Nagarpur
Upazila in Tangail
How to Reach Nagarpur
The easiest way to reach Nagarpur from Dhaka is to take a Dhaka–Nagarpur bus from Gabtoli Bus Terminal. This service was previously known as SB Link, but it now operates under the name Dhaka–Nagarpur. The bus travels through Dhamrai, Kalampur, and Saturia before reaching Nagarpur in Tangail District.The bus fare is 120 Taka per person, and the journey usually takes around 3 hours. However, on Thursdays a large weekly market is held at Dhamrai Kalampur, which can increase travel time to nearly 4 hours due to heavy traffic.
Tourist Places in Nagarpur
Pakutia Zamidar Bari
Historical Landmark
There was once a beautiful entrance gate here that provided access from the main road into the zamindar house complex. However, over time, the gate has become somewhat dilapidated.
Today, this building houses Pakutia Vrindaban Chandra Radhagobinda College, also known as BCRG Degree College, which was established on July 1, 1967.
The biggest attraction of Pakutia Zamindar House is its magnificent royal architecture and beautiful decorative work. The entire complex clearly reflects the influence of Greek-Roman and Western art and architecture of that period.
The exquisite craftsmanship of artisans who came from Kolkata, combined with the influence of European culture, can be seen in the intricate designs and decorative details throughout the walls and different parts of these buildings.
However, the most eye-catching feature of this zamindar house is the royal crown-like design found above the roofs and cornices of each palace.
At the center of each building, right above the roof cornice, you can see two winged female figures designed in the shape of a crown. In the Greek architectural style of that period, such designs were considered a symbol of elegance and prestige.
Surrounding these female figures are beautiful decorative patterns featuring vines, flowers, and various geometric designs. From a distance, it almost looks as if these two figures are holding up the royal crown of the entire palace.
These remarkable decorative details and unique architectural style are what make Pakutia Zamindar House stand out from many other historic buildings.
It is said that the zamindars of this estate did not allow their tenants to walk past the zamindar house wearing shoes or carrying an umbrella over their heads.
The columns along the verandas and entrances of the buildings were designed in the Greek-Roman architectural style.
At the front of the palace, you can see rows of tall and massive round Corinthian-style columns. The upper sections of these columns feature beautiful decorative designs resembling flower petals. Looking at them, you may feel as if you are standing in front of an old European royal palace.
The building looks magnificent from the outside, but the interior was equally beautiful and carefully planned.
The upper floors of each building feature large and wide projecting balconies. The walls of the balconies and the areas above the doors have semi-circular arches. These were designed to allow plenty of natural light and fresh air to enter the rooms.
The ceilings inside the rooms were also very high. The floors were decorated with beautiful mosaic marble and colorful, patterned Belgian tiles. Some of these original details can still be seen today.
Interestingly, almost no reinforcing rods were used in the construction of the entire building. Instead, the main materials included red bricks, lime-surki mortar, large iron beams to support the roofs, and wooden rafters made from sal and teak wood.
The walls and ventilators also featured beautiful lattice work, made using iron and lime-surki, creating intricate, net-like decorative patterns.
Overall, Pakutia Zamindar House is much more than just an old building. Its architecture beautifully combines the influence of European Renaissance design with the traditional culture of Bengali zamindars.
According to historical accounts, Ramkrishna Saha Mondal was a wealthy businessman. He originally came to Pakutia from Kolkata in present-day West Bengal. However, some accounts suggest that he came here from Bishnupur.
After arriving in Pakutia, he first settled in a village called Chanka. He started his business there and lived in the village with his family.
Later, his home in Chanka was damaged by river erosion along the Louhajang or Dhaleshwari River, as well as various natural disasters. As a result, he moved with his family to the village of Haripara.
After that, he began looking for a higher and safer place where his family would be protected from river erosion. Eventually, he chose the Pakutia area.
In the early 1800s, he purchased a large area of land in this part of Atia Pargana from the British by paying a substantial amount of money. He then established his zamindari, or estate, with Pakutia as its center.
However, the three magnificent palaces we see today did not exist at that time. After establishing his zamindari in Pakutia, Ramkrishna Saha Mondal lived in a simple house built in the traditional Bengali style, located near the estate office, or kachari. Various administrative activities of the zamindari were managed from this house.
Ramkrishna Saha Mondal had two sons—Vrindaban Chandra and Radha Gobinda.
Radha Gobinda had no children, while Vrindaban Chandra had three sons—Brajendra Mohan, Jogendra Mohan, and Upendra Mohan.
Later, the zamindari was divided among these three brothers into three separate branches. They became known as Boro Taraf, Madhyam Taraf, and Choto Taraf.
Then, in 1915, the three brothers built three beautiful European-style palaces side by side, next to the old zamindar house. These grand buildings were designed to showcase the family's wealth, status, and modern lifestyle.
In other words, Ramkrishna Saha Mondal established the foundation of the zamindari and the family estate, while his grandsons transformed it into the magnificent royal complex we see today in 1915.
Among the three palaces of Pakutia Zamindar House, the largest and principal building is Boro Taraf. Today, this building is used as the main administrative building of Pakutia BCRG Degree College.
This was the palace of the eldest brother, Brajendra Mohan Mondal. Among the three buildings, it is the largest and most grand. Today, the college's main office and classrooms are located inside this building.
One important example of the Pakutia zamindars' contribution to public welfare is Vrindaban Chandra Radha Gobinda High School, commonly known as BCRG School.
The three zamindar brothers—Brajendra Mohan, Jogendra Mohan, and Upendra Mohan—built their palaces in 1915. The following year, in 1916, they established this school.
