcony a broad spiral masonry staircase leads up to the upper storey. The roof of the 15 feet wide balcony collapsed.

"Immediately behind the balcony a large hall (50"X20") originally flagged with white marble stone and flanked by two 10" wide verandahs on the east and west is roofed over with massive iron girders. The lofty 25 feet high roof is in a highly disintegrating condition. On its north there is another smaller (30"X 20") hall and on the south a broad corridor leads to the inner quadrangle of residential quarters."

If the bricks could paint or write the tales of the Rajbari and its inhabitants, what a book could have been written! But with the silent walls, the palace has now grown old and inexpressive. It has faced not only the cruelty of time but also the ravages of nature like the 1897 earthquake that had left it badly damaged. Although the palace was largely rebuilt by Maharaja Sir Girijanath Ray Bahadur, time has not spared it from its claws. It is up to us now whether we would at least let the ruins remain and let our future generations see them and let their imagination flow back to the past and touch our heritage.

.........................................................
Story: Zakia Rahman, architect
Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

reza

May 7th, 2007, 10:33 PM

tanzirian

May 7th, 2007, 11:33 PM

nice effort 2 view our heritages......
i have some collection of zamindar's palace image.
but when i try 2 insert image button from message box, that want a URL link.
how can i insert images from my harddisk?

Hi there. Are you from BD? You cannot post pictures from your hard drive. Join an image hosting site like Photobucket (it's free). Upload photos from your HD onto that site (by clicking "browse", choosing your image, then clicking "upload") then link to the address of your image on that site.

Will look forward to your photos!

meghnarmajhi

May 8th, 2007, 02:36 AM

Not much... but I thought it would be appropriate to add Shilaidaha Kuthibari to this thread on the occasion of 25th Baisakh (Kobiguru Rabinranath Tagore's birthday).

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/22/2006-09-22__cul01.jpg

tanzirian

May 8th, 2007, 05:59 PM

First of two Daily Star articles on Baliati Palace. To the best of my knowledge, this is the largest mansion in Bangladesh.

Baliati Zamindarbari, Manikganj

Façade of splendour

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal3.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal1.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal2.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal4.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal6.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal5.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal8.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal9.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal7.jpg

Baliati Zamindarbari is situated about 35 miles northwest of Dhaka and 5 miles east of Manikganj district headquarters. There were two great periods of palace construction in India: the first corresponded to the period of Mughal supremacy from the mid-16th century to the mid-18th century and the second to the British Raj.

In both cases, the provision of an overriding central authority kept rulers in check and accelerated the growth of a provincial elite who gained both power and prestige as local representatives.

During the post-Mughal period, the British weren't the only ones who were changing the construction style. Magnificent palaces were also being built by local feudal chiefs -- Zamindars -- in a style to which was unique in the history of Bengal architecture. The families like Rags of Taras (Pabna), Mitras of Sitlai (Pabna), Chakrabartis of Balihar, Rags of Dubalhati (Naogaon) and Sahas of Baliati (Manikganj) were all Zamindars.

Though Manikganj has lost much of its past glory, its remarkable Zamidnarbaris like the Tosta, Dhankora, Terosri, Pakutia and Baliati and other historic relics, both religious and secular, bear testimony to its rich heritage. Since Manikganj was within Dhaka district, it was more populous and developed than other subdivisions. Moreover, in the early periods of Muslim rule, great Sufis and saints came here for their religious preaching and became famous for their activities. Manik Shah, one of the early Muslim saints, who came to Manikganj, was so famous that it is believed that the district was named after him.

Baliati Zamindarbari is one such remarkable example of the 19th century palaces of Zamindars in Bangladesh. A fascinating set of buildings of their Zamindarbari extended the reputation of the splendour and prosperity of the Saha family throughout undivided Bengal.

The Baliati Zamindarbari originally consisted of five similar but separate blocks. The south facade of grand palace presents an attractive frontage of about 400 feet. Of the extant four blocks of the palace, the two central blocks are two-storied and the other two terminal ones are three-storied. The lofty encircling walls of the imposing Zamindarbari complex is pierced by three superb gateways, identical in their architectural features. Each imposing gateway is spanned by semi-circular arch surmounted by an attractive stucco figure of a lion. The lion gate was a common feature of the feudal palaces in colonial architecture and considered a symbol of pride and strength. The broad facade of the palace with its impressive array of lofty fluted Corinthian columns lining a wide continuous corridor creates a grand consequence.

The vast complex of the Zamindarbari occupies an area of over 20 acres of land that is now beyond verification, while the block situated at the east-end of the building complex has now completely disappeared. The complex comprises over 200 apartments of varying sizes and shapes.

At present, the palace has four inner blocks or 'Mahals'. Each of the blocks situated around an oblong open courtyard behind the front line buildings. On the north there is a big excavated water tank with landing masonary ''ghat'' that leads long succeeding steps towards the water below. On the other side of the tank there are outhouses, servant quarters and stables.

The imposing central block with corridors on both sides is given highest importance. The broad staircase leading to the upper storey is a distinguishing feature of the palace complex around the reception hall dotted with artefacts, odd bits of art and crafts overlooked by a hanging chandelier from top of the ceiling.

In front of the Baliati Zamindarbari there is a temple in a comparatively good state of preservation and an old school and some beautiful fruit trees. Nearly one mile to the south of the palace an artificial tank (dug by the Zamindars) in the middle of which there is a 50 feet high tower set on a square 'Airy Lodge' or 'hawakhana' with four attractive masonry landing 'ghats', one with screenwall that are reserved for women.

The buildings of Zamindarbari are gradually falling apart and in a pitiable condition of neglect. The Department of Archaeology that can still save a large number of these impressive Zamindarbaris from destruction should immediately initiate some efforts.

These Zamindar palaces in outlying areas of Bangladesh that were erected during the British period represented renaissance style derived from the aspirations of the local zamindars to European ideas and consciously cultivated European social habits. This led so significant changes in their palace architecture, featuring classical columns, attractive triangular pediments, semi-circular arches, slender Corinthians columns with acanthus, staircase with flights of steps, hall room in the centre with subsidiary rooms on both sides and elegant stacco decorations. But it is interesting to note that the geographical and social conditions of the region influenced and enriched the architecture by combining European Renaissance elements with some architectural features of Bengal. The individuality of Bengal's architecture comes from such an ultimate resolution of a series of stylistic experiment in a blend of eastern and western architecture that produced an extraordinary heritage of palaces unparalleled anywhere outside Bangladesh. The Baliati Zamindarbari undoubtedly is one of the finest examples of feudal palace architecture developed in the 19th century.

............................................................
Story: Dr. Ayesha Begum Professor
Department of Islamic History and Culture,
Dhaka University
Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Tmac

May 9th, 2007, 07:34 AM

The boat house by Dhanmondi Lake could be considered a palace. Here are some photos taken by Ershad Ahmed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse40.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse41.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse42.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse43.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse44.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse45.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhanmondilakeboathouse46.jpg

Tmac

May 9th, 2007, 07:48 AM

Tajhat Palace near Rangpur

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/tajhatpalacerangpur.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/tajhatpalace2.jpg

Tmac

May 9th, 2007, 07:49 AM

Tajhat Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari4.jpg

Tmac

May 9th, 2007, 07:52 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/TajhatRajbari7.jpg

tareq79

May 9th, 2007, 08:50 AM

nice effort 2 view our heritages......
i have some collection of zamindar's palace image.
but when i try 2 insert image button from message box, that want a URL link.
how can i insert images from my harddisk?

Welcome to the forum, Mr. Reza.
I was in the same situation (I guess everybody here was) when I tried first and Tan extended his helping hands in the same way. Pls follow him.
Looking forward to see your pics and comments arournd here. Its been great to see a lot more new forumers joining these days.
Cheers.

Tmac

May 11th, 2007, 07:45 PM

Mymensingh Rajbari

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/466821308_3201723382_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/466831401_093f4e4643_o.jpg
entrance to the Mymensingh rajbari

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/466832469_d6b2b24002_o.jpg
the pond at the back of the raj bari grounds

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/466821774_f9450b6064_o.jpg
a two-storey bath-house, once used as a women's bathing pavilion for ladies using the pond on the grounds of the rajbari

Tmac

May 11th, 2007, 08:00 PM

Murapara Zamindar's Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/muraparapalace6.jpg

tanzirian

May 11th, 2007, 08:04 PM

You are always very resourceful, Tmac - I looked a long time for good pics of Mymensingh Rajbari but found less than you. There is the photo I posted earlier in the Tourism thread plus some that I will post a little later to accompany an article on this mansion.

Tmac

May 11th, 2007, 08:42 PM

Mymensingh Rajbari: Mymensingh Rajbari, literally means "government house" is in fact the home of a zamindar. Mymensingh was once the most populous district of British India and a major jute-growing center. This mansion, built between 1905 and 1910, arose from the rent collected from jute farmers in a neighborhood known at Muktagacha, a dozen miles west of Mymensingh city. Today it is the women teachers training academy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/mymensinghrajbari1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/mymensinghrajbari2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/mymensinghrajbari3.jpg

Tmac

May 11th, 2007, 10:34 PM

Maharaja's Palace, Natore

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/maharajaspalacenatore5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/maharajaspalacenatore6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/maharajaspalacenatore7.jpg

Tmac

May 11th, 2007, 10:35 PM

Rani Bhabani Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/ranibhabanipalace6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/ranibhabanipalace7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/ranibhabanipalace8.jpg

Tmac

May 12th, 2007, 06:04 PM

Pink Palace in Dhaka

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/494488508_4f89e44a12_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/494488504_f9cd9ba1a4_o.jpg

tanzirian

May 13th, 2007, 01:30 AM

Follow up to post 23 in this thread - second part of Daily Star article on Baliati Palace, from 2003:

Baliati palace in Manikganj
(part two)

A landmark shift in architecture

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal14.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal11.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal13.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal12.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal15.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bal16.jpg

With the arrival of the British in the 18th century initially as traders but later as a super imperialistic power, art and architecture in this eastern part of India acquired a new dimension. All cultural and architectural activities began in and around the newly flourished Calcutta (now Kolkata) -- a town developed by and for the British rulers. The British cultural domination was so strong and imposing that they put up their first buildings modelled on the buildings of neo-classical style, which was popular in Europe in those days.

