Dighapatia Raj

Dighapatia Raj (sometimes called Dighapatia Raj Paribar literally Dighapatia Royal Family[1]) was a zamindari in present-day Rajshahi, which was ruled by this dynasty of 7 generations of Rajas from early 18th century till the mid-20th century; when the democratic government took power after the end of the British Monarchy's rule in India, in 1950, the East Pakistan government abolished aristocracies and the zamindari system in present-day Bangladesh. The family was seated at the Dighapatia Palace.

Dighapatia Raj
Armorial of Dighapatia Raj
CountryEast Bengal
Founded18th century
FounderRaja Dayaram Roy
Current headLegally Abolished (1950)
Titles

The family contributed largely to the development in education, infrastructure and culture of Rajshahi and North Bengal. They were especially famous for their generosity and public spirit. The Rajas built the Varendra Research Museum[2] among other institutions of culture and education. The Rajas of Dighapatia were seated at the Dighapatia Palace.[3] They received Maharaja title and Rai titles of honour from the Mughal Empire such as Raja, Maharaja and Raja Bahadur and other titles from the British Crown, such as the Indian Orders of Knighthood.[4]

History

Corrections: Dighapatia Raj the real story Raja Dayaram Ray served with Nawab Nazim Murshid Kuli Khan and later with Nawab Nazim Alivardi Khan of Subah Bengal and he conferred Dighapatia and the Title of Raja from then Mughal Emperor, thus becoming a Mughal Jaigirdar! Later this region became part of East Pakistan after independence of the Sub-Continent during middle of August 1947. Dighapatia Raj did not come to the end due to democratic changes in Pakistan, as Pakistan never was democracy! During 1957, Zamindari system was officially abolished in both India and Pakistan, however, the family retained the Dighapatia Palace and other residences and other properties around Rajshahi District. Last Raja of Dighapatia, my uncle, remained at Dighapatia along with his immediate family, however, left Pakistan for India, due to continuous harassment by Pakistan’s Military Regime, same was true for all other Hindu Zamindars of East Pakistan! Around 1965 Pakistan confiscated properties of all former Hindu Zamindars as Hindu Properties, citing Hindus as enemies of Pakistan! After independence of Bangladesh, Dighapatia family members requested new Bangladesh Government to return their properties, so they may return! Other Hindu Zamindars’ family also made similar requests, however, new Bangladesh Government refused to return, as they had no intentions to see Hindu families return to Bangladesh!

By Tarunbikash Roy Reference: My family sources, including Raja Prativanath Ray of Dighapatia, the last Raja of Dighapatia, died during late 1968!

Dighapatia Palace
Main article: Dighapatia Palace
  • Front gate of Uttara Gano Bhaban
  • Uttara Gano Bhaban

Uttara Gano Bhaban also known as The Maharaja's Palace or Dighapatia Palace (or Rajbari) is a historic, formerly royal palace in Natore, Bangladesh. It was built by the Raja of Dighapatia but is used as the official residence of the heads of states of Bangladesh in North Bengal. In the north, it serves as an official Presidential Palace.

Originally used as the residence of the Rajas of Dighapatia, it is located about 2.40 km away from the Natore town. Raja Dayaram Roy constructed the main structure of the palace along with a few wings; but it was Raja Pramada Nath Roy rebuilt the whole palace complex after the catastrophic earthquake of 1897.

The Dighapatia Palace was made 'Dighapatia Governor House' on 24 July 1967 by Abdul Monem Khan, the Governor of erstwhile East Pakistan. Later, after the country's independence, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President of Bangladesh declared the Dighapatia Governor House as Uttara Gonobhaban on 9 February 1972. Before the split of Pakistan and Bangladesh, President Ayub Khan resided at the Palace.[5] Various historic meetings took place at the palace,[6] during the period of British rule in India, the era of East Pakistan, and finally after the independence of Bangladesh.

See also

References
  1. Rajshahi University History
  2. Chowdhury, Saifuddin (2012). "Varendra Research Society". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  3. Ahmed, Nazimuddin (2012). "Dighapatia Rajbari". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  4. Ahmed, Nazimuddin (2012). "Dighapatia Raj". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. Quadir, Mohammad Anwarul. "Neglected Uttara Gonobhavan". Probe News Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011.
  6. Quadir, Mohammad Anwarul (1 September 2008). "The Historic Uttara Gonobhavan". The Daily Star.

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