Kachagolla: A sweet legacy that defines Natore
The debate still lingers: did Natore make Kachagolla famous, or did Kachagolla put Natore on the map?
In Natore, a land where every street corner carries a tale of heritage and every courtyard breathes tradition, one sweet has risen above all others to become a symbol of pride: the legendary Kachagolla.
For more than two and a half centuries, this delicate creation has not merely pleased the palate but has woven itself into the very fabric of Natore's cultural identity, standing as both a flavor and a legacy.
The debate still lingers: did Natore make Kachagolla famous, or did Kachagolla put Natore on the map?
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Regardless, the sweets' legacy was formally recognized on August 8, 2023, when the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries declared Natore's Kachagolla as the country's 17th Geographical Indication (GI) product. It remains the district's only GI-certified item.
The origin of Kachagolla is as flavorful as the sweet itself. Rani Bhabani, revered as "Ardha Bangeshwari", was known for her fondness for sweets. Madhusudan Pal, a sweet-maker from Lalbazar, regularly supplied her palace.
One fateful day, when all his workers fell ill and two maunds of chhana (cottage cheese) were at risk of spoiling, Pal improvised by mixing the chhana with sugar and heating it himself. The result was a new creation with a mouth-watering taste.
When Rani tasted it, she was enthralled and asked for its name. Pal, noting its raw chhana base, named it "Kachagolla".
Despite its name, the sweet isn't round. It's a type of sandesh made from chhana and sugar, and it has lived on in local tradition for generations.
More than a dessert, Kachagolla is a symbol of Natore's pride and emotion. It graces weddings, religious ceremonies, and guest offerings, and its fame has crossed national borders.
Local sweet-makers continue to uphold their legacy. Probhat Kumar Pal, owner of Jaykali Mishtanno Bhandar, said, "With GI recognition, our responsibility has increased. We strive daily to maintain quality."
He added, "Our family has been in this business for three generations, selling 50 to 60 kilograms of Kachagolla each day. Across Natore's 12 sweet shops, around 600 kilograms are sold daily."
Mouchak Mishtanno Bhandar leads in sales, with proprietor Md Arif noting, "We sell about 100 kilograms daily at Taka 680 per kilogram. Quality and reputation are our top priorities."
Jaydev Ghosh of Jalajog Mishtanno Bhandar said most of his customers are visitors drawn by the sweets' reputation.
Masuma Sultana, Lecturer at Natore Maharaja Jagadindra Nath High School and College, said, "Kachagolla is our heritage. We serve it to guests from outside Natore, and we never travel without it."
Deputy Commissioner Asma Shaheen said that the administration has held motivational meetings with producers and traders to ensure quality. "We've also conducted mobile court drives to prevent adulteration," she added.
She observed that GI certification will not only preserve Natore's history and heritage but also boost the branding and demand of Kachagolla both at home and abroad.
