Our Correspondent
NAOGAON, July 31: One portion of the western side of the historical Dubalhati Rajbari (palace), six kilometres away from the district town, has collapsed two times recently due to absence of repairing and maintenance for long time.
One Alam, living at the collapsed side, said around 76 pairs of pigeons which he had been rearing, were crushed under the collapsed wall.
He said, "All the damages at the palace were done by people. Now, nothing is left for visitors here which was the centre of all attractions. Only for lack of maintenance and repair, the palace is in the death throes. Earlier, burglars have stolen different valuable objects from the palace during many occasions."
The palace is around 200 years old. During the reigns of King Harnath Roy Chowdhury and his son Krinkorinath Roy Chowdhury, massive development was done at the palace. The big pillars built following Roman architecture, which are located in front of the palace, mark the great taste of the then rulers.
In 1864, a school was set up here under the patronisation of the rulers. Later, it was named as Raja Harnath High School.
According to history, one Raghunath would trade salt and molasses. He used to come to Dubalhati by boat through the Khoira River for business purpose. He dreamt of someone telling him about an idol of Deity Rajrajeswari under water at the river and asked him to collect and install it.
During one early morning, he really found the idol under water, and after installing it, he started its worship. Afterwards, his fate changed and he became rich.
The news spread everywhere even the then Mughal emperor knew it. Following the Mughal emperor's order, the Nabab of Murshidabad called Raghunath to his court and ordered him to pay taxes. Meanwhile, Raghunath informed him that there is only water everywhere, and no crop is grown but large climbing perch (koi) fish is found there. Then, the Nabab ordered him to give 22 kahons of the fish to him as tax.
There were 350 rooms, seven courtyards, and a temple of Deity Rajrajeswari at the palace.
Rabindranath Roy Chowdhury, 76, 54th descendant of Dubalhati dynasty, informed that their kingdom was spread in Sylhet, Dinajpur, Pabna, Bogra, Rangpur and some portions of India.
Harnath Roy Chowdhury got the title of 'King' and his predecessors got the title of 'Landlord', he added.
The payment of tax with 22 kahons of climbing perch fishes is included in the Guinness Book of World. Besides, Harnath Roy Chowdhury, father of King Krinkarinath Roy Chowdhury, built a villa named "Ranbag" for passing his leisure times here.