It is interesting to note that the changes in art and architecture occurred when the local elite (businessmen or zaminders) started their construction, although they were completely overwhelmed by European culture and economy. Local climate and culture were the first factor, which forced a change in the imported European building style. Locally used architectural elements, such as overhanging eaves, wooden lattice, continuous frontal verandah, internal courtyard like Bengali yard, interior, outhouse, large tank with ghat, high boundary wall etc began to be incorporated in the British building pattern and gave rise to a new set of buildings with a strange mix of Bengali and European elements.

Baliati palace at Manikganj is one of the finest examples of this style, which marks a distinct milestone in the evolution of an architectural trend in this country. This 18th century's palace was built by one Govinda Ram Saha, an affluent salt merchant, for his four sons. In the last week's issue of Star City Heritage on the historical part of the building, it was published that the complex originally consisted of five similar separate blocks. But at present the existing south-facing grand palace consists of four separate blocks. Of which the two central ones are two-storey and the two terminating blocks in both sides are three-storey, which make the complex complete in terms of the visual composition of the façade. No scope left behind to add another block sideways to destroy the symmetrical balance of the neo-classical order.

Although the total area of this vast complex is around 20 acres, the main four blocks are placed close to the frontal boundary wall, without leaving enough space or setback from the southern or main entrance. Unlike to the grand single entrance of a public building or a palace of the ruler or zaminder, this complex has three identical gateways flanking with a one-storey series of continuous guardrooms. Probably according to the desire or functional requirement of this merchant, major area was dedicated in the site plan for inner mahal or family activities and amusement. There are four two-storey separate inner buildings behind the four main blocks, where rooms are arranged around a rectangular shaped courtyard. All these inner mahals lead to a large tank with four masonry ghats or landings placed in regular interval. In contrast to outer calm and quiet area, the inner area was vividly vibrant.

Few small structures presently in dilapidated condition are located in the northern bank of this tank. These rooms were used for the accommodation of domestic servants and stable or for service facility.

The monotony of the 400 feet long magnificent façade is broken by two types of façade treatments. Two central blocks have eight Corinthian pilasters concealed in the wall, whereas two terminal ones have eight free-standing CorinthianÊpillars with high pedestal that looks more transparent both from inside and outside. This picturesque palace combined the Greek and Roman architectural elements in the façade which is popularly known as late Renaissance or Gregorian architecture -- even they follow the classical Greek orders of using eight free standing pillars like the Parthenon of Greek and also the use of Roman pure semicircular arches with projecting keystone. The flutes and the reproduction of the acanthus leaves in Corinthian capital were done properly by using plaster on the brick pillars.

Although the anterior four blocks are in good state of preservation, the interior four mahals are getting ruined which needs urgent steps for conservation.

Conservation:
(1) Selection of technical experts such as restoration architects, planners, landscape architects, structural engineers, museum professionals, historians, archaeologists, and building mechanics.

(2) Stabilisation of buildings from further deterioration and for this some preventive measures should be taken such as removal of green fungus and dampness control.

(3) Initiation of a research programme to gather updates of contemporary architectural development of that periodÊand proper documentation in all media.

(4) Preparation of an architectural programme, development of design, drawings and specification.

(5) Implementation of reconstruction or restoration.

What is needed right now is not piecemeal reconstruction, but everything should be done within the framework of a master plan covering all aspects of any conservation work.

Story: Dr Abu Sayeed M Ahmed
Department of Architecture, The University of Asia Pacific
Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Tmac

May 15th, 2007, 11:40 PM

Another Kuti Bari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/unknownKutiBari.jpg

reza

May 16th, 2007, 12:58 AM

meghnarmajhi

May 16th, 2007, 12:58 AM

Another Kuti Bari

.................
This looks very much like Rabindranath Tagore's kuthibaro located in Shelaidah, Kushtia. I have posted a picture earlier on this page. Structure on the roof looks the same. Maybe different angle - different time!

tanzirian

May 16th, 2007, 01:19 AM

This looks very much like Rabindranath Tagore's kuthibaro located in Shelaidah, Kushtia. I have posted a picture earlier on this page. Structure on the roof looks the same. Maybe different angle - different time!

Yep same one, different paint job.

Tmac

May 16th, 2007, 10:50 PM

Bhawal Rajbari, Gazipur

Bhawal Rajbari, one-time home of Prince Ramendra Narayan of the Bhawal case. Bhawal was one of the biggest and oldest estates in Eastern Bengal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/BhawalRajbari11.jpg

Tmac

May 16th, 2007, 11:33 PM

Tagore's Estate house at Shelidaha, Kushtia

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/258813861_713193143c_o.jpg

meghnarmajhi

May 17th, 2007, 03:33 AM

As usual, good collection of pictures. You can read about the [in]famous Bhawal case here:

http://banglapedia.org/HT/B_0482.HTM

Two movies were made about Bhawal Raja story in Dhaka in late 60s early 70s. I remember that one of them is very nicely made. The names of the movies - so far I can remember - "Bhawal Raja" and "Bhawal Rajar Sanyasi". I'll appreciate if someone can tell me where I can buy those movies.

Ramendranarayan Roy in hunting:
http://banglapedia.org/Images/BhawalCase.jpg

Tmac

May 17th, 2007, 07:50 AM

Tagore Kuthibari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/tagorekuthibari6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/tagorekuthibari7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/tagorekuthibari8.jpg

Tmac

May 17th, 2007, 08:08 AM

Tanzirian any idea what these two buildings are?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/pabnapalace.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/unknownpalace.jpg

Tmac

May 17th, 2007, 08:11 AM

Rose Garden

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/rosegardenpalace10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/rosegardenpalace11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/rosegardenpalace12.jpg

Tmac

May 17th, 2007, 08:12 AM

Mymensingh Rajbari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/mymensinghrajbari6.jpg

meghnarmajhi

May 17th, 2007, 09:09 AM

http://www.sysed.com/images/bd/balihar_rajbari_naogaon.jpg
http://www.thedailystar.net/heritage/2005/07/01/heritage_02.jpghttp://www.thedailystar.net/heritage/2005/07/01/heritage_03.jpg

Photo: Md. Hasibur Rahman Bilu

Founder of the Balihar Raj family was an aristocrat Brahmin named Nrisinha Sanyal Chakravarti who came to Balihar village from Bikrampur pargana of Dhaka about 200 years ago. The family had vast land property in Rajshahi, Bogra, Pabna and Natore.

A book titled "Barindra Raja O Zamindar" narrates the history of this family.

meghnarmajhi

May 18th, 2007, 05:12 AM

Tanzirian any idea what these two buildings are?

My guess - the top one is the public library building established in 1890 in Pabna by Annada Gobinda. A few years ago a new building has been built courtesy of Square Group for the Pabna Public Library.

Compare the pictures - maybe I am wrong. It might have been modified a few times.

http://www.pabna.net/annada/annada3.jpg

tanzirian

May 18th, 2007, 06:14 AM

Tanzirian any idea what these two buildings are?

Sorry Tmac, couldn't tell you - just probably some random rich guy's house - there are many such houses which are not individually famous but attractive nonetheless.

Thanks for the great pics of Joydevpur (Bhawal) Palace. I had looked for pics some time ago and of course did not find as good as you did. A little later on, when I am more or less finished with my "historic Dhaka" thread, I will start a thread on other historic structures and provide info on those zamindar mansions that I am familiar with. You have already posted pictures of many of them. See if you can find some pics of these nice ones:

1. Shitlai Palace in Pabna
2. Gauripur Palace in Mymensingh

Tmac

May 18th, 2007, 08:14 AM

Maharaja's Palace, Natore

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/maharajaspalacenatore8-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/maharajaspalacenatore9.jpg

Tmac

May 19th, 2007, 01:58 AM

Alexander Castle, Mymensingh is now used as the library of TTC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/albertcastlemymensingh.jpg

Tmac

May 19th, 2007, 02:00 AM

Mymensingh Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/mymensinghpalace5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/mymensinghpalace6.jpg

Tmac

May 29th, 2007, 09:23 PM

Baliati Zamindar Palace, built by the zamindars of Baliati during the British rule is located only 35 miles from Dhaka, 5 miles outside Manikganj. Originally the building consisted of five principal sections of which four survive today. The surviving part of the building has a frontage of over 400 ft. The family fortune of these zamindars was established by one Govinda Ram Saha in the 18th century. The mansion was built in the 19th century.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace5.jpg

Tmac

May 29th, 2007, 09:25 PM

Baliati Zamindar Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace9.jpg

Tmac

May 29th, 2007, 09:26 PM

Baliati Zamindar Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace12.jpg

Tmac

May 29th, 2007, 09:30 PM

Inside Baliati Zamindar Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/baliatipalace16.jpg

tanzirian

May 30th, 2007, 02:33 AM

Tmac, for some reason all your pics are showing up as "X" s. Some problem with Photobucket perhaps? Looking forward to seeing these Baliati pics; I can't see them now.

