Nagarpur Zamindar Bari, Tangail

Brief

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.

How to go

How To Reach: টাঙ্গাইল জেলা

It would take approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to go Tangail from Dhaka City, via Kaliakair and Tongi. The distance is around 84.0 km. From Mohakhali (মহাখালী) bus terminal, several buses use to run for this district. It takes around 2-3 hours to reach there. Probably the Nirala (নিরালা) is the best service. After that Jhotila (ঝটিকা), Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) can be second choice. Also, you can go there by train, but I don’t know much about locomotive services.

Mohera Zamindar Bari, Tangail

Brief

It is not sure but people believed that they have started their Zamindari somewhere around 1890. First Zamindar (জমিদার) was Kalichoron Shaha (কালিচরণ সাহা). Beside their Land Lordship, they have conducted trading related to Jute and Salt. They were the owner of huge land properties from different part of Bangladesh. During country division and war, most of them moved into India. Only very few are living at Tangail. Their attractive edifices are now become a tourist spot. Since they were rich, people says they have built those building before establishing their Zamindari (জমিদারী). Mohera Zamindar Bari has several main buildings. Each of those are presented below with short description.

Chowdhury Lodge (চৌধুরী লজ): After entering the Zamindar mansion premise through the main gate, Choudhury Lodge is the first building that you’ll find. It’s a pink colored building having Roman/Greek styled pillars at the front side. The rich ornate building is having corrugated at the roof from inside.

Its a two stored building having a garden in front of it. This building is beautiful from the back side too. There is a playground for the kids available there.

Ananda Lodge (আনন্দ লজ): In my opinion, Ananda lodge is the most stylish building from the entire premise. This building has a touch of white and blue. It has eight columns in front of the building.
Most attractive part of the building is the small hanging balcony at second floor. It seems like someone like Juliet used to pass her afternoon there. This building has a lovely garden at front side.

Moharaj Lodge (মহারাজ লজ): This is a pink colored building having byzantine design. Similar to other buildings it has 6 columns at the front side. The stair in front of the building has a curved railing which just increased its beauty.

Similar to other buildings it is a two storied building having a garden at front. Behind the garden has a tennis court. The Moharaj Lodge and the Ananda Lodge are adjoining.

Kalichoron Lodge (কালিচরণ লজ): This building is built during the last portion of the Jomidari Era. Thats why this one is looking different than other three. It is having more rooms compare to any others from the premise.
Architecture of the building is somewhat similar to the colonial era buildings. The shape of the building is like the letter ‘U’ in English alphabet. During the noon-afternoon, you’ll find a play of light and shadow for that shape from the inside of the building.

Other Edifices (অন্যান্য ভবন): Beside the attractive arhitectured buildings, the Zomidar premise has other buildings named as Kachari Bhobon(কাচারী ভবন), Nayeb Bhobon(নায়েব ভবন), Rani Bhobon(রানী মহল), etc. Also you’ll find several large ponds around the premise. Those are named as Bishaka Shagor, Poshra Shagor, etc.
1. Kachari Bhobon(কাচারী ভবন)
2. Nayeb Bhobon(নায়েব ভবন)

How to go

1) A bus from Mohakhali(মহাখালী) terminal of Dhaka will take you near to the Jomidar Palace. Best available bus services are Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) Service, Jhotika(ঝটিকা) Service, etc. These are direct bus for Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). Ask the bus to drop you at Natia Para(নাটিয়া পারা). This stoppage is just after the Pakulla of Mirzapur(পাকুল্লা, মির্জাপুর). GPS coordinate of Natia Para(নাটিয়া পারা) is (24°10’24.32″N, 90° 1’1.49″E)

2. From the Natia Para(নাটিয়া পারা) bazaar, you can take CNG auto, Tempo, Rickshaw, etc to reach the Mohera Police Training Center, where the Jomidar bari(মহেরা জমিদার) exist. GPS coordinate of the Mohera Jomidar Bari(মহেরা জমিদার বাড়ী) is (24° 9’44.49″N, 90° 2’31.99″E).

You can use your own vehicle for the short trip. If you do so, that case turn right from the Dhaka-Tangail highway at GPS point(24° 9’52.55″N, 90° 1’3.01″E).

Korotia Zamindar Bari and Mosque, Tangail

Brief

Korotia Zamindar Bari (করটিয়া জমিদার বাড়ি) is located at the Korotia of Tangail (করটিয়া, টাঙ্গাইল). The famous Zamindar (জমিদার) of Tangail, Wajed Ali Khan Panni (ওয়াজেদ আলী খান পান্নি) built that palace beside the Putia River (পুটিয়া নদী) at Korotia (করটিয়া). The whole Zamindar palace premise having 1000m x 500m dimension comprises of lot of old buildings and ponds.

