A few steps from Kalyani across the river Ganges will take you into the heritage Hoogly district. Different races from the world came and settled here. The elegant monuments of Portugese stood at Bandel.. a pride of Bengal. If you go a little more you would find the past memory of Dutches-- again a little further have revealing relics of French ,Greeks and so on. Apart from cosmopolitan assemblages there are confluence of regional races & cultures. Jains adored this place as good as we love it. Similarly, Pathans and other warriors had their historic impression in Hoogly. We can not count how many cultures mingled in Hoogly. Now, I shall focus to a rural village with mixed inter racial culture flowing over the time.
The village is none other than Itachuna. In older times it was called Bargi Danga. After the downfall of Mughal era,after the death of Aurangageb, Marathas became powerful. Many times they used to attack Bengal,Bihar & Orissa. The erect watch-towers from Singur to Arra, Purulia witness the threat of Maratha warriors locally called Bargis centuries back. Bargis used to come ,loot and collect taxes. However, many of them never left the Bengal and began to settle here embracing local culture. A sect entitled "Kundaan" settled in the remote village of Hoogly now known as Itachuna. They amassed huge wealth and property by their wit and strength. Subsequently they became Powerful Zamidars/Rajas of the locality. Over times they lost their identity of origin-Kunduans turned to Bengali title Kundu.. They harvested Bengali culture, Bengali cuisines,Bengali language and local deities.They became friend,guide and protector of local people here. They were pious and liberal. Their behavior towards subjects became a folklore even heard at the nook and corners of Itachuna.
A great place was built in the Bargiland. The palace was made by ita (bricks) and lime (chun) and hence it was called Itachuna Rajbari. The majestic,splendid architecture and structure is intact although it is about 250 years old. Currently, a part of it is being used as heritage-stay.
The Bishnu temple within the palace is another attraction of the palace. Still now the deity is worshiped. Janaki da the old fellow memorize the golden days he saw in his early life.
The old fellow was guiding me to the artifacts kept for visitors. I could not count the number of rooms. The palace is a self-contained entity. There are rooms for royal families. There are space for amusement and dances etc etc. The visiting room has a magnificent outlook . The broom shaped Jharlanteen is still hanging with a mute smile. Old rhythms and songs are heard at midnight as said by the loyal caretaker.
A night stay here will certainly refresh your mind.
A stay here will recall the Bengali proverb " Bargi aseche deshe..khajna debo kise"--" bargis have come.. Sir how could we repay our taes''.
Janaki rightly said "Yea Bargis were there but they are now with our culture.. we are in the same family we are not afraid of them.they are as like as ". -
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