A recent view of Naodanga palace in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram. Photo : Messenger
The historic Naodanga Palace, located in the heart of Phulbari upazila in Kurigram district, is on the brink of destruction due to a lack of proper maintenance.
Situated 25 kilometers away from Kurigram town, this archeologically significant landmark has long been a magnet for visitors, drawing in crowds eager to explore its rich history.
Unfortunately, parts of the palace have fallen victim to illegal occupations, adding to the woes of this once majestic structure. The front portion of the palace, once the residence of a landlord, is now under the supervision of Naodanga High School and College authorities. This transfer of ownership further highlights the extent of the palace's decline.
The Shiba temple within the palace premises, a site of immense historical and cultural value, now stands in a deplorable state. Numerous cracks mar the temple's facade, with parasites exacerbating the damage. The temple, which once housed a massive Shiba Ling weighing 12 mounds, is now a shadow of its former self.
Adding to the degradation, members of the Hindu community have erected a tin shed house near the Shiba temple. Despite the adverse conditions, a weekly gathering for Gita recitation persists, a testament to the resilience of the local community.
Historical records reveal that the palace was constructed 200 years ago by the landlord Raghu Prashad Bakshi. His son, Shiba Prashad Bakshi, later became a powerful minister in the land lordship of Coochbihar, which is now a district in the West Bengal province of India.
The succession continued with Ashwika Prashed Bakshi, Shiba's son, who expanded the estate during his reign. However, his legacy was marred by cruelty, as he enforced strict rules such as prohibiting people from walking past his palace wearing shoes or opening umbrellas overhead. The landlord subjected those who failed to pay taxes to torture, detaining them in a prison on the estate.
Upon Ashwika Prashed Bakshi's death in a Kolkata hospital, his son, Promod Ranjon Bakshi, inherited the estate. Despite permanently residing in Kolkata, he made occasional visits to the estate to attend religious festivals and collect taxes. Promod Ranjon Bakshi, in turn, had three sons and two daughters.
The eldest son, Bishweshar Bakshi, was a magistrate who achieved first-class honors in MA and was a dedicated researcher. In 1907, he journeyed to Ulipur upazila in Kurigram district, where he documented three songs of Gupi Chandra, a renowned local singer. The first part of these collected songs was published by Kolkata University in 1922, with the second part following in 1924.
Following the partition of India and Pakistan, Bishweshar chose to close the chapter on the family's land lordship, relocating to India. This decision marked the end of an era for the Naodanga Palace, leaving it vulnerable to the ravages of time and neglect.
Messenger/Rabbani/Sun Yath
