Almost destroyed ruins of Dubolhati Rajbari still looks cool
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| Ruins of Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
History
Dubalhati/Dubolhati Rajbari or Dubalhati Royal Palace is about 200 years old. Locally it is called Dubolhati Rajbari (Bengali:
দুবলহাটি রাজবাড়ি). The word 'Rajbari' (রাজবাড়ি) is a Bengali word and its meaning is 'The King's House/Resident'. The palace is built on 2.45 acres of land. Dubolhati estate was started by Raja Krishnanath Roy Chowdhury in 1793 AD near Naogaon. Krisnanath had no son. This is why In 1853 the son of his daughter Haranath Roy Chowdhury became king. During his period, Haranath spread his estate and many developments were done. He expanded his estate to Rajshahi, Bogra, Dinajpur, Faridpur and Sylhet districts. Haranath Roy Chowdhury was the most popular king of the Dubalhati estate.
Among other kings, Haranath Roy Chowdhury gained popularity for his humanitarian works. He digs many ponds next to the royal palace to solve the fresh drinking water crisis for the people. He had no formal education although he was fond of education. During his rule, he spent a lot of money for the expansion and development of education. King Haranath Roy Chowdhury established a Lower Secondary English School at Dubalhati in 1864 AD adjacent to the royal palace. In this school, students were given free education. Presently, the school name is Raja Haranath High School. In 1873 AD, he donated a property with an annual income of 5 thousand Taka to upgrade the then Rajshahi Zilla School to Rajshahi College. At that time the market value of the donated property was around one lakh Taka.
During the famine of 1874 AD, he provided huge humanitarian aid. Due to his humanitarian activities, Haranath Roy Chowdhury was promoted to the title of 'Raja' by the British Government in 1875 AD and 'Raja Bahadur' in 1877 AD.
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| Almost destroyed Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
The Dudalhati Royal Palace is an abandoned place. But, once the palace was at least one hundred spacious bedrooms, artistic veranda, colorful glass decorations and different kinds of sculpture throughout the palace. Those were the main attraction of the palace. Many of those artistic examples are still remains attached to the palace.
Photographs
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| Front view from the pond. Photo 2014 |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| Almost destroyed Dubol hati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| If the government and locals were conscious, there was no way to go the Dubolhati Royal palace in the decrepit condition and it was possible to make it as a tourist attraction |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon Upazila: this is inside the palace. Now there is no attraction left |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon: See, it looks like a ghostly castle wall. Visitors will not be able to understandable seeing it what royal prosperity was in the past |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari: now it looks like a disrepair castle |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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Dubalhati Rajbari: this destroyed building blocks are still notifying its presence.
Day after day, it is going to be destroyed due to negligence. Photo 2014 |
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Dubalhati Rajbari: Here was a roof. However, as a result
of the collapse, now it seems a cave. Photo 2014 |
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| Ruins of Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari: this is a Watchtower that was built on the edge of the palace |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari: It seems to be a Watchtower, but this is a part of the palace structure remain standing |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari: some parts of the palace, it would seem like a jungle. Photo 2014 |
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| Ruins of Dubolhati Royal palace in Naogaon sadar upazila |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari: this upper part of the palace still notifying its splendid past |
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| Dubalhati Rajbari in Naogaon |
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| Ruins of Historical Dubalhati Royal Palace image. Photo: 2014 |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari: now the sky can be seen through the opening roof and windows |
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| Inside photo of almost destroyed Dubolhati Royal Palace. Photo: 2014 |
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Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon: local young guys came here for a hangout.
They drew this portrait of the king and queen of fun |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon. Photo 2014 |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon: This pathway appears to be scary. But at one time it was well equipped |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon: all the doors and windows of the palace have been removed by unknown. No doors or windows are left now |
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| It's not the real Dubolhati Rajbari; it turns out; it is not the form of the original palace |
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| It was a nice weather when we were taking photos of Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon |
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| Dubolhati Rajbari in Naogaon: a beautiful pond in front of the palace. Photo 2014 |
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| An old well stands inside the Dubolhati Rajbari complex, its upper side topped with concrete that remains in good condition. (2023) |
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| A part of the Dubolhati Rajbari ruins, showing corner walls without ceiling, 2023. |
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| The remnants of a Dubolhati Rajbari, now a horizontal ruin, seen through an organic window of banana leaves, captured in 2023 AD. |
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| Recently, (when we visited in 2022) "Heritage Bangladesh" placed a notice in front of the palace |
Management of Palace
The palace and the surrounding property was officially declared a Protected Monument in the Bangladesh Gazette on April 2, 1987. The Archaeology Department of Bangladesh Government is in incharge. But not any viable steps are taken by the department yet. Dubolhati Rajbari has its great historical and architectural value. It was possible to develop it as a tourism opportunity through proper management. Which may have brightened the image of Naogaon district. But, the government did not take proper steps to save the palace complex. The bad guys have nearly destroyed the palace, stripping away most of its doors and windows. If this continues, in a few years, nothing may remain but history only.
How to visit?
The Dubolhati Rajbari is accessible from two directions: one route is from Naogaon town, and the other is from Hapania Bazaar. The site is approximately 6 kilometers from Naogaon town and 8 kilometers from Hapania Bazaar. Local residents are well-acquainted with the palace’s location, and seeking their guidance will facilitate an easy discovery of the site. The palace is located near Dubolhati Bazaar, and furthermore, it falls under the administration of Dubolhati Union Parishad, adjacent to Dubolhati Road.
There is no entry fee for the site, as it is not yet managed by any authority. The best time to visit is during daylight hours or when sunlight is available.
Google Map
Dubalhati,Heritage,Information,Naogaon,Naogaon district,Naogaon Thana,Naogaon Upazila,Photo,Picture,Rajbari
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AMAR RAJBARI
Who wrote this blog, I need a contact person to talk to for some future works at Dubol Hati