Assam: Royal Family Hands Over Hawa Mahal to State Government

DHUBRI: The Hawa Mahal, the official residence of the royal family of Gauripur has been officially handed over to the Government of Assam for renovation and development into a museum. It was also the home to Padma Shri Pratima Barua Pandey, the exponent of Goalporiya music.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma officially accepted the property from the members of the royal family in an event held on the premises on January 2, Monday. Speaking on the occasion the CM mentioned that work will soon begin on the restoration of the heritage property as soon as possible with work on the boundary walls scheduled to start within the week.

He also took part in the bhoomi poojan at the property and mentioned that it will be developed into a museum to showcase the life of the famed singer and the heritage of the royal family. Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that the renovation will be completed within one year, that is January 1, 2024.

Spreading over 13 bighas of land, this luxurious property rests on a hillock about 100 meters from the national highway. The project was commissioned in 1904 by King Prabhat Chandra Barua when the throne was moved from Panbari to Gauripur. The huge property was on the banks of the Gadadhar river and took the Chinese carpenters a total of 10 years to complete in 1914.

This unique royal property has a total of twenty-four rooms including bedrooms and bathrooms. It is also a storehouse of unique resources that has proof of the rich traditions and culture. It houses royal furniture, swords, guns, tiger skins and a Rhino head. It also has a rich collection of paintings and books.

With failing resources, the royal family first wrote to the Government of Assam to look after its renovation and maintenance in 1985 and they have welcomes the decision of the state government to take over the property.

The management of this new heritage museum will also be handled by the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society.

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