The main gate of the building is currently locked and no outsiders are entertained to have an entry. So if you go there, make sure you can have an entry, or you have to return from there without visiting that archaic building. According to the local people, the palace is open for public at 1st and 12th boishak (বৈশাখ) of Bengali calendar, and the two Eid days.

Near the Zamindar Bari (জমিদার বাড়ি) an old mosque is available. The mosque is having eight domes in two rows. First row is having five equal sized smaller domes and the second one is having three domes where middle one is the largest. At the eastern side of the mosque, a 15 feet tall minaret is available with old stairs. I don’t know the exact built date of the mosque. If you know, you can share as a comment at below.

How to go

1. Take a bus from Mohakhali (মহাখালী) Bus Stand and come to Korotia (করটিয়া). Best bus services are Nirala, Jhotika, Dholeswari (নিরালা, ধলেশ্বরী, ঝটিকা), etc. Bus fare is 100-120. GPS of the Korotia (করটিয়া) Bus Stoppage is (24°12’32.06″N, 89°58’50.33″E). It will take around 3 hours to reach there.

2. From the Korotia (করটিয়া) stoppage, take a rickshaw or auto to reach at the Zamindar (জমিদার) Palace premise. GPS of the palace is (24°13’24.59″N, 89°58’43.25″E). It will take around 10 minutes to reach there by spending 10-15 taka.

3. GPS of the mosque is (24°13’20.08″N, 89°58’46.74″E).

How To Reach: Tangail District

It would take approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to go Tangail from Dhaka City, via Kaliakair and Tongi. The distance is around 84.0 km. From Mohakhali (মহাখালী) bus terminal, several buses use to run for this district. It takes around 2-3 hours to reach there. Probably the Nirala (নিরালা) is the best service. After that Jhotila (ঝটিকা), Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) can be second choice. Also, you can go there by train, but I don’t know much about locomotive services.

Hemnagar Zamindar Bari, Tangail

Brief

Hemnagar Zamindar Bari (হেমনগর জমিদার বাড়ি) is a less highlighted edifice from Bangladesh. Not that much tourists Hemnagar Zamindar Bari (হেমনগর জমিদার বাড়ি) is a less highlighted edifice from Bangladesh. Not that much tourists use to travel here despite of having everything to become a promising tourist attraction from Bangladesh. Only local people from around use to visit here. It was built by the prominent Hindu Zamindar (জমিদার) from Tangail (টাংগাঈল) district named Hemchandra Choudhury (হেমচন্দ্র চৌধুরী) at 1890.

The Main building at the front side has two small statues of angel at the top. That’s why local people know this as Porir Dalan (পরীর দালান) which means a Palace of Angel. Main building of this Zamindar Bari (জমিদার বাড়ি) is currently using as an administrative building of Hemnagar (হেমনগর) Degree College, but the other buildings at the back side is empty right now. There it has approximately 25 rooms inside.

Front side of the building is having the best styles from the whole premise. It is highly ornate at the walls using colorful glasses. Every inches of the walls, pillars, and the archways are flourished with flowers, vines, stars, etc formed using those colorful glasses.

The Zamindar (জমিদার) was slight cruel and rude on the peasants. They were coerced to follow few rules. For example, if anyone wanted to pass this palace premise, he/she must had to continuously keep vowing and walking backwards with bare feet. Such things must have poured the heart of locals with hatred and grief. That’s why the powerful Zamindar (জমিদার) had to escape from the place during the country’s separation. Along with the buildings, the whole premise was having 7 massive ponds (only few are right now available). Local people say those 7 ponds are for the seven ladies (daughters and sisters of the Zamindar). Dhonbari Zamindar Bari is very near from this place.

How to go

Hemnagar Zamindar Bari (হেমনগর জমিদার বাড়ি) is located at the Hemnagar (হেমনগর) of Bhuapur Upazila (ভুয়াপুর উপজেলা) of Tangail (টাংগাঈল) district of Bangladesh. This Zamindar Bari (জমিদার বাড়ি) has a bookish name as “Angel Palace”, but local people know this as Hemnagar Rajbari (হেমনগর রাজবাড়ী) or Hemnagar Rajbari (হেমনগর রাজবাড়ী) College.

1) There are two ways you can take to come at Tangail (টাংগাঈল) district from Dhaka. Using bus or using Train. From Tangail (টাংগাঈল), just hire any CNG driven auto rickshaw to drop you at Hemnagar (হেমনগর). It will be around 200 taka or less.

