1

Historical Account of Burdwan Raj

A Tribute to Mahtab Family of Burdwan

By Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr ! E-mail amarjitdhillon"#$msn com

1st Edition 2014 Copy Right: Open

Price: Yo r lo!e " a##ection #or B rd$an

%rinter&

'ontents
%reface 'ha(ter %ntrod ction
&'he cr ( o# the B rd$an R ling )ynasty*

%age

1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 2+ 4+ 5+ 7+ 8+

Origin o# ,ame " Early -istory .o ndation o# B rd$an Ra/ " Early Years B rd$an Ra/ d ring 0 ghal Period B rd$an Ra/ d ring British Period " 1#ter B rd$an Ra/ " .reedom 3tr ggle B rd$an Ra/ " Ed cation Royal .amily6s Concern $ith the people6s health -istoric B ildings " Places o# %nterest R ling .amily6s Contri9 tion to B rd$an )e!elopment % %% %%%+ %= = =% =%% =%%%
IX

A((endi)es :apoor 'ri9e &Historical Perspective* 'ime ;ine o# R ling -eads o# B rd$an Ra/ 3e< ence o# 'itles 'o 'he R ling .amily o# B rd$an Ra/ 3peech 9y 3ir Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9 in 'he %mperial Con#e#ence 1824 Bardh$an -o se 3 mmer Palace 3ome 1dditional 3igni#icant " Rare Photographs 0 9ara> 0an?il
Ambika Kalna The Temple City

References

4 %reface % learnt the name o# B rd$an in early 1820s $hen % participated in @B rd$an 'rophyA in 3hooting as a ,+C+C+ cadet #rom .arid>ot+ B t % ne!er >ne$ a9o t its #ame at that point o# time+ 0y c riosity to >no$ a9o t B rd$an increased $hen % learnt that the most enlightened statesman and last Recogni?ed R ler o# .arid>ot 3tateB 0ahara/a -arinder 3ingh BrarB in 1828B married his a##ectionate da ghter )eepinder :a r &$hom $e respect# lly call Bi9a/i*B in the R ling .amily o# B rd$anB $ith 3aday Chand 0ahta9 &the then Ra/> mar o# B rd$an*+ 1#ter the sad demise o# 0ahara/a -arinder 3ingh Brar in 1878B his entire propertyCestate stood entr sted to 'he 0ahara$al :he$a/i 'r st as per his DillB 'he Chair-Person o# $hich is Bi9a/i )eepinder :a r 0ahta9 and her son Ra/> mar Eai Chand 0ahta9 &a h m9le man* 9ecame its =ice-President+ Dhile % $as preparing the 0an script o# @-istorical 1cco nt o# .arid>ot 3tateAB % came to >no$ the ser!ices o# Chair-Person Bi9a/i )eepinder :a r 0ahta9 and =ice-President Eai Chand 0ahta9 o# 0ahara$al :he$a/i 'r st 9eing rendered to preser!e the -eritage o# .arid>ot and also to pgrade the 0 se m++ .rom the $or> 9eing done 9y these t$o important mem9ers o# the B rd$an R ling .amily in the #ield o# preser!ation o# -eritage and also Charity ser!ices #or the people o# this areaB my interest to >no$ the -istory o# the .amilyB #rom $here they $ere Fgraphted6 this spiritB gre$ and the present $or> entitled @-istorical 1cco nt o# B rd$an Ra/: 1 'ri9 te to 0ahta9 .amily o# B rd$anA is the o tcome+ Ra9indranath 'agore &1741-1841* in his @'he - ngry 3tones and Other 3toriesA in 'he 3tory entitled F'he Ba9 s o# ,ayan/ore6 had also $ritten @the Chhota ;ord had 9een heard to say that in all BengalB the only really respecta9le #amilies $ere those o# the 0ahara/a o# B rd$an and the Ba9 s o# ,ayan/ore+A&'ranslated #rom the original Bengali 9y !ario s $ritersB ,e$ Yor>: 'he 0acmillan CompanyB 1814* %n this endea!o r o# mineB % ha!e mostly relied on the material made a!aila9le to p 9lic 9y scholarsB $riters and other so rces on the %nternet+ % am inde9ted to the Comp ter and thro gh it to all the

5 so rces+ 3ome o# the important Photos o# the .amily $ere made a!aila9le on the %nternet 9y )r+ P+C+ 0ahta9B 9rother o# 0ahara/ 3aday Chand 0ahta9+ %n addition to %ntrod ctionB % ha!e di!ided this small 9oo> in ,ine Chapters starting #rom 'he Origin o# ,ame and Early -istory o# B rd$an to 'he R ling .amily6s Contri9 tion to B rd$an )e!elopment+ ,ine 1ppendi(es ha!e also 9een gi!enB incl ding B rd$an -o se 1liporeB 3 mmer Palace )ar/eeling and 3ome 1dditional and 3igni#icant " Rare Photographs+ % am than># l to my respected Bha9i/i 3ardarni Eatinder :a r Brar $Co 3ardar Bh pinder 3ingh BrarB 0ehm ana -o seB .arid>otB #or clari#ication on some important points+ % may 9e #orgi!en #or the shortcomings i# any+ % >no$ there may 9e many+ 1mar/it 3ingh )hillon &)r+* 5243 ;oc>ington Cres+ 0alton &O,*B ;4'2=4 Canada 13+2+2014

*ntroduction
&The cru) of the Burdwan Ruling Dynasty!
+The %unjabi Maharajas of Bengal,The Royal -a(oor Dynasty+

