Uttara Gonobhaban
Type: Palace
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
Uttara Gonobhaban, often called Dighapatia Raj (sometimes called Dighapatia Raj Paribar literally Dighapatia Royal Family) was a zamindari in present day Rajshahi, which was ruled by this dynasty of 7 generations of Rajas from late 17th century till the mid-20th century; when the democratic government took power after the end of the British Monarchy’s rule in India, in 1950, the East Pakistan government abolished aristocracies and the zamindari system in present day Bangladesh. The family was seated at the Dighapatia Palace.
The family contributed largely to the development in education, infrastructure and culture of Rajshahi and North Bengal. They were especially famous for their generosity and public spirit. The Rajas built the Varendra Research Museum among other institutions of culture and education. The Rajas of Dighapatia were seated at the Dighapatia Palace. They received royal titles and titles of honor from the Mughal Empire such as Raja, Maharaja and Raja Bahadur and other titles from the British Crown, such as the Indian Orders of Knighthood.
It is also known as Maharajas palace. Raja of Dighpatia built it but it is used as residence for head of states in North Bengal. During regime of British Raj, East Pakistan many meetings took place. There is a marble front of late Raja Pramathanath Roy of Dighapatia.
The first Raja was Dayaram Roy who, at a very young age, received the help from Raja Ramjivan Roy, the first Raja of the Natore Raj family, and eventually became his dewan. Raja Dayaram led the army of Raja Ramjivan in aid of the Nawab of Bengal in 1716 and overthrew the rebellious Raja Sitaram Ray, who was a zamindar(and later king, or Raja) of neighboring Bhusna state. The sack of Muhammadpur, Raja Sitaram’s capital, later enabled him to ultimately lay the foundation of the Dighapatia dynasty. For his loyalty, he received large tracts of land in Rajshahi and Jessore as grants and later acquired zamindari in Bogra and Mymensingh.
Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, who was the nawab of Bengal under Emperor Aurangzeb conferred on him the title of ‘Rai-Raiyan’ in recognition of his services. When the Earl Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement Act, a large number of the old feudal lords and zamindars created during the time of the Nawab Murshid Quli Khan could not meet land revenue standards and thus became defaulters. Their estates were sold up to a new class of wealthy lords. The Dighapatia Raj was one of the few remnants of the old decaying ‘jagirdars’. They were avidly following European dress, wine, horse race and various such other external glamour of life. The princely western influence is reflected not only in their palace architecture but also in their furniture and other interior decorations. However, during certain ceremonial occasions they donned extravagant robes, jeweled turbans and carried priceless inlaid swords in dainty scabbard tucked at their waists, following the bygone fashions of the Mughal nobility even when the Mughal dynasty and their imperial rule had faded. Pran Nath Roy and Pramada Nath Roy were some of the important zamindars of Dighapatia.
How to go
Uttara Gonobhaban is 3 km away from Madrasa Mor in Natore Sadar. So you may go there by rickshaw, CNG or auto rickshaw.
How To Reach: Natore Sadar Upazila
1. Shamoli Paribahan:
12, South Kollyanpur, Mirpur Road, Dhaka.
Tel: 02-900331, 02-8034275.
2. Hanif Enterprise:
Dhaka Offices: Panthopath: 0173-402670,
Arambagh: 01713-402671, Sayadabad: 01713-402673
3. Green Line Paribahan:
Kallyanpur Branch: 3/2, South Kallyanpur, Dhaka.
Mobile: 01730-060080.
4. Modern Enterprise (AC Chair Coach)
>>Head Office: Lake Circus, Panthapath, Kalabagan, Dhaka.
Phone: 9123743, 327293
>>Branch Office: Gabtoli Booking Office, Intercity Bus Terminal,
(Counter No. 19), Mirpur, Dhaka. Phone: 806099
Padma Express (Train No 759), Off day-Tuesday, from Dhaka to Rajshahi, Start at 23:10-4:50
Where to Stay
Accommodation facilities in Natore are as follows:
1. Hotel VIP
Address: Borohorishpur, Natore
Direction: 1 km West of Central Bus Terminal and East of Madrasha more.
Phone: 0771-66097, +880 1718 673735
2. Hotel Millat
Address: Madrasha More, Natore Sadar, Natore
3. Hotel Prince
Address: Railway Station Bazar, Natore Sadar, Natore
Phone: 0771-61356
Mobile: 01746029429
4. Hotel Raj
Address: Madrasha More, Natore Sadar, Natore
Phone: 0771-66660
Mobile: 01727371500
5. Hotel Rukhsana
Address: Kanaikhali, Old bus stand, Natore Sadar, Natore
Phone: 0771-62431
Mobile: 01739987017
6. Natore Boarding
Address: Nichabazar, Hospital Road, Natore Sadar, Natore.
Phone: 0771-62001
7. Natore Sugar Mills Guest House
Address: Natore Sugar Mills area, Natore Sadar, Natore
Things to do
- Take pictures for photographic collection.
- Roam around the Bhabon and enjoy the beautiful nature.
Eating Facilities
There are no eating facilities here. You may search for fast food shops or resturants nearby. You may also carry your own food.
This building has gone through several renovation and none of its antiquity left for the visitors. People only used to visit this place for its historical value. During the British period it was repaired heavily at 1807 and 1810. Also during the massive earthquake of 1897 caused a severe damage over this edifice. Now a days it just looks like a modern day's building covering with rich tiles with heavy ornate. The Photograph was taken by Fritz Kapp in 1904 with a view of the Imambara Hussaini Dalan in Dacca (now Dhaka), overlooking the tank.
