Loading...The centuries-old walls of the Zamindar houses scattered across the country stand as witnesses to time. The decaying layers of lime and mortar hide the rich heritage of prosperity. The intricately designed walls of the Zamindar’s luxurious palaces are not just walls, but pages from a living history book, where our young eyes can catch glimpses of thousands of years of history.
The vast garden in front of the royal palace is also not just a garden; perhaps, a thousand times over, rose petals, Kamini leaves, and other flowers have fallen over the years, but the romantic tales of kings and queens still echo in the leaves, and the touch of a princess can still be felt on the petals.
One such heritage-rich Zamindar house is Dhanbari – the Dhanbari Zamindar Bari. Located in Dhanbari, Tangail, the estate is named after the place. This monumental structure is the legacy of Khan Bahadur Syed Nawab Ali Chowdhury (1863-1929), one of the founders of Dhaka University, the first proposer for Bengali as the state language, and the first Muslim minister in the British government. The Dhanbari Zamindar Bari or Nawab Palace is his immortal creation.
The Zamindar house has a long history. It is believed that during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, Mughal generals Ispinghar Khan and Monwar Khan defeated Dhanpati Singh and established the Zamindari in Dhanbari.
Though the Zamindari system no longer exists in Bangladesh, Dhanbari too is no exception. The Zamindar is no more, but the Nawab Palace, built with lime and mortar, still stands tall, a witness to history, with its grandeur and heritage. Over time, the Zamindar Bari has become an attractive place for tourists due to its exceptional architectural work. The heirs of the Nawab have turned the Zamindar Bari into a picnic spot, which is now famous as the Nawab Syed Hasan Ali Royal Resort. The resort is managed by the private institution Lighthouse Group.
Located between the Banshai and Bairan rivers, this ancient Zamindar house is truly mesmerizing with its architectural style and craftsmanship. However, after the creation of the resort, the Nawab Palace has gained more sophistication and modernity. The palace is a century-old building built in exquisite Mughal architecture with four domes.
The entire Nawab Manzil or Nawab Palace is surrounded by a wall. The palace faces south and has a long veranda. On the eastern side of the building, there is a large gateway. On either side of the gateway, there are two rooms for the guards. The gateway was built by Zamindar Nawab Ali Chowdhury to welcome the British Governor. Inside the walled courtyard, besides the residential buildings, there are also a flower garden, a zoo, a meeting room, Nayeb’s house, Kachari Ghar (office), Paikpeda (guard housing), and a servants’ quarters; these can still be seen today.
Visitors have the opportunity to tour several rooms inside the palace. Moreover, Mughal-era Nawabi items are displayed on the veranda, which you can touch and explore. The antique furniture from the Mughal era will surely fascinate you. Right next to the palace is a large pond covering 30 bighas of land, whose boundaries are almost impossible to trace. Visitors can take a boat ride in two sampans provided for them.
Furthermore, to explore the resort in true Nawabi style, horses and horse-drawn carriages are available. You can also experience the culture and dance of the Garos. For this, you need to inform the resort authorities in advance. Additionally, you can witness the rare art of the Lathi Khela (stick fighting), which is also performed here.
Another major attraction of the resort is the Nawab Mosque. Right next to the Royal Resort stands a 700-year-old mosque, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. The mosaics and intricate marble carvings on the floor of this mosque are extraordinary. Adjacent to the mosque is a room that houses the tomb of Nawab Bahadur Syed Nawab Ali Chowdhury. Since the Nawab’s death in 1929, Quran recitation has been continuously ongoing, without a break, for 24 hours. Currently, seven Qaris (reciters) are employed, and they recite the Quran in turns every two hours.
The mosque, built in Mughal architectural style, has undergone several changes in its structure over time. Attached to the mosque is a beautiful and grand minaret. The mosque is surrounded by a custom of vows and prayers. The mosque is situated on about ten katha of land. Initially, the mosque was rectangular in shape, measuring 13.72 meters (45 feet) in length and 4.57 meters (15 feet) in width, but after renovations, its shape was altered. It is now square-shaped, differing from the traditional three-domed Mughal mosques.
Despite the renovations, the original three domes and five entrances still retain their ancient charm. The mosque’s entrance features three beautifully arch-shaped gateways, along with two additional entrances on the north and south sides. Inside the mosque, three mihrabs are built along the Qibla wall in the traditional style. The central mihrab is adorned with a flower pattern and octagonal arches.
There is a small ancient cemetery, enclosed by a low wall, near the mosque. It is believed that Ispinghar Khan and Monwar Khan established this mosque. The mosque can accommodate up to 200 worshippers at a time, and three hanging chandeliers from the Mughal era still hang inside the mosque.
A visit to the Nawab Palace allows you to witness the rich heritage of the place. The entry fee for the resort is only 30 BDT.
Transportation:
There is a direct bus service from Dhaka’s Mohakhali Tangail Bus Stand to Dhanbari. Buses from Binimoy, Mahanagar, or Shubhechha Transport charge 150-200 BDT for the journey to Dhanbari. From the Dhanbari bus stand, the Zamindar Bari is just a short walk or rickshaw ride away.
Where to Stay:
You can experience Nawabi-style accommodation here, depending on your budget. There are four types of lodging: the Manzil (main palace), the Palace (Kachari Ghar), Villa (200-year-old tin shed building), and Cottages (newly built tin shed bungalows). The furniture in the Manzil and Palace is the same as that used by the Nawabs in ancient times. However, the Villa and Cottages do not have Nawabi furniture. The rent ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 BDT, and significant discounts are available for group bookings. Alternatively, you can stay at the nearby Aditya, Saikat, and Dream Touch residential hotels in Modhupur, which offer both AC and non-AC rooms.
Every day, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit the courtyard of this Zamindar Bari. They come, explore, learn, and leave with a sense of tranquility. This Eid, the opportunity is yours as well.
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