Dhen a person hears the $ords li>e @:apoor :handanA or :apoor )ynastyB then one s rly thin>sB a9o t all those :apoorsB #rom the -indi #ilm ind stry 9 t !ery #e$ are a$are that there e(isted a Ra/=ansh or Royal .amily named :apoorB $ho ga!e a patronage to many scholars and artists+ 'his Royal :apoor .amily act ally 9elonged to ;ahore and it6s o t-s>irtsB presently in Pa>istan+ 'hese :apoors #rom ;ahore are #amo s #or their >ind-heartednessB e(cellent mannerismsB cool-soothing 9eha!ior and charismatic personality+ 'hey $ere 9lessed 9y their s 9/ects as they too> pains #or the $ell-#are o# the people+ 'he Royal :apoor .amily r led B rd$an in Bengal+ 'he act al name o# this place $as @=ardhamanA $hich later got distorted as @BardhmanA &no$ spelles B rd$an* d ring British R le+ 'he #o nder o# this #amily $as 3angram Rai :apoor $ho 9elonged to a place called :otli near ;ahore+ 'his 3angram Rai :apoor and his son Rai/ada Ban>e Bihari $hile on pilgrimage to P riB in OrissaB on their $ay they !isited Bardhman and li>ed that place !ery m ch+ 3o they migrated and settled at Bai> nthp r+ 'hey $ere the land lordsB rich9an>ersB so got the title @RayA or @RaiA attached $ith their last name as 3 ##i(CPost#i(+ %n 1425 Ban>e Bihari Rai :apoorFs son Rai/ada 19 B $ho $as !ery e##icientB good administrator had pro!ided the 0 ghal Emperor6s army the s pplies at a !ery short noticeB $as then appointed the o##icer in charge o# re!en e collection and o# the maintenance o# p 9lic order in t$o precinctsB FRe>a9i Ba?aar6 and F0 gh lt lli6 o# district B rd$anB as a re$ard #or his e(cellent per#ormance o# the d ty+ 'his :apoor #amily started #lo rishing since then+ 'he descendents added more and more landed property+ %n 1478 d ring 1 rnag?e96s timeB :rishna Ram Rai :apoorB son o# Ghanshyam Rai :apoor the 9iggest land lordB got the >night hood or the ran> o# no9leman+ %n 1544 these :apoors 9ecame !ery po$er# l and got the title as @Ra/aA+ 'hese :apoors then $ere mentioned as premier no9lemen o# lo$er Bengal in !ario s ga?ettes+ %n 1722-24 Ra/a 0ahta9 Chand :apoor helped the Britishers a lotB d ring 3anthal Re9ellion and s pported the Britishers against the

8 so-called @3epoy 0 tinyA in 1725B $hich $as claimed as a great str ggle #or the national independence+ 1s Britisher6s $ere happy $ith his loyalty e(pressed to$ards themH he $as declared as F0ahara/a6+ -e got the title as @-is -ighnessA and $as re$arded $ith the grant o# a coat o# arms in 1747 and the right to a personal sal te o# 13 g ns in 1755+ %n 1744B 0ahta9 Chand :apoor $as appointed as an additional mem9er o# the Go!ernor-GeneralIs ;egislati!e Co ncil+ -e $as the #irst Bengali Ra/a to recei!e that hono r+ 0ahara/a 0ahta9 Chand :apoorB the #o nder o# @Royal :apoor )ynastyA $as a #ar sighted >ing $ho donated a lot o# moneyB genero sly on ed cation +-e $as the #irst one to start the schools #or girls and also English 0edi m 3chool -e had s pported the @Brahma 3ama/A $hich had created little-9it displeas re amongst the @sanatanisA or @sta nchly religio sA s 9/ects+ 1s he $as iss elessB he adopted B+ P+ ,andaB his 9rother in la$6s &$i#e6s 9rother* sonB &o tside the :apoor clan* and named him as @1#ta9 Chand Rai-Bhad r :apoorAH $ho 9ecame @0ahara/aA a#ter his death+ 'he prosperityB prestige o# :apoor )ynasty $as at the pea> in the reigns o# 0ahara/a Bi/ay Chand :apoor+ -e $as act ally son o# Ra/a =an!ihari 3ingh :apoorB #rom a place near ;ahore and $as adopted 9y 0ahara/a 1#ta9 Chand :apoor in 1775+-e in )ecem9er 5 1807B had ris>ed his o$n li#e and sa!ed the li#e o# 3ir 1ndre$ .raserB ;ie tenant-Go!ernor o# BengalB $hen an attempt $as made to assassinate him+ 'he 0ahara/a Bi/ay Chand :apoor $as then !ery highly praised $orld-$ide+ 'his 0ahara/a $as a great scholar and a !ery good $riter+ -e $rote !ario s 9oo>s on di##erent s 9/ects li>e meditationB managementB science-#iction etc+ -is collection o# melodies called @=i/ay Geeti>aA and @'rayodashiA $ere !ery pop larly read+ -e also $rote a play called @Ran/itA+ -is $i#e Radharani $as a !ery grace# l lady #rom the respected 0ehra #amily o# ;ahore+ -e had t$o da ghters and t$o sons named @Jday ChandA and @19hay ChandA+ 'he elder sonB Jday Chand $as enthroned and 9ecame 0ahara/a in 1841+ 0ahara/a Jday Chand :apoor had three sonsB @3aday ChandAB @0alay ChandAB and @)r Pranay ChandA+ 0ahara/a 3adya Chand 0ahta9 :apoor is the present head o# the Royal #amily+ -e $as 9orn in 1834 and got married to 0aharani )eep %nder :a r da ghter o# 0ahara/a 3ir -arinder 3igh Brar o# .arid>ot+ ) ring the three cent ries this :apoor )ynasty held the h ge estate o# B rd$an+ 'he :apoor .amily contri9 ted richly to the

10 de!elopment o# B rd$an as a c lt ral center+ %n partic larB 0ahara/a 0ahta9 Chand and 0ahara/a Bi/ay Chand are credited $ith ha!ing e(tended patronageB to scholars and artists+ 'he #amily also constr cted se!eral tan>s and temples+ Ghanashyam RaiB son o# 19 Rai :apoorB constr cted a large tan>B the F3hyam 3agar6+ -is son :rishna Ram Rai :apoor constr cted the F:rishna 3agar6 tan>+ -is grandson :irti Chand Rai :apoorB #o nded the to$n o# F:anchan ,agar6B also re- constr ctedB the e(ca!ated the FYades$ardiha6 tan>+ 'he #amo s FRanisagar6 tan> $as e(ca!ated 9y order o# :irti ChandIs mother Bra/a>ishoriB $ho also erected the FBai> nthanath-3hi!a6 temple at :alna+ :irti Chand Rai :apoor6s sonB Chitra 3en Rai :apoor 9 ilt the #amo s F3iddhes$ari 'emple6 in :alna $hich is ni< e in %ndia+ -is son 'ila> Chand Rai :apoor6s had 9 ilt se!eral temples Cshrines+ -is mother ;a>shmi : mari erected the F3ri :rishna6 temple at :alnaB $hile his $i#e Changa : mari erected the FEagannath temple6 at :alna+ Other legacies incl de the FBi/ay 'oran6 and FRa/a9ari6 or the palace+ 'here is also a mysterio s story a9o t one heir o# this dynasty+ Ra/a Pratap Chand :apoorB &$ho later had 9ecome !ery pio s and religio s d e to the preaching o# his mother ,ana>i :a r*B the act al 9lood heirB $as mysterio sly disappearedB lost $itho t trace and then $as declared dead+ ;ater he had re-appeared as a Yogi or mon>B claimed the throne+ 'his @Eogi-'ha> rA co ldn6t $in the legal 9attleB had #ailed to pro!e himsel#B hence the adopted son 0ahata9 Chand :apoor $as declared as 0ahara/a 9y Britishers+ 'his K/ogitha> rK died in 1723 in :ol>ota in pen ry+ Tale %iece to *ntroduction: The Kapoor Dynasty from Peshawar, great artists, film stars has ruled over the film industry for three generations; while this much-loved Kapoor Dynasty from Lahore affectionately ruled Burdwan for more than three centuries

