The Department of Archeology has taken the charge of maintenance and upkeep of Hemnagar Rajbari at Gopalpur Upazila of Tangail, one of the largest and most scenic structures in the country.
Last Friday, a four-member delegation led by Md. Hannan Miah (Director General of the Department of Archeology) visited the palace physically. Later, the local media workers are informed by a views exchange meeting.
Apart from the Director General, Deputy Director (Administration) Mahbubur Rahman, Deputy Director (Rep.) Md. Amiruzzaman and Regional Director (Dhaka and Mymensingh) Rakhi Roy. Gopalpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Bikash Biswas, Hemnagar Union Parishad Chairman Raushan Khan Ayub, Press Club President Prof Joynal Abedin, Hemnagar Union Awami League Secretary Anisur Rahman Hira and other dignitaries were present at the meeting.
It is known that Hemchandra Chowdhury was the founder of Hemnagar Rajbari. He was the successor of the zamindar of Ambaria in Madhupur upazila. His grandfather Padmalochan Roy established a zamindari in Ambadia of Pukuria Pargana on the occasion of the British Sunset Act. Zamindari was further expanded during the reign of father Kalicharan Roy. But there were differences of opinion with the Muslim zamindars of the neighboring Dhanbari. Finally, after the death of his father Kalicharan, Hemchandra removed the zamindari from Ambaria at Madhupur to the ancient river-port of Subarnakhali at Gopalpur upazila (now Sonamui). In 1880 he built a palace at Subarnakhali. But within ten years, this palace was submerged in the riverbed of the Jamuna.
Under these circumstances he built a new two-storied palace in 1890 at Shimlapara mouza, three kilometers on the east-south of Subarnakhali. Paridalan is the name of a palace of wonderful architectural style.
The main part of the building had sculptures of two flying angels. The front had herbs and poetic decorations. The main part of the palace was wrapped by cowries of different values and white stone.
There was a wide lake at the end of the courtyard of the palace. Its huge Shanbanda Ghat was wrapped in white and red stone. In front of the lion door of the palace there was a huge pond with paved stairs. The palace was of 1800 bighas with its entire courtyard. Only the main building of the palace is spread over five bighas of land. He dug several dighis and built mud houses for his relatives around the palace. A huge market was built at the southern end of the palace. In time, the city was named Hemnagar after Hemchandra.
Now, the Department of Archeology is taking care of Hemnagar Rajbari at Tangail. It is known from the history of Hemnagar Rajbari Mymensingh district of Gopalpur upazila of Tangail that Hemnagar Bazar was one of the largest Baiji villages in the country. Fans used to go there not only for sex but also to enjoy the songs and dances of Famous Baijis. Hemnagar used to wake up in the festival of joy including the palace during the puja festival. In the south courtyard of the zamindar house (now where the college grounds are situated), there was a two-storied theater. Hemchandra Chowdhury and his descendants were all connoisseurs of liberal culture.
Renowned artists from Kolkata used to come and perform in that theater. The journey would take place during Durga Puja. Kirtan used to sit on the front lawn of the palace. In 1971, Hemnagar Pari Dalan was the base of the freedom fighters. From here, the fighters of Kaderia forces formed a resistance against the Pakistani aggressors and barbaric forces. Although the zamindars of Hemnagar were beloved to the general people, the raiyats had some specific allegations against them. However, there has never been a neutral screening of the matter. Only Hindus or only Muslims were discriminated against that or wrongly evaluated.
Abdus Salam, an elderly man from Shimlapara village, said Hemchandra had four sons. They were Hermbha Chowdhury, Gangesh Chowdhury, Prafulla Chowdhury and Yogesh Chowdhury. All were graduates of Kolkata. The four daughters were all mad. They are Surendra Bala Devi, Kiran Bala Devi, Sumati Bala Devi and Suniti Bala Devi. Sumati Bala's husband Murli Dhar Gaks was the president of Hemnagar Union Parishad. The zamindar family had a dispute with the peasant leader Hatem Ali Khan over the victory or defeat of the vote. Later, the zamindar family was forced to flee the country due to the violent movement of this leftist leader.
Hemchandra's worthy sisters are Swarnamoyi Devi, Khiroda Sundari Devi, Baroda Sundari Devi. Among
The worthy daughter of Kamal Gaksaguli is Paulmi Gaksaguli, presently a renowned musician from West Bengal. Hemchandra Chowdhury died in Kashi in 1925. Dring the communal riots in 1947, the successors of Hemnagar zamindar migrated to West Bengal.
Today there are no successors of Hemnagar zamindar. However, they are aware of the combination of fame, reputation, notoriety. Hemchandra Chowdhury was a lover of education. In 1900, he established English Medium Shashimukhi High School on 20 acres of land in Hemnagar in the name of Bimata.
He has contributed to the establishment of Gopalpur Suti VM Pilot High School, Pingna High School and Anandamohan College. He assisted in the establishment of the Chandranath Temple at Sitakudo in Chittagong and the Tangail Criminal Bar as well. Zoaherul Islam BSc, a former teacher of Hemnagar High School, said that if Hemchandra Chowdhury had not done any welfare work, he would have been aware of the hearts of the people by establishing Shashimukhi High School. In that era, not only Hindus but also children of poor Muslim families learned English from here.
The achievements of Hemchandra Chowdhury and his descendants were overshadowed by the fact that communal politics prevailed in the country during the 23 years of Pakistani rule. The new generation does not know the details of their welfare work. Hemnagar Union Chairman Raushan Khan Ayub said, "The locals are very happy to know that the Department of Archeology is taking charge of the palace." They are hopeful that the neglected beautiful building will be saved from destruction.
Anisur Rahman Hira, an educationist of the area, said that the archeological importance of this palace is immense. It is one of the sources of the history of the feudal era. The house is in dilapidated condition due to neglect. The roof is cracked. The plaster is falling off. The building needs urgent renovation. The Department of Archeology has taken over the maintenance of the building, which is now a major source of tourism.
Hemchandra's successor, the famous Rabindra Sangeet artist living in Bombay, India, Paulmi Ganguli, in a messenger message, congratulated the Bangladesh government and the people of Hemnagar on this good news. He hopes that with the efforts of the Department of Archeology, the long-neglected antiquities will be saved from the ravages of time.