Jagannath University

Course: HISTORY OF LIBERATION WAR AND EMERGENCE OF

BANGLADESH (MGT_1105)

Department Of Management (15thbatch)

Jagannath University

Assignment on
History of Mymensingh
district

Submitted to
Dr. Md. Miraj
Hossen Associate
Professor Dept. of
Management
Jagannath University

Submitted
by Salman
Alam ID:121
Section: B
Dept. of Management

Date of submission:4thFebruary 2020

Background History of Mymensingh :

Mymensingh is one of the 16 old districts of Bangladesh which was constituted by the British East
India Company on 1 May 1787. Being more than 220 years old, Mymensingh has a rich cultural
and political history. In the beginning, Begunbari was chosen as the headquarters of the district.
However, the district headquarters was relocated to Mymensingh when Begunbari devastated by a
flash flood. Earlier Mymensingh was called Nasirabad, after Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah. During the
British Raj most of the inhabitants of the town were Hindus..During the British, this district was
ruled by Banik Zamindars who moved to India during Partition.
From the early 20th century Muslims moved into town. Since then this city has played an important
role as a centre for secularism. The Vidyamoyee Uccha Balika Bidyalaya and Muminunnesa
Women's College have played a great role in educating Bengali Muslim women. A majority of first-
generation successful Bangladeshi women have attended these schools and colleges, including
the first woman justice of the High Court of Bangladesh, Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana. However,
many Hindu families left Bangladesh during the partition of India in 1947. A second spell of Exodus
took place following the Indo-Pak war of 1965. Many people born and raised Mymensingh have
left for West Bengal since the 1960s. The exodus continues albeit at a slower pace.
The nine-month liberation war of Bangladesh started on 27 March 1971. Mymensingh remained
free from the occupation army until 23 April 1971. Pakistani occupation forces deserted
Mymensingh on 10 December, and Mukti Bahini took over on 11 December, just five days ahead
of the victory of Dhaka on 16 December

Historical place of Mymensingh District :

Muktagacha Zamindar House : Muktagacha Zamindar House (মুক্তাগাছা জমিদার বাড়ী) is located
at the heart of the Muktagacha(মুক্তাগাছা) Upazila, 16km west to the Sadar Upazila. Previously the
name of Muktagacha was Binodbari (বিনোদবাড়ী). It is believed that the Zamindars actually came
from the Natore (নাটোর) or Bogra (বগুড়া) of our North Bengal. When the first ruler named Srikrishna
Acharya (শ্রীকৃ ষ্ণ আচার্য) arrived here, a local inhabitant named Muktaram Kormokar (মুক্তারাম কর্মকার)
welcomed them with a large lamp stand that was made from brass. In that portion of our country,
people call a lamp stand as Gachha (গাছা)). This gratitude pleased the Zamindar and they have
renamed the area as Muktagacha (মুক্তা গাছা) using that inhabitant’s name and the lamp stand’s
local name.
Srikrishna Acharya (শ্রীকৃ ষ্ণ আচার্য) established the Zamindari at Muktagacha formerly known as
Binodbari. Later, his four sons Ram Ram, Hore Ram (হরে রাম), Bishnu (বিষ্ণু ), Shibram (শিবরাম)and
their inheritor conducted the Zamindari. The Owner of the Muktagacha Rajabari was Jogot Kishor
Acarya (জগত কিশোর আচার্য), the son of Hore Ram Acharya (হরে রাম আচার্য). His ancestors started to
build that Palace in the year 1750-60 which signifies that the structure is almost 300 yrs old.
However, this old house from Muktagacha covers a vast area, though most of the structures are in
very poor condition. Few things were stolen by the locals, and others are just dilapidated for not
taking any care. We observed two storied iron & steel made house (though floors are all gone,
only structure is standing there).

