Judge Bari and Ukil Bari
Type: অট্টালিকা
Contributed By:
Brief
Traveling Nawabganj without paying a visit to Judge Bari and Ukil Bari (জজ বাড়ি এবং উকিল বাড়ি) (formerly known as Brojo Kutir) is nearly incomplete trip. Originally it was built as the residence of a Zamindar over a century ago, the Brojo Niketan was acquired by a judge in 1984, and henceforth became known locally as the judge bari, the residence of the judge.
Next door to the judge bari, on a corner of a sprawling playground made famous by the sheer attendance of Mahatma Gandhi in 1940, is another Zamindar’s house, which has been acquired by a lawyer, and thus taken the new name Ukil Bari.
In a small shrine between these two old palatial houses, one will come across a statue whose head has been knocked down, allegedly by the Pakistan Army during our Liberation War in 1971, supposedly of Gautama Buddha.
A little inside the Ansar controlled areas, one would come across the Brojo Kutir – the older palace of the Zamindar, and yet another palatial house of Kokil Peyari. It has now turned into a local picnic spot.
How to go
It’s just few steps away from Kolakupa Bus stop. It’s southward from the Bus stop. One can reach there by foot or riding on a Rickshaw from Kolakupa Bus stand.
How To Reach: নবাবগঞ্জ উপজেলা
Once you are determined to get there at Nawabganj, then it’s not something to plan for a long journey from Gulistan or Sayedabad Bus stop. Just take a Bus moving towards Nawabgaj or Dohar area, You will find yourself reach there within 45-60 minutes after departing, if the traffics is in your favor.
There are several buses moving towards Nawabganj from Dhaka. Among those
N-Mollik and
Jamuna Relax are very popular public buses available all the day long from Gulistan Bus stop.
Where to Stay
There are a couple of options available to stay at Nawabganj. Among those-
1. Shamim Guest House, Kolakopa
2. Kolakhopa Guest House, Kolakopa
3. Nawabganj Residential Hotel, Just at the other side of Jontrail bridge Proprietor: Sayed Mahfuzul Karim
Address: Nawabganj, Dhaka.
Cell: 01798831170
Things to do
This is one of the few places in Nawabganj Upazila belonging enormous beauty as a classical architecture. This palatial house is a very attractive location for tourist. Observe the beauty of this architecture.
Eating Facilities
Referred to where to eat at Nawabganj, click here
The splendid building still stands tall along the bank of the Kumar River beckoning the people passing by it to have a look of its grandeur and magnificence. None can resist the temptation of taking a look at the captivating old structure when one passes by it.
In the absence of proper maintenance and renovation, weeds have grown in and around the house while the mossy bricks are crumbling down from the decaying structure. The house has lost much of its charm of terracotta due to the authorities’ negligence. Locals have already taken away many of the bricks, plaques, wooden doors and windows. The house has become a safe haven for drug addicts and gamblers due to lack of proper initiatives for its preservation and maintenance. Local people use the building as their cowshed and it has turned into the public toilet.
