RAJSHAHI, Sept 04: At last the historical archeological site of 'Boro Kuthi' is going to be turned into a museum.
This Dutch establishment, the first administrative building of Rajshahi University has been declared as a preserved relic by the department of Archeology. The building is now in a vulnerable condition due to lack of proper maintenance.
Established in the first quarter of the 18th century, the Boro Kuthi building is now full of rubbish. The walls and roof are covered with moss and algae. Roots of banyan trees have created cracks on the walls.
The plasters of the walls were peeling off. Wooden doors, windows and staircase have been attacked with beetles. Both the inner and outer side of the building is also dirty.
But, the building was being rented by employees of RU to arrange functions. Even, Golam Murtuza, a guard of RU, used to live in two rooms of the building with family members.
Department of Archeology is going to take a step to turn this building into a museum so that people who would visit the embankment of the river Padma can also visit the museum.
On Tuesday, a seven-member team from the office of Regional Director of Department of Archeology, Bogura, arrived in Rajshahi.
They took photographs and measurements of the building.
Nahid Sultana, Regional Director of the department of Archeology said in this connection, the building has not yet been handed over to the department of Archeology by Rajshahi University. But a project to repair and renovate the building will soon be prepared after the publication of gazette from the concerned ministry. The building should be maintained and preserved properly.
A museum will also be set up at the building so that people who come to visit the riverside could learn about history and tradition of the country.
However, she said, it would take a long time to repair and renovate the building and set up a museum there.
Meanwhile various organisations and persons of Rajshahi have expressed their anger for using the historical building as a community centre.
Jamat Khan, general secretary of Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad said, the historical "Boro Kuthi" should be renovated and used as an exhibit to the people of the country. Using the building for arranging any function should be stopped immediately, he mentioned.
Fidel Monir, former convener of Progotishil Chhatra Jote and president of Biplobi Chaatra Moitree, RU unit, said "Boro Kuthi" is involved with the history and tradition of Rajshahi University and it was a shame that this building was being rented to organise functions in exchange of money.
Ashraful Alam Khan, general secretary of RU teachers association said, it was weird that it requires permission from the RU administration to organise a function on the campus; and without the knowledge of RU authorities, this historical relic was being rented for money.
Ananda Kumar Saha, Pro Vice Chancellor of RU in this connection said, he was aware of the incident but he refused to make a comment.
According to sources, in the first quarter of 18th century, the Dutch businessmen constructed the building which was later known as "Boro Kuthi" by the people of Rajshahi. Later on, in 1953, the building was handed over to RU. At present it is a preserved archeological site.
The exterior length of the building is 24 metre and width is 17.37 metre. This two storied building holds 12 rooms of various sizes.
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