Matiabag Palace

Matiabag Rajbari
Matiabag Palace or Gauripur Rajbari located at the bank of river Gadadhar was the residence of Folk queen of Goalporia Lokageet Pratima Baruah Pandey
Alternative names	Hawakhana
General information
Architectural style	Mughal Architecture and British Architecture
Location	Matiabag
Address	Gauripur
Town or city	Dhubri
Country	India
Coordinates	26.5°N 89.58°E / 26.5; 89.58
Construction started	1904
Completed	1914
Renovated	2023
Cost	₹ 340000
Client	Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua
Owner	Government of Assam
Other information
Number of rooms	24

Matiabag Rajbari or Matiabag Palace is located in Gauripur in Dhubri district of Assam.[1] The palace was built by Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua of the Gauripur royal family on a small hill-top at Matiabagh, Gauripur on the banks of the Gadadhar river. It was the royal guest house and summer residence (Hawakhana) by the royal family of Gauripur, also known as ‘Rangamati Baruas.[2] The construction of the palace began in 1904 and was completed by 1914. The palace was built by Chinese carpenters from China Town in Kolkata at a cost of ₹ 340000, the palace features elements of Hindu, Mughal and British architecture.[3]

History

As per people's belief, once Raja Pratap Chandra Barua (the then ruler of Gauripur) was hunting in the forest and saw a frog which was eating a snake. He was surprised to see this unnatural thing. Being a very strong devotee of Goddess Mahamaya, he believed that it was a message for him from Mahamaya. Afterward, he constructed a temple for Goddess Mahamaya and named the place as Gauripur after the alias "Gauri" of Mahamaya.[4][5]

Restoration

In January 2023, the Government of Assam acquired the palace at ₹ 15.20 crore to preserve it as a heritage site and museum in memory of Pratima Barua Pandey.[6] The Chief Minister of Assam announced that the restoration and preservation of the palace for conversion into a heritage site and museum would be administered by the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs.[3]

Transportation

Driving distance from Dhubri to Gauripur is 9 km and from Guwahati to Gauripur is 261 km. The nearest railway station is at Dhubri. Well-connected airports are at Guwahati (261 km) and Bagdogra (226 km).

Notable Residents

• Pramathesh Chandra Barua, Indian Actor and Director, Devdas Fame
• Jamuna Barua, Indian Actress
• Pratima Barua Pandey, Indian Folk Singer, Padma Shri Awardee
• Parbati Barua, Indian Animal Conservation Activist, Padma Shri Awardee

References

1. Prakash, Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India, Volume 2. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 9788126907045. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
2. Barua, Rishi (4 September 2020). "The Gauripur Baruas- Prabhat Chandra Barua". East India Story. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
3. "Historic Matiabag Hawa Mahal of Gauripur to be converted to a Museum: Assam CM". The Assam Tribune. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
4. English Wikipedia
5. Contribution of Gauripur zamindar^[permanent dead link‍]
6. "Assam Govt Acquires Matiabag Hawa Mahal To Preserve It As A Heritage Site". Outlook (Indian magazine). Press Trust of India. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2024.