11

'ha(ter " .rigin of /ame 0 1arly History

'he history o# B rd$an is 2nown from about #333 B' and belonging to the Mesolithic or 4ate Stone Age The name Burdwan is an anglici5ed form of the Sans2rit word !ardhamana+ 'he #irst epigraphic re#erence to the name occ rs in a 4th+ 'entury AD co((er 6(late found in the 7illage of "allasarul in Galsi Police 3tation+ There are two 7iews about the origin of the name Burdwan .ne8 it might ha7e been named after the #$th %ainaTirthan&ar or 'arddhamanasvami+ 1ccording to the Kalpasutra o# the EainsB 0aha!ira spent sometime in (sti&grama $hich was formerly 2nown as Burdwan According to the other 7iew8 Burdwan means (ros(erous growth centre *n the (rogress of Aryanisation from the u((er 9anges 7alley8 the frontier colony was called Burdwan as a landmar2 of growth and (ros(erity )Burdwan, *+ &m to the northwest of Kol&ata, is the Head,uarter of Burdwan District 1arly History 'he e(ca!ations o# 1824 and 1825 re!ealed that the 0esolithic 1ge has 9een traced at Bir'hanpur in ) rgap r 'hana+ 'hese disco!eries are res lts o# e(ca!ations carried on d ring 1842-42 at Pandu .a/ar Dhi'i in the !alley o# the ri!er 1/ay &near Bhedia* and in se!eral other sites on the 1/ayB : n r and :opai ri!ers+ 'his )hi9i has re!ealed that the people o# those days $ere capa9le o# 9 ilding $ell-planned to$ns $ith pa!ements and streets+ 'hey li!ed in citadels and ho ses 9 ilt o# n#ired clay rein#orced $ith reeds and ha!ing plastered $alls and #loors o# 9eaten peletty laterite+ 'hey >ne$ the se o# copper+ 1gric lt re and trade $as the mainstay o# their economy+ =ardhhamana contin ed to 9e a $ell->no$n di!ision o# the ancient Bengal+ %n the 4th cent ry epigraphic e!idence points to the e(istence o# =ardhhamana as a #amo s Bhu&ti and in that age it $as also mentioned as .adhadesa or .adha+ .adha-!arddhamana area 9ecame a (art of the "aurya Em(ire and remained so throughout But

12 following the dissolution of the 0upta EmpireB one or more independent :ingdoms $ere esta9lished in Bengal+ a! Before Muslim *n7asion Towards the close of the :rd century AD a !arman Dynasty rose to po$er in Dest Bengal+ 1handra !arman may 9e regarded as the 2ing of Radha After that 0upta Dynasty came in to po$er and !inay 0upta $as in charge o# this area+ 1nd thenB 2asan&aB the #irst independent paramo nt so!ereign o# Bengal and then %ayanaga was in charge of this area The history of the area is blan2 from the middle of DharmapalaB the the ;th century till the rise of the Palas in the later part o# the 7th cent ry+ 'he Khalimpur copper plate o# son o# 0opala-38 states that Gopala-% $as elected >ing 9y the people to sa!e the co ntry #rom "atsyanayaya 1#ter the Pala Dynasty 2ena Dynasty too2 o7er the charge of Bengal in about AD "":3 !i/ayasena $as the #irst >ing o# 3enas according to Deopara incription+ Be#ore the 9egining o# 0 slim in!asion 2adgop Dynasty o# Gop9h m $hich $as in Bardhman district ruled for a short time b! After Muslim *n7asion The first Muslim in7asion of Bengal too2 (lace during the reign of La&shmanasena 9y Ba&tiyar Khil/i+ 1#ter ten yearsB d ring the reign o# Hasmuddin 3wa4 a portion o# the northern Radha $as occ paied 9y the 0 slim r ler o# La&hnauti or 0oudha+ 'hen the 9attle to capt re this region $as contin ing 9et$een the 0 slim r ler and the :ings o# Orissa+ The (olitical condition of the entire Bardhman district as at (resent constituted was not clearly 2nown at that time But the 9angetic (art certainly continued to remain under the rule of 4a2hnauti (9oudha! An inscri(tion of /asiruddin Mahmud Shah found at Sa(tagram (ro7es his holds o7er 9angetic area of Burdwan District The ne)t 2ing 8 his son8 Ru2nuddin Barba2 Shah e)tended his (atronage to literal acti7ist "aladhar BasuB the poet o# 2ri&rishnavi/aya 0aladhar Bas $as a resident of -ulingram in Bardhman district and he recei7ed the title of 0unara/ Khan #rom the >ing o# ;a>hna ti+ 1nother cele9rated poetB who flourished in Bardhman at this time8 was .uparam $ho composed Dharmamangala+

13 *n "<3<8 5ut'uddin Khan Ko&aB a #oster-9rother o# %ehangirB $as appointed the Go!ernor o# Bengal+ 2her (fgan 3sta/hiB a ' r>ish no9lemanB $as at that time the /agirdar or fou5dar of Bardhman His wife "eherunnessa $as a lady #amo s #or her 9ea ty+ L t9 ddin -han -o2a (aid a 7isit to Bardhman8 shortly after his arri7al in Bengal There was a fight between Sher Afgan and =utbuddin in the course of which both were 2illed Meherunnessa became the consort of >ehangir who conferred on her the title of 6oor %ahan+ 'he tom9 o# 3her 1#gan and L t9 ddin lie side by side within the town of Bardhman 2hah %ahan )Prince Khurram- re9elled against his #ather Emperor Eehangir in 1422+ he $as then in )eccan+ -e le#t B rhanp r in the )eccanB crossed 'apti ri!er and proceeded to Bengal through .rissa Then Bardhman was occu(ied by the rebel (rince who ga7e it as a fief to Bairam Beg+ 3hah Eahan ascended the throne o# )elhi in 1427 and appointed 5asim Khan %uyini as the 3 9edar o# Bengal+

