Kushtia: The cultural capital of Bangladesh

P M Serajul Islam Kushtia is the cultural capital of Bangladesh. Especially Kushtia is known for Shilaidaha Kuthibari, Lalon's shrine, ancestral abode of Mir Mosharraf Hossain, Kangal Horinath, Baga Jotin, Joladher Sen, Azizur Rahaman, Dr Rada Binod Paul, Ganga Kapotakkha-Irrigation Plant, Bheramara Power Plant, the Islamic University, Medical College etc. The Shahi Mosque in Kushtia bears the sign of rich cultural heritage of the region from Mughal period. Kushtia is the origin of many historical figures. The first capital of Bangladesh, Mujibnagar, was established beside Baidyanathtala of Meherpur. The Jagati-Poradaha-Darsana route is the first broad-gauge railway line of the country. There are also government colleges, polytechnic institutes, paramedical colleges, nursing training institutes and technical training institutes. In a word, the simple lifestyle of the people and cultural atmosphere has made Kushtia different from other districts of Bangladesh. Most of the village people are weavers here. The looms sound like music. It is enjoyable for tourists. The rivers Padma, Gorai, Kaliganga and Mathabhanga have made this land fertile. Kushtia municipality was established in 1937. This city has become one of the cleanest and comfortable cities of the country. There are many industries in and around the Kushtia city. The socio-economic advancement of the region is possible through making the municipality a city corporation, Kushtia bypass road construction, setting up of natural gas pipelines, and EPZ construction. Recently Paragpur at the Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia district has been declared as a land port. It is hoped that this may develop into the biggest land port in the country. Just as Mymensingh and Comilla divisions have been proposed, Kushtia Division may be formed with Kushtia, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Jhenidaha, Magura and Rajbari districts. This will further develop Southern Bengal and advance the people of Kushtia. Shilaidaha Kuthibari One of Rabindranath Tagore's dwellings, the Kuthibari, is located at Shilaidah in Kumarkhali Upazila of the Kushtia district. He lived here for part of his life, and wrote many memorable poems. Tagore built the Kuthibari as his office/residence, to collect revenue as a Zaminder, from local peasants. The Kuthibari is now a museum, and is cared for by the Archaeological Department of Bangladesh. Lalon's shrine The shrine of Lalon Fakir, the founder of the Baul faith, is located at Chheouria, about 2 km from the Kushtia railway station. Lalon was a humanist who completely rejected all distinctions of caste and creed. He was also a fine poet and lyricist, whose songs are sung not only by his followers but also by non-Bauls. In 1963, a mausoleum and a research centre were built at the site of his akhra. Thousands of Bauls come to the akhra twice a year, Dol-Purnima, in the month of Falgun (February-March) and in October, on his death anniversary. During these three-day song melas, Bauls pay rich tributes to their spiritual leader. Samrat Ekdil Shah Tarun's house is another historical place which is situated just beside of the tomb of Lalon Shah. Tarun's father was a Sufi named Samrat Ekdil Shah. The majar of Ekdil Shah is another nice place. There is a high tower inside of a triangular island. From the top of the tower, you can see a triangular island named Haripur, which is covered with both of the rivers Padma and Gorai. It gives a view, which is unbelievable. Islamic University The largest university of Southern Bengal, the Islamic University, is situated in Kushtia. It is a public varsity of Bangladesh. It is also a historical place. The campus of the university is well-decorated, beautiful and green. Mir Mosharraf Hossain Mir Mosharraf Hossain was novelist, playwright and essayist, born at Lahiripara in the district of Kushtia on 13 November 1847. You can see a school and a museum here. It displays the furniture and essentials, which were in fact used by Mir Mosharraf and his family. The framed pictures, Mir Mosharraf-related pictures, ink pot are there to be seen. Visitors will be captivated by the photos of Mir Mosharraf that were taken at the museum. Kangal Harinath Kangal Harinath has written the first Bengali novel and is the pioneer of the rural newspaper of Bangladesh. He edited and published the periodical Grambarta Prokashika in the middle of 19th century. He was fearless to publish the truth. So, he was threatened by the administrators and Zaminders several times. To spread education among the women, he founded a girls' school in Kumarkhali. The broken printing press at Kangal Kuthir, Kumarkhali is still announcing his memory. Jaladhar Sen (Rai Bahadur) Jaladhar Sen (1860-1939), the writer, journalist and traveller, was born on March 13, 1860 at Kumarkhali in the district of Nadia. His father, Haladhar Sen, was a local celebrity. Jaladhar Sen wrote more than forty books in a variety of genres: textbooks, biographies, children's literature, translations, travelogues, novels and short stories. Bagha Jatin (Jatindranath Mukherjee) Bagha Jatin was a Bengali Indian revolutionary philosopher against British rule. His real name was Jatindranath Mukherjee. He was born on December 8, 1879 at his maternal uncles' house at Koya in Kushtia. The ancestral house is still announcing his memory. Azizur Rahman Azizur Rahman (1917-1978), composer of songs and poet, was born in a zamindar family on January 18, 1917 in the village of Haripur in Kushtia district. He lost his father while young and dropped out of school. While still a student, Azizur Rahman began composing songs. He became associated with the jatra, composing many songs for the stage. He also formed a jatra party and acted in them himself. Dr Radhabinod Pal Dr Radhabinod Pal was an international justice, teacher, reformer, lawyer and Indian jurist. He was born at Salimpur in the district of Kushtia on January 27, 1886. He was just one of the 11 jurists of the International Military Tribunal set up after the 2nd World War, known as Tokyo trials, to punish the Japanese. His ancestral house is still announcing his memory. There are two historical and beautiful mosques in Kushtia town. One is Shahi Mosque and the other one is the Baitul Jannat Mosque. The one and only railway of Bangladesh which is directly connected with India goes over Kushtia and it was the first railway of the country, built in Kushtia by the British government in 1860. There are two historical and old industries in Kushtia. One is the Renwick & Jagneshwar Company (1896) and another is the Mohini Mills (1919). The internal area with the riverside of the Renwick & Jagneshwar Company is another beautiful area to see. The municipality building of Kushtia is another historical place, which was built in 1886. Quick tips There are hotels in Kushtia with air-conditioned room facilities. There are bungalows in Kumarkhali, Shilaidah and Kushtia. To stay in one of these bungalows, one will have to get permission from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kushtia. Besides, there are 20 hotels with a guest house in which foreigners can stay because they are good. There are 20 very good restaurants to feed you at reasonable costs. Best way to get around Buses/coaches are available from the Gabtoli bus stand in Dhaka to Kushtia. There are also buses from Kushtia to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. Kushtia is only of 182 km distance from Dhaka. ............................................................ The writer is publisher and editor of law-related newspaper weekly 'Shomoyer Digonto'. He is also an M Phil researcher and lawyer in Kushtia Judge's Court, Kushtia. He can be reached at: seraj.pramanik@gmail.com