Array
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[0] => Array
(
[name] => Ruplal House: The Magnificent Past of Farashganj
[post_id] => 7443
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/ruplal-house-farashganj/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Ruplal-house-Farashganj1-300x240.jpg
[post_content] =>
The year was 1888. Viceroy Lord Dufferin of India was scheduled to visit these parts on an official tour during the then British Raj. A grand Ballroom Dancing program was organized by the English in honor of the Viceroy. And thus began a search for a suitable venue which was not only beautiful enough to be fitting of such an occasion but was also equipped with all appropriate amenities and facilities. In line with this requirement, three houses were short listed: Ahsan Manzil, the current Banga Bhaban (President’s Residence) & the Ruplal House. Finally, due to modernity of all the facilities available, its incomparable beauty and it’s grand architectural style the Ruplal House was chosen as the site for this grand program.
Ruplal House (Rooplal House) is located at Farashganj, just beside the bank of the Buriganga River. It was built by two prominent merchant brothers from Dhaka, Ruplal and Raghunath Das. It cannot exactly be determined how old the building actually is, but according to the locals there it may be around 150-200 years old.
Apart from Ruplal House, there is another adjoining buildings both of which have almost similar architectural styles, but the Ruplal House is the most beautiful one among the others. Nowadays Ruplal House is known as Zakir House, and the other one is known as Noorjahan House. However, nowadays inside both the buildings you'll find a vibrant spice and vegetable market.
The house has more than 50 rooms including a Hall Room, all of which are large and spacious consistent with the architecture of those time. The building has large cylindrical columns in line with the architectural styles of Ancient Greek buildings. Also top of the building, especially the ledges are also decorated with intricate designs reminiscent of Greek Architure as well as the Victorian Castles of England. But now a days, mostly due to the lack of maintenance, trees and unbridled weeds have grown up the wall of the building.
No one is available there to clean the premises &/or maintain it and also inside the building you'll find unauthorized people living. Recently Bangladesh government has announced this as archaeological property, but as of yet no action taken to preserve it.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Bangladesh Air Force Museum
[post_id] => 10796
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/air-force-museum/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/air-force-museum1-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
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/
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Nilphamari Museum
[post_id] => 6266
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/nilphamari-museum/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/offroadbangladeshlogo2-300x178.png
[post_content] =>
The past administration office of Nilphamari mahakuma (sub-division) is now known as Nilphamari Museum. Many signs of the history and heritage of Nilphamari are restored here. It is situated in Nilphamari headquarters.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Ulpur Zamindar Bari
[post_id] => 18413
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/ulpur-zamindar-bari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Ulpur-Jomidarbari-1-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
During 1850, the greater Gopalganj area was ruled by the Zamindar. At that time, they made hundreds of buildings for their residence and official purposes. The buildings were made in the traditional Zamindar Bari look and style. In the last 150 years, most of the houses were destroyed by erosion. After being taken by the government, the authority turned some of these houses into government buildings. Now, most of the houses are abandoned or occupied by local people.
There is a cluster of old buildings in the Ulpur Area which is situated in the Gopalgonj - Takerhat highway, not so far from the Gopalgonj main town. As soon as you cross the Ulpur bridge from Ulpur bazar, the buildings start to appear. The first one was used as the Union Land Office (Government) but is now abandoned. The local people over there are now using it to stock fodder.
The second was probably used as a duplex residential complex but now is being used as the Sub Post Office. The surrounding environment is good and the building is covered by bamboo stocks. In the main road, there is a large old building, which was probably the main building. Outside this building the words "Dinesh Dham" in Bengali is carved in a white slate. This building is currently occupied by some local inhabitants.
If we go farther, then we will see another broken house formerly used as the Upazilla Registry office, now almost completely in ruins. "Din-Dham" in Bengali is also carved outside he building in white stone.
The overall environment of this village is very good and peaceful. Walking for an hour in the silence of this area will be relaxing. The most attractive structure is the Temple. The walls of the temple is decorated with colorful glass & ceramics. The temple looks good but it is also abandoned so the temple has shifted into a newly constructed building.
)
)