Ujani Palace Gopalganj

Ujani Palace is a historical architectural monument located in Muksudpur, 35 km from Gopalganj district headquarters. With the evolution of time, the ancient art patterns of Rajbari have been lost to a large extent. However, as a witness of the zamindari system, the palace survives, but due to lack of proper renovation, the beauty of this structure is on the way to extinction. During British rule, two zamindars named Govind and Sur Narayan from Jessore district settled in Ujani village of Gopalganj. Later they introduced the zamindari system with an area of ​​about 50 hectares in Telihati pargana and built some two and three storied palaces for the zamindari work. As part of that plan, elaborate zamindar houses were built at Uzani, now known as Uzani Rajbari.

Apart from the palace, Uzani Rajbari also has meeting rooms, pond ghats, monasteries and temples. With the demise of the zamindari system, the zamindars and their successors migrated to India, but Sur Narayan's descendants still live in this Ujani zamindar house. At that time Uzani zamindar had a total of 7 zamindaris. Today, the old panchil, temple and terracotta-enclosed monastery roof of the elaborate Ujani Rajbari have almost collapsed and the rough stone Kalimandir and huge dighi adjacent to the zamindar bari are on the verge of extinction due to lack of renovation. There is another ancient zamindar house in Mahatali village not far from Uzani zamindar house.

Gopalganj can be reached by Palash, Imad, Tungipara Express, Golden Line, Green Line, Comfort, Rajdhani or BRTC buses from Dhaka's Gabtali and Sayedabad bus terminals. These AC/Non-AC buses will cost Tk 500-900 depending on the class. The distance from Muksudpur upazila to Ujani Rajbari is about 8 km. Get off the bus at Gopalganj police line or Ghonapara and take another bus/battery operated easybike/van/Nassiman to reach Ujani Rajbari located on the south side of Ujani Bazar.

Gopalganj city has several residential hotels and rest houses including Hotel Madhumati, Hotel Rana, Palash Guest House, Hotel Shimul, Hotel Sohag, Hotel Rifat and Hotel Jimmy.

Gopalganj city has Bengali food as well as fast food and Chinese food restaurants. You can eat your favorite food at Lake View Cafe, Bhooter Bari, Barbecue Tonight or FNF Restaurant near Bangabandhu Road in the city.

Among the places to visit in Gopalganj are Bangabandhu's mausoleum, Beet Root Canal, Arpara Munsibari, Sheikh Russell Shishu Park and Lal Shaplar Bill etc.

Feature Image: Md. Khalek