Md. Sanower Hossain, Shajahanpur (Bogura)

The historic 'Balihar Raja's Kacharibari' in Demazani village of Amrul Union of Shajahanpur Upazila of Bogra still stands as a silent witness to history.

This establishment, which holds a history of several centuries, was once an important center for land administration and revenue collection. But due to long-term neglect and lack of proper maintenance, the building has now become dilapidated. Due to its unprotected condition, there is a fear of gradual disappearance around this historical establishment.

However, a new ray of hope has recently emerged with the administrative initiative taken to preserve the establishment. In response to the request of the locals, a letter has been sent to the Department of Archaeology through the District Administrator. When the necessary information was sought from the department, its full response was also sent recently. The administration is now awaiting the decision of the Department of Archaeology.

According to local history, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707 AD), Narsingh Chakraborty of the Boliharan Zamindar family of Naogaon obtained a jagir in the Shajahanpur area. After that, this kacharibari was built at Demazani port to facilitate administrative activities, keeping land accounts, and collecting revenue or rent from the subjects. This history has also been mentioned as local folklore in various published reports.

Once upon a time, Demazani was an important commercial and administrative center of the surrounding area. During the Zamindari period, revenue collection and local administrative activities were conducted around this kacharibari. It is believed among the locals that the Zamindar and his representatives would come here to meet the subjects and see the accounts of the land and rent.

The architecture of the two-story building, built of lime-surki and brick, has the impression of the old-fashioned construction style. According to local historical accounts, the building had three rooms on the second floor. One of them was reserved for the landlord, and the other rooms were used by the naib and employees. The collection of rent was carried out in a large room on the ground floor. The other rooms were used for the treasury and various administrative functions.

Legend has it that the landlord used to come to the Kacharibari of Demazani in a palanquin at special times of the year. Rani Kusum Kamini Devi lived with him. The presence of the tenants in the Kacharibari increased around the arrival of the landlord, and various administrative activities, including the collection of rent, were carried out.

Usage changed after the abolition of zamindari

After the abolition of the zamindari system in 1950, the ownership and use of the establishment also changed. According to local sources, the building was used for government purposes at various times. The structure was once used for government activities related to tehsils or land.

Although the zamindari system was abolished, the Kacharibari remains one of the monuments of local history and heritage. However, due to lack of adequate maintenance for a long time, various parts of the building began to deteriorate. Signs of corrosion have also appeared on the walls, doors, windows and other architectural elements.

The unprotected condition of the historical structure became even more evident in an incident in 2025. At that time, while removing 17 iron grills from the Kacharibari, the local Janata Union detained an employee of the land office. Later, the recovered grills were handed over to the local administration.

The then Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) had said that the government was taking care of the structure and legal action had been taken against the removal of the grills without permission.

According to locals, the incident is not limited to allegations of theft; rather, the incident also highlights how unprotected the historical structure, which is several hundred years old, is.

When asked about the preservation of the Kacharibari of King Balihar, Shajahanpur UNO Md. Taifur Rahman said, "The issue of preserving the Kacharibari came to the fore last year in a theft incident. Following the request of some local people, a letter was sent to the Department of Archaeology through the Deputy Commissioner, Bogra for the maintenance of the Kacharibari."

He said, "In view of this, the Department of Archaeology sent a letter seeking more detailed information about the Kacharibari—such as the land registry number, dag number, and the amount of land—required. A full response to that letter has also been sent recently."

UNO Taifur Rahman said, "It is hoped that a decision will be taken on this issue soon."

Local residents claim that the Kacharibari of King Balihar should not be seen as just an old building. It is an important monument to the history, land tenure system, and local administrative tradition of Shajahanpur. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the archaeological importance of the structure, determine its boundaries, prevent illegal encroachment and theft, and renovate it on an urgent basis.

At the same time, the locals have also demanded that the real history, construction period, and architectural features of the structure be documented by historians and archaeologists.

In their words, “There is no king, no zamindari—but the Kachari Bari is still standing as a witness to history.” If effective initiatives are not taken now, one day this historical structure may only survive in stories and pictures due to the ruthlessness of time.

Preserving such a historical monument is not just about preserving an old building; rather, it is a responsibility to keep an important chapter of the past alive for future generations.

The locals have demanded that the archaeological importance of the Kachari Bari of the historical Balihar Raja be determined and initiatives taken for its immediate preservation and renovation.