Zamindar Bari, popularly known as Kamini Bhaban built at Bongaon village in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar nearly 300 years ago, is now on the verge of ruination.
Built in an architectural style, the single-storey “Kamini Bhaban” consisted of three rooms. Construction materials, along with decorative ironwork for the verandas, were brought from Assam and Kolkata in India.
After the construction of the main building, a kachari (revenue collection office) was built on the eastern side for collecting land taxes, along with a medical centre to provide healthcare to tenants. On the western side, a hall for music and performance was constructed. Renowned dancers and singers from Kolkata enthralled audiences there with their performances.
Human rights activist Akhtaruzzaman Dipu said that all concerned should take necessary steps to preserve ancient architecture in different areas of the district. “And the zamindar bari in Bongaon needs to be conserved,” he added.
Zamindar Kunja Bihari Sen moved to Balishira Pargana in Sreemangal from Bongaon in present-day Jessore. He built a zamindar house in an area bordering India within Sindurkhan union. Later, his eldest son Kamini Birahi Sen moved to Bongaon village under Balishira Pargana and built this house, naming it “Kamini Bhaban.”
Although the zamindari system was abolished long ago, Kamini Bhaban still stands in a dilapidated condition, carrying the legacy of ancient heritage.
There are no remaining traces of the entertainment hall, the revenue office, or the charitable medical centre as these structures were destroyed over a century ago.
Most members of the Zamindar family are now permanent residents of the United States. Anupam Sen Babla, a descendant of Zamindar Kunja Bihari Sen, said, “Kamini Sen was also a zamindar of this region. From Kamini Sen’s time, our previous generations lived in Kamini Bhaban. The house is now on the verge of ruination.”
“Our ancestors came from Bangaon in Jessore district of West Bengal. From there, Kunja Bihari Sen came to present-day Kunjaban village in Sindurkhan union after receiving zamindari rights. His son Kamini Sen built the zamindar house at Bongaon village nearly 300 years back.”
Local resident Swapan Mia said, “The zamindar house is now covered with bushes and crumbling plaster. The government should take steps to preserve the house as a historical architectural site.”
Teacher Ekramul Kabir said, “To my knowledge, none of Kunja Birahi Sen’s descendants live here anymore. They are all residing abroad. The house remains abandoned and unprotected. We are drawing the attention of the local and district administration and demanding renovation of the zamindar house in the interest of preserving ancient structures.”
Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Israil Hossain said, “All ancient establishments in the district will be preserved, and we have plans in this regard.”
