Rose Garden Palace

Rose Garden Palace
General information
Town or city	Dhaka
Country	Bangladesh
Coordinates	23°43′5″N 90°25′35″E / 23.71806°N 90.42639°E / 23.71806; 90.42639Coordinates: 23°43′5″N 90°25′35″E / 23.71806°N 90.42639°E / 23.71806; 90.42639

The Rose Garden Palace is a mansion and garden in Old Dhaka. Built in the late 19th century, it became birthplace of the Awami League in 1949, when East Bengali liberal and social democrats converged in Dhaka to form an alternative political force against the Muslim League in Pakistan.

The property is situated on K.M. Das Lane in Tikatully of Old Dhaka, near the modern business district of Motijheel. The mansion was built by a landlord ( zaminder ) Hrikesh Das . He lived in the mansion for a decade . Later in 1927, He became bankrupt and sold the mansion to the landlords of Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria . Due to the unfortunate death of Zamidar Boshuruddin Sarkar of Nabinagar, the family had to sell the mansion to a Busimessman .

History

The Rose Garden Palace was built by a Hindu zamindar Hrikesh Das in the late 19th century.^[1] Around that time jalsas (parties) held at Baldha Garden were an important part of the social life of the city's wealthier Hindu residents. The story goes that Hrishikesh, a zamindar of lower caste background, being insulted on this account by someone at one of the jalsas at Baldha Garden, decided to create his own garden to outshine that of Baldha. Here he staged jalsas of his own. The centerpiece of the garden is an elegant pavilion. However, this was not created as a residence, but rather a setting for entertainment such as musical performances (although subsequent owners did use it as a house). This extravagant lifestyle caused Hrikesh to go bankrupt and he was forced to sell the property.

The palace was bought by Khan Bahadur Kazi Abdur Rashid from Hrikesh in 1936 and renamed the building Rashid Manzil. His eldest son Kazi Mohammed Bashir (Humayun) who carried his name and fame until this generation.

The building, which remains a private property to date, has been renovated by its owners keeping the original character fully maintained. At present it is owned by Qazi Abdur Raqib, Barrister, who has leased it out to the Bengal Motion Picture Studios Limited.

Location

The Rose Garden Palace is situated at Tikatuli near the Baldha Garden which is in Gopibug area. The exact location is at the K.M Das Lane of Tikatuli.

Architecture

The building has Corinthian columns and has eight apartments including a central hall on its ground floor. The upper floor has a further five apartments including a large dance hall in the middle. In the front yard, there was a fountain originally, the structure of which still remains. There are several classical marble statues in the garden, although the rose garden that gave the mansion its name does not exist anymore.

The lodge contains on the ground floor eight apartments including a 30’-0” + 15’-0” central hall whilst the upper floor has a further five apartments including a large dance hall measuring 45’-0” + 15’-0” in the middle.At the back of the building to the east there is a verandahanda triple-arched entrance porch which leads to a staircase for the upper storey. Originally there was an ornamental fountain in the garden and a number of classical marble statue.

Present condition

Visitors are allowed to visit the place as an afternoon refreshment spot. The owners mentioned that they wish to maintain the building and they have no plans to use them as their residential quarters nor to make this a profit-based tourist spot.

In popular culture

Hamiduzzaman Khan, a sculptor and painter, has illustrated a book called Rose Garden. The book contains sketches in pen-and-ink, crayon and watercolor of this landmark property. The text has been written in English by Kazi Ahmed Sajed.

See also

• Awami League
• Old Dhaka

References