Munshibari family of Ulipur

The Munshibari family of Ulipur refers to a historic landed family and estate in the area now known as Dharnibari Union, Ulipur Upazila, in Kurigram District of Bangladesh. The estate originated in the mid-eighteenth century during the period of the Nawabs of Bengal. Local historical tradition identifies Bonwari Munshi, an official or employee associated with the Bengal administration, as the person who developed the estate after taking an interest in the area during a hunting trip. He reportedly petitioned the Nawab for land and received approximately 21.20 acres for himself, while a further 11.20 acres were granted to Laxmi Narayan. Together, these holdings formed an estate of roughly 34 acres. The family’s succession was shaped repeatedly by adoption. Bonwari Munshi is said to have had no biological children, so his wife, Kadinginee Munshi, adopted a son named Binod to continue the family line and administer the estate. Binod also died without an heir. His wife, Krishna Kaminee, subsequently adopted Brojendra Lal Munshi. During Brojendra Lal’s period, Kanai Lal Sarkar served as a custodian, and accounts attributed to him preserve parts of the estate’s family history. Brojendra Lal’s wife, Asharatha Munshi, later had two daughters, Shuchi Rani and Shushama, although Shushama died young. Shuchi Rani married into a family in Kushtia, and her descendants eventually lived in Kolkata. Her child, Sushamakanti, is described as having remained in Kolkata with his family. Because the direct line did not provide a straightforward male successor, Shuchi Rani’s mother, also identified in the historical account as Asalata, adopted a male child to inherit the estate. Bihari Lal Munshi was the incumbent family head after this succession. Following the Bangladesh Liberation War, Bihari Lal moved to Kolkata and left local responsibility for Munshibari to Saifur Mia. According to the historical account, Saifur Mia later transferred or surrendered control to Arif Mia, whose attempted takeover caused serious conflict with local residents. During the confrontation, Arif Mia fired a gun, killing two local students. A legal case followed but was subsequently dismissed. The government of Bangladesh then assumed control of Munshibari and its associated property. The estate therefore ceased to function as a privately controlled feudal holding. In 1987, the Revenue Office of Dharnibari was established within the estate and continued operating there. Other parts of the grounds have also been used for public or community purposes. A hospital and mosque were established on adjoining land associated with the site, while some parcels were reportedly leased annually to local residents. The Islamic Mission and Foundation is described as holding or using approximately 7.42 acres adjoining the principal buildings. The surviving complex is valued primarily as a local architectural and historical site rather than as a commercial brand. Its remains include a Nat Mandir or performance pavilion, Durga and Vishnu temples, a Gobinda temple, a Shiva temple, a dining room, kitchen, drawing room, bedrooms, an upper-floor rest room, and bathrooms. The pond on the premises is used by local people, and several buildings and areas are occupied by government offices. A Durga Mela is held annually on the grounds, preserving a continuing religious and community association with the former estate.

Munshibari developed in the mid-eighteenth century in the Bengal region, in territory that is now part of Kurigram District in northern Bangladesh. Historical tradition links its foundation to Bonwari Munshi, an official or employee connected with the rulers of Bengal. After visiting the Dharnibari area by boat during a hunting trip, Bonwari Munshi reportedly became interested in the land and requested a grant from the Nawab. He received about 21.20 acres, while Laxmi Narayan received another 11.20 acres, creating an estate of approximately 34 acres. The family’s history includes several adoptions intended to preserve the estate’s succession. Bonwari Munshi reportedly had no child, and his wife Kadinginee Munshi adopted Binod. Binod also had no heir, leading his wife Krishna Kaminee to adopt Brojendra Lal Munshi. During Brojendra Lal’s tenure, Kanai Lal Sarkar acted as custodian and became associated with accounts of the family and estate. Brojendra Lal’s wife, Asharatha Munshi, had two daughters, Shuchi Rani and Shushama. Shushama died young, while Shuchi Rani married into a Kushtia family whose descendants later lived in Kolkata. Her son or descendant Sushamakanti is described as living in Kolkata with his family. Asalata, identified as Shuchi Rani’s mother, later adopted a male heir for the estate. Bihari Lal Munshi became the later head of the family. After the Bangladesh Liberation War, he relocated to Kolkata and placed local administration in the hands of Saifur Mia. The account of the estate states that Saifur Mia subsequently handed it over to Arif Mia, who attempted to assert control. The resulting dispute with local residents escalated when Arif Mia fired a gun, killing two students. Although a case was filed, it was later dismissed. The Government of Bangladesh subsequently took control of Munshibari and its property, ending the family’s effective administration of the holding. The estate’s later history has been primarily governmental and communal. In 1987, the Revenue Office of Dharnibari was installed on the grounds. Other land was used for a hospital, mosque, community access, and annual leases. The surviving buildings and ruins include religious, domestic, and ceremonial structures: a Nat Mandir, Durga temple, Vishnu temple, Gobinda temple, Shiva temple, dining and kitchen areas, drawing room, bedrooms, upper-floor rest room, and bathrooms. A pond remains in local use, while parts of the compound continue to accommodate public offices. The annual Durga Mela provides an ongoing cultural use for the site and connects the remains of the former estate with local religious life.

• 1987

  Revenue Office established on the estate

  [1]Munshibari family of Ulipuren.wikipedia.org

  The Revenue Office of Dharnibari was placed within the Munshibari complex and continued to operate there.

• Estate established in the eighteenth century

  [1]Munshibari family of Ulipuren.wikipedia.org

  Bonwari Munshi and Laxmi Narayan reportedly received adjoining land grants that formed the approximately 34-acre Munshibari estate in the Bengal region.

• Adoptive succession continues the family line

  [1]Munshibari family of Ulipuren.wikipedia.org

  After the deaths of childless or heirless family members, Binod and later Brojendra Lal Munshi were adopted to maintain succession to the estate.

• Family administration ends after the Liberation War

  [1]Munshibari family of Ulipuren.wikipedia.org

  Bihari Lal Munshi moved to Kolkata after the Bangladesh Liberation War and delegated local responsibility for Munshibari.

• Government takeover

  [1]Munshibari family of Ulipuren.wikipedia.org

  Following a violent dispute over control of the property, the Government of Bangladesh assumed control of Munshibari and its associated land.

Historic landed estate and cultural heritage site

• Violent dispute over estate control

  A conflict followed Arif Mia’s reported attempt to take control of Munshibari. He allegedly fired a gun during the confrontation, killing two local students. A case was filed and later dismissed, after which the government took control of the estate and its property.

  Source

Read more

• Government assumes control of MunshibariOther

  Background

  The takeover followed a dispute over the administration and attempted control of the estate after the family head had relocated to Kolkata.

  Action taken

  The Government of Bangladesh took control of the estate and its property, later using parts of the complex for public offices.

  Aftermath

  The estate ceased to operate as a privately administered feudal holding. The Dharnibari Revenue Office was established there in 1987, while other areas remained in community or religious use.

  Source

1. 1Munshibari family of Ulipuren.wikipedia.org