Welcome to Wanderer's Way. In this video, I will take you on a journey to explore the Natore Royal Place (Raj Bari), the former residence of Rani Bhabani, one of the most influential and benevolent zamindars (landlords) of Bengal in the 18th century. She was also known as the Queen of Natore and Ordho Bongeshori.
To reach Natore Raj Bari you need to take a train or bus from Rajshahi to Natore Town. From there you can hire an auto rickshaw to the Rajbari. It is a complex of seven palaces, built by different members of the family over the years. The main palace, known as Boro Taraf (big palace), was built by Raja Ramjivan, the founder of the dynasty, in the early 1700s. It is a majestic building with classical Roman-style architecture, facing a big playground and surrounded by ponds and gardens. This palace was the residence of Rani Bhabani, who inherited the zamindari after the death of her husband Raja Ramkanta in 1748.
Rani Bhabani was a remarkable woman, who not only managed the zamindari with efficiency and wisdom but also contributed to the welfare of her subjects and the society at large. She built hundreds of temples, guesthouses, roads, water tanks, and schools across her estate, and supported the needy and the learned.
You can explore the palace and its surroundings, admiring the beauty and grandeur of the architecture and the artifacts. You can also explore the other palaces in the complex, such as the Chhoto Taraf (small palace), which was built by the junior branch of the family, the Rani Bhavani's Palace, the temple of Tarekeshor, the temple of Kali, the courtyard used by Rajas, jail, where the zamindars used to imprison and punish their enemies and criminals. The jail is a dark and gloomy place. You will also find some big ponds. These ponds are a source of water and beauty for the Raj Bari. They also protect the palaces from the outer enemies. You will learn more about the history and culture of Natore and the Rajshahi Raj family from the guides and the locals, who are very friendly and helpful.
After seeing all these majestic buildings your heart will surely fill with admiration and respect for Rani Bhabani, who was a visionary leader and a generous patron of art and culture. She left behind a legacy that is still cherished and celebrated by the people of Natore and beyond. I hope you have enjoyed this video and learned something new. If such happens, please like, share, and subscribe to my channel Wanderer's Way, where I bring you more stories and adventures from around the world. Thank you for watching and see you in the next video. 🙏
