Tajhat Palace: A Royal Relic in Rangpur

Tajhat Palace, or Tajhat Rajbari, stands as a majestic reminder of Bengal's zamindari past. Situated approximately 6 kilometers southeast of Rangpur city center, this historical palace offers a journey back in time. Built in the early 20th century by Maharaja Kumar Gopal Lal Roy, the palace is a testament to the opulence and artistic sensibilities of the era.Kumar Gopal Lal Roy, a Hindu merchant who made his fortune as a jeweler, commissioned the palace's construction in 1906. The name 'Tajhat' is believed to have originated from his profession, with 'Taj' meaning crown and 'hat' meaning local market. The palace was completed in 1925, employing 2,000 workers and costing $1.5 million at the time. Roy was known for his good relations with his tenants and introduced cultural celebrations like kite flying and a fair for women.The palace itself is a 'U' shaped structure, featuring a blend of Mughal, European, Hindu, and Islamic architectural styles. White stones, marble, limestone, and red bricks were used in its construction, with materials imported from different parts of the subcontinent. The palace has a large open space in front, with an imposing central staircase made of imported white marble. The palace is crowned by a ribbed conical dome, similar to Ahsan Manzil in Dhaka.From 1984 to 1991, the palace served as a branch of the Rangpur High Court. In 1995, it was declared a protected monument by the Department of Archaeology. Recognizing its architectural value, the government shifted the Rangpur Museum to the second floor of the palace in 2005. The museum displays 10th and 11th-century terracotta artifacts, Sanskrit and Arabic manuscripts, and black stone Hindu carvings.Visitors can explore the palace and museum, taking in the grandeur of its architecture and the richness of its historical artifacts. The surrounding gardens offer a serene environment for relaxation and photography. Although photography is prohibited inside the museum to protect the artifacts, visitors are welcome to capture the beauty of the exterior architecture and gardens.