Tantiband Zamidar Bari in the jaws of disappearance

Tantiband Zamindar Bari (House of Tantiband Zamindar), a historic zamindar house in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district, is set to lose its existence very fast for want of necessary maintenance and care.

The zamindar house, built around 200-250 years ago, is associated with Zamindar Vijay Govind Chowdhury, a prominent figure from a Hindu family in Tantibanda village.

The ancient building of the zamindar house, which once carried the signs of grandeur is now crumbling down due to lack of renovation, and is shrouded in creepers.

There are two houses next to the zamindar house. The monastery built by the zamidar family from this zamindar house, Bijoy Babu Math, is widely known to the public.

According to the information received, this zamindar dynasty and zamindar house were founded by Zamidar Upendra Narayan Chowdhury in the middle of the 1700s. Bricks, dowels and rods were used to build this house.

After that, one by one, the zamidar descendants continued to manage the zamidar by dint of their distinctive qualities.

However, in the history of this zamindar house, the name of Zamindar Vijay Govind Chowdhury holds a special place due to his extraordinary qualities.

During his period, the zamindar estate started to grow on a remarkably larger scale. Therefore, the zamindar house is well known by his name to many.

He managed his zamindar estate with strict rules and generosity and became well-known to the subjects. He used to collect rent from the capable subjects regularly, without giving any concessions.

On the other hand, he did not forcefully collect any rent from the incapable subjects. On the contrary, he used to waive their rents.

During his period, he was no exception to other Hindu zamindars for his oppressive activities against the Muslim community. At that time, Muslims could not slaughter cows for sacrifice in his territory.

In addition, there was a ban on other religious ceremonies of the Muslims. Vijay Govind used to use a convoy of elephant-driven carriages to move around in his leisure life. He used to collect rent separately from his subjects every month for the expenses of the elephant convoy. It is said that during the period, there was another zamindar clan like that of Vijay Govind in Sujanagar upazila- that is the clan of Muslim Zamindar Azim Chowdhury.

Hindu zamindar Vijay Govind Chowdhury had a very good relationship with Muslim zamindar Azim Chowdhury. Every structure of the landlord's house now lies uncared for.

The two beautiful monasteries built by the descendants of the landlords are now quite popular with tourism-oriented features, so visitors in good numbers flock to see them.

The conscious people of Sujanagar upazila and Tantiband village have long been demanding that this historic landlord's house be cleaned of weeds and built into a suitable entertainment centre for visitors.

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