Amjhupi Nilkuthi, a famous or mostly known as notorious archaeological site established during the English reign, is situated at Meherpur, Khulna.
At the bank of river Kajla, this nilkuthi was built for indigo cultivation, lately used as court office of East India Company.
The kuthi bears testimony of torture and exploitation of Kenny, Simpson, James Heel, Fergun Crawford, Warts, Hamilton and many more English rulers.
There is a myth regarding Amjhupi Nilkuthi. It is said that before the battle of Plassey, conspirators conducted their last meeting here. But in his historical book ‘The History of Meherpur’, Aminul Islam did not agree with this fact. It is undoubtedly true that Amjhupi has a dark past about indigo cultivation. Murder, rape, kidnapping- all kind of tortures are recorded here. But it has nothing to do with Plassey conspiracy.
The battle of Plassey took place on 23rd June, 1757. But the first Nilkuthi was established between the years of 1800-1815 in Bengal. Indigo cultivation and business was first introduced here by French colonist Louis Bonnaud. So, it is quite impossible for Robert Clive, Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh, Ghaseti Begum or any other conspirators to plan conspiracies at Amjhupi Nilkuthi which was not even established then.
During the liberation war, the expatriate Bangladesh government was formed in the Baidyanath floor under the Amrakanan which is located near this citadel. At present, Amjhupi Nilkuthi has become a popular archaeological site. Becoming witness of all the historical events, two indigo trees are still standing in front of the kuthi.