Mymensingh: Shoshi Lodge :

This palace was built by the King SurjoKanto(সুর্যকান্ত). He had an adopted son named
ShoshiKanto(শশীকান্ত). The king named the palace according to his son’s name.
Shoshikanto(শশীকান্ত) was the last inherent of that ruler family.
The architecture of the palace is not that much byzantine in design. You’ll find a statue of Greek
goddess Venus in front of the palace that was built using marble stone. I have found this statue is
the most interesting part of that premise. As we hadn’t that much time for exploring the place, we
have missed the pond behind the palace and the great Naglinum tree(নাগলিঙ্গম গাছ). The fruit from
that ancient tree was used to feed the elephants.
This Jamindar house(জমিদার বাড়ি) is located at the main town. You can easily go there using
rickshaw or by walking. This old house is currently using as Women Teachers Training College.
Friday/Saturday is the best time to visit as regular working is close on that day.

Bepin Park

Bepin Park (বিপিন পার্ক ) is a common place to go around in Mymensingh City, very close to
Brahmaputra River. It is a small park near Bara Bazaar area, built as a recreation center for child,
youths and age old people. Sitting in the brick benches inside the park an explorer can get the
whole view of Brahmaputra river. From the dawn to dusk it is open for all visitors. This park owns
so many rides for kids which has made this park unique from others. Besides, it also has sitting
arrangement for public.

To enhance the beauty of city, Bepin Park was first Inaugurated by DC M Sayful Islam on 1st
January, 1980. Later, its beauty was developed & Inaugurated by the city Mayor Ikramul Haque
Titu. A lot of people come here everyday with Child and senior members for wondering around and
refreshment.

How to go
Its easy for the Mymensingh citizen to visit that park; just hire a rickshaw to get there. From
Charpara, Maskanda and Kachari area, there are significant numbers of rickshaws and auto-
rickshaws moving toward the bridge area via Bara Bazar road. Just ride one of those vehicles to
be that park. If you would like to pay a visit to that place, check how to go from Dhaka to
Mymensingh by road.

MYMENSINGH RAJBARI :

The name of Maharajah Sashi Kanta Acharya Chaudhury is the penultimate in a 55 year history of
the administration of Mymensingh, and a large swather of other lands in Bangladesh. It is also the
name given originally to the Oriental Edwardian masterpiece, Sashi Lodge, now known as
Mymensingh Rajbari.
In the case, Rajbari, which implies some royal connection, may be a more correct description than
most for what are more properly known as Zaminderbari.
The history of this remarkable progression goes back to the early 16th Century, when even
Mughal domination of the area was tenuous , at best, in view if the resitance of the Afghan
originated rulers of the area whose base was in Panam City, Sonargaon.
Known at that time as Nazirabad, the name deriving from Sultan Nusrat Shah, who won the
territory from the Kamprup Kings, and ruled from 1519 to 1532, Mymensingh has along and
distinguished history, much of which is associated with , first the Mughal Zaminders, who were
area rulers with a tradition of nobility, and after 1757, when the East India Company took control of
the lands of Bengal, the Zaminders who were more tax farmers than feudal lords.
This appear to be one of the families who made a smooth transition, presumably having disagreed
with the succession of the last of the independent Nawabs, and either remained aloof from his
assembly of forces to confront Colonel Clive and his allies at Plassey, or perhaps even joining the
British forces.
The original, Mughal period seat of the great family was Muktagacha Palace about 10 miles to the
west of Mymensingh (of which more in another piece), but it is reasonable to suppose that, despite
having at least 8 other palaces, many perhaps intended as resting places along the river journey
to Calcutta or Dhaka, he saw the need for a residence closer to the railhead of Mymensingh, which
had certainly become a major administrative centre under the Raj.

This residence on the river bank in Mymensingh is surrounded by evidence of the commitment to
education and innovation that is equally in evidence at Muktagacha.

