After Dinajpur and Bogra, we decided our next destination would be Rangpur, located about 299 km northwest of Dhaka.

With an aim to give everyone a glimpse of the ancient and quaint Rangpur city, we embarked on a journey by bus from Kalyanpur earlier this month. After about seven hours, we reached Rangpur early in the morning.

A friend hired a few bikes and we were off to our first destination-- Tajhat Palace.

In the middle of the eighteenth century, a rich jewellery merchant from Punjab, Manna Lal Roy, established his rule as the zamindar of Rangpur and all the surrounding districts.

His fame as a rich jewellery merchant was so widespread that when he built a magnificent palace, it was given the name Tajhat by the locals. His son, Gopal Lal Roy, succeeded him and rebuilt the palace elaborately. The pride of Rangpur, the palace still stands tall in the heart of the city.

The vast two-storied palace is supported by magnificently carved Corinthian pillars. There is an octagonal dome mounted on a drum like structure at the centre of the palace, which is popularly known as the Hawakhana.

After Tajhat you can also visit Shataranji Palli in the city. If there is one item that is a must-buy in Rangpur, it is the Shataranji (handmade carpet). The price varies from Tk 1,000 to 6,000, depending on the fabric and design.

Hotels that are suitable for accommodation are: Hotel North View, RDRS Guest House and Caspia Home.