Tourist spots in Rangpur, Bangladesh

*** Historical tourism spots:

* The Tazhaat palace: this palace was built by Maharaja Gopal Chandra Roy. He was from India & was a goldsmith. So the palace was named according to his occupation (Taz/gold). it is said that he was a tyrant Zamindar. The architecture of this palace is inspired by the architecture of Ahsan Monjil of Dhaka. These two architectural monuments almost look alike. Like that of Ahsan Monjil it has a huge tomb at the center, and has two small tombs on the buildings on either side of the big tomb. The palace is about 210ft wide & has a height of a 4 storied building. The most attractive part of the palace is its stairs. There are 31 stairs in total & all are made of Italian marble. There is a secret stair behind the palace. It is thought that these stairs are used for escaping. The other beauty of the palace is the marble made fountain

* The Carmichael College: the historical institution of Rangpur, Carmichael College has been established in the year 1916. The main initiative of setting up the college was taken by some local Zamindars. They raised a fund of taka 750000 for the establishment of the college. A land of 300 acres was also fixed. The then baron Lord Carmichael was surprised at this & agreed to open the college in behalf of the British. He laid up the foundation stone of the college. German citizen Dr. Watkins was made the first principal. The first building was built 610ft long & 60ft wide. And it is great monument of Mughal architecture. This building is presently used as the administrative building. The first hostel, known as the Gopal Lal hostel or commonly known as the G.L. Hostel, is also monument of Mughal architecture. But this hostel is not in use nowadays. The campus was built on 700acres of land. In this vast campus, there is a mosque, hostels for students, and two big fields

* The House of Begum Rokeya: begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the inspiring figure of women’s raising was born in the village of Pairabondh, Mithapukur, Rangpur. A museum is built here at her birthplace in her remembrances.

* The City Town Hall: There is an ancient auditorium named 'Town Hall' at the center of the city, where different cultural programs are held.

* Keramotia Mosque: the Keramotia mosque was built in the middle ages. It is still a notable place for the Muslims to visit. It is located beside the judge court of Rangpur.

* Jadu Nibash: Located in Radhaballav next to the Rangpur Government College. Home of Late Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia. It is an ancient house of about hundred years old. The house was probably built and owned by Raja Gopal Lal Rai Bahadur at the same time that the Rangpur District Council, Rangpur Town Hall and the famous TajHat Palace buildings were built.

* Mithapukur Mosque: It is situated at Mithapukur pond about half km distance in the side of Rangpur-Mithapukur road. The masjid is oblong size and it has three domes. From the inscription of the wall it is known that the masjid was made by Sheikh Mohammad Asher son of Sheikh Mohammad Saber in 1226 hijri

* The Pirgaccha Zamindar Bari: The Manthana Kingdom Estate was established sometime around 1100 AD. Her Royal Highness Maharani Joy Durga Devi Chaudhurani of Rangpur was the most influential and famous ruler of the kingdom. After the death of His Royal Highness Rajah Rajendra Narayan Roy Choudhury, the Monthana Kingdom Estate was divided into two parts among his two sons Rajah Harendra Narayan Roy Choudhury and Rajah Bhairab Narayan Roy Choudhury of Rangpur. As a result the landlord house also divided into two parts. After the death of HRH Rajah Harendra Narayan Roy Choudhury his son HRH Rajah Mahendra Narayan Roy Choudhury succeeded the kingdom. After his death HRH Rajah Bhupendra Narayan Roy Choudhury succeeded to the throne of the kingdom and was the last crowned king of this kingdom estate. His son HRH Prince Jyotirindra Narayan Roy Choudhury was born in 1947 and is the crown prince of the estate. Soon after the birth of HRH Jyotirindra Narayan Roy Choudhury, India and East Pakistan got independence from imperial British rule and the partition of Bengal took place. HRH Prince Jyotirindra Narayan Roy Choudhury of Rangpur now resides in Kolkata, India with his family. His son HRH Prince Rupendra Narayan Anirban Roy Choudhury of Rangpur who uses the name Anirban Roy Choudhury is the present Titular Crown Prince of the kingdom-estate. The Pirgaccha Landlord House popularly known as the Manthana Palace or Manthana Rajbari is a massive structure spread over hundreds of acres of land and houses ponds, lakes, buildings, temples, and various other assets. HRH Princess Kabita Rani Roy Choudhury is the present legal owner of the entire kingdom-estate. The Kachari House of the Manthana Palace is now used as Pirgasha Registrar Office.

* Devi Choudhurani Jamindar Bari: The Landlord-King of Pirgacha sub district HRH Rajah Narendro Narayan Roy Choudhury, son of HRH Rajah Raghabendra Narayan Roy Choudhury died in 1765 without any legacy. Then the wife of the late King, HRH Maharani Joy Durga Devi Chaudhurani of Rangpur managed the kingdom for three decades. HRH Maharani Joy Durga Devi Chaudhurani is popularly known as Devi Chaudhurani in history and was one of the most successful and popularly known rulers of the kingdom. During the time of Sanyasi Bidroho (ascetic revolution)for the independence of India, she along with Bhabani Pathak raged war against the British. In this insurgency Collector Richard Gudland and army commander Lieutenant Brenan, scared of the war situation, forfeited the kingdom from Devi Chaudhurani. However the imperial British could not keep the kingdom forfeited from the illustrious Maharani, and soon after she again came to manage the kingdom and she ruled until 1791. Later in history, the famosu Bengali novelist, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay, who also happened to be the Collector of Rangpur and under the employment of the British rule, wrote the famous novel Devi Chaudhurani to portray her as a dacoit-queen. The novel has been adapted into very famous movies .with the 1974 movie starring Suchitra Sen  in the lead.

* Dewan Bari Jamindar Bari:The founder of Deowan Bari Jamindaar Bari was Fonivuson Mojumdar. Fonivuson Mijumdar Father Name was Landlord Radharomon and mother's name as Kusum Kumari Devi who was the second wife of Radharomon. He was born in 1892. This landlord house is a small 2 stores Building. But the main gate of the house is look like as a Mughal Castle - gate. After banned the Real estate practices in 1952 the house was auctioned. Now there have a school and some business center. It is located at Deowan Bari road in Rangpur.

** Pleasure spots

* Bhinno Jagat:"Bhinno Jogot" is a big theme park and a popular picnic spot which is 15 kilometres from Rangpur City. The first Planetarium of Bangladesh was built here.

* Rangpur Zoo: Rangpur central zoo is one of the main attractions of Rangpur city. Rangpur zoo is located east side of Hanuman-tola road beside police-line not far from Rangpur district Administration office. In this zoo there are lots of Bangladeshi wild animals. Without it African lion, Black Panther, Hippopotamus, different kinds of birds, snack and some rare animal and birds. Founder of Rangpur zoo President Ershad, was responsible for lots of additions to Rangpur. They donated land for a zoo with a massive park in the midst of the city. The Rangpur zoo was built in the 1880s. A wide area with lush green trees and grasses also houses different animal species. The zoo has a variety of animals, mostly in small British-era style cages. The zoo does have a large aviary, a small monkey cage and an endangered Bengal tiger, in addition to a rhinoceros, lions, a leopard, peacocks, alligators, turtles, spotted deer, and many other animals.

* Ananda Nagar:"Anondo Nogor" is a big theme park and picnic spot which is situated at Pirganj Upazilla. This park is around 25 kilometres away from Rangpur City


Written by- Ankur