Gambhir Singh's Palace in Bangladesh lies in neglect
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 03, 2012: The palace constructed by Manipuri king Maharaj Gambhir Singh in 1824 at Sylhet in Bangladesh after clearing the Mirza jungle still lies in neglect and out of the purview of relevant Act of Bangladesh Government for protection of century old historical monuments as there is no one to exert pressure in this regard, Mutua Bahadur, the Director of Mutua Museum located at Keishampat, lamented.

Talking to mediapersons at the auditorium of EEMA here today, Mutua Bahadur pointed out that Maharaja Gambhir Singh cleared an area of 600 acres of land in Mirza Jungle for the construction of the palace.

But today, the land area of the palace complex is not even four Paris of paddy field following unceasing encroachment.

Important portions of the palace have also been occupied as private houses by encroachers.

In spite of all these, Meeteis in Bangladesh, who are in minority, could do nothing to prevail upon the Government of that country for the protection and preservation of the historic palace.

The sacred sites for Pakhangba, Yumjao Lairembi and Lainingthou Nongsaba, which are essential parts of any palace of Manipuri kings, are now located inside the homestead of one Nodiya Bashi Das.

With exception to remnants of Sanathong of the palace, which is located within the homestead of another Gurumayum Ahit Sharma, there is no sign of the brick temple and seven-layered brick wall surrounding the palace.

The Ningthou Pukhri and Lairembi Pukhri have too been leveled today, he informed.

Mutua Bahadur conveyed that concerned over the fact that there would be no trace of any palace ever existed there once the remnants of the Sanathong is gone, he took a team of artisans and construction workers from Imphal to Bangladesh for reconstruction of the palace from December 31, 2011 to January, 2012.During the course of the stay in Bangladesh, one authentic Potloi and a Leitreng (Kajenglei) were presented to the authority of Bangladesh National Museum to replace the earlier unauthentic items being kept for public display with wrong labels, Mutua Bahadur recalled.

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