On 12 May 2026, marking the 153rd birth anniversary of Brajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury, the 5th male zamindar of Gouripur Rajbari, local research and cultural organizations in Gouripur are holding a two-day memorial program. The event, organized jointly by ASIC Association, Creative Association Historical Society & Library, Creative Sandhani Science & Technology Club, and The Electoral Committee for PEN Award Affairs, will also unveil updated historical research on his life and contributions.
Brajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury remains one of the most memorable names in the history of Bengal’s zamindari tradition. The Gouripur Estate, established in 1770, was managed by 10 zamindars until 1947. Among them were three women and six men, three of whom were adopted. His life reflects the cultural, educational, and philanthropic spirit of that era.
Early Life and Succession :
Brajendra Kishore was born on 29 Baishakh 1281 BS / 12 May 1874 in Balihar village, Naogaon district, Rajshahi division, into a zamindar family. He was the second son of Hariprasad Bhattacharya of Balihar.
The Gouripur Rajbari had fallen into a period of uncertainty after the death of its 4th male zamindar, Rajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury, in 1873 at the age of 24. To ensure the continuity of the lineage and the performance of ancestral rites, Rajendra Kishore’s wife, Bishweswari Devi Chowdhurani, adopted Brajendra Kishore in 1877.
Bishweswari Devi herself was an influential and philanthropic figure. During her husband’s illness and later after his death, she personally managed the zamindari. In 1865 she donated 15,000 taka to Mymensingh Sadar Hospital and supported the establishment of Mymensingh Government School and Kishoreganj National School with scholarships and grants. Every year on Ashtami, she arranged three days of free meals for thousands of pilgrims from different parganas at Gouripur.
When property was divided between mother and son, Bishweswari Devi retained one-fourth of the estate and transferred the remaining three-fourths to Brajendra Kishore. Before going on pilgrimage, she instructed him to use the income from her share to establish a school in her husband’s name. True to her wish, Brajendra Kishore founded the school in 1911.
Patron of Education and Culture :
Brajendra Kishore was a nature lover, scholar, and patron of arts. He named his two daughters Hemantbala and Basantbala, after the seasons of Bengal.
1. Gouripur Botanical Garden :
He established a 150-bigha [49.5 acre] botanical garden around the palace compound in central Gouripur. It included Pambithi Road, Ananta Sagar lake, Golpukur, Jora Pukur, Ranir Dighi, an ancient Durga temple, Natya Mandir [now Jhalmal Cinema Hall], rest house, guest house, kachari building, the palace itself, and rare medicinal and ornamental trees. After 1947, the garden was divided into various parts that now house Gouripur Women’s Honors College, Upazila Parishad, Rajendra Kishore Government High School, Shaheed Harun Park, the municipal land office, and other institutions.
2. Gouripur Rajendra Kishore Govt High School :
On 10 July 1911, he founded “The Rajendra Kishore High School” on 11 acres of land in memory of his father. The school was nationalized on 25 April 1991. The campus features a large pond, _Ananta Sagar_, named after his wife Anantabala Devi. The school’s architecture, in the shape of the English letter ‘E’, and its expansive playground remain landmarks in Gouripur.
3. Ishwarganj Bishweswari Pilot High School :
In 1916, he established Ishwarganj Bishweswari High School in Ishwarganj Upazila, Mymensingh, in memory of his mother. It was later upgraded to a pilot school.
4. Madhyanagar Bishweswari Public High School & College :
On 1 January 1920, he founded Madhyanagar Bishweswari Minor School in Sunamganj district, donating 5.60 acres of land and funds. It later developed into Madhyanagar Bishweswari Public High School & College.
These institutions show how Brajendra Kishore linked education to the memory of his parents and to regional development.
A Philanthropist and Cultural Figure :
Brajendra Kishore was not only an administrator but also a renowned musician, writer, actor, and sports patron. He declined the British government’s offer of the title “Raja,” preferring to serve without imperial honors. His son, Birendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury, became a noted instrumentalist.
He founded several socio-cultural organizations and supported the arts and sports. His contributions helped preserve 77 historical monuments, maps, books, and architectural heritage in Gouripur, much of which is now being documented by local historical societies.
The Legacy of Bishweswari Devi :
Historical records, including F.A. Sachse’s Bengal District Gazetteers: Mymensingh_, note that Bishweswari Devi lived until around 1915-1916, spending her later years in pilgrimage at Baidyanath Deoghar. She is remembered as a strong-willed woman who managed the zamindari with competence and generosity. Two of Brajendra Kishore’s later educational institutions were named in her honor after her death.[1917]
Preserving History :
The current commemoration in Gouripur is part of a larger effort by local research centers to bring Gouripur’s hidden history to light. Display boards have been installed at Gouripur Rajbari, presenting his life, works, and the heritage of the estate to the public.
Brajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury’s life illustrates how zamindars of Bengal, beyond their administrative role, acted as patrons of education, culture, and public welfare. His institutions still educate thousands, and his name remains a symbol of philanthropy in Mymensingh and beyond.
As the new generation of Gouripur grows up, initiatives like this memorial program ensure that the roots of their history are not forgotten.
The writer is a journalist, researcher and historian.
