Ghughu-danga Zamindar Bari
Ghughudanga Zamindar Bari was the residential palace and place of business of the Ghughu-danga zamindar family. It is situated on the banks of the Purnobhoba River in Dinajpur District. The palace was destroyed by Pakistani soldiers in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Location of Ghughudanga
The ancient village Ghughudanga is situated on the east side of Purnobhoba River and 8 miles away from
Ghugudanga Estate
During the last part of the British rule, Ghugudanga Estate was the most important amongst the Muslim Zamindars (feudal lords under British Indian Rule) within undivided
Zamindar areas
Ghughudanga Zamindari was located within 11 thanas, such as
- Dinajpur Sadar Upazila
- Gangarampur
- Kushmandi (community development block)
- Raiganj
- Kaliaganj
- Itahar (community development block)
- Pirganj Upazila
- Thakurgaon District
- Biral Upazila
- Bochaganj Upazila
- Malda district (Raio-Muchia).[1]
Construction
It was constructed in the style of
Antique pieces
In 1971 before the Indo-Pak War, in Ghughudanga state there were some antique pieces and that was gold chair which is now kept in national museum Bangladesh, 101 gram artificial gold koi fish, a beautiful umbrella along with silver haft, a big hand fan along with silver haft, four silver sticks etc. Also there were 13-14 big copper cauldrons for cooking in occasions, big canopy and other important things and that things once used by Dinajpur district's important people in their marriage and other occasions and hired from Ghughudanga. Because those days there were no shop of decorators in Dinajpur, Pakistan. In 1971, Pakistani Army looted these things when they destroyed the Zamindar palace.[1]
Partition of Bangladesh and destruction of zamindari
After the partition of India in 1947, most of the Ghugudanga Estate areas fell within Indian territory. Due to the promulgation of the State Acquisition Act, the financial stability of this Zamindar family started declining gradually. Consequent to the help, co-operation, and shelter afforded to the freedom-fighters by the members of Ghugudanga Zamindar family during the Indo-Pak War or liberation War, raiders completely destroyed the main residential building of the Zamindar by aerial bombing. Afterwards, most members of the Ghugudanga Zamindar family started living by constructing their own houses in Eidgah Residential Area of Dinajpur Town.[1]
Ghughudanga Zamindar's contribution on 1971's Liberation war
On the night of 25 March 1971, after the start of genocide by Pakistan, a camp was established in Ghughudanga with the Bengalis of Dinajpur, Army, EPR, police, 1500 freedom fighters, 22 vehicles and with many weapons. The public and private officers and common people of Dinajpur town took shelter in Ghughudanga Zamindar bari, for fear of the murderous Pakistani Army. The members of the Zamindar family provided for the food and other needs of all the freedom fighters, officers and common people. When Pakistani military came towards Ghughudanga, the members of the Zamindar family and all the common people left Ghughudanga and took refuge in India after crossing the international border. In revenge for helping the freedom fighters, the Pakistani military destroyed this ancient Ghughudanga house. After independence of Bangladesh, family members of Zamindar family returned to Bangladesh.[1]
Clan Identity
The Ghughudanga Zamindar lineage was established by Nabir Mohammad. He came to Patharghata from Jalpaiguri by river for the purpose of business and along with 500 seesa, he established his home and he established his rice business in Kalkata's Chitpur. His son Ful Mohammad Chowdhury bought many estates and from Patharghata he established his Zamindari Cottage.[1]