Atgram

Dewan Ehsan Raja (1st generation)

Charigram, Atgram is a beautiful, open, green village in Zakiganj, in the district of Sylhet, Bangladesh. In the 18th century Dewan Ehsan Raja (also known as Dewan Eison Raja), a very powerful Muslim landlord of Jaintapur, moved to settle in Atgram from Jainta with his father, Dewan Shah Mohammed, and his young son, Dewan Sajid Raja. They built a master plan for building a self-sustaining village; starting with their home, a "dalan" (office to run a court of justice), roads, and digging ponds. The plans included the development of a masjid, bazaar, cemetery, school, madrasa, hospital, post office, "tongi ghar" (guest house for family), and a "dak-bangla" (guest house for others). While Ehsan Raja and his father started the work, most of the infrastructure was completed by his son.

He owned a large amount of land and his zamindari (ownership of land) was spread over different areas of Zakiganj, Kanaighat and Karimganj; he ran a court of justice from this "dalan" to rule over those areas. He used to travel around the state in horse-drawn carriages and elephants, and considered it his duty to take care of local people. He had one son and three daughters. He passed away in 1872, and was buried in the family graveyard adjacent to the house.

Dewan Sajid Raja Chowdhury (2nd generation)

Dewan Ehsan Raja's son, Dewan Sajid Raja developed the village into a complete settlement and donated vast areas of the village for public use. The family's settlement became known by two names; "Sajid Raja'r bari" and "Borobari".

Dewan Sajid Raja kept Borobari as his mansion circa 1800s and continued to run the court of justice from his father's dalan. In front of Borobari he constructed a 'masjid' (mosque) with 13 domes and also dug a large "dhighi" (pond). Furthermore, he commissioned the building of several key infrastructures in Charigram, Atgram for public use in line with his father's master plan, including:

Primary School
Madrasa
Hospital
Post Office
Pond (near the school and madrasa)
Bazaar
A rest house (Dak-bangla demolished during 1971 Liberation War)
Internal road infrastructure providing easy access to all the key buildings in the village
One family cemetery and three cemeteries for the local villagers

The famous poet Dewan Hason Raja of Rampasha, Bishwanath/Lakkansiri, Sunamganj was one of Sajid Raja's brother in-laws and often visited Atgram. Sajid Raja and Hason Raja both used to spend a lot of time together in the dalan. The north side of the dalan had an arch gate directly to the private residence. Behind the dalan there were several private houses where all family members used to live. Those houses were made with solid wood and thatched roofs. One of his inheritors, Dewan Mohammed Makhdum Chowdhury, commissioned some talented craftsmen from Calcutta to build a beautiful bungalow to the west of the masjid. The roof, celling and poles of the bungalow are made of tin and wood, and the floor is paved with concrete. This huge one-room bungalow was used for multiple purposes; as a guest house and living room where at one time the zamindars (owners of vast land), including Dewan Hason Raja, used to hang out. People used to call this house "terochali ghor" (13-roof house) or "tongi ghor". The massive earthquake that came a few years later did not cause any damage and it still stands unmodified.

On 12 June 1897, a very strong earthquake hit Assam valley, British-India. The devastating impact of that earthquake cracked the dalan, which was made with "choon-surki" (limestone), but nobody attempted to repair it for a long time due to technical difficulty. By the grace of Almighty Allah (SWT) the masjid remained completely intact.

Later in 2016, his great-grandson Monzur Ahmed Chowdhury took the initiative to restore and renovate the masjid and re-excavate the dhighi, which was supported by family members. The masjid has been restored to its former glory and the dhighi is back to its former depth.

From historical records the names of Sajid Raja's sisters are missing, however, it is known that one of the sisters was married to Mohammed Mukarrom Chowdhury of Phulbari (Usabari) and another to Abbas Ali Chowdhury of Deorail. The third sister died at a young age.

Dewan Sajid Raja had four wives but unfortunately no children of his own. He therefore brought over and raised up his two eldest nephews from the two respective sisters in Phulbari and Deorail at his home in Atgram. Dewan Mohammed Makhdum Chowdhury of Phulbari (died 1912) was the eldest son of Dewan Mohammed Mukarrom Chowdhury and Dewan Giasuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (Mekhai Mia) of Deorail was the eldest son of Abbas Ali Chowdhury. At the passing of Dewan Sajid Raja in 1903, his estate was inherited by his two nephews, Dewan Mohammed Makhdum Chowdhury and Dewan Giasuddin Ahmed Chowdhury.