14

'ha(ter ? Foundation of Burdwan Raj 0 1arly @ears

Burdwan Raj $as a zamindari estate that #lo rished #rom since 1425B #irst nder the 0 ghals and then nder the British in the Pro!ince o# Bengal in %ndia+ 'he estate $as esta9lished and o$ned contin o sly 9y the :apoor #amilyB $hich had its origins in the P n/a9+ %ts earliest >no$n ancestorB 3angram RaiB is said to ha!e migrated to Bengal and settled at B rd$an in the si(teenth cent ry+ B rd$an $as ne!er an independent territory since the chie#s o# the #amily held it 9asically as the re!en e collectors or ?amindars o# the 0 ghal Go!ernors o# Bengal+ ;aterB in British times a#ter ;ord Corn$allisAs Permanent 3ettlement o# 1583B the 4amindars changed their stat s #rom re!en e collectors to o$ners o# the land they collected re!en e #rom+ 1ltho gh its o$ners $ere 9oth rich and po$er# lB $ith the chie#s o# the #amily holding the title o# 0ahara/aB the B rd$an Estate $as not de#ined as a BPrincely 3tate8B $ith #reedom to decide its # t re co rse o# action at the time o# %ndian %ndependence in 1845+ (Cooch Behar $as the only Princely 3tate in Bengal and 'rip ra $as another on its 9order+ 'here $ere se!eral Princely 3tates in neigh9o ring OrissaB especially 0ay r9han/ that had a presence in :ol>ata ! %n spite o# its o##icial stat s in the conte(t o# national historyB it had a local importance and $as respected as one o# the #or$ard loo>ing #e dal ho sesB $ho endea!o red to 9ring a9o t an impro!ement in the conditions o# its s 9/ects+ 'hey patronised many poetsB $ho had contri9 ted s 9stantially to the literat re o# the day+ 'hey $ere also great patrons o# m sic+ %t had an army o# its o$n and $hen the declining 0 ghals ceded their territory to the BritishB they e!en #o ght $ith the British+ ;aterB $hen they made p $ith the BritishB they $ere entitled to their o$n coat o# arms+ 1#ter independenceB they donated their PalaceB $ith a h ge li9rary o# !al a9le 9oo>s8 #or the #ormation o# the Jni!ersity o# B rd$an

12 'heir territory $as centered on the B rd$an DistrictB 9 t e(tended 9eyond to eighteen more partsB #or e(ampleB o# $hat is no$ Ban> raB 0edinip rB -o$rahB - ghli and 0 rshida9ad districts+ 'hey hailed #rom as #ar a$ay as ;ahore 9 t identi#ied themsel!es $ith the people o# the lands they held and are considered to 9e 9ene#actors o# Bengali literat re and c lt re+ Dhile the Ra/ ended $ith the a9olition o# ?emindaries in 1822B the eminent historians >eep their #oc s spread o!er the $ide national scenario o# a large co ntry+ B rd$an Ra/ e!o>es interest among n mero s persons lin>ed $ith this region and many others $ho contin e to 9e in< isiti!e a9o t $hat happened in di##erent regions o# this 1arly @ears
1. Sangram Ray (1607-1657)

-istorians accredit 3angram Rai to 9e the #o nding #ather o# the B rd$an Ra/ #amily+ -e hailed #rom :otli in ;ahore and settled in the region+ 'hose $ere the #ading years o# the si(teenth cent ry+ Emperor 1>9ar $as e(tending the 9o ndaries o# his empire 9 t the 1#ghans still had poc>ets o# po$er in eastern %ndiaB and $ere gi!ing the great 0 ghal tro 9le #rom time to time+ 'he 1#ghans $ere a spent #orce and the 0 ghals $ere on the rise+ .or #ort ne see>ersB it $as important to nderstand $hat $as ta>ing place+ 1t that timeB according to historian Ramesh Chandra 0a/ mdar: @Bengal $as perhaps the most #lo rishing pro!ince in the $hole o# %ndiaM 1lmost e!ery year a large n m9er o# PersiansB 19yssiniansB 1ra9sB ChineseB ' r>sB 0oorsB Ee$sB GeorgiansB 1rmeniansB and merchants #rom some o# the parts o# 1sia po red in Bengal+A B rd$anB then 9etter >no$n as Cha>la or Cha>la B rd$anB $as a partic larly rich agric lt ral area+ 3angram Rai had set o t on a pilgrimage and had reached P ri $hen the 1#gan General L tl :han ;ehaniB immortalised 9y Ban>im Chandra Chater/ee in his no!el DurgeshnandiniB made his #oray #rom Orissa into Bengal+ -e ad!anced p to B rd$an 9 t on his de#eat he s rrendered to the 0 ghals in 1274+ %nspired 9y all the possi9ilities o# $ealthB 3angram RaiB made his $ay to B rd$an and settled do$n at near9y Bai> nthap r as a trader and moneylender+ Bai> nthap r is not

14 there on the map o# B rdh$an at presentB 9 t historians thin> that it $as located 10 miles &14 >m* north o# B rd$an Ban>e Behari Ray helped his #ather in 9 siness acti!ities+ 'here $as an interesting episode at B rd$an d ring the period+ 0eher nissa $as the $i#e o# 3her 1#ganB .a ?dar o# B rd$an+ Emperor Eahangir had cast his eyes on her and sent L t 9 ddin :o>a to #ight against 3her 1#gan+ Both $ere >illed and lie 9 ried at Pir Baharam in B rd$an and 0eher nissa $as ta>en to the 0 ghal harem+ 3he later emerged as , r Eahan8 the po$er# l Empress+ %slam :hanB $ho s cceeded L t 9 ddin :o>a as 3 9edar shi#ted the 0 ghal capital o# 3 9a Bangla #rom Ra/mahal to )ha>a in 1412+ %t meant that the centre o# po$er $as shi#ted # rther a$ay #rom B rd$an+

