Matiabag Palace

Matiabag Palace, also known as Matiabag Rajbari or Hawakhana, is a historic royal residence situated on a small hilltop in Gauripur within the Dhubri district of Assam, India. Overlooking the banks of the Gadadhar River, this architectural gem was commissioned by Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua of the prominent Gauripur royal family. Construction of the palace commenced in 1904 and reached completion a decade later in 1914. The project was executed by skilled Chinese carpenters brought in from Kolkata's Tiretta Bazaar at a significant original cost of 340,000 rupees. The building stands as a unique fusion of Mughal, British, and Hindu architectural styles, featuring twenty-four rooms that reflect the grandeur of the early twentieth-century zamindari era.

Historically, the palace served as a summer residence and royal guest house for the Barua family, who were locally known as the Rangamati Baruas. The site holds deep cultural roots linked to local folklore involving Raja Pratap Chandra Barua and the Goddess Mahamaya, which ultimately led to the naming of the town Gauripur. In more recent history, the palace gained fame as the residence of Pratima Barua Pandey, a celebrated folk queen renowned for her contributions to Goalporia Lokageet music. Her legacy is intrinsically tied to the property, making it a landmark of both royal and cultural importance in the region.

In January 2023, the Government of Assam acquired the property for approximately 15.20 crore rupees to ensure its preservation as a heritage site. Following this acquisition, renovation efforts were initiated in 2023 with the specific aim of converting the palace into a museum dedicated to the memory of Pratima Barua Pandey. This transition marks a new chapter for the structure, shifting from a private royal asset to a public institution designed to honor local artistic heritage while maintaining the building's historical integrity for future generations.