Ishwaripur Hammamkhana still witnesses of royal heritage

Despite being on the verge of collapse, the Ishwaripur Hammamkhana, a historically significant royal structure built by King Pratapaditya in Banshipur village, Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira, continues to stand as a testament to its rich heritage.

The Hammamkhana, located on the west side of the Jashoreshwari Temple and not far from the Banshipur Shahi Mosque, was once part of the royal guesthouse of King Pratapaditya—one of the prominent Baro Bhuiyan leaders and a contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar.

It is believed that King Pratapaditya built the guesthouse four centuries ago as part of his vision to establish an independent kingdom across Bengal. Although the guesthouse no longer exists, the Hammamkhana remains intact to this day. It is also familiar as ‘Habsikhana’ to the locals.

Although the presence of a nearby well has led some to believe the building once held prisoners, architectural analysis indicates it was actually used as a bathhouse.

Built in the late 16th century, the Hammamkhana is a domed, windowless structure. Sunlight streams in through small openings in the roof dome, naturally lighting the interior. The largest room, located on the western side, matches the size of the main bathhouse. The entrance is positioned in the middle of the west wall, and the room features one central dome along with four smaller domes in each corner.

The Hammamkhana contains three basins, each equipped with a system for supplying water heated using stones. A room on the eastern side housed the heating system, which directed hot water to the central basin. The building’s construction style highlights the importance of privacy, with design elements ensuring the interior could not be seen from the outside. There are two small doors located on the west side of the north and south walls.

How to get there:

You can travel directly to Satkhira from Dhaka by various intercity buses. From Satkhira town, take a local bus to Banshipur in Shyamnagar. From the Banshipur Shahi Mosque, it’s just a short walk—only a few hundred meters—to reach the Ishwaripur Hammamkhana.

Local residents in Shyamnagar are familiar with the Hammamkhana's location, so finding it won’t be a problem. This historic royal site can also be visited as part of your journey to the Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans.