Survey work begins at Rashbehari Ghosh’s home for Restoration
The Statesman | 16 January 2026
Officials of the state Public Works Department (PWD) have visited and inspected the ancestral home of Sir Rashbehari Ghosh at Ukhrid in East Burdwan district to carry out a survey for the restoration of the heritage structure.
Sir Rashbehari Ghosh, a prominent figure in India’s nationalist movement, was a distinguished politician, lawyer and social worker. Born in Torkona village under Khandaghosh in East Burdwan, he rose from a remote rural background to be elected twice, consecutively as President of the Indian National Congress. However, his birthplace and ancestral home have long been facing neglect and decay, prompting local residents to demand that the property be declared a heritage site.
Following sustained efforts by the district administration and with the cooperation of the Sir Rashbehari Ghosh Memorial Protection Committee, the land on which the freedom fighter’s ancestral home stands has been successfully transferred for restoration and conservation. The district administration has entrusted the PWD, Burdwan Division, with the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR). As per official instructions, the initial survey was conducted a few days ago and work on the DPR has commenced. Local residents have welcomed the initiative.
The heritage building was constructed using traditional lime mortar and brick techniques, including chun-surki and kadi-barga methods. The two-storey structure features various arched doors and windows, while the roof edge is adorned with terracotta pot-style designs.
Sir Rashbehari Ghosh made significant contributions to education and industry, donating nearly 33 per cent of the funds required to establish Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Works to Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, and Rs 13 lakh for the establishment of Jadavpur University. A major thoroughfare in south Kolkata, Rashbehari Avenue, is named after him.
In keeping with his ideals, Sir Rashbehari Ghosh Mahavidyalaya was established at Ukhrid in Khandaghosh CD Block in 2010 and inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. A noted philanthropist and social reformer, he also set up schools and hospitals in his native village. His brother, Bipin Ghosh, served as a judge of the Calcutta High Court.
Sir Rashbehari Ghosh served two terms as Congress president ~ first at the historic Surat Session in 1907, succeeding Dadabhai Naoroji, and again at the Madras Session in 1908. He was knighted in the 1915 New Year Honours and formally conferred the knighthood on 14 July that year.
“It is a matter of great pride that the state government has taken the initiative to restore the ancestral heritage home of Sir Rashbehari Ghosh at Ukhrid in Purba Bardhaman. We hope this will also help boost tourism in the village,” said Swapan Debnath, minister for animal resources development.