Dinajpur Rajbari, Rangpur Division

Dinajpur Rajbari

Dinajpur Rajbari (দিনাজপুর রাজবাড়ী) is about 4 km northwest of Dinajpur town. It's a well known place. At first you will see a white painted large gate facing west in the entrance. Inside the gateway on the left you will see a painted Krisna Temple on left and on right another inner gateway, provide access to the main Rajbari. This gate is called Lion Gate. The remaining place contains Aina Mahal, Rani Mahal and Thakurbadi Mahal. Beside the palaces building there are some other structures like temples, rest houses, charitable dispensaries, tanks and residential quarters of employees etc. This Rajbari occupy a large area of 16.41 acres. This Rajbari had been constructed by Maharaja Prannath and his adopted son Maharaja Ramnath in the 18th century. The European, Muslim and Hindu architectural styles followed to construct this palace.

About Our Tour:
Actually this was the same tour when we visited Bogra, Rangpur and Dinajpur. June, 2010 from 14 to 16 I had traveled all this places with BTCL officers. We had started from Dhaka at 14th June, reached Dinajpur on the same date. Next day 15th June we visited Kantanagar Temple, Nayabad Masjid, Ramsagar, Dinajpur Rajbari.

Main Gate of Dinajpur Rajbari

Lion Gate of Dinajpur Rajbari

Dinajpur Rajbari

Picture 2: Garuda / Gorur: This small statue of Garuda placed on the campus of Krisna Temple.
Picture 3: Gate of the Krishna Temple.

Wall of Dinajpur Rajbari

Wall Design

Short history of the Raja and Maharajas of Dinajpur

Raja Sukdev Roy: 1642 - 1677 A.D.
Mughal emperor gave the title "Raja" to Sukdev Roy because he obtain a large territory in the north Bengal region. He died in 1677. Maybe the "Sukh Sagar" (Sea of Pleasure) is the only remaining left. Raja Sukdhev had two wives. Ramdev and Joydev were born by his first wife and Prannath was the son of second wife. Among 3 son Ramdev died very young.

Raja Joydev: 1677 - 1682 A.D. 
The second son Joydev became raja and ruled the kingdom for five years from 1677 A.D. to 1682 A.D. 

Maharaja Prannath: 1682 -1722 A.D.
Maharaja Prannath was a very powerful zamindar and he ruled the Dinajpur for 40 years. Rukmini was his wife and Ramnath was his adopted son. He dug a lake named "Pransagar" (Sea of life / Sea of Prannath), 18 kilometers south of Dinajpur. The most remarkable thing he did in his life was to start the magnificent Kantaji Temple. Some said he started it in 1704 AD but from the trusted source it can be assumed that he started it in his old age 1722. From 1722 to 1752 AD, in 30 years it was completed by his son Maharaja Ramnath.

Maharaja Ramnath: 1722 -1763 A.D.
Maharaja Ramanath was very powerful and honest king. He was a brave warrior and great administrator. After becoming king he gave attention to rebuilding the estate. He constructed the famous Rajbari and dug the famous Ramsagar Lake. He also built a temple at Rajarampur and gave attention to complete the unfinished Kantanagar temple. All his work make him the most memorable person of Dinajpur District. Also make the district a famous tourist place. Ramnath had four sons. Krishnanath, Roopnath, Baidyanath and Kantanath. He died in 1760 AD.

Raja Baidyanath: 1763 -1778 A.D.
When he was sited in the throne the political environment changed significantly in India. British got the power to collect the revenues.  Maybe in 1772 an English collector was appointed as the zamindar of Dinajpur. Raja Baidyanath died in 1780 without any heir. Rani Saraswati's adopted son Radhanath become the zamindar under the British rule.

Places to see in Dinajpur 

1. Dinajpur Rajbari (দিনাজপুর রাজবাড়ী)
2. Swapnopuri Picnic Spot (স্বপ্নপুরী পিকনিক স্পট)
3. Suk Sagar Eco Park (সুখ সাগর ইকো পার্ক)
4. Ram Sagar (রাম সাগর)
5. Nayabad Mosque  (নয়াবাদ মসজিদ)
6. Surah Masjid (সুরা মসজিদ)
7. Chehelgazi Mosque and Shrine (চেহেলগাজি মসজিদ ও মাজার)
8. Rajarampur Rose Mary Church (রাজারামপুর রোজ মেরি চার্চ)
9. Sitakot Bihar (সীতাকোট বিহার)
10. Kantaji Temple (কান্তজি মন্দির)
11. Govindaswami Temple (গোবিন্দস্বামী মন্দির)
12. Birganj National Park (বীরগঞ্জ জাতীয় উদ্যান)
13. Singra National Park (সিংড়া জাতীয় উদ্যান)
14. Ghodaghat Fort (ঘোডাঘাট দুর্গ)
15. Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology  (হাজী মোহাম্মদ দানেশ বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়)
16. Deepshikha Meti School (দীপশিখা মেটি স্কুল)
16. Mohanpur Rubber Dam (মোহনপুর রাবার ড্যাম)
16. Eidgah ground (ঈদগাহ মাঠ)
19. Shalban of of Biral, Dharmapur Union (বিরলের ধর্মপুর ইউনিয়নের শালবন)
20. Hili Land Port (হিলি স্থল বন্দর)
21. Zero Point (জিরো পয়েন্ট)
22. Sheikh Russell National Park (শেখ রাসেল ন্যাশনাল পার্ক)

Related Post

Kantaji, 18th Century Brick Temple unique example of Terra Cotta architecture.

Nayabad Masjid, 18th Century Brick Mosque .

Ramsagar National Park, Dinajpur.

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