Brief
Ahsan Manzil (আহসান মঞ্জিল, Ahsan Monjil) was the official residential and seat of the Dhaka Nawab Family. This magnificent building is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The construction of this palace was started in 1859 and completed in 1872. It was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. It has been designated as a national museum.
In Mughal era, there was a garden house of Sheikh Enayet Ullah, the landlord of Jamalpur porgona (district), in this place. Sheikh Enayet Ullah was a very charming person. He acquired a very big area in Kumortuli (Kumartuli) and included it in his garden house. Here he built a beautiful palace and named it “Rongmohol”. He used to enjoy here keeping beautiful girls collecting from the country and abroad, dressing them with gorgeous dresses and expensive ornaments. There is a saying that, the foujdar of Dhaka (representative of mughal emperor) in that time was attracted to one of the beautiful girls among them. He invited Sheikh Enayet Ullah in a party one night and killed him in a conspiracy when he was returning home. That girl also committed suicide in anger and sorrow. There was a grave of Sheikh Enayet Ullah in the north-east corner of the palace yard which was ruined in the beginning of 20th century.
Around 1740 century, in the period of Nawab Alibardi Khan, Sheikh Moti Ullah, the son of Sheikh Enayet Ullah, sold the property to the French traders. There was a French trading house beside this property. The trading house became wealthier after purchasing this property. In that time, French traders could do business here without paying any taxes by a decree from the emperor Awrangajeb.
In that time, the French became very wealthy by doing business here in competition with the English and other European companies. They made a big palace and dug a pond for sweet water in the newly purchased property. The pond still exists in the compound of Ahsan Manjil which was called “Les Jalla” in that time. In the English-French war, French got defeated and all their properties were captured by the English. In the 22nd June of 1757, the French left the trading house with a fleet of 35 boats from the river station of Buriganga in front of Kumartuli.
In 1785, the French transferred the property to a French tradesman named Mr. Champigni, and retaken it at 1801. According to Paris agreement of 1814, the French claimed all their left properties at Dhaka, and in 1827 the property was again returned to the French. For the increasing power of the English, the French was forced to left subcontinent. They decided to sell all their properties in Dhaka. So in 1830, the trading house of Kumartuli was purchased by the established landlord of Dhaka Khwaja Alimullah.
After some renovation work, the trading house became the residence of Khwaja Alimullah. In his time, a stable and a family mosque was added in the compound. After his death, his son Khwaja Abdul Gani made a great flourish to the property, and named it “Ahsan Manjil” on his son Ahsan Ullah. In the east side of the old building, he made a new building with a different design, and also done great renovation work to the old building. Since then, the old building was called “Ondor Mohol” and the new building as “Rong mohol”.
In the evening of 7 April 1888, a devastating tornado hit Dhaka city causing great damage. Ahsan Manjil was severely damaged and abandoned. An English engineer from Kolkata arrived here to examine the palace. He gave opinion that except the “Rangmahal”, all other parts of the palace have to reconstruct. So Khwaja Abdul Gani and his son Ahsanullah turned their full attention to rebuild the palace. Both of the building was reconstructed during that time with a new design and supervised by the local engineer Gobinda Chandra Roy.
The old French building was reconstructed to a two storied building keeping similarity to the Rangmahal. A gangway was made with wood connecting the first floor of two building. The most beautiful thing made in this time was the dome, which made the palace so beautiful. After the death of Khwaja Ahsanullah in 1901, the glory of Ahsan Manjil was ended. His successors couldn’t continue the glory because of the internal family quarrel. They rented different parts of the palace to tenants, who actually made it a slum. In 1952, govt. acquired the property and left in supervision of the Dhaka Nawab court. In 1985, Dhaka National Museum acquired the property and made it a museum.
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[name] => Rabindranath Tagore's Kacharibari
[post_id] => 3076
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/rabindranath-tagores-kacharibari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Shajadpur-RabindraKachari-Bari-Sirajgonj2-300x204.jpg
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It was the parental Zamidari house of Rabindranath Tagore. It contains belongings of the famous poet such as dishes, bathtubs, hookahs, piano, sofa, metal vessels etc. The musical instruments present there such as piano are damaged and not used now. It is now used as a museum. It is frequently visited by many. There is lack of space and no parking facilities. There are a lot of cracks in the building which might be a source of concern for the tourists.
Shajadpur Rabindra Kachari Bari is a two-storied building situated in Shahjadpur of Sirajgonj district. The building itself is historic structure due to its relation with Novel levrest Rabindra Nath Tagore. A number of objects belonging to Tagor's personal life are now on its display.
Shajadpur Rabindra Kachari Bari is a two-storied building situated in Shahjadpur of Sirajgonj district. The building itself is historic structure due to its relation with Novel leverets Rabindra Nath Tagore. A number of objects belonging to Tagor's personal life are now on its display. Visiting hours for museums: 1st April to 30th September: Tuesday to Saturday: (10 am to 6 pm & Leisure: 1 pm to 1.30 pm) Friday: 10 am to 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 6pm Monday: 2.30 pm to 6 pm 1st October to 30th March Tuesday to Saturday: (9 am to 5 pm & Leisure: 1 pm to 1.30 pm) Friday: 9 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm Monday: 1.30 pm to 5pm.