15

'ha(ter : Burdwan Raj during Mughal %eriod

2. Abu Ray (1657-1665?)

Emperor 3hah Eahan #ollo$ed Eahangir on the 0 ghal 'hrone+ Prince 3 /a $as then 3 9edar o# Bengal+ Ram Roy $as ?amindar o# Cha>la B rd$an+ 'he 0 ghal Emperor despatched troops to < ell a re9ellion that had er pted in east Bengal+ -o$e!erB $hen the troops $ere aro nd B rd$anB it #ell short o# #ood s pplies+ 19 RaiB on receipt o# in#ormation a9o t shortage o# #ood in the troop campB !ol ntarily sent s pplies+ Ram Roy $as stripped o# his ?amindari+ %n 1425B the EmperorB iss ed a firmanB on the recommendation o# Prince 3 /aB $here9y in lie o# 232 si>>asB the responsi9ility #or rent collection o# three parganas o# Re>a9i Ba?arB 0 ghalt li and %9rahimp rB as $ell as the :ot$ali o# Cha>la B rd$anB all nder the .o ?dar o# 3ari#a9adB $as assigned to 19 Rai &1425N1442O*+ -e $as amply re$arded #or his s pport to the 0 ghal Emperor+ -e o$ed this appointment to his a9ility to s pply the army passing thro gh B rd$an $ith ade< ate pro!isions at short notice+ 'he #amily contin ed to #lo rish in trade+
3. Babu Ray (1665?-1670?)

Ba9 Rai &1442O-1450O* shi#ted #rom Bai> nthap r to B rd$anB and e(tended his estates to three other parganasB incl ding BardhamanB on the strength o# a #irman #rom the Emperor 1 rang?e9 (-e p rchased B rd$an and three other estates #rom Ram RayB an important Pamindar o# the area+*
4. Ghanshyam Ray (1670?-1675)

Ghanshyam Rai &1450O-1452* is credited $ith ha!ing de!eloped the 3hyamsayer on 10 acres &40B000 m* o# land+'his place is no$ considered to 9e one o# the most romantic place in B rd$an+

17
5. Krishna Ram Ray (1675-16 6)

:rishna Ram Ray &1452N1484*B son o# Ghanashyam RayB o9tained letters patent #rom 1 rang?e9 in 1478 1+)+B recogni?ing him as Pamindar o# these estates and e(tending to B rd$an and some other areas the o##ices already held 9y the #amily in Re>a9i Ba?ar and 0 gh lt li+ 'he #amily th s entered the ran>s o# the no9ility+ :rishnaram Ray $as ordered to not reali?e any ne$ ta(es #rom the peasantry 9 t to enco rage c lti!ation and maintain la$ and order+ 'he na?arana #or the land $as set at Rs+ 200B000C+ -e ac< ired the title o# Cho$dh ry #rom the 0 ghal Emperor in 1484+ -e also ac< ired a thority to raise an in#antryB as $ell as a ca!alry #orce+ -e e(tended his estates to s ch an e(tent that the other 9ig ?amindari in the area started en!ying him and had do 9ts that some day he co ld also go99le p their ?emindaries+ 'he #amily $as ho$e!er hard p t to maintain their ne$ly ac< ired estates+ ;a$lessness $as rampant and gre$ $orse d ring the Go!ernorship o# %9rahim :hanB an incompetent administrator $ho $as appointed to that o##ice 9y the 0 ghal Emperor in 1478B the same year in $hich letters patent $ere granted to :rishna Ram Ray+ Dhen 3ho!a 3inghB the ?amindar o# Cheto Barda in 0edinip rB started pl ndering the neigh9o ring areasB the ?amindars in the area e(tended s pport to him+ Crac>s had started appearing in the 0 ghal Empire and small re9ellions had started er pting+ %n 1482B 3ho!a 3ingh declared re9ellion against the 0 ghal Emperor+ -e garnered s pport o# disgr ntled 1#ghan elements and ad!anced against B rd$an+ 1t the 9attle o# Chandra>ona in 1484B 3ho!a 3ingh de#eated and >illed :rishna Ram Ray+ -is son Eagat Ram Ray managed to escape 9 t the !ictor mo!ed #or$ard to capt re B rd$an+ 3ho!a 3ingh had the ill-rep tation o# 9eing a de9a ch and soB 9e#ore he entered B rd$an thirteen $omen o# the Ray #amily committed s icide 9y ta>ing poisonB 9 t the yo ng and 9ea ti# l da ghter o# :rishna Ram RayB 3atya9atiB remained ali!e+ Dhen 3ho!a 3ingh entered the Palace and tried to ta>e her in his em9raceB she sta99ed him to death and therea#ter committed s icide+

18 .or three yearsB chaos pre!ailed in the region till the 0 ghals reesta9lished themsel!es in the area and p t Eagat Ram Ray 9ac> in the seat o# po$er+ ) ring the periodB an 1#ghan re9elB Rahim :hanB had some control o!er the region+ ;ater onB Prince 1?im- sh-3hanB then )e$an o# 3 9e BanglaB e(tended his control o!er the area+ -e stayed 9ac> in B rd$an #or some time 9e#ore ret rning to his Capital at )ha>a+ One interesting #all o t o# the period $as that the p rchase o# the three !illages o# :ali>ataB 9obinda(ur and 3 tan ti 9y the East %ndia Company #rom the 3a9arna Roy Cho dh ryB the ?emindar o# Barisha+ 'he s 9edar o# 3 9e Bangla is 9elie!ed to ha!e gi!en his assent #or the sale #rom B rd$anB $here he $as engaged in s ppressing the re9ellio s 1#ghans+
(For three years i.e.1696-1699, chaos prevailed in the region till the Mughals reestablished themselves in the area and put Jagat am ay bac! in the seat o" po#er$

6. !aga" Ram Ray (16

-1702)

Eagat Ram Ray &1484N1502* $on 9ac> his #ather6s estates 9eca se o# his loyalty to the 0 ghals in their e##orts to < ell the re9ellion o# the 1#ghans+ -e $as also 9esto$ed $ith the title o# Cho$dh ry and three more parganas $ere added 9y a royal #irman in 1488+ -o$e!erB an n>no$n assailant assassinated him in 1502B $hile he $as 9athing in the :rishnasayer+ -e le#t t$o sonsB :irti Chand Ray and 0itra 3en Ray+ -is $ido$B Bra/a>ishoriB li!ed #or a long time and patronised Pran9alla! Ghosh o# 1m9i>a :alnaB $ho composed the long poem %ahna'imangal+
7. Kir"i #han$ Ray (1702-1740)

