Matiabag Hawa Mahal: Assam govt acquires a heritage site

Dhubri: The Assam government on Monday acquired the historic Matiabag Hawa palace of the Gauripur royal family in Dhubri district to preserve it as a heritage site by paying Rs 15.20 crore to the family members.

The royal property was handed over to the state’s cultural affairs department for its restoration and preservation as a museum in memory of Golparia folk singer Pratima Pandey Barua.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma performed the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ for the renovation of the Hawa Mahal, which is to be completed by January 1, 2024.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that converting the Hawa Mahal into a historical monument and museum would be a fitting tribute to the “Empress of Goalparia lok Sangeet” for her extraordinary contribution to the field of art and music.
“Lack of scientific approach in preserving the Hawa Palace and its associated objects was leading to its gradual decline and destruction but the formal handover of ownership today will ensure that the historically significant structure is now It should be given proper care and attention”. said.

Sarma thanked the singer’s family members for their generosity, as parting with ancestral property is not an easy decision.
Referring to the Hawa Mahal as the place from where Golparia folk music spread far and wide across the country, the Chief Minister said the state government would ensure that the sentiments of the people of Gauripur were taken care of, while the premises will be promoted.
“Despite being born into a royal family, the legendary singer preferred to live like a commoner and her music reflected her simplicity and unusual personality, especially her take on the relationship between mahouts and elephants. observations”, said Sarma.

The Chief Minister appealed to the residents of Dhubri district to rise above religious and ethnic divides and unite under one umbrella to preserve the region’s rich and diverse indigenous beliefs.
The Hawa Mahal property, along with many rare photographs, oil paintings and old weapons, was acquired by the state government and a check of Rs 15,20,82,000 was paid to the family members.

The state cabinet had on October 7, 2022 decided to preserve the singer’s cultural contribution and preserve her birthplace as a heritage centre.

A list of movable and immovable properties has been prepared by the late singer’s brother Prabir Kumar Barua and handed over to the state government.
The palace was built in 1914 by Prabhat Chandra Barua of the royal family of Gauripur on the top of a small hill called Matiabagh on the banks of Gadadhar river.

Construction of the palace began in 1904 during World War I and took 10 years to complete.
Hawa Mahal was built at a cost of Rs.3,40,000. The palace has elements of Hindu, Mughal and British architecture.

The Hawa Palace was primarily used as a royal guest house and as a summer residence by the family.

It was a long-standing demand of both members of the royal family and local people of the district that the house, which was originally a part of the undivided Goalpara district but now falls under Dhubri, be preserved.