The claws of time have withered most of the rusty facade, while patches of soft green weeds and creepers peep out of the man made rough surfaces of this 19th century brick built Jaminder Bari. This portrays a rich architectural and archeological heritage of Bengal Colonial Architecture. Baliati Jaminder Bari at Manikganj is a unique and rare example of grouped ancient villas which blends Bengal and European architecture.
Heritage planning intends to identify, recognize, protect, and properly manage heritage resources like buildings, structures, archaeological and historic sites, landscapes and landmarks, which are considered to be of significant heritage value. In accordance to that, architecture students under courses of Basic Planning and Photography, on July 14, 2011, walking through its ruins, explored the European Renaissance architecture features like Corinthian columns, brick arches, decorative triangular pediments and colonnaded façade, balconies with floral wrought iron balustrades, three lion gateways to the palace complex.
This 19th century magnificent palace complex, built by an affluent salt merchant, Govinda Ram Saha, occupies an area of over 20 acres of land approximately, and comprises of over 200 dwelling units of varying sizes and shapes. At present, the complex has four inner buildings, each of which is situated around an open courtyard behind the buildings on the front. On the north, there is a big excavated water tank, beyond which there are servant quarters and stable. The distinctive blend of European Renaissance elements and Bengal architectural features, both social and environmental, made it unique in the history of Bengal architecture. Rajbari or palaces built by Bengal feudal chiefs, Jaminder, resembles a discrete architectural trend in Bangladesh. The conservation of these Cultural Heritages is imperative and requires Heritage Policy to recognize and appreciate heritage resources as symbol of historic pride. Tattered bits of paint that has not peeled off already cling on desperately to the walls, signifying the typical condition of much of our architectural heritage. We have observed that, there have been sporadic efforts to restore parts of the site, if it is to regain any semblance of its past glory; the Jaminder Bari is in need of massive conservation efforts.
The tour was coordinated by Assistant Professor Sudipta Barua, Assistant Professor Ashik Ikbal Lecturer Md. Sariful Islam and few other teachers. Department of Architecture would like to express its most earnest gratitude to the AIUB administration for the logistics to make this tour a success.
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