English Translation

Kangal Harinath Memorial Museum has been established in Kumarkhali upazila town of Kushtia district to preserve the memory of Kangal Harinath Majumdar, an icon of rural journalism.

Kangal Harinath Mojumdar:
Kangal Harinath Mojumdar was born in 1833 in Kumarkhali village of Kushtia district. Harinath’s education did not progress far due to poverty, although he started studying at a local English school.

In 1855, he established a vernacular school in his village with his friends and started teaching as an unpaid teacher. He started journalism to defend the helpless peasant community oppressed by the Nilkars and landlords. In 1863 he himself published a monthly magazine called ‘Grambartta Prakashika’. In 873 he set up a printing press at Kumarkhali called MN Press.

Fakir Lalon Shah’s disciple Kangal Harinath used to compose Baul songs and form Baul teams and perform them from village to village. ‘Hari din to gelo sandhya holo par karo amare’ is one of his famous song. He passed away on 16th April 1896.

Background of Museum Establishment:
The MN Press established by him at ‘Kangal Kuthi’, the residence of Kangal located in Kundupara of Kumarkhali town, various materials used in printing, some printed copies and some manuscripts written by him were kept by his relatives. If the house becomes dilapidated over time, the stored goods also start to spoil.

In 2013, the government started the construction of the Kangal Harinath Museum on the acquired land next to the Kumarkhali Municipality in view of the long-standing demands of Kushtia residents including writers and researchers. The museum was opened for visitors on 09 December 2017.

Museum Management:
The museum is managed under the control of Bangladesh National Museum under the Ministry of Culture.

Museum Infrastructure:
The main museum is in a two-storied building constructed in a special architectural design on acquired 28th century land. There are 15 rooms in the building. A total of 170 artifacts are preserved in the museum.

Kangal Harinath Majumdar’s historic printing machine MN press machine, various tools used in the machine, ink, some of the materials used by him, various printing parts, various manuscripts written by him and several pictures of Kangal are displayed in a well-planned manner in the different rooms located on the second floor. There is also an open exhibition space on the second floor.

The ground floor has a small auditorium cum conference room and a library. The number of books in the library is about four hundred. In front of the building is a sun-covered platform with a sculpture of Kangal Harinath Majumdar’s face visible from the entrance gate.

Completion of the museum:
Although the museum was opened on December 09, 2017, visitors did not get a chance to see the historic MN Press. Because the government and the fourth generation of Harinath Majumdar did not coordinate, it was not possible to bring the press from a poor house to a museum. Finally on 16 July 2023, the press was transferred to the museum by signing an agreement between the two parties. Kangal Harinath Majumdar Museum is completed.

Museum Visit:
The museum is open for visitors daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Open until 7pm on Saturdays. Visitors can visit the museum with a ticket of 10 Taka per person. Weekend is Sunday.

How to go?
Kangal Harinath Museum is located on the main road west of Kumarkhali Municipality, one kilometer south of Kumarkhali Bus Stand. The museum can be reached by rickshaw or van from Kumarkhali bus stand or railway station. Fare is 10 rupees per person.