Bawali - You Beauty !

Just 40 kms and an hours drive from the maddening crowd of Kolkata lies the quaint little village of Bawali , preserving the heritage of the bygone era. While the village (named after a local tribe - 'Bauli') has been tremendously blessed with the bounty of nature, it is the grand Rajbari , which steals the show. As per local legends, Basudeb Ray , a prominent courtier of the Mughal Empire (under Emperor Akbar) fought a rebellion and, in return, was bestowed the zamindari of the area of Bawali in the 17th century. His decendant Harananda Mondal expanded the Zamindari and built this grand mansion- a majestic two-storied palace spread over three acres. The Rajbari Bawali With trade partnerships with the British, the Mondal family flourished under the patronage of the East India Company, living like royals. At one point of time, the family even had a private army of 400 soldiers! The family is also credited for the construction of some of the finest temples i