Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => R N Saha House
[post_id] => 10279
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/r-n-saha-house/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/414-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
R N Saha House is located at Nawabganj, which is now owned by a local businessman, under renovation. This house is situated just beside the river Isamati. The name of the house is named after a rich Merchant named Radha Nath Saha. It is believed that, this place will be turned into a tourist attractive spot very soon.
Sree Dulal Chandra Saha owned this palatial house, informed that the house was built in the middle of 1825 to 1850 at the time of Late Nagendra Chandra Saha (a Merchant).This house was built by Nabo Kumar Saha, father of Nagendra Kumar Saha. This family was a Merchant Family, Trading was their main business. They have established more business center in Kolkata, Madangonj, Barisal, Serpur and Murshidabad.
The merchants of this Palatial house once maintained family relation with many elite Zamindar familys of undivided India, i.e Baliaty, Nagarpur, Chadda rashi, Vaggo kul and Mr.R.P.Saha.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Nagar Kasba
[post_id] => 8573
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nagar-kasba/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Nogor-Kosba-2-300x169.jpg
[post_content] => Kasba (কসবা) is an administrative unit of the Sultani rulers (1342-1576). The administrative units, such as Iqta(ইকতা), Erta (ইরতা), Iqlim (ইখলিম), and Kasba (কসবা) have been mentioned in the contemporary texts.
So far 37 Kasbas could be traced in the region of Bangladesh, most of which had been within or near about the present district towns. The distance between one Kasba from another varied. It is noticed that official titles were associated with some of the kasbas. We can exemplify Kazir Kasba (কাজীর কসবা), Kotowaler Kasba(কোতওয়ালির কসবা), Nagar Kasba(নগর কসবা) etc. Considering the location, distance of one from another, communication system with the central or Provincial Capital, attachment of official titles etc it is assumed that Kasba were administrative units and were equivalent to districts. An administrative officer, a Quazi (কাজী) and a Kotwal(কোতওয়াল) were in charge of a Kasba.
In this complex of many buildings we can detect several names of businessman who built those in different period of time in 19th Century.
While most of the Kasbas lost their former importance during the Mughal period, Munshiganj, or Bikrampur, as it was known earlier, flourished as an important district through a rich combination of education, economy, literary & cultural pursuits. Therefore, the Nagar Kasba of Munshiganj stood with its importance through the course of time. It is believed that during the British rule, especially during the later part of the 19th century, Nagar Kasba was rebuilt as a residential area of wealthy predominantly Hindu business people, who mostly traded through the river port of Mirkadim.
After the Partition of India (1947), it is believed that most of the Hindu wealthy families migrated to Kolkata. Those who decided to stay back, to tend to their established businesses soon began to find it difficult. As sporadic communal riots continued, the exodus continued till the late 1950s. Families often left silently at night, leaving behind all their belongings. Those who still chose to stay, almost completely left for India during our Liberation War in 1971.
During these dire times, most of these full-furnished wealthy houses fell vacant and remained untended for a long time. Gradually, over time, these empty houses began to be taken over by influential locals. The descendents of these grabbers now own these properties, and live in the dilapidated buildings. It therefore is not surprising that a house that looks like it was purposely built for Hindu owners now adorns the names of Muslim people.
Even in its latest hay days in the later part of the 19th century, Nagar Kasba was a row of magnificent houses, mostly of two floors, though not too large, but built in British colonial styles. The intricate designs and motifs that remain on the walls and pillars are testament to the wealth and taste of the owners. Unfortunately, almost all are now in ruins, where some have even been demolished by present day owners.
)
[2] => 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.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Pailgaon Zamindar Bari{:}{:bn}পাইলগাঁও জমিদারবাড়ী{:}
[post_id] => 22961
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/pailgaon-zamindar-bari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/P_20151014_130750_1_p-300x169.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Pailgaon Zamindar Bari is one of the remarkable old structures of Jagannathpur in Sunamganj. This 300 years old palace was established on 5.5 acres of land.
The last person of this Zamindar family was Brajendra Narayan Chowdhury. He was a famous politician at that time and a member of the congress of Sylhet too at that time.
The place is situated near the bank of Kushiara river in Sunamganj District. It is at Pailgaon Union under Jagannathpur Upazila.
History of this place: Thousand years ago, decedents of Pal Dynasty lived here. As time goes, "Das" family took their place. Pir Mohammad Badsha (Muslim Rulers) gave them the title - "Chowdhury". Ram and Sreeram were two descendants of this bloodline. One of their descendants Madhab Ram gained much popularity in his locality at that time. He did a lot of social welfare.
Their descendants Brojnath had two sons. Their named were Roshomoy Chowdhury and Sukhumoy Chowdhury. The place is locally known by the name after of Zamindar Roshomoy Chowdhury. The last ruler of the family was famous Brajendra Narayan Chowdhury.