:irti Chand Ray &1502N1540*B inherited the estatesB $hile 0itra 3en Ray $as granted a #i(ed ann ity #rom the estateIs e(che< er+ :irti Chand Ray made the 9est o# the then pre!alent la$less sit ation: he #o ght $ith the Ra/as o# Chandra>onaB Barda and Bishn p r and added the parganas o# Chit aB Bh rs tB Barda and 0anoharshahi to his #ie#+ -e $as the #irst person in Ray .amily to ac< ire hereditary right to the ?emindari and the title Cho$dh ry on the 9asis o# a #irman iss ed 9y Emperor 1 rang?e9 in 1504+ 'ill thenB each person 9ecame a ?emindar on a 9asis o# a #irman specially iss ed #or the p rpose+

20 E!en :irti Chand Ray $as initially appointed a ?emindar on the 9asis o# s ch a #irman+ 1t that timeB he co ld collect re!en e #rom 38 parganas+ %t $as d ring his reign that Emperor 1 rang?e9 died in 1505B and the t ssle #or the throne too> a 9ad t rn+ 0 rshid L li :han !irt ally ass med independence as the /awab of Bengal and #or the #irst timeB the title o# the ,a$a9 also 9ecame hereditary+ Prior to thatB 3 9edars o# 3 9e Bangla $ere appointed on an indi!id al 9asis 9y the 0 ghal Emperor+ %n 1534B he recei!ed a #irman #rom the po$erlessB #ig rehead 0 ghal Emperor 0 hammed 3hahB con#irming him in his ne$ ac< isitions and recogni?ing him as Pamindar o# Chandra>ona+ :irti Chand Ray e(tended his estates #ar and $ide+ 1t its heightB it e(tended to aro nd 2B000 s< are miles &13B000 >m* and incl ded many parts o# $hat is no$ B rd$anB Ban> raB 0edinip rB -o$rahB - ghli and 0 rshida9ad )istricts+ 1#ter his !ictory against the >ing o# =ishn p rB he constr cted a !ictory gateB Barad ari &the o ter gate*B at :anchannagar+ %t $as a period $hen =ishn p r and Bir9h m $ere !irt ally treated as independent >ingdoms+ ) ring his long reignB :irti Chand Ray constr cted many temples and patronised many poetsB $ho ha!e $ritten highly a9o t him+ -is motherB Bra/a>ishoriB had a 9enign in#l ence on him and he predeceased her+ -e made :alna @'he Center o# .amily6s )e!otional 1cti!ities+A
%. #hi"ra S&n Ray (1740-1744)

%n 1540B on the 9asis o# a #irman iss ed 9y the 0 ghal emperor 0ohammad 3hahB Chitra 3en Ray &1540N1544*B not only ac< ired the !ast estates o# his #ather 9 t $as also con#erred the title o# FRa/adhira/6+ 'he most nota9le #eat re o# the short r le o# Chitra 3en Ray $as the de!astation 9ro ght a9o t 9y the ra!ages o# the 0arathas+ 1ro nd 20B000-strong ca!alry nder the leadership o# Bhas>ar PanditB attac>ed B rd$an and other areas o# Bengal and resorted to e(tensi!e looting+ .or sometime Chitra 3en $as #orced o t o# his capital and e!en the ,a$a9B 1li!erdy :hanB $as na9le to resist their onsla ght+ 'he # ry o# the 0aratha attac>s lessenedB 9 t did not ceaseB a#ter Bhas>ar Pandit $as >illed at 0an>ar in 1544+

21

'ri()* #han$ Ray (1744-1771)

As Chitra Sen was childless, his cousin Trilok Chand Ray ( !"" !! # succeeded him$ In !"%, the &u'hal (mperor +uhamma$ Shah con)erred the title o) *Ra+a ,ahadur- on Trilok Chand Ray, and in !./, he ac0uired the title o) *&ahara+adhira+- on the stren'th o) a firman or noti)ication o) the &u'hal (mperor Ahm&$ Shah. Subse0uently, his descendants ac0uired the title throu'h similar noti)ications$

%n 1542B the 0arathas once again attac>ed Bengal and BiharB nder the leadership o# Raghuji Bhonsle o# ,agp r+ 1ltho gh he $as de#eated at :at$a and therea#ter ret rned to ,agp rB the 0arathas contin ed $ith their hit-and-r n attac>s and lootingB year a#ter yearB ntil they ac< ired some concessions #rom the 0 ghals+

'hese incl ded: 1+ 1ll territory 9eyond the 3 9arnare>aha ri!er $o ld 9e nder 0aratha occ pation and they $o ld not cross it+ 2+ 0ir -a9i9 $o ld 9e ,ai9 ,a?im o# OrissaB nominally nder Ali7erdy 9 t paying re!en e also to Ragh /i Bhonsle+ 3+ 'he /awab of Bengal $o ld gi!e chauth e!ery year to Ragh /i Bhonsle+ Peace ret rned to the co ntryside $hich had 9een 9adly ra!aged 9y the 0arathasB 9 t the 0aratha attac>s pro!ed to 9e the #orer nner o# British R le in %ndia+ 'hey dealt the last 9lo$ to the tottering 0 ghal Empire+

22

A /oble 9esture byThe Royal Family& Esta9lishing 0ai/ir Bari &%n the 17th Cent ry 1+) the 0ahta9 .amily r led o!er B rd$an $ith 1m9i>a :alna as its Capital+* %n the year 1522 1+)B one day a#ter a 9ath in the ri!er Bhagirathi at :alna the Ra/maata sa$ an old lady sitting and crying on the 9an>s o# the ri!er+ O t o# c riosity Ra/maata as>ed the lady a9o t her pro9lem+ 'he lady replied that she $as a maithili $ido$ o t on pilgrimageH she had a da ghter and no one else in her li#eB neither a place to settle do$n+ Ra/maata too> her to the to$n and ga!e her a piece o# land $here9y stood an old temple &the present Pancharatna 0andir at 0ai/ir BariB :alna*+ 'he %dol o# ;al/i $as the O##icial )eity o# the Royal .amily+ Ra/maata and the $ido$ decided on an idol marriage 9et$een Radharani &da ghter o# ;al/i* and 3hyamchand &son adopted 9y the $ido$*+ 'he marraige too> place and a 'emple $as 9 iltB $here the idols $ere esta9lished+ ;ater on the 0ahara/ addressing the $ido$ as I0ai/iI helped her to replace the 3hyamchand %dol 9y an 1shtadhat %dol 9ro ght all the $ay #rom =rinda!an+ Rigoro s religio s rites and rit als $ere per#ormed to 9ring the )eity #rom =rinda!an+ 'he 'emple $as # rther reconstr cted into a typical 1atchali 0andir as #o nd in the region along $ith a Chandni BariB )ol-moncho and a Rath+ 'he place $as named a#ter 0ai/i as I0ai/ir BariI+ 0ai/i passed on the 3he9ahit Rights on to her son in ;a$ 3hri E gal>ishore Pandey+ -is son Badan Pandey died at a !ery yo ng age+ 3hri E gal :ishore Pandey had to remarry at an old age and his $i#e ga!e 9irth to a da ghter+ 1#ter the marriage o# his da ghterB the lady ga!e 9irth to a son $ho $as later named as 3hri %sh$ar Chandra Eha+ -e $as made the 3he9ahit+ 3hri %sh$ar Chandra Eha did not ha!e a son+ %n the year 1782 he got his da ghter married to 3hri Barda>anta 'ha> rB $ho $as also an engineer 9y Pro#ession $or>ing $ith the

