Tajhat Palace: A Regal Relic of Rangpur

Tajhat Palace, situated a few kilometers southeast of Rangpur, is a majestic reminder of Bengal's opulent past. Constructed in the early 20th century by Maharaja Kumar Gopal Lal Roy, a Hindu jeweler-turned-landlord, the palace exemplifies a unique blend of Mughal and European architectural influences. The name 'Tajhat' is believed to be derived from Roy's profession, with 'Taj' meaning crown and 'hat' meaning market. The palace's construction began in the early 1900s and was completed in 1917, employing around 2,000 workers and costing approximately 1.5 crore rupees at the time. The palace boasts a U-shaped layout with an open west-facing facade, covering approximately two acres. Its features include white and marble stones, limestones and red bricks, and a large front space with an imposing central staircase made of imported white marble. The palace also has a ribbed conical dome similar to Ahsan Manzil. From 1984 to 1991, the palace served as a branch of the Rangpur High Court of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. In 1995, it was declared a protected monument by the Department of Archaeology. Recognizing its architectural significance, the Rangpur Museum was moved to the second floor of Tajhat Palace in 2005. The museum displays 10th and 11th-century terracotta artifacts, Sanskrit and Arabic manuscripts, and black stone Hindu carvings. Visitors can also explore the palace's lush gardens with manicured lawns and serene water features.