Bardhan Kuthi

The Betila (বেতিলা) House in Manikganj was built about a century ago by Jyoti Babu (জ্যোতি বাবু) and Satya Babu (সত্য বাবু), a couple of affluent merchants involved in the trade of Jute, the golden fibre of Bangladesh. This palatial house is located in a remote area named Betila which is within the parameters of the modern day Manikganj proper. Explorers/travelers searching for heritage sites in Manikganj over the internet may come across several links of the famous Baliati Zamindar’s Palace but never find any links on Betila. This is primarily because the Betila House was not a Zamindar’s (Land Owner) palace, and secondly since it is located in such a remote area, people hardly know about it. Rich people of those era are known to build such palatial houses in remote areas and live lavish lives, even though they were not 'Zamindars' or royalty.

For someone looking for heritage sites, the Betila Mitra Union of Manikganj would be a fabulous one to come across. It’s situated in semi rural setting (being not too distant from urban areas) and doesn't seem particularly unique on first impression but once you begin to explore it's culture and heritage, beautiful places like the Betila House amongst several others begin to surface. The seemingly tame Betila Canal runs across the area, connecting two major rivers Kaliganga (কালিগঙ্গা) and Dhaleshwari (ধলেশ্বরী) but like most waterways of Bangladesh, one can anticipate its ferocity in full monsoon season when rising water levels which is also evident in the way it has eroded both its banks, specially at the lone bridge that was constructed some time back.

On both the banks one will come across a series of heritage buildings, the pinnacle being on the eastern bank, the Betila Palatial house surrounded by rich foliage. It’s a combined structure of two separate buildings both of which are two-storied, standing almost intact, side by side and with an expansive open field before them.

Chakma Rajbari is one of the most beautiful Rajbari, which is located in Rangamati. This Rajbari was constructed by Raja Tridiv Roy, father of Raja Devasish Roy in 1960 when the earlier palace went under water due to commissioning of Kaptai dam. It has been learnt that Raja Devasish Roy is in Thailand. Every year number of visitors are come here to see this beautiful House. Chakma Rajbari is one of the major visiting attractions in Rangamati. This royal house represents the tradition and culture of Chakma (চাকমা).

Nagarpur Zamindar Bari (নাগরপুর জমিদার বাড়ী) is located at the Nagarpur Upazila of Tangail district. This place is located in an interesting area. It has river Dhaleswari at the eastern side, and the River Jamuna at the western side. It is believed that there were a naval route between the Kolkata and Nagarpur that time. Now the Zamindari system has vanished and it took that route along with that.

The Zamindari of Nagarpur was established during the 19th century by the Jodunath Chowdhury. It's right now a massive complex which is known as Choudhury Bari as well. They are very helpful towards the people of their area. One of the decedent from the family named Suresh Chandra Ray Choudhury was the founder secretary of the famous club East Bengal from this Sub-continent.

Most of the buildings from the complex are in ruin, and few are in good condition. Using those good ones the government has established Nagarpur Mohila Degree College. If you enter inside the dilapidated section of the complex, you can find a hideout for the bats. There are probably thousands of bats rest and start flying away after people’s presence, which create a sharp wind flow from the flapping of the wings of the bats.

This Zamindar Bari (জমিদার বাড়ী) is currently known as Manob Babur Bari (মানব বাবুর বাড়ী) as the current owner's name is Manab Babu (মানব বাবু) who is the last descendent of the Gangatia Zamindar (গাংগাটিয়া জমিদার). Manob Babu (মানব বাবু) has fisheries project near from his house. You can also visit the project with its owner if he is available.

According to the Manob Babu (মানব বাবু), they are the possible smallest Zamindar (জমিদার) from the Bangladesh. Their forefathers came here from India, a Brahmin family (very strictly following Brahmin). During the war of 1971, the Pakistani armies and their Bangladeshi allies have done lot of damage to their house. Right now he is living there with his wife and sister. Neither he nor his brothers (all his brothers are passed away) have any children.

Gangatia Zamindar Bari (গাংগাটিয়া জমিদার বাড়ী) is mainly a small house that is having an array of Roman styled columns at the front. The architecture and the style of the building from the front side is amazingly beautiful. Very few travelers use to visit here. This Zamindar Bari (জমিদার বাড়ী) is a small one, but it has a massive boundary. The front door is also decorated and stylish. (গাংগাটিয়া জমিদার বাড়ী).

গাংগাটিয়ার জমিদারের সর্বশেষ বংশধর মানব বাবু বসবাস করার কারনে বর্তমানে এই জমিদার বাড়িটি মানব বাবুর বাড়ি নামে পরিচিত। জমিদার বাড়ির কাছেই মানব বাবু মাছ চাষ করেন। আপনি চাইলে তার সাথেই মাছের খামার ঘুরে দেখতে পারবেন।

মানব বাবুর ভাষ্যমতে তারা হলেন এদেশের সবচেয়ে ছোট জমিদার পরিবার। তারা হলেন ব্রাহ্মণ গোত্রের এবং তাঁদের পূর্বসূরীরা এখানে ভারত থেকে এসেছিল। ১৯৭১ সালের মুক্তিযুদ্ধের সময় পাকিস্তানী হানাদার বাহিনী ও তাদের এদেশীয় দোসররা জমিদার বাড়িটির ব্যপক ক্ষতিসাধন করে। বর্তমানে মানব বাবু এখানে তার স্ত্রী ও বোনকে নিয়ে বাস করছেন। মানব বাবু এবং তাঁর পরলোকগত কোন ভাইয়েরই কোন সন্তান নেই।

গাংগাটিয়া জমিদার বাড়ির সম্মুখভাগে রোমান স্থাপত্যের কলাম রয়েছে। সামনে থেকে এই জমিদার বাড়িটির স্থাপত্যশৈলী এক কথায় অসাধারণ। এখানে খুব কম পর্যটক বেড়াতে আসেন। ছোট এই জমিদার বাড়িটি বিশাল এলাকার উপর অবস্থিত। জমিদার বাড়ির সম্মুখ দরজাটি নকশায় পরিপূর্ণ।

বাংলাদেশের বেশীরভাগ হিন্দু জমিদার বাড়ি বেশ নাজুক অবস্থায় রয়েছে। বেশীরভাগ হিন্দু জমিদার ধর্মীয় অস্থিরতা এবং অন্যান্য প্রতিকুল পরিস্থিতির কারনে এদেশ ত্যাগ করতে বাধ্য হন। তবে, স্থানীয়দের বন্ধুত্বসুলভ আচরণ এবং সার্বিক সহযোগিতায় এখনও কিছু হিন্দু জমিদার পরিবার গর্বের সাথে বসবাস করছে।