Tmac

May 30th, 2007, 05:30 AM

Tmac, for some reason all your pics are showing up as "X" s. Some problem with Photobucket perhaps? Looking forward to seeing these Baliati pics; I can't see them now.

really? I can see them...

tanzirian

May 30th, 2007, 05:42 AM

They are now showing up for me, Tmac - for some reason only your pics were not coming through previously.

As you can see, one section of Baliati Palace has been renovated! That just makes my day. This means that whoever owns the building, has decided to preserve it. It will look truly great when complete. I will definitely try to visit on my next trip to BD.

Tmac

May 30th, 2007, 08:28 PM

PUTHIA RAJBARI PALACE: more archaeological than architectural, it tells a different story about a 19th century palace almost stripped bare. Close to a desolate side street stands the towering Puthia Rajbari palace in the northwestern district of Rajshahi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/palaceofputhia22.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/palaceofputhia21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/palaceofputhia20.jpg

Tmac

May 30th, 2007, 08:31 PM

Dinajpur Rajbari: is situated on the north-east outskirts of the present town. Originally enclosed within defensive moats and high rampart, the derelict remains of the Dinajpur Rajbari, can now be approached through a tall arched gate facing west. Inside the palace precinct near the gateway on left is a painted Krsna temple and on right, some ruined outhouses and another inner gateway that provides access to an inner square court. Facing the courtyard on the east is a flat-roofed temple, the front verandah of which is supported on four semi-Corinthian pillars and another set of columns carry the roof of the main hall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dinajpurrajbari.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dinajpurrajbari2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dinajpurrajbari3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dinajpurrajbari4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dinajpurrajbari5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dinajpurrajbari6.jpg

tanzirian

May 30th, 2007, 09:25 PM

^^ Those pictures are actually of the temple attached to Dinajpur Rajbari. The palace itself is in a ruinous condition. I posted an article with some pics about it in the first page of this thread.

Tmac

June 1st, 2007, 07:32 PM

I am not sure what this place is. Perhaps Tanzirian would know.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/unknownpalace.jpg

tanzirian

June 1st, 2007, 08:03 PM

^^ Sorry, I don't know, Tmac; it's likely just some random rich guy's house.

The only major mansions that I know of, which have survived in decent condition, and have not yet had their pictures posted at this site, are Shitlai Palace in Pabna and Gauripur Palace in Mymensingh. Shitlai Palace in particular is one of the best mansions in BD. I am also familiar with several other large palaces that exist in a ruinous condition...I think I mentioned them in an earlier post.

I did wonder whether the second pic in post 45 was one section of the Shitlai Estate...but as I have not seen any good color pics I wasn't sure. I have some not-so-good pics of Shitlai and Gauripur which I will post unless you can find some better ones.

tanzirian

June 1st, 2007, 08:21 PM

here i try to send few images of Shampur zamindar house, bakhergaj, barisal. i have more images that i will upload later.... my internet connection speed too slow!!
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0200-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0270.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0314.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0308.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0307.jpg

o... its shown only link
pls give suggetion how the images shown in thread

Reza, I hadn't noticed your post previously. In order for your images to show, you need before the address and after the address. You can click the "insert image" button to help you. The reason that your images didn't show is because you have used [/url] after the address and [url] preceding it, which is what you do to insert links. Anyway I will make the change for you. Nice pics! Will look forward to the rest.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0200-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0270.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0314.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0308.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/atmreza/DSC_0307.jpg

tanzirian

June 2nd, 2007, 02:40 AM

Most of what I know about Jamidar mansions in Bangladesh comes from a book called "Buildings of the British Raj in Bangladesh" by Nazimuddin Ahmed (one of several great books he has written, which I recommend to anyone interested). These books were published in the 1980s, however, and probably have not been updated. Anyway, the following are the Jamidar mansions listed in this book, together with what I know about the current status of these buildings. This list, while certainly not exhaustive, does cover most of the major mansions:

DHAKA

Ahsan Manzil - restored! :cheers:
Ruplal House - intact / in need of restoration
Bhajahari Lodge - partially demolished when I last saw it in 2000
Rebati Mohan Lodge - intact / in need of restoration
Shankhanidhi Lodge - demolished 1991

SONARGAON

Sardar Bari - houses National Folk Art Museum but needs restoration

MANIKGANJ

Baliati Palace - partially restored :)
Teota Palace - not sure of condition / probably ruinous

NARAYANGANJ

Murapara Palace - intact / in need of restoration

BHAWAL

Joydevpur Palace - intact / in need of restoration

MYMENSINGH

Mymensingh Palace - intact / in need of restoration
Muktagachha Palace - intact, but almost ruinous
Gauripur Palace - not sure of condition / probably intact

TANGAIL

Dhonbari Nawab Palace - restored! :cheers:

PUTHIA

Puthia Palace - intact / in need of restoration
Tahirpur Palace - ruinous

NATORE

Dighapatia Palace - intact / in need of restoration
Natore Palace - intact / in need of restoration

NAOGAON

Dubalhati Palace - ruinous
Balihar Palace - ruinous

DINAJPUR

Dinajpur Palace - ruinous

RANGPUR

Tajhat Palace - restored! :cheers:

PABNA

Shitlai Palace - (most probably) intact / in need of restoration
Taras Palace - (most probably) intact / in need of restoration

chord

June 16th, 2007, 02:59 PM

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/1.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/2.jpg

chord

June 16th, 2007, 03:45 PM

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/3.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/4.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/5.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/6.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/7.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/8.jpg

chord

June 16th, 2007, 04:05 PM

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/9.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/10.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/11.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/12.jpg

tanzirian

June 16th, 2007, 08:08 PM

chord

June 16th, 2007, 10:42 PM

Hi there, Chord, and thanks for the pics of Teota. I had only a blurry black and white photo of this palace previously...I listed this building in on post 67 of this thread. Are you from BD? Great to have another contributor to this forum.

Hi! I chanced upon this thread recently - and enjoyed looking at the pics very much. Yes, I think I know the book you refer to. By the way, any idea whether the zamindar residence of Narail still exists? That used to be another big zamindari of eastern Bengal, I think. No, as it happens, I'm not from BD.
Am posting some more pics of Teota. The older parts of the complex were built in the pre-colonial style (as some of the pics show), as far as I can tell.

chord

June 16th, 2007, 10:51 PM

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/13.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/14.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/15.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/17.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/19.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/20.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/21.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/22.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/16.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/23.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/chord_2007/24.jpg

tanzirian

June 16th, 2007, 11:59 PM

Hi! I chanced upon this thread recently - and enjoyed looking at the pics very much. Yes, I think I know the book you refer to. By the way, any idea whether the zamindar residence of Narail still exists? That used to be another big zamindari of eastern Bengal, I think. No, as it happens, I'm not from BD.
Am posting some more pics of Teota. The older parts of the complex were built in the pre-colonial style (as some of the pics show), as far as I can tell.

Sorry, don't know anything about Narail. What I know comes from Nizamuddin Ahmed's book plus newspaper articles. When did you visit Teota? Do you have family / friends near there, or were you just visiting (I ask 'cause its not the best known of places)?

chord

June 18th, 2007, 12:37 PM

Sorry, don't know anything about Narail. What I know comes from Nizamuddin Ahmed's book plus newspaper articles. When did you visit Teota? Do you have family / friends near there, or were you just visiting (I ask 'cause its not the best known of places)?

Ok. Yes, you are quite right - there were one or two specific reasons for visiting the place. But there could however be a few stray images of the ruins in the 'public domain', I suspect, such as this one (incorrectly described as the Dinajpur Rajbati): http://fr.encarta.msn.com/media_461550100_761553817_-1_1/Palais_en_ruine_Dinajpur_(Bangladesh).html

Tmac

June 29th, 2007, 09:12 AM

Murapara Zamindar Mansion

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/muraparamansion20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/muraparamansion21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/muraparamansion19.jpg

tanzirian

July 6th, 2007, 11:18 PM

Finally found a halfway-decent pic of this one...Shitlai Palace, Pabna, one of the most attractive zamindar mansions in BD:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/pab1.jpg

tanzirian

July 7th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Taras Palace, Pabna

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/taras2.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/taras.jpg

newnewyorker

July 7th, 2007, 08:17 PM

meghnarmajhi

July 7th, 2007, 09:07 PM

tanzirian

July 7th, 2007, 10:17 PM

Marvellous heritage!!!!!!! :banana: :nuts: I have never EVER EVER imagined that such treasures can be found in Bangladesh!
The books you mentioned, do they carry any information about the original colors of the palaces? Or where could I find information like that?

Thanks...Bangladesh has a long and rich history, so only those unfamiliar with it are surprised :)...however, due to our humid monsoon climate and lack of durable materials (no stone), together with a general apathy towards architectural conservation, only a small part of our built heritage survives intact. But, there is a lot more than just these mansions...check out these threads if you are interested
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=313553
(the first page of the above thread does not have many pics but there are a lot if you have patience to go through the pages).

