Considerable time has passed since Srikrishna Acharya, the founder of Muktagacha Zeminderi, departed from the institution.
To ensure the continuation of the Zeminderi bloodline for three generations, Zeminder Raghunandan Acharya made the constructive decision to formally adopt Gaurikant Acharya Chowdhury.
It’s worth noting that Zeminder Gaurikant Acharya Chowdhury did not have any biological offspring.
Following the death of Zeminder Gaurikant Acharya Chowdhury, his wife, Lakshmi Devi Acharya Choudhurani, embraced the decision to adopt Chandrakant, honoring her forefathers’ longstanding custom.
After Chandrakanta’s untimely demise, Lakshmi Devi welcomed Suryakanta Acharya Chowdhury as her own child.
Suryakant Acharya Chowdhury was instrumental in constructing numerous exquisite edifices in Mymensingh.
In the late 1800s, Suryakant built an attractive two-story building on a nine-acre plot of land in the heart of Mymensingh city, naming it Shashi Lodge in honour of his adopted son, Suryakant Acharya Chowdhury.
Unfortunately, a seismic event in 1897 severely damaged the royal palace, causing Suryakant significant distress. In response, in 1905, Suryakant Acharya Chowdhury built a new Shasilaj at the same spot.
In 1911, the new Zeminder completed additional renovations that further enhanced Shasilaj’s beauty and ultimately transformed it into a magnificent and grand palace.
The massive red-brick palace, which spans nine acres, is a prominent and easily recognizable landmark in the heart of Mymensingh. At the entrance of the building, there is a stunning white marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Venus.
The expansive royal palace and its related monuments, steeped in a rich historical narrative, stand as the only remaining structures without any reigning monarch, queen, or council of ministers in the present day.
The esteemed family of Maharaja Shashikant Acharya of Bengal received their inaugural zamindari under the rule of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan of Bangla Bihar, Orissa.
Muktagacha, located a significant distance from Mymensingh metropolis, served as the zamindari’s focal point. Shashikant Acharya was the sole surviving heir among the Zeminder family’s generations.
Built in the 18th century on the outskirts of Muktagacha, this regal estate stands out as an exceptional example of architectural prowess in the heart of the city.
Palace structure
Every inch of Shasilj, renowned as one of the historical landmarks in Bangladesh, is filled with numerous stories, historical records, and folklore.
The Shashi Lodge sits on a spacious nine-acre plot of land and serves as a tribute to the past with its lush surroundings and enduring traditions.
A total of sixteen domes adorn the palace-style structure. Shasilj boasts a garden with wildflowers opposite the main building. A white stone fountain sits in the center of the garden. At the heart of the fountain, there is a marble sculpture depicting the Greek deity Venus slowly submerging.
Red brick and yellow walls construct the main structure of Shashi Lodge, just behind the garden. Multiple chandeliers hang from the ceiling in almost every room inside.
These chandeliers have a strikingly similar appearance. Adjacent to the tower, there is a meticulously maintained lotus garden. To reach the Rangalaya from inside the Shashi Lodge, one must climb a small flight of stairs after passing through the Mahal balcony within the structure.
In the past, the Rangalaya resonated with the melodious tunes of Baiji’s Rinijhini Nupur. But now it’s just a brick and stone structure.
In addition to the primary living quarters within the palace, there are distinct kitchens, toilets, and facilities expressly allocated for the servants.
When you look beyond the palace, you’ll see a lush courtyard. As you traverse the yard, you will come upon a two-story building, white and translucent, where the queen used to bathe.
Constructed from white marble, the “Jalghar” stands two stories tall behind the tower. It remains a captivating sight for every visitor, even though the sculptor responsible for its creation remains unidentified.
The presence of a tunnel within the toilet further adds to the enigmatic ambiance of this area, with reports of a mechanism that once facilitated travel to Muktagacha via this tunnel.
During her time in the bathtub, the queen would intermittently attend to the sound of the ducks quacking in the pond. Marble stones also form the ghat overlooking the pond.
The premises are home to a variety of rare and historically significant plants.
Notably, the Nagalingam tree, which is the oldest piece of Zeminderi’s history, is easily visible. Furthermore, the elephants depended on this tree for sustenance.
current status
After abolishing the Zamindari system, the ruling government of East Pakistan classified all the buildings and properties owned by the Zeminders as government-owned unique lands and buildings.
In 1952, the government officially classified this building as the “Women’s Teacher Training College,” which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education.
In 2015, the Directorate of Archaeology purchased the home to build a museum. The general public gained access to the inner palace of Rajbari in 2019.
The palace comprises 18 rooms, of which only three include the palace’s treasures, the monarch’s valuable items, and furniture. The room features ivory-colored sofas and a marble table strategically placed throughout.
Peacocks, leaves, and flowers, in various arrangements, adorn the chair within the house. Ivory served as the medium for these artistic creations.
Visitors will find a fascinating collection of historical artifacts on display, such as rhinoceros skins, wild buffalo horns, deer antlers, zemindar couches, buffalo horn drinking containers, white stone idols, elephant head bones, elephant jaw skeletons, clay pipes, hookahs, and more.