To preserve the memory of their father, Vrindaban Chandra Mondal, and their uncle, Radha Gobinda Mondal, the three brothers named the school Vrindaban Chandra Radha Gobinda High School.
After the Partition of India in 1947 and the abolition of the zamindari system in 1950, this zamindar family left Bangladesh and moved to India.
Even after the zamindars left, efforts were made to preserve their memory and contributions. As part of this effort, Pakutia BCRG Degree College was established in 1967 within the main palace buildings of the zamindar estate.
Today, both BCRG High School and BCRG Degree College continue their educational activities on the same campus, carrying the names associated with the zamindar family.
There is another important detail worth mentioning. Historical books and government records indicate that three natmandirs, or ceremonial pavilions, once stood in front of the three palaces.
However, today, no visible remains of the pavilions in front of Boro Taraf and Madhyam Taraf can be seen.
Since 1967, the entire area has been used as Pakutia BCRG Degree College. Over time, the expansion of classrooms and offices, the use of the grounds, and years of maintenance challenges caused these old structures in front of Boro Taraf and Madhyam Taraf to gradually deteriorate or be removed.
So, when you visit these palaces today, you will no longer see the original structures of those three pavilions as they once stood.
Madhyam Taraf — The Middle Building
This is the palace of Jogendra Mohan Mondal. It is located right next to Boro Taraf. The cornices and railings of this palace feature beautiful carvings of small female figures, along with intricate floral and vine patterns.
The Bathing Well of the Zamindar Family Women
Behind the middle palace was the inner residential area, or Andarmahal, where the women of the zamindar family lived. An old well can still be seen in this area.
This well was mainly built for the women of the zamindar family to bathe.
At that time, women from the zamindar family could not simply go to a public pond or large reservoir to bathe. This was because the strict purdah system was widely followed.
Therefore, the well was built inside the Andarmahal, surrounded by high walls for privacy. In a way, it served as a private bathing area, almost like a royal bathroom for the women of the zamindar family.
Servants would draw water from the deep well using buckets and store it for use. The women of the zamindar family would then use this water for bathing and various religious activities.
However, due to a lack of proper maintenance, this old well has now become quite dirty and filled with debris. The surrounding old walls have also become badly deteriorated and are barely standing today.
The Large Pond
Right behind the main complex of the zamindar house is a large pond, locally known as a dighi.
The pond was excavated soon after the zamindari was established, mainly to meet the family's water needs. At the same time, it also added greatly to the beauty of the zamindar estate.
There were beautiful stone-lined steps, or ghats, leading down into the pond. Historical accounts suggest that separate bathing ghats were arranged for men and women.
There was even a separate ghat exclusively for the men of the zamindar family. The zamindar family members would not use the same ghats used by ordinary local people or household servants.
The area around the pond was once surrounded by many trees and plants. During hot summer afternoons, members of the zamindar family would come here to escape the intense heat and enjoy the cool breeze in the afternoon.
Today, the pond is under the management of the college. The beautiful stone-lined ghats from the past are no longer there, and many of them have completely disappeared. Over time, the pond has also lost much of its former royal appearance and now looks more like an ordinary pond.
Even so, this pond still preserves many memories of the lifestyle and private world of the Pakutia zamindar family.
Choto Taraf — The Smallest Palace
This is the palace of Upendra Mohan Mondal. Although its architectural style is similar to the other two palaces, it also has some unique decorative features of its own.
Today, these buildings are also under the college's management and are being used as part of the college campus and its expanded facilities.
The Temples
Since the zamindar family followed Hinduism, they built Kali and Durga temples here for family worship.
During Durga Puja and Kali Puja, these temples and the natmandirs would be beautifully illuminated. Various festivals were also organized here, with local people taking part in the celebrations.
Inside and around the main palace, there were also several small platforms and rooms where small idols of different Hindu deities were kept. The women of the zamindar family would perform their daily prayers and worship there.
However, after the Partition of India in 1947, when the zamindar family moved to India, many of their valuable belongings were taken with them. Some of the idols were also reportedly stolen or lost later.
As a result, there are no idols or statues inside the temple today. The entire space is now empty. It survives mainly as an old historic structure.
However, the beautiful decorative work on the temple entrance and roof can still be seen. These details offer a glimpse into the remarkable architectural craftsmanship of the zamindar era.
Although historical books and records mention three pavilions, today, during an on-site visit, only this empty temple structure in front of Choto Taraf can still be seen.
The Theatre
In the middle of the large open field in front of the zamindar house, there was once a two-storey dance hall or open-air theatre.
At that time, the theatre was an important center of entertainment and culture for the entire region. The zamindars would invite famous dancers, singers, and theatre groups from Kolkata to perform here.
The open stage was also used for local folk performances, including traditional Jatra and Pala Gaan.
However, over the years, the structure gradually deteriorated and eventually disappeared.
How to go: To travel easily from Dhaka to Nagarpur, you can take a Dhaka–Nagarpur bus from Gabtoli Bus Terminal.
This bus was previously known as SB Link, but it now operates under the name Dhaka–Nagarpur.
The bus travels through Dhamrai, Kalampur, and Saturia before reaching Nagarpur in Tangail.
Since our first destination is Pakutia Zamindar House, we will travel through Saturia Upazila in Manikganj and get off at Pakutia in Nagarpur Upazila.
The fare is 100 taka per person, and the journey usually takes around 3 hours.
However, on Thursdays, a weekly market is held in Kalampur, Dhamrai, so the journey may take a little longer due to traffic.
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