{:}{:bn}প্রাচীন পুরাকীর্তির অন্যতম নিদর্শন সুনামগঞ্জের জগন্নাথপুর উপজেলার পাইলগাঁও জমিদারবাড়ী। প্রায় সাড়ে ৫ একর ভূমির ওপর প্রতিষ্ঠিত তিন শত বছরেরও বেশী পুরানো এ জমিদার বাড়ীটি এ অঞ্চলের ইতিহাস-ঐতিহ্যের নিদর্শন ।এ জমিদার পরিবারের শেষ জমিদার ব্রজেন্দ্র নারায়ণ চৌধু রী ছিলেন প্র খ্যাত শিক্ষাবিদ ও রাজনীতিবিদ। তিনি ছিলেন সিলেট বিভাগের কংগ্রেস সভাপতি এবং আসাম আইন পরিষদের সদস্য। সিলেট বিভাগের সুনামগঞ্জ জেলায় জগন্নাথপুর উপজেলার অধীন ৯ নম্বার পাইলগাও ইউনিয়নের পাইলগাও গ্রামে ঐতিহ্যবাহি এ জমিদারীর অবস্থান। জমিদার বাড়ী দক্ষিণ দিকে সিলেটের কুশিয়ারা নদী বহমান। প্রখ্যাত ঐতিহাসিক অচ্যূতচরণ চৌধুরী পাইলগাও জমিদার বংশের রসময় বা রাসমোহন চৌধুরী হতে প্রাপ্ত সূত্রেলিখেছেন যে; পাইলগাওয়ে বহুপূর্বকালে পাল বংশীয় লোক বসবাস করত। এ গোষ্টিয় পদ্মলোচন নামক ব্যক্তির এক কন্যার নাম ছিল রোহিণী। কোন এক কারণে রাঢ দেশের মঙ্গলকোট হতে আগত গৌতম গোত্রীয় কানাইলাল ধর রোহিণীকে বিবাহ করত গৃহ-জামাতা হয়ে এখানেই বসবাস শুরুকরেন। কানাইলাল ধরের আট পুরুষ পরে বালক দাস নামের এক ব্যক্তির উদ্ভব হয়। এ বালক দাস থেকে এ বংশ বিস্তৃত হয়। বালক দাসের কয়েক পুরুষ পর উমানন্দ ধর ওরফে বিনোদ রায় দিল-ীর মোহাম্মদ শাহ বাদশা কর্তৃ ক চৌধুরী সনদ প্রাপ্তহন। বিনোদ রায়ের মাধব রাম ও শ্রীরাম নামে দুই পুত্রের জন্মহয়। তার মধ্যেমাধব রামজনহিতকর কর্মপালনে নিজ গ্রাম পাইলগাঁও এ এক বিরাট দীঘি খনন করে সুনাম অর্জন করেন। তার দেয়া উক্তদীঘি আজও ঐ অঞ্চলে মাধব রামের তালাব হিসেবে পরিচিতহচ্ছে। মাধব রামের দুই পুত্র মদনরাম ও মোহনরাম । উক্ত মোহনরামের ঘরে দুর্লভরাম, রামজীবন, হুলাসরাম ও যোগজীবন নামে চার পুত্রের জন্ম হয়। এই চার ভাই দশসনা বন্দোবস্তের সময় কিসমত আতুয়াজানের ১থেকে ৪ নং তালুকের যতাক্রমে বন্দোবস্তগ্রহন করে তালুকদার নাম ধারণ করে। এদের মধ্যে হুলাসরাম বানিয়াচং রাজ্যের দেওয়ানি কার্যালয়ে উচ্চ পদের কর্মচারীনিযুক্ত হন। হুলাসরাম চৌধুরী বানিয়াচং রাজ্যের রাজা দেওযান উমেদ রাজারঅনুগ্রহে আতুয়াজান পরগণায় কিছু ভূমি দান প্রাপ্তহন। হুলাসরামের প্রাপ্তভূমির কিছু কিছু চাষযোগ্যও কিছু ভূমি চাষ অযোগ্যছিল। পরবর্তিতে হুলাসরাম চাষ অযোগ্য ভূমিগুলোকে চাষযোগ্যকরে তুললে এগুলোই এক বিরাট জমিদারীতে পরিণত হয়ে উঠে। হুলাস রামের ভাতুষ্পুত্রবিজয়নারায়ণের একমাত্রপুত্রব্র জনাথ চৌধুরীজমিদারি বর্ধিত করে এক প্রভাবশালী জমিদারে পরিণত হন। ব্রজনাথ চৌধুরীর দুইপুত্ররসময় ও সুখময় চৌধুরী। রসময় চৌধুরীর পুত্র ব্রজেন্দ্রনারায়নই ছিলেন এবংশের শেষ জমিদার।{:}
)
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