Dewan Mohammed Makhdum Chowdhury (3rd generation)

Dewan Mohammed Makhdum Chowdhury did not take inheritance from his paternal estate in Phulbari (Usabari). He had four younger brothers; Jafor Ali Chowdhury, Jamshed Ali Chowdhury, Israel Ali Chowdhury, and Mahtabuddin Chowdhury; and two sisters; Zubeda Khatun Chowdhury (married Ijjad Ali Chowdhury of Amura (Puranbari) and Mazida Khatun Chowdhury (married Abdus Shahid Chowdhury of Ghugarkul, Fotawli, Rankeli).

Mohammed Makhdum Chowdhury had two wives. From his first marriage to Anjumunnessa Chowdhury of Deorail, Karimganj, Assam, British-India, they had four sons and three daughters:

Dewan Foiazuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (died at an early age)
Dewan Azizuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (died 18/12/1962)
Astari Khatun Chowdhury married Dewan Gulam Rabbani Chowdhury, son of Dewan Gulam Jilany Chowdhury, Chapghat, Mohakol (Dewan Bari), Karimganj, British India (no children)
Dewan Zuberuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (died 12/11/1967)
Afsorunnesa Khatun Chowdhury (died 1968) married Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury (Tajjub) of Amura (Puranbari)
Dewan Moinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (died 06/04/1961)
Akhtari Khatun Chowdhury (Somu) (died 29/11/1996) married Mahbubul Qadir Chowdhury (Muboi) of Phulbari (Tilabari) (died 06/04/1989)

From his second marriage with Salma Khatun Chowdhury (Saloi) from Shahbazpur, Bhuga, Latu, they had only one daughter:

Aftara Khatun Chowdhury (died 14/06/1982) married Mubinuddin Chowdhury (died 09/06/1986) of Phulbari (Usabari) (no children)

Dewan Giasuddin Chowdhury (Mekhai Mia, 3rd generation)

Dewan Giasuddin Chowdhury maintained his paternal estate inheritance in Deorail and lived in Atgram and Deorail. He had two sons and two daughters:

Dewan Matinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (10/06/1900 - 03/07/1980)
Dewan Mohiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury
Asimunnessa Khatun Chowdhury (Asoi) married Rafiqur Reza Chowdhury (1893 - 1921) of Deorail and then married Rafiqur Reza's younger brother, Naimur Reza Chowdhury, of Deorail (died 08/02/1989)
Kosimunnessa Khatun Chowdhury (Kosoi) married Sirajul Haque Chowdhury (Tekoi) of Phillakandi, Zakiganj

Dewan Matinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (4th generation)

Dewan Matinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury married Lutfun Nesa Khanam. They had one son and seven daughters:

Monzuruddin Ahmed Chowdhury (Kerol)
Farida Chowdhury (Eva)
Nibu Chowdhury (Niva)
Jeba Chowdhury
Panna Chowdhury (Panu)
Ira Chowdhury
Nazu Chowdhury
Baru Chowdhury

Dewan Mohiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (4th Generation)

Dewan Mohiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury had two wives. From his first marriage with (unknown name) of Rampasha Zaminderbari they had two daughters:

Reba Chowdhury
Seba Chowdhury

From his second marriage with Tuni Chowdhury they had one son and five daughters:

Kamaluddin Ahmed Chowdhury (died 27/08/2011)
Dipu Chowdhury
Mahjabeen Chowdhury (Moni)
Khuku Chowdhury
Odu Chowdhury
Bably Chowdhury

Dewan Azizuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (4th generation)

Azizuddin Chowdhury had two wives. From his first marriage with Kona Bibi (nickname) Chowdhury, daughter of Jafor Ali Chowdhury of Phulbari (Usabari) they had six daughters and one son:

Mahmuda Chowdhury married Taher Ahmed Chowdhury of Bhadeshwar
Molika Chowdhury (died 11/10/2001) married Abdul Mukit Chowdhury (Murshib, died 18/06/1983) of Rankeli, Dakshinbag
Hamida Chowdhury (died 12/12/2006) married Sodiduddin Chowdhury (Mamun, died 09/07/2001) of Sabdalpur, Jalalpur
Ahmuda Chowdhury (died 19/03/2011) married Moinuddin Chowdhury (died 23/02/1965) of Barohal (Bilbari)
Siddeka Chowdhury (died 31/12/1964) married Abdur Rauf Chowdhury (died 18/11/1983) of Duhal
Afia Khanam Chowdhury (died 15/01/1997) married Taher Ahmed Chowdhury (died 07/01/2000) of Bhadeshwar
Mohammed Chowdhury (Moyna, died 13/12/1999) married Momtaz Chowdhury (Begoon) of Phulbari (Mirapara)

From his second marriage with Asma Khatun Chowdhury (Lesu, died 01/02/1993) of Ghugarkul, Fotawli, Rankeli. They had one son and one daughter:

Ahmed Kabir Chowdhury (Taimoor) married Bushra Khatun Chowdhury of Ghugarkul, Fotawli, Rankeli
Ambia Chowdhury (died 30/12/1964)

Dewan Azizuddin Ahmed Chowdhury died on 15/12/1962 and is buried in the family cemetery.

