The government has secured the ownership of Old Dhaka’s historic Rose Garden mansion, the birthplace of the ruling Awami League, because of its archaeological value.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the registered deed of the historic house, from the the present owners, at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The government procured the palace, built on 9 hectares of land, under the Public Procurement Law at a cost of Tk331.70 crore.
On August 8, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase, at a meeting chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, approved a proposal to purchase the Rose Garden mansion.
Speaking at the occasion, the prime minister said the historic Rose Garden mansion will be turned into a museum displaying the history of Old Dhaka.
“Awami League started its journey on June 23, 1949. Under the leadership of this party, Bangladesh achieved its independence in 1971,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina further said the city museum will be shifted to the Rose Garden from Nagar Bhaban.
The prime minister asked the authorities concerned to renovate the building—keeping the original structure unchanged.
Later, she handed the house to the Cultural Affairs Ministry at a token price of Tk 1,001.
Situated on KM Das Lane in Tikatuli of Old Dhaka, the Rose Garden mansion was built during the British Period in 1931 by a rich businessman, Hrishikesh Das.
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After the British period ended in 1947, West Pakistan – now Pakistan–-ruled East Pakistan — now Bangladesh. Following the persecution faced by the Pakistani rulers, leaders of East Pakistan decided to form a political party.
East Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed on June 23, 1949 at the Rose Garden mansion. Later, the word ‘Muslim’ was dropped from the name in 1955.
Senior Awami League leader and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said: “The Rose Garden has a long history. The house was sold several times by many people. KM Das was the original owner of the house. Later he sold the mansion to Kazi Humayun Bashir.
“Awami League leaders were looking for a good place to launch the party but did not get a proper one, so finally chose the house.”
Historical value of Rose Garden
The story goes that Hrishikesh Das was once insulted while visiting Old Dhaka’s Baldha Garden—which was set up by Zamindar Narendranayana Roy Chowdhury.Later, Hrishikesh Das decided to create a place as beautiful as Baldha Garden. He created a garden wherein he planted various flowers, especially roses, and named it “Rose Garden”.
Several years later, in 1936, Hrishikesh Das went bankrupt and sold the house to Khan Bahadur Kazi Abdur Rashid. The house was renamed “Rashid Manzil”.
After Abdur Rashid died in 1944, his elder son Kazi Mohammad Bashir, known as Humayun Saheb, inherited the house. Since then the house has been locally known as “Humayun Saheber Bari”.
East Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed on June 23, 1949, at the Rose Garden | Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneBetween 1940 and 1960, Rose Garden was well known as a major landmark where the elite class mingled.
On June 23, 1949, Awami League was born at a meeting chaired by Ataur Rahman Khan. At the first meeting, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani was elected president of East Pakistan Awami Muslim League and Shamsul Haq was elected secretary general.In 1970, the estate was rented out to Bengal Studio and Motion Pictures Limited.
A film named Harano Din (Lost Day) was shot at the house.
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In 1989, the Department of Archeology included the building on its list of protected sites. Later, in 1993, Rashid’s son Kazi Abdur Rakib obtained the house’s ownership after filing a lawsuit. His wife Laila Rakib inherited it after his death in 1995.
According to Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the house owners have long been keen to sell the mansion and the government contacted them.
Additionally, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wanted to reserve the house as the party has important history there. She wanted to open it to the public by transforming it into a museum.
Cultural Affairs Secretary Nasir Uddin Ahmed said the Rose Garden mansion will be renovated as required.
Archaeological importance
Even though the value of Rose Garden is evaluated by its political background, its architecture is equally important.
The building combines the architectural styles of the Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
The house also has a charming environment. It boasts a large pond in front of the building and marbled statues line different sides of the mansion.
The ground floor features a hall and eight rooms; while the first floor consists of another hall and five rooms.
Md Mahbubul Alam, assistant director of the Department of Archeology, said: “The Rose Garden not only has political importance but it also has aesthetic and architectural value.”
How to visit the site
The Rose Garden is located on KM Das Lane in Tikatuli of Old Dhaka, near Ittefaq square. Visitors can take a rickshaw from: Saidabad, Maniknagar, Gulistan, and Motijheel to visit the landmark.