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474986

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=436396

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=143280

Also in answer to your question, the book I referred to generally comments on history and architectural features, but usually not color. But original color is in many cases preserved or not difficult to figure out from what remains on the walls. The author, Nazimuddin Ahmed, has several other informative books, most notably "Discover the Monuments of Bangladesh." The only problem with the books is that they are old (early 1980s), but I would still recommend them to visitors, with the caveat that they should expect (sometimes significant) changes in the last 25 years. Just click on his name in the link that Meghnarmajhi gave you.

Tmac

July 8th, 2007, 09:11 PM

Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace) in Dhaka.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil50.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil51.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil58.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil69.jpg

meghnarmajhi

July 8th, 2007, 09:59 PM

Looks like it is being maintained now. It wasn't always pink. Personally I don't have any problem with the pink color, but I have heard people complaining about the color.

Tmac

July 9th, 2007, 07:06 AM

Tajhat Palace, Rangpur

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace34.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace31.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace32.jpg

Tmac

July 9th, 2007, 07:07 AM

Murapara Zamindar Mansion

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/muraparazamindermansion14.jpg

Tmac

July 9th, 2007, 07:08 AM

An unknown palace...not sure which one this is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/unknownpalace.jpg

Tmac

July 9th, 2007, 07:24 AM

Mymensingh Rajbari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/mymensinghrajbari10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/mymensinghrajbari11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/mymensinghrajbari12.jpg

backside view of the rajbari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/mymensinghrajbari13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/mymensinghrajbari14.jpg

tanzirian

July 9th, 2007, 06:21 PM

^^ Actually, those last two pictures are of the bungalow of the Gauripur zamindars, within Mymensingh town. The palace of these zamindars is located outside of the town; I have not yet seen a picture of this attractive building posted on this site (and have not found any on the internet). The first three pictures are of Mymensingh Rajbari, which is a separate structure.

On another note, I really like the red and white color combination on the side facades of Tajhat Palace (below). I think it adds greater warmth and visual interest than the all-white front facade...if it were up to me, I would extend this color scheme to the front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace31.jpg

tanzirian

July 10th, 2007, 04:08 AM

An unknown palace...not sure which one this is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/unknownpalace.jpg

This looks similar to many other houses in Old Dhaka and elsewhere. Not all of these are "zamindar" residences...many well-to-do individuals other than zamindars also built similar mansions.

Tmac

July 10th, 2007, 05:32 AM

few more old and historic residential buildings

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/unknownbuilding5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/unknownbuilding7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/unknownbuilding4.jpg

Tmac

July 10th, 2007, 07:04 PM

Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil65.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil71.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil78.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil79.jpg

Tmac

July 10th, 2007, 07:06 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil70.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil80.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil77.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil76.jpg

Tmac

July 10th, 2007, 07:08 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil75.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil72.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil73.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmajil74.jpg

tanzirian

July 11th, 2007, 06:59 AM

Here is a partial view of Gauripur Palace, in Mymensingh, which I referred to previously. The picture was taken in the early 1980s, so I am not sure what state the place is in today.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/gauripur.jpg

tanzirian

July 11th, 2007, 08:32 AM

Edited

Tmac

July 11th, 2007, 07:52 PM

A Zamindar House near Tangail

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tangailzaminderbari.jpg

Tmac

August 14th, 2007, 03:35 PM

Ahsan Manjil aka Pink Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanzil95.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil97.jpg

Tmac

August 14th, 2007, 03:39 PM

Feni College - it looks like it used to be a zamindars mansion of some sort. May be Tanzirian can do some research and let us know.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/fenicollege.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/91009030_2b73d1dae5_b.jpg

tanzirian

August 14th, 2007, 05:13 PM

Feni College - it looks like it used to be a zamindars mansion of some sort. May be Tanzirian can do some research and let us know.

Couldn't say for sure, Tmac, for all I know it could have been a mansion..but keep in mind that there a good number of purpose-built academic and office buildings from the colonial period scattered throughout the country, in addition to zamindar mansions.

newnewyorker

August 17th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Thnx!

tanzirian

August 17th, 2007, 09:01 PM

Thnx!

No prob.

Looks like it is being maintained now. It wasn't always pink. Personally I don't have any problem with the pink color, but I have heard people complaining about the color.

I remember when it was initially being restored around 1990 me and my friends were iffy about the color. But I think it turned out very well...especially after a fresh paintjob, the color is attractive and makes the building look very distinctive. It would be a lot more forgettable if it was white or some other usual color. Also, I would differ with you on it not being always pink...there are paintings which show that pink was in fact the color during the days of the Khwaja nawabs. Over the years it faded and so looked gray...but I don't think it was painted in a different color.

Tmac

August 18th, 2007, 06:02 PM

Tajhat Palace, Rangpur

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace36.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace35.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace37.jpg

tanzirian

August 18th, 2007, 11:37 PM

^^ Nice find Tmac. That is the first good pic I have seen of the side of Tajhat. I like the red-and-white color scheme.

Tmac

August 23rd, 2007, 09:04 PM

A Palatial Estate near Dhanmondi Lake

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhanmondilakeboathouse30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhanmondilakeboathouse40.jpg

Tmac

August 23rd, 2007, 09:06 PM

Pink Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil114.jpg

Tmac

August 30th, 2007, 08:23 AM

Tajhat Palace in Rangpur

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace35-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/tajhatpalace36-1.jpg

Tmac

August 30th, 2007, 08:23 AM

Palace of Puthia

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/puthiapalace24.jpg

Tmac

August 30th, 2007, 08:24 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/unknownbuilding.jpg

Tmac

September 7th, 2007, 06:55 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/nababpurpalace7.jpg

Tmac

September 7th, 2007, 06:56 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/unknownpalace5.jpg

Tmac

September 10th, 2007, 08:29 PM

Tagore Kuthibari in Selaidah, Kushtia

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Tagore_Kuthibari.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/TagoreKuthiBari10.jpg

Tmac

September 12th, 2007, 01:30 AM

Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace), Dhaka

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil68.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil70.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil69-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil71.jpg

tanzirian

September 19th, 2007, 04:37 AM

Dinajpur Palace ruins. Phots by stehiley.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/stehiley-dinajpur2.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/stehiley-dinajpur.jpg

meghnarmajhi

September 19th, 2007, 06:09 AM

^^Look at the palace ---- so sad!

Tmac

September 26th, 2007, 01:27 AM

Tajhat Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/tajhatpalace34.jpg

Tmac

October 2nd, 2007, 06:09 AM

Palace in Dinajpur

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/dinajpurtemple11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/dinajpurtemple12.jpg

Tmac

October 3rd, 2007, 09:27 AM

Natore Rajbari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/natorerajbari9.jpg

Tmac

October 3rd, 2007, 09:27 AM

Rani Bhabani Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/ranibhabanipalace10.jpg

Tmac

October 3rd, 2007, 09:34 AM

A palace by Dhanmondi Lake, Dhaka.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhanmondilakeboathouse40-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhanmondilakeboathouse41.jpg

Tmac

October 3rd, 2007, 09:35 AM

Rose Garden Palace, Dhaka

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/rosegardenpalace14.jpg

Tmac

October 29th, 2007, 06:12 AM

Ahsan Manjil, Dhaka

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil100.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil43.jpg

Tmac

November 1st, 2007, 10:07 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil76.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil73.jpg

Tmac

November 3rd, 2007, 07:24 PM

Tajhat Palace, Rangpur

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/1833579757_230e2be0a3_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/1833581895_eedf5fa573_b.jpg

Tmac

November 3rd, 2007, 07:25 PM

Palace of Puthia

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/1833670582_9d3e8955d1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/1833705098_8b1e3ff193_b.jpg

Tmac

November 8th, 2007, 05:56 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2049/1833746850_0379821650_b.jpg

tanzirian

November 9th, 2007, 04:33 AM

I think this is a temple on the Tajhat Palace grounds. Pictures by Grete Howard.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/1833586387_fd74476704_b.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/1834423078_aa1b242bf9_b.jpg

Tmac

November 9th, 2007, 08:04 AM

Ahsan Manjil

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil75.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil76-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil77.jpg

tanzirian

November 9th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Puthia can be developed into an important tourist destination with its cluster of temples and palace. With a few notable exceptions (Bagerhat, Gaur, maybe Sonargaon etc) historic buildings in BD tend be found individually so when you have a group as at Puthia and near major city, this potential should not be wasted. The palace should be purchased by govt and restored. Of course I would like to see all important zamindar houses restored and the one in Puthia isn't the very best BD has to offer, but for above reasons I think it deserves added priority.

Tmac

November 9th, 2007, 07:47 PM

you are right Tan. I am not sure if the government will ever have the necessary fundings to preserve these historic sites and buildings. I hope the local private businesses take the initiative to restore the buildings. Grameen has already done it with the old Chittagong Raiway Station. More need to come forward and make it happen.

Tmac

November 22nd, 2007, 01:30 PM

not sure what this place is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace15.jpg

Tmac

November 22nd, 2007, 01:31 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace11.jpg

tanzirian

November 22nd, 2007, 07:58 PM

^^ Nice find, Tmac. There must be a lot of these old colonial mansions no one keeps track of. Interesting to see the old photos still on the walls.

