Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Tokani Pal House
[post_id] => 8643
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/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.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Chondro Mohol{:}{:bn}চন্দ্রমহল{:}
[post_id] => 6479
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/chondro-mohol/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Chondro-Mohol-Bagerhat-031-300x214.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
There is a picnic spot located at the village near Ronojitpur (রণজিতপুর). It is based on a house named Chondro Mohol. It was probably built by someone named Saiyad Amanul Huda Selim, who was a naval officer. Chondra (চন্দ্রা) is the name of his wife and the name of the house is given after her. Lot of local visitors use to come here every day. It was free once upon a time, but now a days they have put an entry fee to enter. Its 20 Taka these days. Apart from the house, the area is nicely decorated with flowers. Also it has symbolic sculptures to depict the lost culture of our Bangladesh. It has a mini zoo at one corner, and has several ponds around.
The house Chondro Mohol (চন্দ্র মহল) is surrounded by water and to reach there you have to go through an underpass that goes under the water. Inside the house, they have placed few stuffs which probably are the collected things from several part of the world (as a hobby, or during their traveling).
{:}{:bn}
চন্দ্রমহল নামে একটি ভবনকে কেন্দ্র করে রঞ্জিতপুরের কাছে একটি পিকনিক স্পট রয়েছে। সম্ভবত সৈয়দ আমানুল হুদা সেলিম নামক এক ব্যাক্তি এই ভবনটি নির্মাণ করেন এবং তাঁর স্ত্রী চন্দ্রের নামে ভবনটির নামকরণ করেন। তিনি ছিলেন নৌ বাহিনীর একজন কর্মকর্তা। প্রতিদিন অসংখ্য স্থানীয় পর্যটক এখানে আসেন। পূর্বে এখানে ঢুকতে কোন প্রবেশ মূল্য না দিতে হলেও বর্তমানে ২০/- টাকা প্রবেশ মূল্য দিয়ে প্রবেশ করতে হয়। চন্দ্র মহল ছাড়াও পুরো এলাকাটি ফুল দিয়ে চমৎকারভাবে সাজানো হয়েছে। এদেশের হারিয়ে যাওয়া সংস্কৃতিকে এখানে ভাস্কর্যের মাধ্যমে তুলে ধরা হয়েছে। একটি মিনি চিড়িয়াখানা ছাড়াও এখানে বেশ কয়েকটি পুকুরও আছে।
পানি উপর স্থাপিত চন্দ্রমহলে আপনাকে পানির নীচে নির্মিত একটি আন্ডারপাস দিয়ে আসতে হবে। ভবনটির অভ্যন্তরে পৃথিবীর বিভিন্ন অংশে বেড়ানোর সময় সেখান থেকে শখের বশে সংগ্রহ করা বিভিন্ন জিনিসপত্র প্রদর্শিত হচ্ছে।
{:}
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Pal Bari
[post_id] => 8538
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/pal-bari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/PB-2-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Pal Bari (পাল বাড়ি) is one of the renowned historical places in Munshiganj. According to the current inhabitants of the Pal House at Abdullahpur, Kamini Pal and Dwarkanath Pal, the eldest two sons of Tokani Prasad Pal, possibly one of the richest business persons of Bikrampur, established this house around the end of the 19th century.
They added a few more blocks to the house over the years, but lived within the compounds of their father's house, several miles away.
During the liberation war, many of their family members were brutally tortured and killed, prompting the entire clan to leave for Kolkata,India. A few years later Dwarkanath returned, to wind up his businesses here. Dwarkanath Pal, therefore chose to spend his last few years at this house. He decided to stay back in Munshiganj, but could not live in his own house. Many others had occupied most of that property.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Gouripur Lodge
[post_id] => 22266
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/gouripur-lodge/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/P_20151014_090510_1_p-300x169.jpg
[post_content] => Gouripur Lodge (গৌরীপুর লজ) is a signature of golden Zamindari period and an old edifice in Mymensingh town. This archaic building is located near the main town. One can go there using rickshaw easily. It is very near to the Boro Bazar. Though, the purpose and time of establishment is not known to all; however, it can be discovered if further research is conducted there.
It was made using iron, tin and wood. Structure of the building is similar to the Zamindar Mansion of that period. History tells that it was built by Brozendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury (ব্রজেন্দ্র কিশোর রায় চৌধুরী).
Now it is being used as Sonali Bank Corporate office of Mymensingh city. Government officers and few of their subordinates are currently living at that mansion. It has around 20 rooms inside. Anyone can visit there at anytime. You may not have the permission to enter inside, but easily can get access to the mansion premises.
)
)
