The Raikats of Jalpaiguri, a photo from West Bengal, East

Photographer's Note

Pictured here is a portion of the Baikunthapur Palace, also called Jalpaiguri Rajbari (Rajbari � Palace in Bengali), which was constructed in the early years of the twentieth century - replacing an older palace - by the Raikat rulers of the Baikunthapur Forest Estate.

The Raikat family was a princely family that controlled large estates in what is now , India, first as subjects to the state of Koch Bihar , later as Zamindars (Landowners) to the Nawabs of Bengal , and then to the British Raj.

Descended from the Koch dynasty, the family founder was Sisva Singha, the elder brother of Visva Singha, the second Maharajah of Koch Bihar (present day Koochbihar in West Bengal).

The Baikunthapur Forest Estate was established by Sisva Singha after defeating the King of Bhutan and Gour in 1522, covering an area of 328 square miles (850 km2). His capital was at first built at a remote location within the thick forests near the river Teesta in the present day Rajganj Block of the Jalpaiguri district. It was shifted to this site in the open plains (within the limits of Jalpaiguri town) as a sign of growing confidence by the thirteenth Raikat, Darpa Dev, with whose death, the independent Baikunthapur Estate after a reign of 250 years. ended in 1774,

Raja Prasanna Dev Raikat, the last Raja of Baikunthapur, died intestate on 4 December 1946 and the Zamindari was officially abolished in 1955.

There are at least two institutions in Jalpaiguri by which the Raikats are remembered, namely Prasanna Deb Women's College and Sarojendra Deb Kala Kendra, a museum and art centre.

Some portions of the building are still in occasional use by the descendants (see WORKSHOP) of the Raikats and much to my dismay, I wasn't allowed access into the main compound. The portion that I could see clearly offered this picture of a crumbling ruin.

(Right click and view image)

pajaran, holmertz, williewhistler, snunney, gildasjan, jhm, abmdsudi, ourania, Cricri has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (102720) 2014-08-21 10:11

Dobro vece.
Interesantan tekst o staroj palati sa istorijom i opisom ...
Dobar snimak stare palate sa zelenim drvecem.
Dobar rad, lepo pokazana rusevina.
Prijatno vece i mirna noc, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good evening.
An interesting article about the old palace with a history and description of ...
Good footage of the old palace with green trees.
Good work, nice shown ruin.
Good evening and peaceful night, all the best.
Paja.

holmertz (92898) 2014-08-21 11:50

Hello Satya,
This doesn't really remind me of a Palace, but it must have been grand in earlier years. Now it looks rather crumbling and about to be consumed by the subtropical vegetation and monsoons. It would not offer the comforts of the 21st century. This is anywy a fine document of the lifestyle of a not so distant past.
Kind regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (75510) 2014-08-21 13:03

Hello Satya,

I suppose this shows something a bit different. We frequently see the beautiful buildings but, not as often, those that are crumbling.
The sharp details are just as useful; they reveal a home that was once very grand, as evidenced by the huge size, the columns, the balustrade and the balcony but, now, in disrepair! The vegetation is taking over and the doors are crumbling!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

williewhistler (16606) 2014-08-21 13:54

Hello Satya,
although the building has fallen into disrepair and the vegetation is overgrown the evidence remains of what used to be a magnificent Palace and you have shown it very sympathetically.
Kind regards Les.

lousat (130033) 2014-08-21 14:57

Hi Satya,a magnificent example of old architehcture caught in 2 beautiful pic,but i hope that some work will be soon there,this building is not well preserved as i can see.Interesting note the usual excellent quality despite the difficult light.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

emka (152314) 2014-08-21 23:55

Hello satya, It looks abandoned now and perhaps it will be consumed by green in a few years but looks so picturesque. Fantastic object for a photographer and a traveller that wants to fel a bit like adiscoverer. I liake such an atmosphere very much. it reminds me havelas in Shekhavati, also beautiful years ago but in very poor state.

WArm regrads MAlgo

snunney (130967) 2014-08-22 3:11

Hello Satya,
The abandonment and decay are self-evident, but there is no doubt this was an impressive structure at one time. I like the framing by greenery top and bottom, which results in an attractive layered effect. Very good rendering of the textural detail. Thanks also for the interesting note.

gildasjan (43826) 2014-08-22 4:53

Bonjour Satya
Une image parfaitement rendue par une exposition juste et bien calibr嶪.J'aime le rendu des couleurs de vert.Une petite touche de teintes chaudes sur sur la partie inf廨ieure de cette architecture 廦uilibre bien cette r嶧lisation.
Bonne journ嶪
Amicalement
Gildas

jhm (203085) 2014-08-22 5:05

Hello Satya,

Almost incredible that this nice building comes as a ruin.
Sharpness and clarity make these picture attractive.
Technical perfect and wonderful panorama view about these area.
Very well done. TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

abmdsudi (88597) 2014-08-22 7:01

Namaste Satya
Excellent record shot, you have taken the advantage well - the signs of neglect are the icing on the cake here and I like the shadows cast by the lush shady trees giving added depth to the image. You have captured the detail, grittiness and colour so well in this almost crumble edifice - a sad subject that has seen better days,,,
Great lens work, Congrats
Best regards

Nicou (193806) 2014-08-22 10:01

Hello

quelle vue de cette fa蓷de et image superbe avec ces colonne une tr鋊 vielle b漮isse avec ce rendu sur la pierre quelle compo.
Bravo et amiti�
Nicou

Fis2 (155699) 2014-08-22 11:39

Witaj Satya!
I love old architecture.
Interesting palace.
Curious view and super colors.
Well done.
Good night
Krzysztof

ourania (51103) 2014-08-23 1:27

Hello Satya,
this part of the palace is almost ruined but it's fascinating. The vegetation claims the building decisively and wraps it in shadow too. A very clear and interesting picture, especially considering the distance and the very difficult lighting conditions. Details and textures are superb. The decadent romantic atmosphere has been rendered wonderfully. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely weekend,
Ourania

Cricri (176) 2014-08-23 5:29

Hi Satya
Quel dommage de voir cette partie abandonn嶪 et la partie occuper pas en tr鋊 bon 彋at, c'est deux pr廥entations int廨essantes, bien, cadrer, lumi鋨e et d彋ails au top
Belle journ嶪
cricri