Tmac

December 3rd, 2007, 08:07 PM

Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace), Dhaka

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil68-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil69-2.jpg

Tmac

December 9th, 2007, 11:59 PM

Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil81.jpg

Tmac

December 10th, 2007, 12:00 AM

Banga Bhaban (Presidential Palace)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/Bangabhaban2.jpg

Tmac

December 14th, 2007, 07:25 AM

Uttara Ganabhaban, Natore

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/uttaraganabhaban2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/uttaraganabhaban.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/uttaraganabhaban3.jpg

Tmac

December 14th, 2007, 07:26 AM

Palace of Puthia

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/puthiapalace20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/palaceofputhia29.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/puthiapalace21.jpg

Tmac

December 14th, 2007, 07:28 AM

Maharaja's Palace, Natore

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace22.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace24.jpg

Tmac

December 14th, 2007, 07:29 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace26.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace27.jpg

Tmac

December 14th, 2007, 07:30 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace31.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace29.jpg

Tmac

December 18th, 2007, 08:35 AM

Maharaja's Palace, Natore

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace32.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace33.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace34.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/maharajaspalace35.jpg

tanzirian

December 18th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Tmac, where is the building in post 140? Some parts of it look to date from colonial times, while other parts have more modern elements.

Tmac

December 18th, 2007, 07:45 PM

Tmac, where is the building in post 140? Some parts of it look to date from colonial times, while other parts have more modern elements.

it's part of the same complex - Maharaja's Palace in Natore.

Tmac

December 26th, 2007, 07:40 PM

Pink Palace in Dhaka.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil82.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil93.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil81-1.jpg

Tmac

December 27th, 2007, 07:17 PM

ruins of Sonargaon Palace

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2136918037_f7e9bceaa9_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/2137957140_fbf2131638_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2132217611_6e3545ccef_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2140790070_14480db050_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/2138266093_6f47fc363f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2137950250_8e40332a75_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/2137841196_a755edd395_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2137181001_474cf79493_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2137911032_8a9bda4a65_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2138187935_e185a02aaf_o.jpg

tanzirian

December 28th, 2007, 01:34 AM

They seem to have done restoration work on the lower floor of Sardar Bari in Sonargaon...very good to see! Hopefully the rest of the structure will follow suit.

meghnarmajhi

December 28th, 2007, 09:53 AM

Yup -- looks much better than before.

Tmac

January 9th, 2008, 09:11 AM

Pink Palace, Dhaka

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil93-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil92.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil93-2.jpg

Tmac

January 12th, 2008, 07:44 AM

Tagore Kuthibari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/tagoremansion9.jpg

Tmac

January 18th, 2008, 08:47 AM

Murapara Zaminders Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/muraparamansion23.jpg

Tmac

January 22nd, 2008, 05:46 AM

Ahsan Manjil (Pink Palace)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil100-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil100-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil101.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil102.jpg

Tmac

January 22nd, 2008, 05:48 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil99.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil95.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil96.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil97-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil98.jpg

Tmac

January 28th, 2008, 09:02 AM

Ahsan Manjil

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/ahsanmanjil103.jpg

Tmac

February 16th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Nimtali Deuri
The last remaining gateway to historic Nimtali Palace needs urgent renovation

http://www.thedailystar.net/photos/2008-02-17__city01.jpg
Nimtali Deuri, the grand entrance to the Nimtali Palace, still heralds the city's glorious past.

Deuri, the last remaining gateway to the now-extinct 18th century Nimtali Palace, is now in a ramshackle state due to the lack of necessary steps to preserve it.

Experts said the Deuri, which means gateway, is quite 'fragile' at present and it needs immediate restoration to preserve the glorious past of the 400-year-old city.

“Already a few blocks have come off the walls of the structure. Unless restored, the structure will undoubtedly collapse in the next few years,” said Prof Sirajul Islam, renowned historian and president, Asiatic Society Bangladesh (ASB).

The Deuri, situated on the premises of ASB, is now being looked after by the society.

During a visit to the Mughal-era building, this correspondent found the coating of the mixture of lime and surki (brick dust) has fallen at places in the structure.

Ornate windows, wearing a decrepit look, infuse a regal glory in the structure that bears the history of the Nawabs of Dhaka who resided in the palace till 1743.

The magnificent gateway in the middle of the structure stands with an air of splendour that instills a sense of pride into the hearts of the visitors.

The ASB has carried out a two-year survey for restoration of the building. The estimated cost of the restoration is around Tk 60 lakh, said sources at the society.

However, the ASB could not yet manage funds for starting the renovation work.

ASB sources said the restoration work will include lime concrete and finishing to stop water sipping from the ceiling, lime coating and colour wash on both sides of the walls, replacement of wooden doors, windows and bolts, lime terracing, welding work of RCC conceal beams of the walls, setting up of a collapsible gate at the mouth of the Deuri and doors with intricate wooden designs of that time.

To prevent alleged blunders committed at the time of restoring the Panam City at Sonargaon, the ASB has taken up some precautious measures that will help preserve the structure in its original design and shape.

“We have seen that in Panam City contactors replaced the slender bricks of that time with oversized bricks of present time and plastered all the intricate designs marring the beautiful edifices,” said Prof Islam.

“To avoid this kind of blunders we have decided to make the materials for restoration at the spot. We will make the oven inside our premises so that bricks, brickbats and brick dust are specially made to match their previous counterparts,” he added.

“We are trying to bring some artisans from India who has experience in heritage site restoration,” said Prof Islam, also chairman of the subcommittee for the restoration.

Terming the half-demolished state of the nearly 600-year old Binat Bibi mosque 'atrocious,' Prof Islam said that very few Mughal period structures remain in the city but they are falling apart due to apathy and lack of awareness.

He said that Nimtali Deuri is an interesting feature of Mughal architecture. From north it looks like a gate and from south it looks like a palace.

“We should preserve this because there are very few Mughal period buildings in Bangladesh which are still in their previous shape. Nimtoli Deuri is one of them.”

He also said: “The Deuri has immense heritage value because this building signifies the glory and glamour of late Mughal period.”

The Asiatic Society is now planning to appeal to the government and the public for collecting funds for the renovation of the structure.

“We have not approached the government yet, but we have launched the campaign nationally. We are expecting that the government will provide fund for it in the interest of the conservation of national heritage and culture,” he said.

History of Nimtali Palace and the Deuri

Built towards the end of the Mughal rule, Nimtali Palace was the official residence of Naib-e-Nazim or deputy governor of Dhaka province during 1765-66. It was popularly known as the Nimtali Kothi, which once had four gateways. Nimtali Deuri is the last remaining gateway of the palace.

The now-extinct palace consisted of a number of separate buildings and occupied a vast tract of area between the Nimtali mahallah and the High Court building. It was situated at the periphery of the city mostly surrounded by woodlands.

Apart from the gateways, the palace also had inner court, private residences, place of prayers, water tanks, barracks for soldiers and quarters for staff.

A narrow channel running from the north would draw water from the Kamalapur River in the east to supply water to the palace.

The palace played a significant role in the social and cultural arena of Dhaka. It was the bastion of Mughal culture in Dhaka patronising classical music and dance, painting, arts, crafts and artisans. One colourful event that took place here regularly was the Eid procession, which used to start from and ended at the Nimtali Deuri.

Bishop Heber who visited Dhaka in 1824 gives a graphic description of the palace complex although most of it was then in ruins.

He mentions a “really handsome gateway [Nimtali Deuri] with an open gallery, where the 'Nobut', or evening martial music, is performed, a mark of sovereign dignity … a very handsome hall, an octagon, supported by gothic arches, with a verandah round it, and with gothic windows …”

Heber also mentioned one chamber with twelve doors known as 'Baraduari' for the individual entrance of the 12 Sardars (leaders) of the mahallas of the city.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=23664

Tmac

March 29th, 2008, 09:27 PM

Tagore Kuthibari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/tagorekuthibari18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/tagorekuthibari15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/tagorekuthibari16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/tagorekuthibari17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/tagorekuthibari19.jpg

nayeem007

March 30th, 2008, 05:13 AM

More should be done to protect the heritage of the country. I am apalled to see the condition of some of the palaces above.

Infact when I went to Dhaka in last December I was very disappointed to see the condition of Ahsan Manzil. Well it has been painted and looks just fine from outside, but the overall atmoshphere was not very condusive for tourism. The place outside was really really dirty with random vendors selling stuff, filled with rickshaws with no proper entrance. The ticket counter was in pretty bad shape also. THe place can be easily turned around just by cleaning up the place and putting some discipline around the area.

The condition of Lal Bagh Kella was even worse, even though a picture taken may give a wrong message to viewers.

It's high time that Bangladesh Parjatan corporation or even private entrepreneurs start showing some interest in these architectural heritage of our country. This will not only save the mark of our nation but will also get more tourists..

Tmac

April 1st, 2008, 04:34 AM

Dhanbari Palace

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/dhansiripalace15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/dhansiripalace16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/dhansiripalace19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/dhansiripalace18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/dhansiripalace17.jpg

tanzirian

April 8th, 2008, 05:11 AM

Some more pics of Dhonbari Nawab's Palace (which I guess is also called Dhansiri Palace per Tmac's posts). The first two pics are of the residence and the last three of the mosque. The interior of this mosque has intricate tilework similar to that of the well known Star Mosque. Photos by Adilhawk.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/misc/desh.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/misc/desh4.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/misc/desh3.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/misc/desh2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/misc/desh5.jpg

Tmac

April 8th, 2008, 06:18 AM

meghnarmajhi

April 8th, 2008, 09:16 AM

A Dhanbari pictures from flickr - posted by jobayer786

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/828631790_7d75b0cb66.jpg?v=0

tanzirian

April 8th, 2008, 09:55 AM

actually Tan, I had made a mistake in my earlier post. It is called Dhanbari Palace.

