Natore Rajbari
The landed estate of Natore (also in Rajshahi district) was formed in the early 18th century through grants from Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the near-independent diwan of Bengal. This palace, approached through a long avenue fringed on either side with palm trees, was the centre of the Natore zamindari. Ramjivan, the founder of this estate, built most of the Rajbari complex, along with tanks, temples, and orchards. Of the seven surviving palace blocks, only four are in a reasonable state of preservation, and are now used as government offices. This main northern block has a facade with a prominently projecting porch in the middle and two slightly projecting bays at either end, all with triangular pediments above. The elegant central porch has semi-Corinthian engaged columns flanking each of its three arched entrances.
|
