Once upon a time, there was a very large marketplace called Sitabazar. In that market, almost everything could be found—grains, fruits, clothes, jewelry, spices, and many other daily necessities. Traders from distant villages and towns would come there to sell their goods, and people from faraway places would gather to buy what they needed. Over the years, the place gradually changed, and the great market slowly grew into a small town.
In that small town lived a boy named Robi. Robi was curious by nature and loved listening to stories, especially those told by his grandfather. His grandfather was an old man who had seen many changes in the town throughout his life.
One evening, as the sun was setting and the sky was turning orange, Robi sat beside his grandfather in their courtyard. A cool breeze was blowing, and the surroundings were peaceful. Robi's grandfather began telling him an old story about the past of their town.
"My grandfather told me this story long ago," he said softly. "During his time, this small town was not just a town—it was once a magnificent kingdom called Ramgarh."
Robi's eyes widened with excitement as he listened carefully.
"In that kingdom," the old man continued, "there lived a noble and kind king named King Shripoti. He was known throughout the land for his wisdom and generosity. King Shripoti had three queens whom he loved very much."
"The eldest queen was Queen Sita Devi, the middle queen was Queen Sihila Devi, and the youngest was Queen Kolaboti. The king treated all three queens with equal love and respect."
King Shripoti was not only devoted to his queens but also deeply cared for his people. He always made sure that his subjects lived happily and had everything they needed.
To make life easier for the people of Ramgarh, the king decided to build a great marketplace where everyone could buy goods at very low prices. This market became a place where poor and rich alike could purchase food and necessities without difficulty.
To honor his eldest queen, King Shripoti named the market Sitabazar, after Queen Sita Devi.
Soon Sitabazar became famous in nearby regions. Traders from many distant places came there to sell their goods, and the market grew lively with activity every day. The people of Ramgarh respected and loved their king greatly. Life in the kingdom was peaceful and prosperous. It seemed as if a river of happiness flowed through the land.
However, this peace did not last forever.
One day, a group of dangerous bandits secretly entered Sitabazar. They disguised themselves as merchants and began doing business in the market.
At first, nobody suspected them.
Slowly, they began raising the prices of goods. They sold everyday items at very high prices so that common people struggled to afford them. The bandits also tempted other traders in the market with money and convinced them to join their group.
Many traders, blinded by greed, accepted the offer and joined the bandits.
Soon the entire market began to change. Prices rose higher and higher. Poor people could barely buy food or basic necessities.
The bandits spread lies among the people. They told everyone that King Shripoti himself had ordered the prices to be increased.
The people believed those lies.
Gradually, the people of Ramgarh became angry with the king. Their respect for him turned into resentment.
As prices continued to rise, many poor families could no longer afford food. Hunger spread throughout the kingdom. Some people even began to die because they had nothing to eat.
Eventually, the tragic news reached King Shripoti.
When the king learned what had happened, he was shocked and deeply saddened. He never wanted his people to suffer. But by the time he discovered the truth, it was already too late.
The deaths of many innocent people had filled the kingdom with anger. The people blamed the king for their suffering and turned against him.
The bandits saw their opportunity.
Now they decided to seize the entire kingdom.
One night, they gathered their forces and launched a brutal attack on the royal palace of Ramgarh.
King Shripoti's soldiers fought bravely to defend the kingdom, but the bandits were many and ruthless. After a fierce battle, the king's army was defeated.
The bandits stormed into the inner palace, where the king and his three queens lived.
King Shripoti, along with Queen Sita Devi, Queen Sihila Devi, and Queen Kolaboti, were captured.
The cruel bandits showed no mercy.
They killed the king and all three queens.
But their cruelty did not end there.
The bandits began capturing the people of Ramgarh one by one. Many innocent villagers were hanged, and the once joyful kingdom turned into a land of sorrow and fear.
Soon the bandits took full control of the entire kingdom of Ramgarh.
Only seven or eight people managed to escape the massacre. Those survivors fled far away from the ruined land to save their lives.
The great marketplace Sitabazar was destroyed and broken down. In its place, the bandits built a dark execution ground where punishments were carried out.
Years passed.
According to stories, about twenty-five to thirty years later, a terrible epidemic spread throughout the land. One by one, the people living in that cursed place died from the disease.
Eventually, the entire region became deserted.
Buildings collapsed, markets disappeared, and the once-great kingdom of Ramgarh turned into ruins. Time passed, and nature slowly covered everything with silence.
Many years later, small groups of people began settling in the area again. Gradually, new homes were built. Families started living there, and the place slowly grew into a small town once more.
Robi listened carefully to every word of the story.
After a moment of silence, he looked at his grandfather and asked,
"But how did your grandfather know all of this?"
The old man smiled gently and replied,
"My grandfather was once a young boy who lived in Ramgarh. He was one of the kingdom's people."
"At the time of the attack, he was only ten or twelve years old. When the bandits began killing people, his mother took him and fled far away from the kingdom to save his life."
"They lived in another place for many years."
"Later, after a long time had passed, news spread that the government had announced that anyone whose ancestors once lived in that land could return and settle there again."
"So my grandfather came back to this place. By that time he had already grown up, gotten married, and even had children."
The old man looked around the quiet town.
"And slowly, this place became the small town where we live today."
Robi sat silently, imagining the glorious kingdom of Ramgarh, the bustling market of Sitabazar, the brave king, and the tragic fall of the kingdom.
The wind rustled softly through the trees as the evening grew darker.
Perhaps the ruins of that forgotten kingdom still lay hidden beneath the soil of the town.
And with that thought, the story finally came to an end.