It would be nice to see the spelling in Bangla...then it would be clear if it was "Dhon" as in "wealth" or "Dhan" as in grain.

A Dhanbari pictures from flickr - posted by jobayer786

This building is the "kutchery" (revenue office) for the zamindari.

tanzirian

April 14th, 2008, 06:32 AM

Sonargaon / Panam: photos by Mustafizur:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2407175348_9630be8f21_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2407176218_499b0175ff_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2406271047_1703e4083f_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2407102944_4d7fc723b5_o.jpg

Tmac

May 9th, 2008, 07:26 AM

Bangabhaban

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/Bangladesh1/bangabhaban5.jpg

Tmac

May 9th, 2008, 07:28 AM

Ahsan Manjil

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/Bangladesh1/ahsanmanjil55.jpg

Tmac

May 10th, 2008, 07:41 AM

Ahsan Manjil

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/Bangladesh1/ahsanmanjil56.jpg

nitu islam

May 10th, 2008, 11:18 AM

nitu islam

May 10th, 2008, 11:40 AM

...

nitu islam

May 10th, 2008, 11:41 AM

..i kno this place.This is called Korutia Jamider Bari. a very nice place with garden and pond. location is - very near to Tangail main city.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Dhaka2/unknownpalace15.jpg

Tmac

June 22nd, 2008, 12:53 AM

Palace of Mymensingh Rajbari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/mymensinghpalace16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/dhaka4/mymensinghpalace15.jpg

amar11372

June 22nd, 2008, 06:29 AM

^^ nice place.

tanzirian

December 9th, 2008, 04:09 AM

One that I wasn't familiar with - Mohera Jamidar Bari in Fatehpur (photos by Shameem Bakhshi).

Just a disclaimer...the pictures were labeled as being in Bangladesh but I hadn't heard of Fatehpur. Is anyone here familiar with the place? I think it's near Tangail...

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/mohera5.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/moreha2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/mohera-shameembakhshi.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/mohera4.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/moreha3.jpg

meghnarmajhi

December 9th, 2008, 08:12 PM

There is a Fatehpur in Chittagong

http://nona.net/features/map/placedetail.1697138/Fatehpur/

ingrejibodi

December 13th, 2008, 07:59 PM

Many thanks for the pictures of Teota. I have relatives from the Teota family and have talked to people who were born there and who lived there before Independence. Apparently it was quite inconvenient in many ways -- if you wanted to go to the toilet at night you had a long walk and had to be escorted by a servant with a stick who scared off the snakes. When the family arrived, the men rode up on horses and the women went in a closed sedan chair. The ex-ranee who told me this would rather have been on a horse! The women had a free-er live in their Calcutta property (which is still lived in by the family).

nayeem007

December 14th, 2008, 07:51 AM

The city of Sonargaon needs to be revived, by conserving and renovating the architectural heritage sites, this can soon be one of the top tourist desination and also a reminder of the great past. It is a pity that the ancient capital of Bengal is in such dilapidated condition..

tanzirian

January 12th, 2009, 04:46 AM

As many of you know I am a great supporter of the conservation of historic monuments in our country. Today I had two great reasons to be delighted. First I found out Chittagong Court House has in fact been restored (see the Chittagong cityscapes thread in case any of you missed it). Now I find these pictures which show a second section of Baliati Palace, the largest zamindar mansion in BD, has also been restored. Pictures posted earlier by Tmac showed restoration on one section having having been completed....at the time I wondered if they planned to stop at just that, or continue. These pics below, which are by Tipu Kibria, show that the process has not stopped. When all four sections of the palace are restored, it will be truly beautiful sight:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/3065583471_e86a9c47a7_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/3066212302_7cc69201dd_o.jpg

tanzirian

February 23rd, 2009, 06:20 AM

Bhawal Palace, Gazipur (photo by Manir Az Zaman):

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/bhawal-manir-uz-zaman.jpg

tislam84

February 23rd, 2009, 11:01 PM

^^ Is that the palace of the famous Raja of Joydebpur whose family members thought that he was dead, but then he miraculously appeared as an ascetic a few years later? That ascetic later tried to get back his kingdom through litigation....

tanzirian

February 24th, 2009, 01:39 AM

manbil777

February 24th, 2009, 08:38 AM

Yep I believe so. Tmac posted some more pics of this place earlier in the thread.

I was in there (Bhawal Rajbari) in 1972. I have faint memories and remember there was a nice Roshogolla place close by. The roads were far worse (narrower) in those days with bad surfacing so it always took longer to get to from Dhaka.

I remember at that time that the caretaker was a genteel older Hindu priest who finished the morning pooja and showed our whole family around the place.

tanzirian

March 12th, 2009, 06:19 AM

Looks like Korutia Jamidar Bari in Tangail has been restored! Compare the pics below with the second last pic above in post 168. Wonderful...it seems that people are starting to place some greater value on historic preservation than they previously did. Photos by Nasir Khan Saikat.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nasirkhansaikat.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nsk3.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nsk2.jpg

Dhakaiya

March 12th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Govt. should make a plan to acquire these historic places under their control. There are many examples of historic buildings belonging to private landowners who ultimately built a brand new apartment over the grave of our history.

tanzirian

March 13th, 2009, 04:58 AM

A few more pics of renovated Korutia Jamidar Bari in Tangail (if you missed the other pics see the last page; photos by Nasir Khan):

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nk1.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nk3.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nk4.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/nk2.jpg

Dhakaiya

March 13th, 2009, 10:12 AM

Any idea how old it might be?

tanzirian

March 13th, 2009, 06:15 PM

Any idea how old it might be?

Look at the pediment...it says 1899, which sounds right. Though sometimes such inscriptions are inaccurate...for example there is a 20th century date on Dhaka's Rose Garden which was added by some owner later than its construction.

tanzirian

May 23rd, 2009, 07:07 AM

A rare pic of one of the nicest jamidar mansions in BD...Shitlai Palace in Pabna. Today it is owned by some pharmaceutical company. This pic is facing the side of the building...the front is to the left.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/sitlai.jpg

I had posted a view of the center of the front facade on page 4 of this thread (reposted below):

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/pab1.jpg

meghnarmajhi

May 25th, 2009, 10:47 PM

the pharmaceutical company is taking good care of the building

tislam84

May 26th, 2009, 01:27 AM

^^ It probably is Square Pharmaceuticals, they have a huge factory in Pabna

reza

June 20th, 2009, 09:34 AM

manbil777

June 20th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Dhakaiya

June 20th, 2009, 05:34 PM

tanzirian

June 20th, 2009, 10:03 PM

Mohera Jamidar Bari is not situated in Fatehpur. It is situated at Tangail. it is now a police training centre. the police authority has renovated the total compound. the cluster of Mohera palaces were built by four brothers who were business magnets of Jute and salt and also acquired zamindari in different parts of Bengal. Four palaces were built in the compound according to the Hissa of the brothers, Bidu Saha, Budduh Saha, Horen Saha and Kalicharan Saha. Their later ancestors achieved ‘Roy Choudhury’ from British govt.

Ar. M. Reza

Thanks for all the info Reza, and welcome to the site. When I posted those pics I wasn't 100% sure that the pics were from BD, so glad to hear this mansion is in fact within our country. My knowledge of historic mansions in BD first came from a book by Nazimuddin Ahmed and when I intially had read it many years ago I assumed it to be fairly complete. But especially in the last few years I have learnt that there are significant mansions like this one, which were not mentioned by Dr. Ahmed.

manbil777

August 14th, 2009, 10:34 PM

Hey Mr. Tan,

Here's one for you from Panoramio (Newaz), Nawab Sheikh Salimullah in 1902 with other Dacca dignitaries. Scroll to the right -->

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1472995.jpg

tanzirian

August 14th, 2009, 10:40 PM

manbil777

August 14th, 2009, 11:18 PM

^^ Thank you sir. As an aside...I was eating at a restaurant in your metro area today and overheard two (white) guys chatting...businessmen I suppose...one of them saying something to the effect, that he liked Bangladesh because it was cheaper. Nice to hear!

:) There is increasing business activity from Southern Calif. to all of Asia including the Indian subcontinent.

King Nothing

August 16th, 2009, 06:26 AM

tanzirian

August 21st, 2009, 01:11 AM

Ok history question.

So after Sirajuddoula was defated the capital was shifted from Murshidabad to Dhaka and a puppet Nawab was put in place. This is the Nawab family that Sir Salimullah belonged to. Is this statemnt true?

No, not at all.

Dhaka was the capital of Mughal Bengal for much of the 1600s. As the Mughal empire broke apart in the early 1700s, the Mughal governors (called nawabs) gained greater autonomy and became de-facto rulers of Bengal. The first of these independent nawabs was Kar Talab Khan (Murshid Quli Khan) who in the early 1700s (I forget which exact year) moved the capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad (named after himself). The nawabs ruled in Bengal until the British took over in 1757. The British moved the capital to Calcutta at that time, and this remained the capital of all Bengal until 1947 (except for a brief period, 1905 to 1911, during the first partition of Bengal, when Dhaka was the captial of East Bengal and Assam). Calcutta was also the capital of all British India until 1911, when it was moved to New Delhi. In the latter half of the 1800s (again I forget which exact year) the British gave the title of "nawab" to the patriarch of the Khwaja family (one of whom was Salimullah), a prominent Muslim jamidar family kown for their philanthropic works in Dhaka. These "nawabs" had nothing to do with nawabs who governed under the Mughals and subsequently ruled Bengal in the transitional years before colonial rule. The title in this case was just a recognition by the colonial rulers for the family's good works.

