Final whistle for Shyampukur’s Sen Bari, cradle of Mohun Bagan

Kolkata: After the loss of the iconic Mohun Bagan Villa — Kirti Mitra's Bagan Bari at Fariapukur, the original cradle of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club — Kolkata is now witnessing the demolition of another landmark: the Sen Bari at Shyampukur. The house was once the third official office of Mohun Bagan.
The demolition, underway to make space for modern apartment blocks, has sparked widespread dismay among heritage enthusiasts, sports historians, and Mohun Bagan loyalists alike. "It was the home of some of our founding fathers," said Srinjoy Bose, former MP and director of RPSG Mohun Bagan Pvt Ltd. "All around, bricks, wood, and wires lay scattered. The once-majestic arches now cry out in peeling plaster," Bose wrote on social media.

Founded in 1889, Mohun Bagan owes its genesis to the collective efforts of the Mitras, the Boses, and the Sens. Bhupen Bose, Kirti Mitra, and Manilal Sen played key roles in shaping the club's early direction. The first meetings of the club took place at Mohun Bagan Villa, where the club's earliest football matches were reportedly played. However, the ground soon proved inadequate. The club then moved to the Sen family's residence at 44, Ramkanto Bose Street in Shyampukur.
Justice Shyamal Sen, grandson of Manilal Sen, told TOI: " Players and stalwarts would drop by freely at our house. We could hardly tell who was a Sen family member and who belonged to Mohun Bagan." That connection with the club lasted until 1934. The sprawling 36-cottah property, believed to be over 200 years old, was never included in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's graded heritage list — a major reason why it couldn't be preserved.
"Over the years, the building became dangerously uninhabitable," said Subrata Sen, 78, a family elder and son of Kesto Sen, one of the club's most renowned ground secretaries. "We feared the roof might collapse on someone. The joint family dispersed. Finally, we had no choice but to hand it over to a real estate developer."
The house also played a role in Bengal's cricketing legacy. Revered cricketer Montu Sen, who represented Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and served Mohun Bagan hailed from this very household. "It wasn't meant to be reduced to dust" Bose said.