23 1rcheological 3 r!ey o# %ndia+ 3hri Barada>anto 'ha> r $as gi!en the 3he9ahit Rights+ 'h s the 3he9ahit Rights $ere passed on 9et$een se!eral #amilies #or nearly t$o cent ries+ ;ater on 3hri Barada>anto 'ha> rIs descendants $ent ahead to contin e the $or> as the 3he9ahit o# 3hymchand/i and Radharani at 0ai/ir Bari+ ) ring )ol-p rnimaB the tradition o# 3hyamchand/i and Radharani !isiting ;al/i Bari is maintained e!ery year+ Ratha Yatra is cele9rated and on the Pratipad )ay a#ter :ali p /aB 1nna>ot is per#ormed and h ndreds o# de!otees #rom all sections o# the society irrespecti!e o# classB caste and religion come to eat 3hyamchand/iIs prashad+ 0ai/ir Bari has the 3hyamchand Radharani 0ondir %t has preser!ed a tradition o# nearly 300 years and e!en today #esti!als li>e )ol P rnimaB Rath Yatra8 >hulan %urnima8 Anna2ot and Rash are celebrated e7ery year in7ol7ing the (eo(le of the region irres(ecti7e of caste8 creed or religion

The 1ast *ndia 'om(any %t $as d ring the era o# 'rilo> Chand Ray that the British East %ndia Company ac< ired Bengal+ 1#ter the 9attle o# Plassey &1525*B the re!en e o# the district $as mortgaged to themH laterB in 3eptem9er 1540B the entire district $as ceded to the -E%C 9y 0ir LasimB the ,a$a9 o# Bengal+ 'his $as three years a#ter the Battle o# Plassey 'his

24 cession $as con#irmed 9y the m ghal emperor 3hah 1lam %% 9y the treaty o# 1llaha9adB 1542+ %nitiallyB the 0ahara/adhira/ o# B rd$an $as inimical to$ards the British+ Dith the attac>s o# the 0arathas and other reasonsB #amine conditions pre!ailed in B rd$an+ 'he 0ahara/adhira/ $as #inding it di##ic lt to collect rent #rom the c lti!ators+ 'here $ere incidents o# small s>irmishes+ 1#ter the Battle o# B (ar in 1544B the 0 ghals 9ecame pensioners o# the East %ndia Company+ %n 1542B the English ac< ired the di$ani o# BengalB Bihar and Orissa #rom the 0 ghal Emperor 3hah 1lam %% 'his led to #ormal peace $ith the British 9 t sporadic tro 9les contin ed+ %n the initial yearsB the -E%C and its o##icers $as notorio sly rapacio sB 9oth in e(acting re!en e #or the company and Kgi#tsK and trade concessions #or the o##icers personally+ 'he amo nt o# re!en e demanded 9y the company $as set ar9itrarily at an nreasona9le #ig re and co ld not 9e paid reg larly+ Dhen 'rilo> Chand pro!ed irreg lar in the payment o# re!en eB the -E%C threatened to depri!e him o# his #ie#+ %n alliance $ith the Pamindar o# Bir9h mB 'rilo> Chand #aced a British #orce at a #ord on the ri!er Ban>a near 3angotgola and $as de#eated+ 'his $as on )ecem9er 28B 1540+ )%ote& In 1757, Trilok Chand earned the displeasure of the British
when he refused to help Lord Clive against Siraj ud !aullah" Trilok Chand turned to religion for sola#e and it marked the golden period of temple ar#hite#ture in $alna" %ineteen temples & seven large and 1' small &were (uilt in Burdwan (etween 175' and 17))"*

22

24

25

'ha(ter C Burdwan Raj during British %eriod 0 After

"3 Ddwat 'hand RayE Pamindar o# B rd$anB son o# 3$ar p Chand and 9rother o# 3etha Bai+
11. '&, #han$ (1771-1%32)

%n the initial yearsB he $as a minor and his motherB Bishan : mariB $as in e##ecti!e charge+ -e #aced many pro9lems d ring his li#etime+ .rom his #irst #o r $i!es 'e/ Chand &1550N1732* had only one sonB Pratap Chand 9y ,an>i : mari+ One o# his $i!es ga!e 9irth to three sons 9 t all o# them died+ 1t the time o# the 9irth o# the #o rth childB 9oth the mother and child died+ Pratap Chand $as ordained 0ahara/a e!en $hen 'e/ Chand $as ali!e+ Dhen :ashi ,ath :apoor o# ;ahore $as on his $ay to P ri #or a pilgrimageB :amal : mariB his yo ng da ghterB charmed the 0ahara/adhira/+ 3he 9ecame his #i#th $i#e+ .rom then onB :amal : mari6s 9rotherB Paran Chand :apoorB played a >ey role in the a##airs o# B rd$an Ra/+ Jn#ort natelyB Pratap Chand disappeared nder the mysterio s circ mstances+ 'e/ Chand adopted Ch ni ;al :apoorB the yo nger son o# Paran Chand and he too> o!er as 0ahta9 Chand+ %n the meantimeB he had married #or the se!enth time married Basanta : mari the 11-year old da ghter o# Paran Chand+ .i!e years laterB in 1732B 'e/ Chand died+ -o$e!erB in spite o# all his moral #ailingsB $hich $ere common $ith the aristocracy in those daysB 'e/ Chand $as a #or$ard-loo>ing person+ -e had set p the B rd$an Ra/ 3chool in his o$n compo nd aro nd 1710+ %t #ormally mo!ed to its o$n 9 ilding in 1715+ -e appointed Englishmen #or teaching English and as Principals+ .or the -ind College at :ol>ataB he had donated a 9ig s m+ -e also s pported many Persian and 1ra9ic 3chools and 3ans>rit %nstit tions+ %n other #ieldsB also his contri9 tions $ere many+ 1s per #amily traditionsB he also e(ca!ated large ponds+ -is motherB Bishan : mariB constr cted the 107 3hi!a 'emples at :alna d ring his reign+

27

11.