King Nothing

August 29th, 2009, 02:17 PM

In the latter half of the 1800s (again I forget which exact year) the British gave the title of "nawab" to the patriarch of the Khwaja family (one of whom was Salimullah), a prominent Muslim jamidar family kown for their philanthropic works in Dhaka. These "nawabs" had nothing to do with nawabs who governed under the Mughals and subsequently ruled Bengal in the transitional years before colonial rule. The title in this case was just a recognition by the colonial rulers for the family's good works.

So it was this Khwaja family that lived in the Ahsan Manzil? Apparently the general ppl dont like them too much since they were knighted 3 times but all they did was suck the peasants dry.

Also after Shirajuddowla was defeated, a puppet Nawab was put in place. He used to govern out of Murshidabad?

tanzirian

August 29th, 2009, 08:56 PM

So it was this Khwaja family that lived in the Ahsan Manzil? Apparently the general ppl dont like them too much since they were knighted 3 times but all they did was suck the peasants dry.

Yes, the Khwaja family was the one living in Ahsan Manzil. I don't know if there was any ill-will towards them from the general public. The Khwajas were atypical in Bengal...because there were few Muslim jamidar families in Bengal (because of British policy of "divide and conquer", manifested in this case by favoring Hindus in Bengal and awarding them almost all jamidaris). The Khwajas are known for improving Dhaka's infrastructure and promoting Muslim rights (and thus becoming important proponents for the creation of Pakistan). I wrote a little about them in page 4, post 65 of my Historic Dhaka thread. Check it out if interested - I am providing the link below. You can of course find more detailed information elsewhere...in books and online in places like Banglapedia. The Khwajas are still a prominent Dhaka family, and I have known two of them at different stages of my life.

Link:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=436396&page=4

Also after Shirajuddowla was defeated, a puppet Nawab was put in place. He used to govern out of Murshidabad?

Siraj became nawab at age 19 in 1756, was naive in many respects, and quickly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, including his general Mir Jafar. Jafar conspired with the British to defeat Siraj (and his French allies) at Plassey in 1757, after which Siraj was killed and Jafar took over as nawab. Jafar expected to be full-fledged nawab - not a puppet of the British - but that's how things turned out as the British consolidated their power after Siraj's defeat. Jafar then turned against the British by allying himself to the Dutch, but the British dethroned him in 1960 and replaced him with his son-in-law, Mir Qasim.

Mir Qasim, however, proved even less willing than Mir Jafar to be a British puppet, and he teamed up with the Nawab of Oudh and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II in Delhi to fight the British. The British defeated these allies at the Battle of Buxar in 1964. Now, keep in mind, that although the nawabs were basically independent rulers, they were still nominally governors of the Mughal emperor in Delhi. Nomially, the emperor still decided who collected the "diwani" or revenue from a given province. In Bengal, the diwani belonged to the nawab until Buxar. After that, the emperor was forced to award the diwani of Bengal (which at that time, also included Bihar and Orissa) to the British East India Company.

After Buxar the British reconciled with Mir Jafar and once again made him nawab. However, by this time the British controlled both the military and the diwani, so Jafar had no real power. He briefly held control of the judiciary before being forced to cede this to the British as well. He died the following year, in 1765. His descendants continued to live in Murshidabad and were still called "nawabs", but they had no real authority.

It's all very complicated :) so please don't just go by my simplistic explanations above...a book will offer more information and clarity.

manbil777

September 1st, 2009, 08:25 AM

Yes, the Khwaja family was the one living in Ahsan Manzil. ....<snip>.....

Bravo Tan -- a mini history lesson :)

I'll let my little ones read this :)

BTW as I recall from somewhere -- the Dhaka Nawabs were initially businessmen in old Dhaka aligned with exporting cowhide and importing salt as wholesalers. That's where they got their wealth and essentially influenced the 'purchase' of the 'Nawab' title from the British. Of course it didn't hurt that the family had prominent educated and politically powerful patriarchs.

King Nothing

September 1st, 2009, 09:43 AM

Now, keep in mind, that although the nawabs were basically independent rulers, they were still nominally governors of the Mughal emperor in Delhi. Nomially, the emperor still decided who collected the "diwani" or revenue from a given province. In Bengal, the diwani belonged to the nawab until Buxar. After that, the emperor was forced to award the diwani of Bengal (which at that time, also included Bihar and Orissa) to the British East India Company.

Thanks a lot for all the info. However before who was it Jahangir who defeated Isa Khan Bengal was indepedent for 300 yrs during the sultanate rule. When it went under Mughal rule it was still a semi-autonomous region with its own Nawab. Although the Nawab was merely a governor of the emperor in Delhi as you said. However during the time of Aurangzeb the Mughals lost control of Bengal and it became independent under Murshid Quli Khan. So in that way Bengal was under Mughal control for a small amount of time right? Would it be safe to concur that Bengal was independent for most of its 2000 yr history?

tanzirian

September 1st, 2009, 05:35 PM

Thanks a lot for all the info. However before who was it Jahangir who defeated Isa Khan Bengal was indepedent for 300 yrs during the sultanate rule. When it went under Mughal rule it was still a semi-autonomous region with its own Nawab. Although the Nawab was merely a governor of the emperor in Delhi as you said. However during the time of Aurangzeb the Mughals lost control of Bengal and it became independent under Murshid Quli Khan. So in that way Bengal was under Mughal control for a small amount of time right? Would it be safe to concur that Bengal was independent for most of its 2000 yr history?

Several points:

* We have alternated between indpendent and foreign rule. However, not all foreign rulers were the same! Mughal rule was a period of relative prosperity. British rule was a time of economic stagnation in East Bengal (in West Bengal, the jamidar class benefited from the importance of Calcutta as the capital of the Raj and the Bengali cultural renaissance of the time, which has also become a part of our heritage).

* In the two centuries prior to the arrival of the Mughals, rulers of Bengal were called Sultans, not Nawabs. "Nawab" was Mughal terminology.

* The Mughal empire did not break up during Aurangzeb's rule. It broke up after his death.

* Even in periods of independent rule (for instance, the rule of the Independent Sultans) the kings were sometimes of foreign descent (Arab, Central Asian, etc). And of course, we started the Pakistan period thinking we were indepedent.

* Our history is very poorly recorded until about 600 AD, and somewhat poorly recorded for centuries after that.

* Sometimes, West Bengal, Rajshahi division, and parts of Dhaka division, would be included within the larger South Asian empires and larger Bengali kingdoms, but at the same time the eastern fringes of the land would remain under smaller independent rulers.

* Here is a rough timeline, with some additional comments on the important urban centers of each period.

The fringes of the Ganges of the delta have been habited for many tens of thousands of years. The interior was probably settled between 1500 BC and 500 BC (ie, Vedic times).

300s BC - Ptolemy records the presence of a strong kingdom in the Ganges delta, which he calls the Gangeridae. The most important city was Tamralipti, near where Kolkata is today.

300s - 200s BC - part of Mauryan empire. An important city of the time was Pundravardhana (Mahasthangahr).

300s - 400s AD - part of Gupta empire.

circa 600 AD - part of Harsha's empire.

600 - 630 AD - Sasanka, first independent ruler we know of by name.

630 AD - 750 AD - period of chaos, with four foreign invasions.

750 AD - circa 1100 AD - Pal dynasty - independent. Although the Pal dynasty lasted for 400 years, the Pals were strongest only until about 850 AD...then their power declined, except for two brief periods of revival. This was a golden age for Bengal. Many of our ancient monuments at Paharpur and Mahasthangahr date from the Pal period. The capital was initially at Gaur on the West Bengal / Bangladesh border, then moved to Bihar, which was also under Pal rule at the time. The monastery at Mainamati was also built during this time (but by a smaller kingdom - of the Dev dynasty, which was not under Pal rule).

1070 - 1204 AD - Sen dynasty - independent. One capital was located near Bikrampur in Dhaka division. Although the Sen dynasty lasted for a little while after the Muslim invasion in 1204, it was no longer a significant power after that time.

1204 - 1342 AD - Delhi Sultanate. The neighboring cities of Gaur and Hazrat Pandua were important.

1342 - 1576 AD - independent Sultans and other rulers. These included the Ilyas Shahi and Hussain Shai dynasties, as well as various other rulers. This was another golden age for Bengal. Gaur was the capital for most of this period, and one of the largest cities in the world at that time. Sonargaon was the second largest city and briefly served as capital. This is the Sonargaon that became part of East Bengali folklore. However, very little survives from Sonargaon of this period...what we see today are mostly from the colonial period.

1576 -about 1717 - Mughal rule. It took the Mughals several decades to fully conquer Bengal, after 1575...this was the period of resistance from the "Baro Bhuiyans" like Isa Khan. After the Mughals consolidated their conquest, around 1608, they established Dhaka (Jahangirnagar) as their capital. Dhaka was the capital for most of this time, except for a period when it was at Rajmahal in West Bengal.

c.1717 - 1757 - independent Nawabs. The captial was at Murshidabad in West Bengal.

1757 - 1947 - British rule. Calcutta was capital of British India from 1757 to 1911, and one of the largest cities in the world. Calcutta was also the capital of all Bengal from 1757 to 1905 and again from 1911 to 1947. From 1905 to 1911, Calcutta was the capital of West Bengal and Dhaka was the capital of East Bengal and Assam.

1947 - 1971 - Pakistan period. Dhaka is "second capital."

