Ulpur Zamindar Bari
Type: Building / Skyscraper
Contributed By:
Brief
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.
How to go
How To Reach: Gopalganj District
Gopalganj district is located 140 km away from Dhaka via Mawa Ferry Ghat.
1. Modhumoti Paribahan
Gopalganj to Saydabad/Gulistan via Mawa Ferry Ghat
Mobile: 01716019937 (Gopalganj)
01711900619 (Dhaka)
2. Tungipara Express
Gopalganj to Saydabad/Gulistan via Mawa Ferry Ghat
Mobile: 01716479631 (Gopalganj)
01716211642 (Dhaka)
3. dola Paribahan
Gopalganj to Saydabad/Gulistan via Mawa Ferry Ghat
mobile: 01711311756 (Gopalganj)
01199030181 (Dhaka)
4. Comfort Line
Gopalganj to Saydabad/Gulistan via Paturia Ferry Ghat
Mobile: 01716453061
Where to Stay
1. Circuit House, Gopalganj
Contact to: Nejarot ( নেজারত ) Deputy Collector
Phone: 02-6685234 & 02-6685565
2. Zilla Parishad Cottage, Gopalganj
Contact to: Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad
Phone: 0668-61204
3. Hotel Modhumoti, Tungipara, Gopalganj
Contact to: Mr. Sheikh Ahmed Hossain Mirza
Phone: 02-6656349
Mobile: 01712-563227
4. Hotel Rana, Chourangi, Gopalganj
Contact to: Mr. Siraj Uddin Ahmed
Phone: 02-6685172
5. Hotel Shohag, Post Office Road, Gopalganj
Contact to: Mr. Shohrab Hossain
Phone: 0668-61740
Things to do
Photography of the Old Buildings.
Eating Facilities
Local restaurants at Ulpur bazar. Comparatively better restaurant in Gopalgonj Sadar.
Travel Tips
If you are a student of Architecture then you may bring your sketch book.
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.