Source: LGED website
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[name] => Bangladesh Air Force Museum
[post_id] => 10796
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/air-force-museum/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/air-force-museum1-300x225.jpg
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Bangladesh Air Force Museum became open for the public on October 2014 at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka. It is located at the western side of runway adjacent to Taltola gate. Within its lofty interior, different phased out air craft and equipment have been kept including the aircraft those took part in our glorious Liberation War.
Timetable: The Air force museum is open on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) from 2 PM to 8 PM.
On weekends: it is open from 10 AM to 8 PM, Sunday is the day off for this area, so the museum is closed on Sundays.
Entry fee: 20 Taka.
The Gallery:There are four different galleries. These are: Air Force Gallery to illustrate some memorable and historical photos. Liberation War Gallery: bring back to us the history of the liberation war. There is a gallery for showing medals and uniforms from different year. The last one is the peacekeepers corner to demonstrate the value of Bangladeshi Soldiers in the International Arena. Apart from these there is a souvenir corner too where you can buy posters, mug, t-shirts with the monogram of the National Air Force.
The previous history of BAF Museum: BAF Museum was established in 17 June 1987. At that time the museum was located in No-3 hanger of BAF Base Bashar, Dhaka cantonment. It was not open for public as we knew, just like the prison museum situated inside the Dhaka Central Jail. Once in a year on 16th December, there was a Military March held along with a three days long Army Weaponry Show. But now it is open for the public visitor. People are already started enjoying the place.
Here is the link of the official website of BAF Museum: http://www.bafmuseum.mil.bd/
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[name] => Fultala Daksmindihi Rabindra Complex
[post_id] => 18397
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/fultala-daksmindihi-rabindra-complex/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Fultola-300x225.jpg
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In Fultala Union, Khulna there is a Rabindra Memorial Complex built in memory of the Great Poet Rabindranath Tagore. It was the house of Rabindranath Tagore's in-laws, which was converted into a memorial complex after renovation.
At age 22, Rabindranath got married to a girl named "Vabatarini". Later she was introduced as Mrinalini Devi. It is assumed that the father of Mrinalini was involved in supervising the business of the Tagore family. Before his marriage, all of Rabindranaths kith and kin came to Pithavoge and stayed here. Then they went to Fulpur (Daksmindihi) to visit the bride. After that the marriage took placce at Kolkata.
Now the two storied building has been decorated and renovated after receiving a government fund and was turned into a museum and photo gallery. Some rare photos of Rabindranath Tagore is showcased here. Some important documents about Tagore's publications are also displayed here. A bust of Rabindranath Tagore is also there. Every year on 25-27 Baishakh (after the Bengali New Year Celebration), cultural programs are held here which lasts for three days.
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[name] => Mymensingh Museum
[post_id] => 22188
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/mymensingh-museum/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/P_20151013_160427_1_p-169x300.jpg
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Mymensingh Museum (ময়মনসিংহ জাদুঘর), formerly known as Momenshahi Museum (মোমেনশাহী জাদুঘর) is located at the bagan bari (garden house) of Zamindar Madan Babu at 17 Amrita (অমৃত) Babu Road, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The museum, which began as an important regional institution for preservation of locally collected historical evidence, lacks proper preservation. Its objective is to preserve the rare and unique relics of local architecture, sculpture, metal works,utensils, handwritten scripts on paper and leaf, and commercial products. Collected from the palaces of Mymensingh District Zamindars, the museum's initial collection included 214 articles. They are housed in three rooms within the museum.
The museum was established in 1969 at the initiative of the-then Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh. Initially run by the Mymensingh Municipality. The Department of Archaeology, Cultural Affairs Ministry took charge of the museum in 1989. By 1995, it was enlisted in the gazette.
The collection includes manuscripts and coins, though many are not on display due to insufficient showcase space. A peacock mummy comes from Mymensingh Medical College. Bamboo and cane items, preserved birds, photographs and pottery were damaged during a renovation in 1999–2001.
Several articles were collected from Zamindar palaces. The Muktagacha zamindar palace contribution includes a stone flower vase, a compass, antique clocks, Bakharee (an ornament), pottery, weaving machines, ornamental flower tub stands, candle stands, iron shelves and sports items. Statuary and sculptures include those of Saraswati, Vishnu, and a dragon.
Natural history items include a tiger head, two deer heads, and the head of a wild bull. Elephant heads, a sofa set, Italian statues, and a huge shade used during hunting come from the Gouripur(গৌরীপুর) zamindar palace. A rhinoceros hide and a table with a marble stone top were acquired from the Atharabari (আঠারোবাড়ি) zamindar palace .The museum contains many paintings of rural Bengal.
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