Where to Stay
There are many hotels to stay, such as Government Rest House (Rohanpur Upazila), Johrul Cottage (Shahabazpur Upazila), Hotel Al-Hera, Hotel Al-Nahid etc. in the city area.
1. Hotel Rose
Manager/Owner: Anwar Hossain Anu
Capacity: Room- 56, Seat- 73
Address: Station Road (Mohananda bus stand), Lakherajpara, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar.
Mobile: 01761855471
2. Lal Bording
Manager/Owner: Md. Sentu Mia
Capacity: Room- 16, Seat- 33
Address: Dhaka bus stand, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01718279841
3. Hotel Shopnopuri
Manager/Owner: Md. Babul Hasnat Durul
Capacity: Room- 18, Seat- 8, double- 9
Address: Arambag Mor, Bissho Road, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01711416041
4. Nababganj Boarding
Manager/Owner: Advocate Kashem Mia
Capacity: Room: 7, double: 8, Seat: 26
Address: Hospital Road, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01715167646
5. Hotel Al Nahid
Manager/Owner: Alhaz Rofiqul Islam
Capacity: Room- 28, Seat- 40
Address: Shantimor, Arambag, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01713376902
6. Hotel Rangdhonu
Manager/Owner: Mosharraf Hossain
Capacity: Room- 12, Seat: 17
Address: Lakheraj Para, Mohananda bus stand, Chapai Nawabganj Sadar, Chapai Nawabganj
Mobile: 01712339687
7. Hotel Nazma
Capacity: 22 persons
Address: Kansat, Shibganj, Chapai Nawabganj
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[name] => {:en}Nirmai Shibbari{:}{:bn}নির্মাই শিববাড়ি{:}
[post_id] => 6393
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nirmai-shibbari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/offroadbangladeshlogo2-300x178.png
[post_content] => {:en}
Nirmai Shibbari was built nearly 500 years ago. Many believe that there were Kuki tribes in this area. The Kuki government frequently did not obey the command of the ruling Tripura government. For controlling mutineers, the King of Tripura sent a group of troops. King’s son led the battle. The Tripura King won the battle but lost his son in law.
{:}{:bn}নির্মাই শিববাড়ি মৌলভীবাজার জেলার শ্রীমঙ্গল উপজেলায় অবস্থিত। এই শিববাড়িটি প্রায় পাঁচশত বছর পূর্বে নির্মাণ করা হয়। অনেকেই বিশ্বাস করেন একসময় এখানে কুকি সম্প্রদায়ের মানুষজন বসবাস করত। কুকিরা তৎকালীন শাসক ত্রিপুরা সরকারের নির্দেশ মেনে চলত না। কুকিদের নিয়ন্ত্রনের জন্য ত্রিপুরার রাজা তাঁর পুত্রের নেতৃত্বে এখানে সেনাদল পাঠিয়েছিল। পরবর্তী সময়ে সংঘটিত যুদ্ধে ত্রিপুরার সেনাদল জয়ী হলেও সেই যুদ্ধে ত্রিপুরার রাজা তাঁর পুত্রকে হারান।{:}
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[name] => Boro Katra
[post_id] => 9883
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/boro-katra/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/P_20150610_1254411-169x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
Boro Katra (বড় কাটরা) was built between 1644 and 1646 AD to be the official residence of Mughal prince Shah Shuja, the second son of emperor Shah Jahan. The prince endowed it to his diwan and the builder of the serai, Abul Qasim. The word Katra may have originated from Arabic word Katara which means colonnaded building.
It is a historical and architectural monument located in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.‘Katra or katara’ in Arabic and Persian means ‘Caravan (Karwan) Sarai’ or simply a ‘Sarai’. It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region. It is situated to the south of Chowk Bazar close to the north bank of the river Buriganga.
Words from the Second inscription of north gateway: “Sultan Shah Shuja Bahadur was famed for deeds of charity-Wherefore being hopeful of the mercy of God his slave Abul Qasim al-Husainia-Tabtaba, As Simnai, Built this sacred edifice endowing it with twenty two shops attached to it, o the rightful and lawful condition that the official in charge of the endowment should expend the income derived from them upon the repairs of the building and upon the poor, and that they should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting there in, so that the pious act may reflect upon the monarch in this world and they should not act otherwise, or else they would be called on the day of retribution. This inscription was composed by Sad-ud-din Muhammad Sherazi” (Dacca, p.193 by prof. A.H. Dani)
Architectural Property: The building's architecture follows the traditional pattern of the Central Asia's caravanserai and is embellished as per Mughal architecture. It originally enclosed a quadrangular courtyard surrounded by shops and was overlooked by a row of 22 living cells in each wing. Two gateways were built in the northern and southern wing. The southern wing is a two-storeyed structure and extends 223' along the river. It is marked in the middle by the southern gateway, an elaborate three storied central archway framed within a projected rectangular bay that provides access to the courtyard. The underside of the arched alcove of the gateway is adorned with intricate plasterwork. The wall surface around the spandrels with plastered panels in relief contain a variety of forms such as four-centred, cusped, horse shoe and flat arches. Each wing is two storied and the corners are marked by tall octagonal towers.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Tahkhana Complex
[post_id] => 3614
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/tahkhana-complex/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Tahkhana-Complex42-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => Tahkhana Complex is located on the bank of a pond called Zahedulbala at a distance of 500m. towards north-west of Chhoto Sona Mosque. Two-storeyed in plan, the building called Tahkhana measures 35.35 x 11.58 m. On its first floor, there are 17 rooms of which two are octagonal. The octagonal room on the north-west was used for performing Salah, while the rest for different purposes, viz-saloon, recreation, dining, meeting hammam etc. The hammam complex proper is located on the south if the Tahkhana. There is a staircase in the south-east corner which leads down to the water level of the pond. There were provisions of supplying both cold and hot water following a channel of terracotta pipe, to the hammam complex. The entire building was constructed with small bricks laid in lime mortar. The wall of the building is decorated with niches and different kind of art motifs at its different points.
