Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy Palace: A legacy of heritage

The district of Munshiganj is home to numerous architectural landmarks that reflect its rich heritage and traditions, including Idrakpur Fort, Baba Adam Mosque, Muktarpur Bridge and many others. Among them, one of the district’s most significant architectural attractions is the Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy Palace.

The Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy Palace, an architectural wonder around 200 years old, is located on School Road in Shekhernagar village under Sirajdikhan upazila in Munshiganj. The village, situated near the Shekhernagar Raybahadur Institution on the banks of the Ichamati River, stands as a silent witness to history and tradition. The palace has a square layout, with a two-storey building measuring 40 feet in height and 20 feet in width. Three additional single-storey buildings stand on three sides of the main structure, each measuring 20 feet by 15 feet. There are two ponds with paved ghats on the eastern and southern sides of the house.

The frontal view of Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy’s house. Photo: Ujjal Khan/Facebook

The two-storey building of the square-shaped Roy House is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. On the northern, western and southern sides of the main building, there are three more single-storey structures, each 20 feet long and 15 feet wide.

There are two ponds with paved ghats on the eastern and southern sides of Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy’s house. Srinath Roy, one of the most generous and wealthy figures in Munshiganj, was conferred the titles of ‘Raja’ and ‘Rai Bahadur’ by the British rulers. Lord Carmichael, the first Governor of Bengal, arrived at the house of Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy on 21 Sraban 1322 of the Bengali calendar to inaugurate a charitable dispensary. During the Partition of India in 1947, all members of Raja Srinath Roy’s family migrated to Kolkata.

Munshiganj can be reached by Mawa-bound buses from Gulistan, Abdullahpur or Mirpur in Dhaka. Travellers can also reach Munshiganj by launch from Dhaka’s Sadarghat Launch Terminal. From the Munshiganj district headquarters, visitors can travel to Sirajdikhan upazila by bus and then take a rickshaw to Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy’s house.

Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy Palace after renovation. Photo: Musafor.com

Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy: History and legacy

Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy was one of the wealthiest and most philanthropic figures in Munshiganj. The British administration honoured him with the titles of ‘Raja’ and ‘Rai Bahadur’. On 21 Sraban 1322 of the Bengali calendar, Lord Carmichael, the first Governor of Bengal, visited the house to inaugurate a charitable dispensary. Following the Partition of India in 1947, Srinath Roy’s family relocated to Kolkata.

How to go

Munshiganj is located only 23 kilometres from Dhaka by road. Buses bound for Mawa are available from Gulistan, Abdullahpur and Mirpur, from where travellers can reach Munshiganj. It is also possible to travel by launch from Sadarghat Launch Terminal to Munshiganj. From the district headquarters, visitors can take a bus to Sirajdikhan Upazila and then hire a rickshaw to reach the residence of Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy.

Three additional single-storey buildings stand on three sides of the main structure, each measuring 20 feet by 15 feet. Photo: Travel News

Accommodation

Munshiganj can easily be visited on a day trip from Dhaka. However, those wishing to stay overnight can find accommodation at Hotel Three Star or Hotel Comfort in the district headquarters area. Visitors may also choose to stay at attractive resorts such as Padma Resort, Mawa Resort and Meghna Village Holiday Resort.

Munshiganj is well known for Chitta’s yoghurt, Ananda’s sweets, khuder khichuri (locally known as Khuder Bouua), and the sweets of Bhagyakul. The district also has a number of quality hotels and restaurants serving a variety of food.

Places of interest

Apart from the residence of Rai Bahadur Srinath Roy, notable attractions in Munshiganj include the Jagadish Chandra Memorial Museum, the Bhagyakul Zamindar House and the Mawa Ferry Ghat.