Botanical Garden of Bangladesh Agricultural University :

Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanic Garden (which is also known as Bangladesh Krishi
University Botanical Garden, Mymensingh botanical garden, etc) is located beside the University
(eastern side). It was founded during 1962 and currently it is under the Department of Crop
Botany. This is a small garden but rich with plenty of flora, specially during Spring.
It was the month of spring when we were there. Almost every plant from the garden was
showcasing the blooming. There were lot of flowers which I’ve never seen before. This botanical
garden gave me the opportunity to observe them. Such flowers are Ramshor (Hapormali), Bashok,
Chitra, Neel moni lota, and many more.
This botanical garden has an orchid section. But similar to other botanical garden that was locked.
But the fence of the house was broken. We could see inside from the outside. Didn’t see that
much blooming of orchid there. Also there wasn’t too many plants either. Compare to the richness
of the whole botanical garden the Orchid section was really poor in my opinion.
The once upon a mighty river Brahmaputra is flowing beside this botanical garden. The river was
looking lovely from the garden. It wasn’t having that much of water there due to dry season. If you
are a nature lover then you could have a sit on a bench for a while to enjoy the moment. Also
there is a nice path at the river side of the garden. You could have a stroll to enjoy your moment.

Mymensingh Museum :

mymensingh Museum (ময়মনসিংহ জাদুঘর), formerly known as Momenshahi Museum (মোমেনশাহী

জাদুঘর) is located at the bagan bari (garden house) of Zamindar Madan Babu at 17 Amrita (অমৃত)
Babu Road, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The museum, which began as an important regional
institution for preservation of locally collected historical evidence, lacks proper preservation. Its
objective is to preserve the rare and unique relics of local architecture, sculpture, metal
works,utensils, handwritten scripts on paper and leaf, and commercial products. Collected from the
palaces of Mymensingh District Zamindars, the museum’s initial collection included 214 articles.
They are housed in three rooms within the museum.
The museum was established in 1969 at the initiative of the-then Deputy Commissioner of
Mymensingh. Initially run by the Mymensingh Municipality. The Department of Archaeology,
Cultural Affairs Ministry took charge of the museum in 1989. By 1995, it was enlisted in the
gazette.
The collection includes manuscripts and coins, though many are not on display due to insufficient
showcase space. A peacock mummy comes from Mymensingh Medical College. Bamboo and
cane items, preserved birds, photographs and pottery were damaged during a renovation in 1999–
2001.
Several articles were collected from Zamindar palaces. The Muktagacha zamindar palace
contribution includes a stone flower vase, a compass, antique clocks, Bakharee (an ornament),
pottery, weaving machines, ornamental flower tub stands, candle stands, iron shelves and sports
items. Statuary and sculptures include those of Saraswati, Vishnu, and a dragon.
Natural history items include a tiger head, two deer heads, and the head of a wild bull. Elephant
heads, a sofa set, Italian statues, and a huge shade used during hunting come from the
Gouripur(গৌরীপুর) zamindar palace. A rhinoceros hide and a table with a marble stone top were
acquired from the Atharabari (আঠারোবাড়ি) zamindar palace .The museum contains many paintings
of rural Bengal.
How to go:
This Museum is located at the main city, also near to the great river Brahmaputra( ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ). Any
visitor staying in the town can easily visit this area by having a walk or using a rickshaw. It is also
easily reachable from Kachari area of Mymensingh city and nearby municipal building.

Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala :

Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala (শিল্পাচার্য জয়নুল আবেদীন সংগ্রহশালা) is an art museum
located in Mymensingh District. It was built in the memory of great Teacher of Arts ” Zainul Abedin
“. This Art gallery was established in 1975 and it contains various collections of the artist
Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin (1914–1976).

