Teota zamindar bari in ruins

Inside Teota zamindar bari at Shibalaya, Manikganj. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin
Inside Teota zamindar bari at Shibalaya, Manikganj. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin

The whispers of history can be felt through the maze of corridors and courtyards of Teota zamindar bari. The sensation intensifies further when one learns that this is the place where Bangladesh's national poet Kazi Nazrul first met Pramila Debi, who later became his wife.

This once spectacular structure dilapidated over the course of the time is located on the banks of Jamuna river in Shibalaya, Manikganj. Jamuna joins with Padma river a few miles from the site.

Teota zamindar bari. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin
Teota zamindar bari. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin

The palace includes courtyards and buildings, some dating back to the early nineteenth century. It was home to Teota landlords Hemsankar Ray and Joy Sankar Ray.
There is a four-storied temple Nabaratna set up in the honour of the Sankars’ family god that sits by the palace. The tall and serene structure invokes a sense of peace.

Nabaratna temple at Teota zamindar bari at Shibalaya, Manikganj
Nabaratna temple at Teota zamindar bari at Shibalaya, Manikganj

The whole premise blends Mughal and European architecture and houses over 50 rooms. It also includes a large pond.
The once picturesque building is now ramshackle and grabbed by vagrants and careless visitors. The roof is rundown with holes and the ornamented pillars are worn out. Several staircases are also in ruins. Locals often bring their cattle to graze on the premises.

A corridor inside Teota zamindar bari
A corridor inside Teota zamindar bari

Like all other neglected historic places of Bangladesh, the abandoned Teota zamindar bari requires protection before it is too late.
“We used to come here from our childhood,” Hosne Ara, a local teacher from Manikganj said while visiting the spot recently. She came along with her family to the palace. “Teota zamindar bari is our pride. We urge the government to conserve the site and set up a museum,” she said.

A structure at Teota zamindar bari
A structure at Teota zamindar bari
Dilapidated structures inside Teota zamindar bari
Dilapidated structures inside Teota zamindar bari
Dilapidated window at Teota zamindar bari. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin
Dilapidated window at Teota zamindar bari. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin
Bamboos stored in front of a structure of Teota zamindar bari
Bamboos stored in front of a structure of Teota zamindar bari
People bathing in the pond of Teota zamindar bari
People bathing in the pond of Teota zamindar bari
Holes in the roof of Teota zamindar bari. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin
Holes in the roof of Teota zamindar bari. Photo: Nusrat Nowrin
Ornamentation in decay at Teota zamindar bari
Ornamentation in decay at Teota zamindar bari
Pillars in ruins at Teota zamindar bari
Pillars in ruins at Teota zamindar bari
Teota zamindar bari as seen from the rooftop of Teota zamindar bari
Teota zamindar bari as seen from the rooftop of Teota zamindar bari
Nabaratna temple as seen from the rooftop of Teota zamindar bari
Nabaratna temple as seen from the rooftop of Teota zamindar bari