Loading...About one kilometer north of Bhawal Rajbari in Joydebpur, Gazipur, on the southern bank of the dying Chilai River, lies Bhawal Raj Shamshanswari (Bhawal Raj Crematorium). This site was used for the cremation of members of the Bhawal royal family. Monuments and nameplates were constructed here in honor of deceased family members. The crematorium also houses a Shiva temple, and today it stands as part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
According to historical records, the ancestors of the Bhawal Zamindars originally hailed from Bajroyogini village in the present Munshiganj district. One of them, Ballaram Rai, served as the Dewan (administrator) of Bhawal under the Zamindar of Bhawal, Doulat Gazi, in the 1740s. After Doulat Gazi’s absence and failure to pay taxes, the Bhawal Zamindari went up for auction. Due to his connection with Murshid Quli Khan, Ballaram Rai cleverly acquired the estate. To promote tax collection, Murshid Quli Khan appointed Hindu Zamindars in place of Muslim ones in Eastern Bengal.
Following Ballaram Rai’s death in 1743, his capable son, Krishna Rai, took charge of the estate. After Krishna Rai’s death in 1750, his son Joydev Rai inherited the estate and efficiently managed it. The area was named Joydebpur after him. Joydev Rai died in 1756.
After his death, the estate was managed by his son, Indranarayan Rai. After Indranarayan Rai’s death, the responsibility was passed on to successive heirs. In 1856, after the death of one of the heirs, Golok Narayan, his son Kali Narayan Rai took over. Under Kali Narayan Rai’s leadership, the Bhawal estate expanded significantly. He personally managed the estate, holding regular office hours in the zamindari office. Due to his efficient management, the British government awarded him the title of Rai Chowdhury and Raja, a hereditary honor.
It was during Kali Narayan Rai’s time that the Bhawal Raj Shamshanswari was constructed, along with the Bhawal Rajbari. It is said that the famous architect Kamakhya Rai was brought from Puri, India, to design the crematorium. The six-pillared Shiva temple built here follows Mughal architectural style, and its intricate designs continue to captivate visitors.
How to Get There
To visit Bhawal Raj Shamshanswari, you can take any bus heading towards Gazipur from Dhaka and get off at Shib Bari, then take a rickshaw. Alternatively, buses like Prabati and Banashree from Gulistan, Dhaka, also pass through this route.
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