Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Boro Katra
[post_id] => 9883
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/boro-katra/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/P_20150610_1254411-169x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
Boro Katra (বড় কাটরা) was built between 1644 and 1646 AD to be the official residence of Mughal prince Shah Shuja, the second son of emperor Shah Jahan. The prince endowed it to his diwan and the builder of the serai, Abul Qasim. The word Katra may have originated from Arabic word Katara which means colonnaded building.
It is a historical and architectural monument located in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.‘Katra or katara’ in Arabic and Persian means ‘Caravan (Karwan) Sarai’ or simply a ‘Sarai’. It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region. It is situated to the south of Chowk Bazar close to the north bank of the river Buriganga.
Words from the Second inscription of north gateway: “Sultan Shah Shuja Bahadur was famed for deeds of charity-Wherefore being hopeful of the mercy of God his slave Abul Qasim al-Husainia-Tabtaba, As Simnai, Built this sacred edifice endowing it with twenty two shops attached to it, o the rightful and lawful condition that the official in charge of the endowment should expend the income derived from them upon the repairs of the building and upon the poor, and that they should not take any rent from any deserving person alighting there in, so that the pious act may reflect upon the monarch in this world and they should not act otherwise, or else they would be called on the day of retribution. This inscription was composed by Sad-ud-din Muhammad Sherazi” (Dacca, p.193 by prof. A.H. Dani)
Architectural Property: The building's architecture follows the traditional pattern of the Central Asia's caravanserai and is embellished as per Mughal architecture. It originally enclosed a quadrangular courtyard surrounded by shops and was overlooked by a row of 22 living cells in each wing. Two gateways were built in the northern and southern wing. The southern wing is a two-storeyed structure and extends 223' along the river. It is marked in the middle by the southern gateway, an elaborate three storied central archway framed within a projected rectangular bay that provides access to the courtyard. The underside of the arched alcove of the gateway is adorned with intricate plasterwork. The wall surface around the spandrels with plastered panels in relief contain a variety of forms such as four-centred, cusped, horse shoe and flat arches. Each wing is two storied and the corners are marked by tall octagonal towers.
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[1] => Array
(
[name] => Bardhan Kuthi
[post_id] => 4413
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/bardhan-kuthi/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DSC08632-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Bardhan Kuthi (বর্ধন কুঠি) is one of the historical places of Gaibandha district. It is situated near the Gobindaganj Upazila of Gaibandha. During the reign of British East-India company Raja Harinath (রাজা হরিনাথ) ruled the Bardhan Kuthi. During the separation of Indian subcontinent the last Ruler of Bardhan kuthi Raja Shoilesh Chandra (রাজা শৈলেশ চন্দ্র) Migrated to India from Bangladesh.
Due to the establishment of Gobindaganj college in this place, We can only observe the relics of Bardhan Kuthi. But it demands more research and discussion, By which we can discover the continuation of distinguish dynasty in Bardhan Kuthi. We may also reveal the valuable information of contemporary Zamindar’s and their lifestyle as well.
Sanjib Roy, grandson of Raja Shoilesh Chandra (রাজা শৈলেশ চন্দ্র), and his family are residing in the following address:
32-Keota Latbagan
Post Office:- Sahaganj
District :-Hooghly
West Bengal
India-712104
To know the original historical Scripture of Bardhan Kuthi,
Click Here
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[2] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Palace Of Queen Mainamati{:}{:bn}রানী ময়নামতির প্রাসাদ{:}
[post_id] => 1369
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/palace-of-queen-mainamati/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/moynamoti-ranir-biharpalace2-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Locally the place is known as Moynamoti Ranir Kuthi or Moynamoti Ranir Banglo. According to Bengali textbook, the name is Moynamoti Ranir Bihar.
Mainamati’s Palace Mound is the largest and highest mound in the northern extremity of the ridge near Mainamati village, just east of Brahmanbaria road. The Gumti River, identified with the ancient river Ksiroda, has now shifted a few hundred yards to the east, but once flowed along its eastern edge, partly washing its northern and southern foot as well. Its old silted up bed is still very clearly traceable.
The site has been traditionally associated with the legendary Chandra Queen, Mainamati, mother of the last known Chandra King, Govinda Chandra, and is popularly regarded to have been the last seat of that dynasty.
Limited excavations here for a season or two have uncovered part of a massive defense wall round different parts of the site, probably a citadel, and the corner of a substantial structure, probably a palace at the center of the site. Scholars widely regard it as the center of Devaparvata, the capital of Samatata.
Written by-[M Harunur Rashid]
{:}{:bn}
স্থানীয়ভাবে এই রাজপ্রাসাদটি ময়নামতি রানীরকুঠি এবং ময়নামতি রানীর বাংলো নামেও পরিচিত। তবে, পাঠ্যবইয়ে এই প্রাসাদটির নাম হল ময়নামতি রানীর বিহার।
{:}
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[3] => Array
(
[name] => Betila House: The Forgotten Palace of Manikganj
[post_id] => 17193
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/betila-house/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Betila-House-2-300x163.jpg
[post_content] =>
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.
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