The art gallery was established in Mymensingh, where the artist spent his early days. Abedin, a
pioneer of the country’s modern art movement, created works of art on subject matters such as
the Bengal famine of 1943 and the peoples’ independence. The museum is located in the area of
shaheeb quarter park on the bank of the old Bramaputra River. Each year in December, the
gallery authority organizes an anniversary program that includes a discussion on the life and work
of Zainul, as well as a painting competition. While the art gallery does not issue publications,
Bangladesh National Museum, which has a collection of 800 paintings by Abedin, issues poster
and card on behalf of the artist. Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala is a branch of the
national museum.
Born in Mymensingh, Abedin drew pictures sitting on the bank of Brahmaputra River. While
studying at local Mrityunjay (মৃত্যুঞ্জয়) School, he won the first prize in a Bombay Chronicle art
competition. Subsequently, the school’s headmaster sent more of Abedin’s paintings to India.
Devoted to his art, the school teachers encouraged him to go to Kolkata and, in 1933, Abedin was
admitted to Calcutta Government Art School.
In the 1950s, Abedin began a movement of collecting neglected pieces of Bangladeshi arts works
that were scattered all over rural areas of the country. The artist remained attached to his
hometown, prompting the establishment of a museum in Mymensingh on 15 April 1975 in a
building owned by Mr. Barden who later sold it to a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
The gallery opened with approximately 70 pieces of art that included oil paintings and drawings by
Abedin during his tours abroad. The gallery was initially run by a committee that was assisted by a
local administration.
In its early years, it had 77 of Abedin’s paintings but in 1982, seventeen pieces of art were stolen
from the museum. Only ten of which were retrieved in 1994. Renovations began in 1997. Two year
later, the National Museum took charge of the gallery and completed renovations in 2004 on the
3.2-acre facility. This included construction of a main gate, ticket counters, and walls. A projector,
sound system and de-humidifier were installed. An artists’ cottage and an open-air stage were
added.
There are currently 53 oil paintings in the archive. The collection includes various themes and
subjects, though most depict scenes of rural Bengal. Besides the original paintings there are 16
replicas and 75 photographs on Zainul’s life and works. There are also 69 mementos on display
such as brushes, brush holder, bottles of turpentine and linseed oil, carbon box, charcoal, wax,
colour palette, colour tube, easel, ink pot, leather portrait holder, metal clip, reed pen, scraper,
spatula and his spectacles. The mementos are situated in glass boxes in the midst of the gallery.

How to go
A traveler can reach at Town Hall anywhere from Mymensingh city riding on rickshaws or shared
auto-rickshaws which may cost around 10 taka. From the town hall area there are so many shared
auto-rickshaws available heading toward Kachijhuli (কাঁচিঝু লি). You may ride one of those which
may cost 5-10 taka.

Muktagacha Monda :

The Monda (Sweetmeat) of Muktagacha, Mymensingh was first introduced by Ram Gopal Pal
known as Gopal Pal (1206 -1314 BE) first prepared & made the mouth-watering sweetmeat
Monda in 1824 (Eng).
Gopal Pal offered Monda to Maharaja Suryakanta Acharya Chowdhury ( সূর্যকান্ত আচার্য চৌধুরী) (one of
the zamindars of Muktagacha). He was satisfied and amazed by the taste of this unique
sweetmeat. Later the Zamindar encouraged him to prepare monda to entertain guests who visited
the zamindars. Then this tradition had became so popular among the other Zamindars and later in
common people.
The zamindars also supported Gopal Pal financially for the expansion of the business. Now 5th
generation of the Gopal Pal family running the business.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Ustad Alauddin Khan & other famous personnel from this
subcontinent appreciated the taste of Monda.
Prominent person who were born in Mymensingh:

Abdul Jabbar :

Jabbar, Abdul (1919-1952) martyr of Language Movement. Abdul Jabbar was born on 26 Aswin
1326 BS (1919 AD) at village Panchua in Gafargaon thana of Mymensingh district. He had his
primary education in a local pathsala, but could not continue his studies due to poverty.

He left the school and was engaged in helping his father in agricultural work. While a boy of fifteen
Abdul Jabbar left home unnoticed in search of fortune and reached the brisk commercial centre
Narayanganj by train. There he came in contact with an Englishman who helped him in getting a
job in Burma. He earned some proficiency in English language there. He returned home after
twelve years of service in Burma. In 1952, Abdul Jabbar came to Dhaka (20 February) with his
mother-in-law and wife for the medical treatment of his mother-in-law, a cancer patient. He got her
mother-in-law admitted into the Medical College Hospital. On 21 February 1952, there was an
assemblage of the students and the public at the premises of the Medical College Hostel
demanding recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan.