There are two views regarding the construction of this building. Firstly, Shah Shuja used to come and stay here for his administrative visit, rest and recreational purpose and to meet his spiritual guide Shah Niamatullah (R). Secondly, to provide residential accommodation to Shah Niamatullah (R) during the year 1655 AD. A mosque and tomb of Shah Niamatullah (R) are located on the north-west and north of the building respectively. At present, these buildings are protected monuments by the Department of Archaeology.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Tokani Pal House
[post_id] => 8643
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/tokani-pal-house/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/TPP-12-300x200.jpg
[post_content] =>
Munshiganj, or Bikrampur as it was formerly known as home to a number of rich landlords and merchants, who lived in palatial houses, built on large estates. Most of these perished in course of time as the mighty Padma River devoured most of Bikrampur. Of all that remain in today’s Munshiganj, the largest is the house at Abdullahpur, known as Tokani Pal House (টোকানী পাল বাড়ি). There isn’t enough source to know about who built this house, but Tokani Pal, an elderly merchant from Barisal, bought this 7 acre estate and moved in here sometime in the early 1890s. His second wife Nabanga Sundary and all six sons from his two marriages accompanied him.
The estate now consists of 11 buildings and six ponds. The sprawling gardens have hundreds of trees – fruit bearing, medicinal, or for wood itself. And there were once several hundreds of flowering plants. But when Tokani arrived, the estate was in a mess. Kamini Pal, the eldest son of Tokani,took charge of cleaning up the estate. He chose a place to set up a temple, dedicated to Radha-Shyam, of whom they had been followers for generations. By this time, the masons of Abdullahpur had made a name in craftsmanship and expertise, and Arfan Ostagar was the most revered of all. He was hired, for a daily fee of five quarters and a pack of tobacco. His designer had to be paid an additional three quarters. A 15X6 feet room was planned to build, with a wide sprawling varanda, where followers could sing devotional songs every evening. The room would have a large platform, on which would rest a large metal statue of Radha-Shyam. The exterior wall would be decorated with fine ceramic designs. Once completed, the temple became a marvel, people from far and wide came over to see.
The Pal’s principal business was surrounded around the Kamala river port of Bikrampur, which was known as the Second Kolkata. Betelnuts, mustard, lentils etc would arrive from Barisal or Chandpur, and would be traded with Kolkata. Almost 20,000 laborers worked daily at this port, where the second largest wholesalers were the Pals. They set up warehouses at places as far as Barisal, Jhalokathhi or Shwarupkathhi, or Chandpur. Kamini Pal also became the most prominent money-lender. Dwarkanath became a prominent dealer in Kerosene oil. Other brothers also chipped in here and there. Business for the Pals was running well.
After the Partition of India, a large section of the family moved to Kolkata. Those who remained to protect the family businesses, soon found it difficult, as business with Kolkata became complicated. They had to explore new business avenues, but that wasn’t too easy.
In 1971, Hindus were being tortured or killed, their businesses were being shut down, their houses were being torched. The Pal estate being protected with a strong high boundary wall became a safe refuge, not only for members of this family, but for members of extended families, and also for friends and their families. About 500 people had found safe shelter here, until one dark night, when the Pakistani Army entered the compounds, killed several family members, and set the main houses of fire. The entire clan moved to India through Agartala.
Almost two years later, Shashadhar Pal, the second son of Dwarkanath Pal, who by then was head of the clan, returned with his family. But by this time major parts of the estate had been grabbed and taken over by others. He tried to revive some of the businesses, but did not quite succeed. His family members went back to Kolkata, but he decided to stay back, reminiscing his childhood memories, and gradually selling off part of their properties. He lived either in one of the houses within this estate, or in the other Pal House, which also was built by his uncle Kamini Pal several decades ago. He passed away in the late 1990s.
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