| Dighapatia Raj | |
|---|---|
_Monogram.JPG) Armorial of Dighapatia Raj | |
| Country | East Bengal |
| Founded | 18th century |
| Founder | Raja Dayaram Roy |
| Current head | Legally Abolished (1950) |
| Titles | |
Dighapatia Raj (sometimes calledDighapatia Raj Paribar literallyDighapatia Royal Family[1]) was azamindari in present-dayRajshahi, which was ruled by thisdynasty of 7 generations ofRajas from early 18th century till the mid-20th century; when thedemocratic government took power after the end of theBritish Monarchy's rule in India, in 1950, theEast Pakistan government abolishedaristocracies and the zamindari system in present-dayBangladesh. The family was seated at theDighapatia Palace.
The family contributed largely to the development in education, infrastructure and culture of Rajshahi andNorth Bengal. They were especially famous for their generosity and public spirit. The Rajas built theVarendra Research Museum[2] among other institutions of culture and education. The Rajas of Dighapatia were seated at the Dighapatia Palace.[3] They receivedMaharaja title andRai titles of honour from theMughal Empire such as Raja, Maharaja and RajaBahadur and other titles from theBritish Crown, such as the Indian Orders of Knighthood.[4]
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Uttara Gano Bhaban, also known asThe Maharaja's Palace orDighapatia Palace (orDighapatia Rajbari), is a historic, formerly royal palace inNatore, Bangladesh. It was built by the Raja of Dighapatia but is used as theofficial residence of theheads of states of Bangladesh inNorth Bengal. In the north, it serves as an official Presidential Palace.
Originally used as the residence of the Rajas of Dighapatia, it is located about 2.40 km away from the Natore town. Raja Dayaram Roy constructed the main structure of the palace along with a few wings; but it was Raja Pramada Nath Roy rebuilt the whole palace complex after the catastrophic earthquake of 1897.
TheDighapatia Palace was made 'Dighapatia Governor House' on 24 July 1967 byAbdul Monem Khan, the Governor of erstwhile East Pakistan. Later, after the country's independence,Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, President of Bangladesh declared the Dighapatia Governor House asUttara Gonobhaban on 9 February 1972. Before the split of Pakistan and Bangladesh, PresidentAyub Khan resided at the Palace.[5] Various historic meetings took place at the palace,[6] during the period of British rule in India, the era ofEast Pakistan, and finally after theindependence of Bangladesh.