A part of history

Laila Raquib has always been an early riser.

Every day, after performing the Fazr prayers, the resident of Old Dhaka gets out of her house and takes a stroll by the banks of a pond located in a corner of a garden inside the property.

Afterwards, she sits on a bench beside the ghat (landing spot) and watches the gentle ripples of the water. Meanwhile, ducks, chickens, sheep and horses lazily roam near the pond.

An avid nature lover, Laila said the reservoir is around one bigha. “When we purchased the land, there used to be two ponds inside the property. One of those was filled up during construction of a rail track in the Pakistan period.”

The property was around 22 bighas of which eight bighas remain as portions of it were sold at different times by the family members. Buildings have been built on the sold land, which now surrounds the house and reservoir, she said.

As the golden hue of the morning sun spreads over the reservoir, the reflection of her house in it also gets bigger.

The house and the water body still remain a testimony to the past glory.

The reservoir is situated on KM Das Lane in Tikatuli of Old Dhaka. The property is popularly known as Rose Garden Palace.

And the story goes like this…

During the end of 19th century, Baldha Garden, the garden and house of Baldha's landlord, used to be the centre of cultural activities for the elite.

The zamindar of Baldha used to arrange jalsas (musical soirees) regularly at his house.

Once, Hrishikesh Das, a zamindar belonging to a low caste, while attending such a soiree was insulted by one of the high caste guests. Offended, Hrishikesh decided to create his own garden that would outshine the Baldha.

Thus, he built the Rose Garden Palace. He also dug up the pond known as the Rose Garden Pond and constructed a palace at the centre of the garden.

Hrishikesh used to stage jalsas of his own beside the around one-bigha reservoir, attended by many. This extravagant lifestyle, however, caused him to go bankrupt, and he was forced to sell the property.

The property was bought by Kazi Abdur Rashid of Brahmanchiran in 1936. He renamed the palace, Rashid Manzil.

The building, which remains a private property to date, has been renovated by its owners keeping the past glory -- the spiral staircase, ornamentation of plaster walls, pillars, tombs, iron laceworks and stain glasses -- intact.

Roses no longer animate the garden, but the house still looks gorgeous. The Department of Archaeology declared the house protected under the Antiquities Act.

At present, it is owned by barrister Qazi Abdur Raquib, son of Kazi Abdur Rashid. In order to visit the place, one has to obtain permission from the owner.

While visiting the Rose Garden Pond recently, this correspondent met Laila Raquib, wife of Raquib.

She was sitting by the banks of the water body. And from its clean water and soothing surrounding it becomes evident that the reservoir is being maintained with great love and care.

Laila said she tried to keep the water body clean on a regular basis. “But it breaks my heart to see it getting dirty overnight as some of the people from nearby buildings keep on throwing garbage.”

“At times, it gets very tiring. I have requested the neighbours numerous times, but to no avail,” said a frustrated Laila.

The nature lover has also planted various trees surrounding the reservoir.

She said the pond used to be filled with lotus, but the crabs inside the water body ate the flowers. “Still, it gives be immense pleasure to sit by the banks and relax after a stroll.”

Laila said they have taken initiatives to construct a pavement surrounding the reservoir.

“This pond,” she said while looking at the gentle ripple of water, “is a part of history. As long as I am alive, I will not fill it up.”

(Edited by Hasan Meer)