As one stands in front of the century-old Revati Mohan Lodge in Sutrapur, one cannot help but be in awe of the building's grandeur. Splendid pillars rise from the floor to the rooftop, where the parapet is crowned by decorative finials. Behind the pillars is an elegant veranda. The windows boast Venetian arches. The magnificence of this mansion in Old Dhaka makes one wonder about the man after whom it was named.

A good starting point is the fact that the road itself in Sutrapur, on which the mansion is located, is also named after him.

Revati Mohan Das was an affluent businessman and landlord in early 20th century Dhaka. His letterhead, as quoted by Azimusshan Haider in his book, “Dacca: History and Romance in Place Names”, reads: “Revati Mohan Das, Banker and Zemindar, Brick, Tile and Soorkey Manufacturer, Proprietor, Alexandra Steam Machine Press...”

He donated a large sum of money to Mitford Hospital. He also contributed generously in the electrical installation of a part of Dhaka.

All these give us sneak peeks of Revati Mohan's affluence and influence. The lodge is arguably a prominent and well-fitting embodiment of both.

Let's delve more into it. It is not just the impressive facade one sees from the front yard. With graceful motifs, large windows, intricate ornamentation, courtyards, and ceilings with wooden beams, the mansion is indeed fascinating. And even though the entire complex was not built at the same time, the entire premises will not fail to transport one into early 20th-century Dhaka.

So much so, one side of the compound used to open up to Dholai Khal. Today, we can only imagine how beautiful the building must have looked when the canal flowed next to it.

Taimur Islam, CEO of Urban Study Group (an organisation that campaigns for the protection of architectural heritage of Dhaka), says that there was once a “ghat” (pier) here. “The benches of the ghat survived into the 21st century, but they ceased to exist in relatively recent times,” he said.

The compound is now used by the fire service department.

The government allocates funds for maintenance of the building, he added.

“However, the maintenance works that are carried out are sometimes unsympathetic to the building's historical importance. Hence, let alone restoration, important elements are actually getting ruined or deteriorated in the process.”

Buildings like Revati Mohan Lodge lack the special attention that needs to be given to them because of their heritage value.

“In 2014, a decision was taken that a shed would be built in front of Revati Mohan Lodge and a building would be constructed in the back,” Taimur said.

“We protested against it; our volunteers and local people formed a human chain and submitted a petition. And finally we were able to stop it,” he added.

For now, the legacy of Revati Mohan lives on.