Ichakhada Neelkuthi

District:Magura•Division:Khulna

historicalarchaeologicalcultural

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2/18/2026

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About

Ichakhada Neelkuthi is a colonial-era indigo factory located in Ichakhada village, Magura Sadar Upazila.

Built in 1805 by an English indigo planter named Thomas Tweedey, this historic site stands as a powerful reminder of the dark chapter of British colonial exploitation in Bengal.

The Indigo Trade in Bengal

Indigo cultivation began across Bengal around 1777.

European planters, mainly British, forced local farmers into tight contracts to grow indigo instead of food crops.

The farmers received very low prices while the planters made enormous profits.

The Ichakhada-Hazarapur area in Magura was one of the centers of this indigo trade, with commercial importance dating back to the Mughal era.

The Indigo Revolt

The suffering of farmers under indigo planters eventually led to the famous Indigo Revolt of 1859-60.

Farmers across Bengal rose up against the oppressive system.

The Ichakhada-Hazarapur region played a role in this uprising.

Remnants of indigo cultivation can still be found at Hajrapur, Boroi, and Amtail in the area.

After the Indigo Era

When indigo cultivation ended, the Neelkuthi building was repurposed.

Around 1876, it was converted into a government boys' school.

Later, a Women's College was established on the premises.

An interesting legacy of the indigo planters is that they planted the first litchi saplings in the Hazarapur area, which eventually grew and spread to become the famous Hajrapuri Litchi variety known across the region.

What You Can See Today

The original colonial structure still has visible remains.

The brick walls, architectural elements, and overall layout give visitors a sense of what the indigo factory once looked like.

The site is recognized as an archaeological heritage of Magura District.

Visitor Information

•Entry Fee: Free (open heritage ruins)

•Opening Hours: Accessible during daylight hours

•Best Time to Visit: November to February (pleasant weather for exploring ruins)

•Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

•Estimated Cost: 200-500 Taka (transport from Magura town)

Visitor Information

Entry Fee

Free (open heritage ruins)

Opening Hours

Accessible during daylight hours

Time Needed

1 to 1.5 hours

Best Time to Visit

November to February (pleasant weather for exploring ruins)

Estimated Cost

200-500 Taka (transport from Magura town)

How to Reach

From Dhaka

•Take a bus from Gabtoli or Sayedabad bus terminal to Magura town. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours. Popular bus services include Hanif Enterprise, Desh Travels, and Eagle Paribahan.

•You can also take a train from Kamalapur Railway Station to Jessore, then a local bus to Magura.

From Khulna

•Direct buses run from Khulna to Magura, taking about 2.5 hours.

From Magura Town to Ichakhada Neelkuthi

•The Neelkuthi is about 7 km west of Magura town, along the Magura-Jhenaidah highway towards Ichakhada village.

•Take an auto-rickshaw or tempo from Magura bus stand. The ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

•You can also take a local bus heading towards Jhenaidah and get off at Ichakhada.

•The site is in the same area as Hazrat Pir Mokarram Ali Shah Dargah, so you can visit both together.

Facilities

On-Site Facilities

•Open area for walking and exploring the ruins

•Historical brick structures visible for study

•Natural shade from surrounding trees

•Women's College campus adjacent to the site

Nearby Facilities

•Hazrat Pir Mokarram Ali Shah Dargah within walking distance

•Small shops and tea stalls along the Magura-Jhenaidah highway

•Magura town (7 km east) has hotels, restaurants, banks, and hospitals

•Mobile network coverage available

Parking

•Open space along the road for parking

•No formal parking lot

Note: This is an open heritage site with minimal facilities.

There are no restrooms, food stalls, or drinking water on-site.

Carry everything you need.

Things to Do

Historical Exploration

•Walk through the remains of the 1805 indigo factory and study the colonial architecture

•Examine the old brick walls and structural layout of the Neelkuthi

•Learn about the indigo trade and how it affected Bengal's farmers

•Read about the Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 and the role this area played

Photography

•Photograph the colonial-era ruins and brick structures

•Capture the contrast between the old ruins and the modern surroundings

•Document the architectural details as a historical record

Educational Visit

•Understand the history of British colonial exploitation through this site

•Learn how the building transformed from an indigo factory to a school

•Discover the surprising story of how Hajrapuri Litchi originated from the indigo planters' orchards

•Share the stories with children as a history lesson

Combined Tour

•Visit the nearby Hazrat Pir Mokarram Ali Shah Dargah (same area)

•Walk along the Nabaganga River bank

•Explore the broader Ichakhada-Hazarapur area and its historical connections

Do's and Don'ts

✓Treat the ruins with respect as they are an important archaeological heritage

✓Stay on safe paths when exploring the structures

✓Take photographs to document the historical site

✓Learn about the Indigo Revolt before visiting for a richer experience

✓Combine your visit with the nearby Dargah for a fuller tour

✓Carry drinking water and snacks as there are no shops on-site

✓Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground

✗Do not climb on or lean against unstable walls or structures

✗Do not remove any bricks, stones, or artifacts from the site

✗Do not write or carve anything on the historic walls

✗Do not litter on the premises

✗Do not damage any remaining colonial-era architectural elements

✗Do not enter areas that appear structurally unsafe

Safety Tips

•Be very careful around the old ruins; walls and structures may be unstable

•Do not enter any part of the building that looks like it could collapse

•Watch your step on uneven ground and broken bricks

•Visit during daylight hours only

•The site is along the main highway, so be careful of traffic when crossing

•Keep children close and supervised around the ruins

•No medical facilities on-site; Magura town (7 km) has the nearest hospital

•Mobile network coverage is available in the area

•During monsoon (June to September), the ground may be muddy and slippery

•Carry a flashlight if you want to look inside darker sections of the ruins

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