SIRAJGANJ — The lime plaster has fallen away in large patches, exposing the red brick beneath. The house is in a state of disrepair. Why wouldn’t it be? Its age is no small matter — nearly 150 years. This is the Makimpur zamindar house, in Makimpur village about two kilometers north of Raiganj upazila headquarters in Sirajganj.
During a recent visit, members of the current generation of the zamindar family spoke about the house’s history and heritage. The house was built by zamindar Gobinda Roy Chowdhury. He had two sons. One son died during the zamindar’s lifetime. The descendants of his other son live there now.
The main Makimpur zamindar house was built in 1885. The building has seven rooms. Until a few years ago, the family’s later generations still lived in it. Because the building has now become unsafe, they have built separate houses on the northern and western sides and live there. But Lakshmi puja is still observed at the temple in front of the house, which was built in 1887.
Lakshmi puja is celebrated with particular splendor at the temple. Following the old custom, the zamindar family invites local Hindus and relatives. Amal Kumar Roy, a third-generation family member, said: “Our grandfather built the Makimpur zamindar house. He also built this temple in front of the house. Following his tradition, we invite everyone for Lakshmi puja.”
Stories about Gobinda Roy Chowdhury vary — some good, some not. Some say he was a zamindar who cared for his subjects. Others tell a different story: that because of his authority, his subjects could not pass in front of the zamindar house carrying an umbrella or wearing shoes. He was also said to be very strict about collecting taxes.
Jamat Ali Sheikh once lived in Makimpur village. He now lives in Kodla village in the upazila’s Chandaikona Union. Jamat Ali said he came to the village after independence with help from the zamindar family. “They were good zamindars,” he said.
Whatever the stories about the zamindar, people remain eager to see the house.
That was the message from another family member, Ashok Kumar Roy. He said interested people come every day from various parts of the country to see the zamindar house and temple. They ask for information about it. Anki Roy, a daughter-in-law of the fourth generation, said the same. “We tell them what we know,” she said.
Md. Mokshed Alam, a schoolteacher from Santhia upazila of Pabna district, was met at the zamindar house. “I travel all over the country in search of history,” he said. “Seeing the old-style house and temple at the Makimpur zamindar house was wonderful.” Citing the building’s poor condition, he said it should be restored and preserved for future generations.
K.M. Rezaul Karim, author of “Raiganj: History, Society and Culture” and additional director of the Higher Secondary Teachers’ Training Institute in Khulna, made the same appeal. He told Prothom Alo that the old craftsmanship was very beautiful. “Excellent use of architecture can be seen in the construction of the zamindar house and the temple,” he said. “Over time this house is on the path to ruin, but there is no initiative to save it. Everyone concerned must come forward to preserve the Makimpur zamindar house as a historical and archaeological landmark.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report