Abdul Jabbar joined the rally. The police fired on the rally, and Abdul Jabbar was severely struck
with a bullet. He was admitted into the Medical College Hospital where he breathed his last on the
night following.

In recognition of his sacrifice, Abdul Jabbar was awarded the Ekushey Padak (posthumously) in
2000 AD. [Dilruba Begum]

Syed Nazrul Islam :

Syed Nazrul (1925-1975) lawyer, politician and the acting President of the Provisional Government
of Bangladesh at Mujibnagar. Syed Nazrul Islam was born in 1925 at Jamodal Dampara in
Kishoreganj district. He obtained his MA degree in History in 1947 and LLB in 1953 from the
Dhaka University. He took active part in politics in his student life, and was the vice president of
Salimullah Muslim Hall Student Union (1946-47) and secretary of Muslim Student League. Syed
Nazral Islam was the captain of the Dhaka University cricket and hockey team and secretary of
games and sports of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU).

Syed Nazrul Islam successfully competed in the Pakistan Central Superior Service in 1949 and
joined as an officer in the Department of Taxation. He resigned from government service in 1951
to join Anandamohan College (Mymensingh) as Professor of History. Subsequently he joined the
Mymensingh district bar. He took active part in the language movement as a member of the all
party Action Committee.

Syed Nazrul started his political career as an activist of awami league. He was elected president of
Mymensingh district unit of the party in 1957.
Syed Nazrul Islam was the senior vice president of central committee of Awami League from 1964
to 1972. He continued to hold the responsibility of the acting president of Awami League (1966-
1969) following the confinement of the party chief Bangubandhu sheikh mujibur rahman during the
movement with six-point programme. As one of the leaders of the Democratic Action Committee
he played an important role in the anti-Ayub movement in 1969. He was a member of the Awami
League delegation to the Round Table Conference convened by President mohammad ayub khan
at Rawalpindi (1969).

Syed Nazrul Islam was elected member of the Pakistan National Assembly from Mymensingh in
1970, and was elected deputy leader of the Awami League parliamentary party. He had a vital role
in the non-cooperation movement in March 1971, and was an associate of Bangabandhu in his
dialogue with President yahya khan (19 March 1971). He officiated as acting president of Awami
League after the arrest of Bangabandhu on 25 March 1971.

Syed Nazrul Islam was the Vice-President of the mujibnagar government formed on 10 April 1971,
and in absence of the President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman he pioneered the war of liberation as
Acting President. He was a member of the first cabinet of Bangabandhu in charge of the Ministry
of Industry. He was a member of the committee for drafting the Constitution of Bangladesh. He
was elected deputy leader of the Awami League

Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose :

Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, Jagadish also spelled Jagadis, (born November 30, 1858,
Mymensingh, Bengal, India (now in Bangladesh)—died November 23, 1937, Giridih, Bihar), Indian
plant physiologist and physicist whose invention of highly sensitive instruments for the detection of
minute responses by living organisms to external stimuli enabled him to anticipate the parallelism
between animal and plant tissues noted by later biophysicists. Bose’s experiments on the quasi-
optical properties of very short radio waves (1895) led him to make improvements on the coherer,
an early form of radio detector, which have contributed to the development of solid-state physics.

After earning a degree from the University of Cambridge (1884), Bose served as professor of
physical science (1885–1915) at Presidency College, Calcutta (now Kolkata), which he left to
found and direct (1917–37) the Bose Research Institute (now Bose Institute) in Calcutta. To
facilitate his research, he constructed automatic recorders capable of registering extremely slight
movements; these instruments produced some striking results, such as Bose’s demonstration of
an apparent power of feeling in plants, exemplified by the quivering of injured plants. His books
include Response in the Living and Non-Living (1902) and The Nervous Mechanism of Plants
(1926).