Fort and palace, Narsingdi
Balapur Zamindar Bariবালাপুর জমিদার বাড়ি
- Time needed
- About an hour.
- best months
- Nov–Feb
- Cost
- Free.
The crumbling estate of the Saha zamindars in Balapur village, Narsingdi Sadar: one-, two- and three-storey buildings, a large pond with separate ghats, a temple and a Durga Puja pavilion.
At a glance
- Founder
- Nabin Chandra Saha
About
The estate was founded by the zamindar Nabin Chandra Saha; when is not recorded. The family were patrons of music and theatre, and in the evenings the house was known for its drums, plays and pala gaan. After Partition in 1947 they willed their land to the temple and left for Kolkata.
The buildings still stand, the largest said to have over a hundred rooms, but no one looks after them: creepers cover the walls and parts are falling in. Walk around the outside and the pond rather than into the ruins.
Getting there: In Balapur village of Narsingdi Sadar; a CNG from Narsingdi town, asking locally for the zamindar bari.
Things to do
- See the three buildings and the pond with its separate ghats.
Good to know
- The buildings are unsafe; stay out of the upper floors.
