Amjhupi Nilkuthi: The Best Kept Secrets About Indian History

 

Amjhupi Nilkuthi: The Best Kept Secrets About Indian History

'Nilkuthi' a Bengali word means the house relates to Indigo. At colonial era the British businessmen introduced the Indigo production in the subcontinent. It was established to control the indigo cultivation in adjacent area. Later on this Nilkuthi used as an office of East India Company. Many notorious torture histories like murder, rape, hijacking related to this building. At present this historical building is situated at Amjhupi village under Meherpur district in south western border of Bangladesh.

The building- Neel Kuthi

Ancient concept of luxury used in building construction. The wooden floor used to keep the building warm at winter and water reservoir under the wooden floor keep the building cool at summer. Hot air produced by burning wood circulated through the metal pipe inside the wall and roof of the building to keep warm in cold winter season. 

Wooden floor

Part of floor made of very slippery green stone to give aesthetic view and prevent snake movement. 

Glass floor to prevent Snake

Artifact on wall

That period about 1800 AD the maximum communications done through writing letter. The bird, pigeon was the reliable carrier of those letters.

Pigeon Cage 

Intro stone (English)

Intro Stone (Bengali)

Notice from Department of Archaeology

You can spend a full day with the harmony of nature and history at this nice place. Here the lovely river Kajla is adjacent to the building. A brick made sloppy stair reached to the middle of the river. The blue sky over head and the green grass, green crop field up to the boundary of your eyes give a pleasant feeling. The sweetest call sound of different bird adding an extra love to the nature. All give you a refreshed and recharged mind.

The Natural beauty of the adjacent area

A Popular Misconception

There is a popular misconception among the public that the Amjhupi Nilkuthi was used as the site of conspiracy meetings to overthrow Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula. However, this is entirely unfounded. Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula died in 1757 AD, while the Nilkuthi was not established until the early 1900s. Thus, it is historically inaccurate to link the Nilkuthi to events surrounding the demise of Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula.

How to Reach

You can easily go to Amjhupi from Dhaka the capital city of Bangladesh. From Kallyanpur bus stop or Gabtoli bus terminal at Dhaka you can easily find bus bound to Meherpur from Dhaka. After reaching Meherpur bus stand you can catch auto rickshaw or three wheeler to reach Amjhupi Nilkuthi. It's about 5.5 km distance from Meherpur bus stand.

River Gorai: A Place of Serenity

 River Gorai: A Place of Serenity

Beautiful river Gorai originated from the mighty Padma. The mouth of Gorai located at Kushtia district in Bangladesh. The local people called this place 'Teker matha'. Which means the mouth or opening of river. The blue sky with white clouds over head, calm water at the Padma is scenic beauty of the place. Sometimes gentle breeze makes tiny waves which is soothing for your eyes.

                      Tranquil Gorai river

At winter season you will amazed with the crescent shape curve of the flowing water. The friable sand beneath your bare foot give you very charming feeling. 

                                                         Crescent Shape Water flow

Migratory and local birds are another heavenly beauty of the place. Bird species such as Plovers, Stints, Pratincole, Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers are generally found. Their flying, searching for food, catch fish from water and eating of the fish gives you a nice scene to remember.

Striated Heron to catch Fish

Grey Heron

Kingfisher: Sharp Eye for Searching fish

In busy modern life you can easily get refreshed and recharged by spend some moment with the touch of beautiful Gorai. The nature will heal your body and mind to go your daily life with more joy and happiness.

Chalan Beel: The largest watershed in Bangladesh

Chalan Beel: The largest watershed in Bangladesh

Marshy lowland is known as beel in Bengali. Chalan beel is the largest wetland in Bangladesh. It spread across three districts named Pabna, Shirajgonj and Natore. At the time of formation the Chalan beel was about 2000 sq km in size but now a days it shrinked to 1150 sq km. The shrinkage occurred due heavy siltation by the rivers go through the Chalan Beel. Forty seven number of rivers flowing though the beel. The main rivers are the Atrai, Baral, Gumani etc. Chalan beel consists of a series of beels connected to each other through canals. At rainy season the entire area flooded with the water from the rivers. 

Vast water stretching to the Horizon

The houses appear unconnected to each other as if isolated island due to water everywhere. The roads, street and pedestrian path go under water at rainy season; that is why the dwellers of Chalan beel  use boat to go here and there.    

Isolated House at Chalan Beel

The agricultural land goes under water at this rainy season. No crop production is possible because of water logging all over the crop field. The water level rises to a level so high that the buildings constructed to be used for irrigation purpose in the dry season goes under water.

Irrigation facility for dry season goes under water.

Local administration, health service facility run properly as these buildings are made on high columns to defend flood water. The establishments are built at such places with the aim to help the people get the services they require.

Administration and Health service at same place

Buildings constructed on High Column

The roads and streets go under water, only the railway continues its operation properly. The rail track is higher than the water level so the trains can run uninterruptedly through the Chalan beel. Railway in the biggest watershed gives a pleasant view. Journey by train through Chalan beel at rainy season is sure to provide any person with happy feeling. 

Beautiful rail bridge at Chalan beel

 Beautiful Rail Bridge at Chalan Beel

The schools are build on high column to keep away the water. The students use small boat to reach the school as well as come back.

Primary School at Chalan Beel

Chalan beel a big source of fresh water fish. It provides a wide variety of local fishes to the market. Moreover, Chalan beel is a place of natural beauty. Your body and mind will be refreshed and recharged with the tranquility of Chalan beel.

Chalan beel in video

How to reach-

Buses and trains are available to reach chalan beel from anywhere in the country. To reach there by bus you have to go Kachikata under Natore district first. Lots of engine operated boats are available there to enjoy the beauty of Chalan beel. By train first you have to reach Baral Bridge station or Dilpashar station, then hire a boat from the river ghat and spend memorable time at Chalan Beel.