1971 - independent.

King Nothing

September 2nd, 2009, 05:31 AM

Thank you Tanzirian! You are the resident historian here. :master:

Also according to Wikipedia the origin of the word Bangla is derived from a tribe called Bang that settled in the region in 1000 BC. Is this true?

tanzirian

September 2nd, 2009, 08:52 PM

^^ You're welcome. I hadn't read anything about a Bang tribe, but then again I am just a casual fan of history. From what I read, in ancient times, various parts of Bengal were known as Vanga and Vangala, and the terms Banga and Bangla are thought to be derived from these. There were also a variety of other names for regions in Bengal. These regions all overalapped and had no clearly defined boundaries. I read nothing which identified the origin of these names.

Also, I fleshed out the timeline above with some tidbits of urban interest.

nayeem007

September 3rd, 2009, 07:24 PM

Several points:

* We have alternated between indpendent and foreign rule. However, not all foreign rulers were the same! Mughal rule was a period of relative prosperity. British rule was a time of economic stagnation in East Bengal (in West Bengal, the jamidar class benefited from the importance of Calcutta as the capital of the Raj and the Bengali cultural renaissance of the time, which has also become a part of our heritage).

One of my Indian friend was saying that the Mughal rule was the most destructive in South Asian history eliminating all art and culture and looting all the valuables and moving them to central asia where the originated. The British are the ones who developed the region with railways and legal system.

He was saying that the only exception was Akbar who cared for the people but only lasted few decades.

Is the above notion correct? I would think that Bengal would have also suffered under the aggression of the Mughal then..

King Nothing

September 3rd, 2009, 08:21 PM

^^ This is pure BJP manufactured bull. The Mughals came to the subcontinent and made it their home. Babur left Afghanistan and made India his home. His offspring were born and raised there and their offspring and so on.

Same goes for the Independent Turkic Sultans of Bengal. They made the place their home and even promoted Bengali literature. Also in Bengal it was Akbar who gave us Pohela Boishakh and teh Bengali New Year.

tanzirian

September 3rd, 2009, 08:23 PM

One of my Indian friend was saying that the Mughal rule was the most destructive in South Asian history eliminating all art and culture and looting all the valuables and moving them to central asia where the originated. The British are the ones who developed the region with railways and legal system.

He was saying that the only exception was Akbar who cared for the people but only lasted few decades.

Is the above notion correct? I would think that Bengal would have also suffered under the aggression of the Mughal then..

That's BS. Mughal period was one highpoint of South Asian art and architecture, my favorite in fact. Mughals also built many roads and caravanserais to improve communication. There was not a great advancement in science, but there was an academic culture. Many Hindus have anger towards the period of Muslim rule, and sometimes emotion clouds facts. There was certainly discrimination against Hindus during Mughal rule - including the "jizya" tax on nonMuslims and destruction of temples by some emperors as punishment for rebellion - but even the most maligned of these emperors, Aurangzeb, was mild compared to the degree to which his contemporaries in Europe discriminated against religious minorities. Mughals certainly did not remove valuables to Central Asia - in fact they had no land in Central Asia...the Mughal founder, Babur, was driven out of his small kingdom there before establishing himself on the subcontinent. The very early Muslim invaders were different - like Mahmud of Ghazni in around 1100 AD - who raped and pillaged wantonly. But Mughals came much later.

tanzirian

November 13th, 2009, 05:09 PM

Some old manor, not sure which / where exactly. Pics by shaon935:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3467386954_3d6777c45f_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3466576569_ba09bcab30_b.jpg

tanzirian

November 13th, 2009, 05:10 PM

A couple more from the same series:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3466581637_eede840c51_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3466570689_1f4a7de849_b.jpg

Golden Boy

November 15th, 2009, 07:45 PM

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8269/sec9.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/438/nawabaliamjadkhan.jpg

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/6779/prithimpassaestatemonog.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/267/1254028.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5669/nawab.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/267/1254028.jpg

The family of Nawab Syed Amjad Ali Khan of Prithimpasha, Sylhet, is not only a featured name in Moulvibazar alone but also the whole of Bangladesh. This family stemmed from the legendary family of Robi Khan. Nawab Ali Amjad khan hosted dignitaries like Shahenshah Reza Pahlavi of Iran, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Field Marshal Ayub Khan in his palace in Pritimpasha. This family draws a lot of visitors annually.

tanzirian

November 16th, 2009, 01:58 AM

^^ Thanks Golden Boy, I must say that I did not know about this family. Can you say a little more about their history and who Robi Khan was?

Also, that mosque must surely be one of the nicest traditional mosques I've seen from Bangladesh. Many similar beautiful old mosques like Qassabtuly Masjid in Old Dhaka have been tarnished by modern extensions that block or alter the front facades. Would love to see a high res picture of the mosque, if any are available.

kuquito

December 27th, 2009, 01:06 AM

This one is pretty amazing

Tajhat Palace, Rangpur

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/1833579757_230e2be0a3_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/1833581895_eedf5fa573_b.jpg

tanzirian

April 17th, 2010, 06:59 PM

A nice Jamidar Bari that I was unaware of...Srifartali..photos by Shameem Bakhshi. These two pics show the main house and the main entrance to the compound. A few other pics to follow...

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/srifatali.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/sri5.jpg

tanzirian

April 20th, 2010, 05:07 AM

Some more pics of Srifartali Jamidarbari complex including a secondary manor. Photos by Shameem Bakhshi

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/sri2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/sri3.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/sri4.jpg

moutushinath

April 29th, 2010, 03:06 PM

tanzirian

May 2nd, 2010, 12:57 PM

Can anyone provide any information of Sarkarbari of Rajshahi. From what i heard from my inlaws it now houses the Sonali Bank offices. Also any information on chuadanga, i dont have much info as my granddad never used to talk about BD, just wanting to know my roots.:)

Sorry moutushinath, I don't know about either. We are hampered by not having forumers living in Bangladesh outside Dhaka...probably due to poor internet access...otherwise we might have more info. I am assuming that the Sarkarbari you mention is different from Uttara Gano Bhaban in Natore...we have many pics of the latter in this thread.

Also BTW, welcome to the forums. If you like, "Introduce Yourself" in the thread linked below:

Link - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=470362

tanzirian

May 21st, 2010, 05:46 AM

Mohera Jamidar Bari...photo by Shameem Bakhshi

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/35426883.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/35426921.jpg

tislam84

May 22nd, 2010, 05:28 AM

^^ This one looks well-maintained! I remember this Zamindar Bari was featured in one of Humayun Ahmed's films.

tanzirian

May 22nd, 2010, 06:45 PM

^^ Yes, always nice to see when these old buildings are cared for.

A few more of Mohera by Shameem Bakhsi

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/35426902.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/35722201.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/35426858.jpg

babinroy

June 25th, 2010, 05:11 AM

hi
i am a direct descendant of shubhadhya darogabari,near buri ganga khaal,dhaka .we had a zamindari along a big house with durga dalan,mehfilkhana,nohbotkhana.we also had a school.my grandfather amalendranath roy left the property right after independence and soon died after.my granduncle chintahoron roy fought the famous bhawal case on behalf of mejo kumar.can anybody plz post pictures of shubhadhya jomidar bari.i dont know about the present condition and i am unable to visit bangladesh coz of my work.i will be very grateful if somebody posts the present pictures.

ancientsoul

January 9th, 2011, 08:44 PM

thanks for those great images. Is there any jamidar bari in Chandpur sadar? i would be grateful to you if you can tell me anything about it. thank you

tanzirian

January 9th, 2011, 11:23 PM

thanks for those great images. Is there any jamidar bari in Chandpur sadar? i would be grateful to you if you can tell me anything about it. thank you

Personally, I don't know of any. But then again, my knowledge comes principally from one book I mentioned previously, which is by no means an exhaustive document on all jamidarbaris, plus what we've found here on the web. Some of the pictures I posted here came from Panoramio. You could look there and see if anyone posted pictures of Chandpur that are of old houses.

devastasian

January 10th, 2011, 03:15 AM

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03653.jpg

Located in Patantula, within Sylhet City. As per the date shown in the photo it was built in 1930.

I below shots were taken in Dhaka. We drove past this enroute to the Star Masjid. I believe the building is located on Armanitola road. We didn't have time to stop and I have no other information on it sadly.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03993.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/Khaki29uk2/DSC03994.jpg

ancientsoul

January 13th, 2011, 06:40 PM

One of my Indian friend was saying that the Mughal rule was the most destructive in South Asian history eliminating all art and culture and looting all the valuables and moving them to central asia where the originated. The British are the ones who developed the region with railways and legal system.

He was saying that the only exception was Akbar who cared for the people but only lasted few decades.

Is the above notion correct? I would think that Bengal would have also suffered under the aggression of the Mughal then..

Before assuming anything, we need to know the history well and we have to use our logic. Honeybee only targets those flowers which have nectar, not any other flowers. Tanzirian rightly said that Indian subcontinent reached its peak in terms of ecnomy, culture, language, governance etc at that time. The legends of mughal era attracted Europeans as they pursued this region like honeybees. the legends of mughal riches made them almost mad and they were desperate to reach indian subcontinent, they were also well known about bengal and its resources, which made Columbus interested to start voyage to discover mughal india, but he accidentally discovered america. and we should remember that British came here to do business, if we were poor and empty then they would have never been here to waste their time, and they took time to understand the total situation and eventually conquered this region by conspiracy and divide and rule theory, sucked our resources and transferred them to UK.