Last remains of Kashimpur Rajbari crumble amid neglect

RANINAGAR, NAOGAON, Oct 26: The last surviving section of the historic Kashimpur Rajbari in Raninagar Upazila of Naogaon has started collapsing in recent times, raising fresh concerns over the preservation of the centuries-old heritage site.

The palace, the upazila’s only major historical landmark, has been deteriorating for years due to neglect, encroachment and the construction of houses on its land. Much of the historic structure has already been lost, with the remaining portions now at risk of collapse.

Following reports of the damage, the upazila administration inspected the site and took steps to restrict public access to the most dangerous areas. Red warning signs and barbed-wire fencing are being arranged to prevent people from entering the hazardous sections. The administration is also taking measures to protect large iron angles from theft.

Located on the eastern bank of the Little Jamuna River, around five kilometres west of the upazila headquarters, Kashimpur Rajbari once served as the residence of a local zamindar family. Some members of the family were known for their eccentric temperaments, earning the palace the nickname “Pagla Raja’s House”.

After the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, members of the Kashimpur royal family left for India. Only the youngest Raja, Sri Shakti Prasanna Lahiri, continued to live at the palace until before Bangladesh’s independence. He later left for India, leaving behind the palace’s doors, household belongings and other valuable possessions.

The residential area of the palace covered around 2 acres and 19 decimals. However, a lack of conservation and renovation has left its architectural features and ornamental details on the verge of destruction.

Locals said the remaining section had been used as a cowshed, further accelerating its deterioration. Although part of the palace land houses the Kashimpur Union Land Office, residents alleged that influential people had gradually occupied large portions of the property due to inadequate monitoring.

They believe the government could protect the remaining structures, improve the site and develop it into a small tourist destination if effective steps were taken to reclaim and preserve the land.

Kashimpur Union Parishad Chairman Mokhlesur Rahman Babu said he informed the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) as soon as he learned that part of the palace had collapsed.

“I have taken initiatives several times to renovate the palace, but various complications prevented the efforts from moving forward,” he said, adding that much of the property was now under illegal occupation.
UNO  Rakibul Hasan said preserving local historical heritage was a collective moral responsibility, although the Department of Archaeology was responsible for conserving such sites.

He said he had formally informed the department about the need to protect the remaining structures. The administration would install warning signs and erect barbed-wire fencing around the dangerous sections, while taking steps to prevent the theft of iron angles, he added.