2) Another option can be coming at Gopalpur (গোপালপুর) or Bhuapur Thana (ভুয়াপুর থানা) using direct bus from Mohakhali (মহাখালী) Bus Terminal. After that use CNG vehicles to reach near to the palace premise. GPS coordinate of the Hemnagar Zamindar Bari (হেমনগর জমিদার বাড়ি) is (24°33’56.41″N, 89°51’12.50″E).

How To Reach: Tangail District

It would take approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to go Tangail from Dhaka City, via Kaliakair and Tongi. The distance is around 84.0 km. From Mohakhali (মহাখালী) bus terminal, several buses use to run for this district. It takes around 2-3 hours to reach there. Probably the Nirala (নিরালা) is the best service. After that Jhotila (ঝটিকা), Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) can be second choice. Also, you can go there by train, but I don’t know much about locomotive services.

Dhanbari Nawab Manzil, Tangail.

Brief

Dhanbari Nawab Manzil (ধনবাড়ি নবাব মনজিল) is locally known as Nawab Bari (নবাব বাড়ী). This is now owned by the descendants of Nawab Ali Chowdhury (নবাব আলী চৌধুরী). They have been taking a good care of this palace and also built several cottages inside the premise for the tourists for staying. This is the only heritage resort from our Bangladesh. This is also known as Dhanbari (ধনবাড়ী) Royal Resort. Inside the premise is very much neat and clean, adequate amount of stuffs and guards are around there to take care of everything.

Most of the Zamindar (জমিদার) mansions from Bangladesh were owned by the Hindu Zamindar (জমিদার). After the division of the country during 1947, and also later 1971, most of those powerful owners were coerced to leave the country, or cringed away to avoid the secular vandalism. Which results their mammoth mansions left unprotected. Later government has taken control of few of those buildings and used as their official purpose (which are still in a presentable state). But others are in total ruin by now a days for lack of care. 

But this Nawab (নবাব) Palace is totally different from those. As it was owned by the Muslim landlords, they didn’t have to leave the country or had nothing to fear. They were powerful during their ruling period. And yet still they are powerful on that region now a days. That’s why this palace is still in a very good condition and has been taken proper care to maintain its state.

This palace was built by the Nawab Ali Chowdhury (নবাব আলী চৌধুরী) during 1919 to invite the British Lord Ronaldshay. He Came near Koyra (কয়ড়া) using the Steamer and had a reception with 30 elephants. [Reference: www.dctangail.gov.bd].

One of the decedents from the Nawab (নবাব) Family named Nawab Hasan Ali Chowdhury (নবাব হাসান আলী চৌধুরী) was the Industrial Minister during the reign of East Pakistan. Also he was a member of the Parliament during 1978. Later, after his death, his daughter Saiyeda Asheka Akbar (সৈয়দা আশেক আকবর) was the member of the Parliament during 1981. This information will give you an idea about their power and now you understand why the palace is still in a good condition.

You’ll require to buy a ticket for 30 Taka to enter inside the palace premise. Each ticket is valid for 2 hours of visiting. The area is highly secured and the stuffs and guards around there are very much friendly. No unauthorized entries are entertained there. So no one will bother you while you are enjoying the surroundings.

How to go

Best way to go there using the private vehicles. Cause the available bus service is not that much handy. The service of that Bus is very poor. Using your private vehicle it will require around 4-4.5 hours to reach there.

If you want to use public transport, then Binimoy (বিনিময়) Bus Service is the option. This will start from Dhaka-Mohakhali (মহাখালী) Bus Terminal and stops exactly at the Dhanbari (ধনবাড়ী), beside the palace. Since this is a very much local service and has hundreds of stoppage, it will take around 6-7 hours to reach near there (or even more). For your information, that bus takes people standing inside, like the local bus of Dhaka.

Another option could be the Nirala (নিরালা) Bus service. Using that from Mohakhali (মহাখালী), you can come to the Tangail (টাঙ্গাইল) within around 3 hours. It’s a direct bus service with no stoppage. From Tangail (টাঙ্গাইল), you can use CNG auto rickshaw to reach near the palace. It will be around 2 hours of CNG ride.

Another option can be coming at Tangail (টাঙ্গাইল) is using the train service. But the train’s time schedule is not that much reliable in Bangladesh. So choice is yours.

How To Reach: Tangail District

It would take approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to go Tangail from Dhaka City, via Kaliakair and Tongi. The distance is around 84.0 km. From Mohakhali (মহাখালী) bus terminal, several buses use to run for this district. It takes around 2-3 hours to reach there. Probably the Nirala (নিরালা) is the best service. After that Jhotila (ঝটিকা), Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) can be second choice. Also, you can go there by train, but I don’t know much about locomotive services.