Dewan Zuberuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (4th generation)

Zuberuddin Chowdhury had three wives. From his first marriage with Asia Khatun Chowdhury (elder daughter of Israel Ali Chowdhury) of Phulbari (Usabari). They had three daughters and one son:

Humeda Khanam Chowdhury (died 07/12/1991 in Sylhet) married Abdul Quddus Chowdhury (Asab, died 20/03/1998) of Amura (Puranbari)
Afifa Khanam Chowdhury (died 04/05/1981 in Dhaka) married Abul Ula Mohammed Chowdhury (died 23/07/1985) of Kanishail (Majerbari)
Amena Khanam Chowdhury (died 01/04/1992 in Sylhet) married Zillul Haque Chowdhury (died 1967) of Batishail
Altaf Ahmed Chowdhury (died 19/05/1997 in Sylhet) married Khairunnessa Chowdhury (Rehana) of Balaut (Puranbari)

From his second marriage with Lulufa Khatun Chowdhury (Lulu, youngest daughter of Israel Ali Chowdhury) of Phulbari (Usabari). They had one daughter and four sons:

Ubeda Khanam Chowdhury (Jebu) married Abdul Malik Chowdhury (Makhon, died 24/05/1994 in Kent, UK) of Bishwanath
Autad Ahmed Chowdhury married Suraia Akhtar Chowdhury of Bishwanath
Albab Ahmed Chowdhury (died 29/11/1991) married Suraia Chowdhury of Comilla
Sarwar Ahmed Chowdhury (unmarried)
Iqbal Ahmed Chowdhury (unmarried and died 31/10/1990)

From his third marriage with Khairunnessa Khanam Chowdhury (died 15/10/2014 in Paterson, NJ, USA) youngest daughter of Abdus Sattar Chowdhury (Soi Miah) of Brammonshashon, Rafinagor, British-India. They had five daughters and four sons:

Nurunnessa Khanam Chowdhury (Raka) married Abdulhannan Chowdhury (Afraj, died 28/02/2007 in Sylhet) of Husenpur, Sunamganj
Shamsun Khanam Chowdhury (Chamon) married Mufti Saifuddin Ahmed (Maqsood, died 02/08/2010 in Paterson, NJ, USA) of Dargah Mahalla, Sylhet
Mohammed Chowdhury (died after birth)
Farida Khanam Chowdhury married Akhlaque Hussain Qurashi (Akhol, died 09/08/2005 in Exeter, UK) of Kanishail (Jamtikor) Sylhet
Shegufta Khanam Chowdhury (Shebu) married Motiur Rahman Chowdhury (Mosru) of Rankeli, Dakshinbag, Sylhet
Monzur Ahmed Chowdhury married Rehana Khanam Chowdhury-Syeda of Orampur, Khasrupur, Osmaninagar, Sylhet
Mohammed Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury married Khurshid Jaha Chowdhury (Juwelly, died 22/11/2013 in Paterson, NJ, USA) of Sheikhpara, Sylhet
Moynul Ahmed Chowdhury married Syeda Gulbahar Chowdhury (Rumana) of Dhoradhorpur, Sylhet
Deelara Khanam Chowdhury married Miftaur Rahman Choudhury (Liton) of Kaudia, Tikorpara, Sylhet

Dewan Zuberuddin Ahmed Chowdhury died on 12/11/1967 and was buried in the middle of his parents' grave in the family cemetery.

Dewan Moinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (4th generation)

Moinuddin Chowdhury married Muslima Chowdhury (daughter of Nazmul Islam Chowdhury) of Bahadurpur (Pashimbari), Sylhet. They had four daughters and two sons:

Mina Chowdhury (died 16/11/2006 in Dhaka) married Tafazzul Ambia Chowdhury (died 12/11/1985) of Paniumda, Habiganj
Nilom Chowdhury married Dr. Motiur Rahman Chowdhury (died 06/01/2013 in Dhaka) of Barohal (Bilbari), Sylhet
Sanam Chowdhury (died 14/06/2016 in London, UK) married Syed Mamun Bakht (died 11/12/2009) of Orampur, Khasrupur, Osmaninagar, Sylhet
Rumia Chowdhury (Rumu, died 29/12/1983 in Dhaka) married Mababur Nabi Chowdhury (Anwar) of Parkul, Sylhet
Muazzam Ahmed Chowdhury married Farida Yasmin Chowdhury of Phulbari (Tikorpara), Sylhet
Azam Ahmed Chowdhury (unmarried and died 02/09/1979 in London, UK)

Dewan Moinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury died in Chittagong on 06/04/1961 and was buried at Sylhet Dargah Shahjalal Cemetery.

