Rajbari is one of the districts of the Dhaka division formed by the combination of history and tradition. At different times, different parts of this district included Faridpur, Rajshahi, and Jessore districts. It was recognized as a district in 1984. Pramatta Padma, Chandana, Gorai and Harai rivers surround this agricultural district. The region was also ruled by different kings at different times. And there are various historical relics of the reign of these kings. One of them is Kalyan Dighi.
Historical Kalyan Dighi is located in Rajdharpur village of Nawabpur union, 6 miles west of Rajbari town. The lake is located on about 16 khada land. (Khada is a unit of land measurement. 1 khada with 16 bighas of land and 1 bigha or 30 percent of the land per bird).
There are two differences of opinion regarding the history of excavation of this huge lake. One is associated with Raja Sitaram and the other is associated with Khan Jahan Ali. The lake was excavated 400 to 600 years ago, regardless of which of the two doctrines. Let’s get to know the details of these two doctrines.
Table of Contents
History and doctrine
It is known from history that at one time this region was ruled by King Sitaram. Raja Sitaram Roy had an important contribution in defending the independence of the country. He once declared war on the Mughals. Raja Sitaram also had his capital at Mohammadpur or in the present Magura region. At Mohammadpur, King Sitaram dug several lakes to alleviate the water problem of the state. Among the lakes he dug are Ram Sagar, Sukh Sagar, and Krishna Sagar Dighi.
It is believed that Sitaram and his troops dug Kalyan Dighi here. There is also a pond dug by King Sitaram in the bell tree. It is to be noted that Raja Sitaram’s army also used to dig dighis at other times except during the war.
Kalyan Dighi is estimated to be four hundred years old when excavated by King Sitaram
According to another source, this Kalyan Dighi is one of the famous Muslim preachers and the local ruler of Bagerhat, Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (ra). Khan Jahan Ali dug various lakes in Bagerhat and adjoining areas. Khan Jahan Ali sent some missionaries to the area to preach. It is believed that this dighi was dug at that time.
Based on the size of the Dighi, many people think that the Kalyan Dighi is from the time of Khan Ali. Because there is a big difference in the size of the dighi excavated by Khan Jahan Ali with other dighis excavated during the reign of Raja Sitaram Roy. The dighis excavated by Khan Jahan Ali are comparatively large and the Kalyan dighis are also much larger in size than the dighis excavated by King Sitaram. If the dighi of Khan Jahan Ali’s time, Kalyan dighi is about six hundred years old. Apart from the area, Muslims were predominant in the area during the Sultanate period.
The area around Kalyan Dighi is recognized as a growing region and information on the arrival of various auliyas is available here. There is information about the arrival of two Pir Auliyas here in the early sixteenth century. They are Pir Shah Pahlawan and Shah Sadullah. In other words, even before the reign of King Sitaram, the history of the Muslims in the region suggests that the lake was excavated during the reign of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali.
How to get there:
Several buses ply from Gabtali in Dhaka to Rajbari. There are buses of Rajbari Paribahan, Rabeya, Saudia, Saptavarna Paribahan here. You can also come to Paturia by BRTC bus, cross the river at launch and take the bus again to Rajbari. It is very affordable to go this way. Arriving in Rajbari town, Easybike or Nasimne Kalyan Dighi.
Read More: Jora Bangla Mandir