Baliati Palace (Baliati Zamidar Bari), Saturia, Manikgonj| Marvelous Building of Bangladesh

Baliati Zamidar Bari or Baliyati Palace is one of the beautiful constructions of Bangladesh. Baliati Zamidar Bari is located about 33km northwest of Dhaka and about 9 km east of Manikganj District headquarters. It is a wonderful demonstration of some great buildings. You know there are two glorious period of palace construction in Indian region. One is Mughal Period and the other is British Raj. When the British ruled over Indian Subcontinent they weren’t only ones who were changing the construction styles. Many local Zamidar (feudal chief) were also made some magnificent Palaces. Baliati Shaha’s Family was one of them.

Baliati Zamindar bari is an extraordinary example of the 19th century palaces of Zamindars in Bangladesh. A fascinating set of buildings of their Zamindarbari extended the status of the majesty and affluence of the Saha family throughout undivided Bengal.

Baliati Zamidar Bari is one of the finest examples of 19^th century monuments of the Renaissance colonial style in Bangladesh. The founder of the Baliati Zamidar was Govinda Ram Shaha, a prominent salt merchant in the middle of the 18^th century. He left four sons; Dadhi Ram, Ananda Ram, Pandit Ram and Golap Ram. They built all these buildings. Notably, the famous Jagannath University in Dhaka was founded and endowed by a member of Baliati family, Babu Kishori Lal Ray Chowdhury.

The building complex consisted of seven but separate blocks surrounded by a high enclosure wall pierced by three indentical gateways surmounted with a lion.The complex occupying an area of 5.88 acres of land and containing over 200 rooms of various shapes and dimension. To the north there is a tank with regular masonry landings.The central block of upper story has a decorative hall called Rong Mohal is now using as a museum. This museum has only a small collection. It is established at building number three (from left).

When you will enter the gate you can find three lion gates and then there are four colossal building with Corinthian and British Raj styles. All the buildings sited here are gorgeous and elegant. The curving of the palaces wall is a wonderful aspect to see off. There are flowers, paint, gods and goddesses, fairy like figures in the walls.

There are more buildings next to four major buildings in Zamidar Bari. Some of them were used as officer’s quarters and some of them were used as guest house. In Baliati Zamidar Bari you can find more than 8 cisterns (Kuya) but all of them are dead! There is a big pond at the backside of the area. Four well decorated surrounding stairways in this pond. This is a marvelous place for day out and gossiping. The Baliati Zamindarbari unquestionably is one of the most excellent examples of Zamidar palace architecture developed in the 19th century. It can be happy day tour from Dhaka. So be prepare for a happy day tour for few hours!

Visiting Hours of Baliati Palace:

Summer (1^st April to 30^th September)

Open: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

Break: 1.00 pm to 1.30 pm

Friday Break: 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm

Winter (1^st October to 30^th March)

Open: 9.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Break: 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Friday Break: 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm

Closed: Sunday Full and Monday half and other Govt. Holliday

Ticket Price: 10 BDT