Mohammed Chowdhury (Moyna, 5th generation)

Mohammed Chowdhury (Moyna, died 13/12/1999) married Momtaz Chowdhury (Begoon) of Phulbari (Mirapara). They had one son and five daughters:

Shahreen Nahar Chowdhury (Bably)
Shahin Ahmed Chowdhury
Joly Chowdhury
Amie Chowdhury
Tanni Chowdhury
Liza Chowdhury

Ahmed Kabir Chowdhury (Taimoor, 5th generation)

Ahmed Chowdhury (Taimoor) married Bushra Khatun Chowdhury (daughter of Abdul Wadud Chowdhury {Dudu}) of Gugarkul, Fotawli, Rankeli, Sylhet. They had one son and three daughters:

Ziaul Kabir Chowdhury (Babu) married Euna Chowdhury
Saida Kabir Chowdhury (Moni) married Sabbir Ahmed Chowdhury
Shahnaz Kabir Chowdhury (Anny) married Efzal Chowdhury
Fahmida Kabir Chowdhury (Tinni)

Altaf Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Altaf Chowdhury (died 19/05/1997 in Sylhet) married Khairunnessa Chowdhury (Rehana) daughter of Gulam Mahmud Chowdhury (Makhoi), Balaut (Puranbari), Sylhet. They had three sons and two daughters:

Afrin Chowdhury (died after birth in 1956)
Arif Ahmed Chowdhury (Tarek) married Shefa Chowdhury
Saleh Ahmed Chowdhury (Barek) married Rahana Chowdhury of Moulvibazar
Tahmina Chowdhury (Shammi) married Joinal Chowdhury of Rankeli, Dakshinbag
Shahed Ahmed Chowdhury married Syeda Tuhin

Autad Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Autad Chowdhury married Suraia Akhter Chowdhury (daughter of Abdul Wahid Chowdhury) of Chandirkapon, Bishwanath, Sylhet. They had one son and three daughters:

Nahid Ahmed Chowdhury married Enam Chowdhury
Zinath Ahmed Chowdhury married Sherwan Chowdhury of Amura (Puranbari)
Rashed Ahmed Chowdhury
Farah Ahmed Chowdhury

He currently lives in the United States with his family.

Albab Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Albab Chowdhury (died 29/11/1991 in Comilla) married Suraia Chowdhury of Comilla. They had one son and two daughters:

Lipi Chowdhury
Poli Chowdhury
Murshed Ahmed Chowdhury

Albab Ahmed Chowdhury died in Comilla on 29/11/1991 and was buried at Comilla cemetery.

Sarwar Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Did not marry, and lives in Atgram.

Iqbal Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Did not marry and died on 31/10/1990 and was buried in the family cemetery.

Mohammed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Died in infancy.

Monzur Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Monzur Chowdhury married Rehana Khanam Chowdhury-Syeda (daughter of Syed Anhar Bakht) of Orampur, Khasrupur, Osmaninagar, Sylhet. They had two sons:

Ishtiaque Mohammed Chowdhury married Evana Choudhury (daughter of Gulam Zabir Choudhury [Jabu]) of Rankeli, Dakshinbag, Sylhet & Ashford, Kent, UK
Imtiaz Mohammed Chowdhury married Zahara Sheikh (daughter of Sajjad Hussain Sheikh) of Reading, UK

He currently lives with his family in the UK.

Mohammed Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Monsur Chowdhury married Khurshid Jaha Chowdhury (Juwelly, died 22/11/2013 in Paterson, NJ, USA, daughter of Somiur Rahman Chowdhury) of Sheikhpara, Sylhet. They had two daughters and one son:

Nausheen Anjum Chowdhury
Nuzhat Anjum Chowdhury
Mahir Mohammed Chowdhury

He currently lives with his family in the United States.

Moynul Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Moynul Chowdhury married Syeda Gulbahar Chowdhury (Rumana, daughter of Syed Gulam Mustafa) of Dhoradhorpur, Sylhet. They had one son:

Marjan Mohammed Chowdhury

He currently lives with his family in the United States.

Muazzam Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Muazzam Chowdhury married Farida Yasmin Chowdhury of Phulbari, Tikorpara, Sylhet. They had two daughters:

Azma Ahmed Chowdhury married Ferdous Kabir of Gopalganj
Naima Ahmed Chowdhury married Ezarul Bhuiyan of Noakhali

He currently lives with his family in the Canada.

Azam Ahmed Chowdhury (5th generation)

Did not marry and died on 02/09/1989 in London, UK.