The Balapur Zamindar Bari in Paikarchar union in Narsingdi that witnessed pomp and grandeur during its glorious past is a deserted house now.

Conch shells were blown at the mansion in a solemn manner in the morning and evening as if to announce its glory. The women of the Zamindar Bari used to come to the adjacent pond together to have a bath. After the bath they used to go to the temple to perform puja rituals.

The temple too has lost its glitter. Trees and bushes have spread their roots here and there. Vagabonds have replaced the idols of gods and goddesses where snakes have now settled down. Ordinary people dare not visit the temple in fear of those snakes.

Balapur village under Paikarchar union along the Meghna river is situated on the south of Sadar upazila. Nabin Chandra Saha, father of zamindar of Balapur Kali Mohan Saha (Kali Babu) established the Zamindar Bari along the river around 17 kilometres off the upazila headquarters.

Nabin Chandra Saha had three sons -- Kali Mohan Saha (Zamindar Babu), Ashutosh Saha and Monoranjan Saha. Their estate included a big decorated mansion built on about 320 bighas of land. The mansion has 103 rooms including 31 rooms for accommodation, dining and sleeping for guests.

The east side of the building is three-storeyed, the north side one-storeyed, the south side two-storeyed and the west side two-storeyed along with a nicely built arch.

The whole mansion was built with decoration and motifs on all sides. Each of the rooms is fitted with mosaic and tiles. The doors and windows were also decorated.

There is also a big pond on the west side of the Zamindar Bari and a Durga Puja mandap on the east.

Academic activities of the village were at the helm of this Zamindar Bari. Balapur High School is situated near the mansion. An incomplete college building with antiquities stands on the north of the mansion with another big pond in front of it.

During a visit to the mansion it was learned that the Zamindars left their estate for Kolkata after India and Pakistan got separated in 1947. As they left, they directed the staff to oversee the estate and its huge property.

In the long absence of the Zamindar Babu and their relatives the supervisors of the estate forged papers in their names and started claiming possession of the land and other property.

A large one-storey decorated building, about two kilometres from the Zamindar Bari, housed the Steamer Ghat. Steamers used to come from Kolkata in India and unload goods at the ghat. The Zamindar Babu also used to go to Kolkata on steamer for business purpose.

He also used to go to the Steamer Ghat riding on horses at night and stay at the house for entertainment. The Steamer Ghat has long been eroded in the river. But tourists from far-flung areas still come to the Zamindar Bari and the ghat area.

Locals allege the Zamindar Bari that bears the testimony of Zamindar Kali Mohan Saha is now on the verge of total destruction due to neglect by the government agencies concerned.

They add if not renovated, the historic Zamindar Bari with all its antiquities would be destroyed and the memories of the Zamindar Babu would be lost forever.