+ah"ab #han$ Baha$ur (1%32-1%44-1%7 )

Dhen 'e/ Chand died in 1732B Ch ni ;al :apoorB then a minor too> o!er as 0ahta9 Chand Bahad r &1732N1758*+ ) ring the initial yearsB Paran Chand and :amal : mari e##ecti!ely loo>ed a#ter the a##airs o# the 3 Estate+ %n 1744B $hen he attained the age o# 24B he too> charge o# the B rd$an Estate #rom the 'ourt of Fards 'here $as a do 9le change o# scenario+ .irstB the r le o# the Ray #amily came to an end and the r le o# the 0ahta9 .amily started+ 3econdB the loyalty o# the B rd$an Ra/ shi#ted to the British in # ll meas re+ 'ill thenB the Ray .amily had retained the mindset o# s pport to the 0 ghal Emperor and co ld not heartily accept British s premacy 9 t #rom the time o# 0ahta9 Chand Bahad rB they heartily s$itched o!er loyalty to the British+ Dhen the 3anthals organised the - l Rebellion in 1722B and d ring the 3epoy 0 tiny o# 1725B the Ra/ e(tended all s pport to the British and in ret rnB they recei!ed s pport o# the British+ %n 1742B the 0ahara/a sec red #ormal permission to >eep arms+ %n 1755B he $as in!ited to attend the ceremony held in )elhi to anno nce the ta>ing o!er o# L een =ictoria as the Empress o# %ndia+ 1t that timeB he $as allo$ed to >eep 13 cannons and se the title F-is -ighness6 9e#ore his name+ By the time 0ahta9 Chand Bahad r ass med po$erB coal had 9een #o nd in the district &in 1sansol *+ 'he leasing o t o# land #or coalmining 9ro ght in s 9stantial re!en es #or the Ra/+

28 -e spent some o# the reso rces #or the 9ene#it o# his tenants+ -e pgraded the 1nglo =ernac lar 3chool earlier esta9lished 9y 'e/ Chandra to a -igh English 3choolB set p a girls6 schoolB and donated li9erally to the -ind 3chool at :alna+ -e spent li9erally on de!elopment o# ed cation and $el#are o# PanditsB 0a la!is and teachersB andB in generalB co ld 9e termed a patron o# $estern ed cation in his estate+ -e set p a 9ranch o# the Brahmo 3ama/ $ithin the Palace Compo nd and $as a great composer o# de!otional songs+ One o# the songs composed 9y him still #inds a place in the Brahmasangeet o# 3adharan Brahmo 3ama/+ -e had great lo!e #or m sic and patronised it e(tensi!ely+ %n 1724B a Bengali translation o# the 1di>anda o# the Ramayana in poetry #orm $as p 9lished 9y the Ra/+ Bipradas 'ar>a9agish and Jma :anta Bhattacharya translated it+ 3 9se< entlyB other parts o# Ramayana $ere translated and p 9lished in stages+ %t $as d ring his period that a Bengali translation o# 0aha9harata $as initiated+ 1 collection o# songs o# the poet-de!otee :amala>anta Bhattacharya $as p 9lished+ -e patroni?ed many poets and scholars+ 1 strong s pporter o# %s$ar Chandra =idyasagar6s campaign #or remarriage o# $ido$sB he p 9lished 9oo>s on the s 9/ect+ -e esta9lished a Charita9le )ispensary and so$ed the seed #or the esta9lishment o# a 0edical College+ -e $as some$hat $himsical 9y nat re and sometimes carried o t his desires+ B rd$an 0 nicipality $as initiated in 1742+ 1ccording to the 0 nicipality )eed on the 9asis o# $hich :anchan ,agar )+ ,+ )as 3chool $as set p 9y the F)+,+ )as Charita9le 'r st6+'he 3chool $as started on 22th E ne1804B tho gh the 3chool $as originally set p in 22 E ne 1775 also d ring 0ahta9 Chand Period+ :anchan ,agar )+,+) as 3chool is r nning #rom the year 1775 nder the s per!ision o# the great patriot " philanthropist Re!d+ )innonath )as+ .or smooth sailingB he #ormed a F)+,+)as Charita9le 'r st6 9y donating Rs+20000 and his ho ses and land to achie!e his goal @.ree Ed cation " -ealth #or 1llA+ -e started constr ction o# the Palace in the #ashion o# $estern architect re+ %s$ar Chandra =idyasagar had called him the F.irst 0an o# Bengal6+ %n his 9oo> '$el!e 0en o# BengalB .+)+Bradley had termed him Fone o# the great men o# the 18th cent ry6+

30 %n its Edition o# 1811B the Encyclopedia Britannica had noted that @'he to$n o$es its importance entirely to 9eing the head-< arters o# the 0ahara/a o# BurdwanB the premier no9leman o# lo$er Bengal8 $hose rent-roll is p$ards o# Q300B000MMM 'he great prosperity o# the Ra/ $as d e to the e(cellent management o# 0ahara/a 0ahta9 ChandA& =ol me =04B Page 711 o# 1811* %n 1721B Ramtan ;ahiriB posted to B rd$an as -eadmaster o# the schoolB created a sensation in the small to$n 9y discarding his sacred thread+ 'hat $as possi9ly the #irst s ch incident+ 1ltho gh a #ollo$er o# Brahmo idealsB he had retained his sacred thread till then+ People acc sed him o# hypocrisy and so he remo!ed it+ 'he incident shoc>ed the orthodo( society and a campaign $as la nched to socially 9oycott him+ Dithin a short periodB he $as trans#erred o t o# B rd$an+ Rash9ehari :apoorB another son o# Paran Chand :apoorB adopted Eah ri ;alB son o# Gopal ;al 3ethB and named him Ban Behari :apoor+ -e $as a !ery e##icient person and soon came close to the 0ahta9 Chand+ -e 9ecame )e$an-i-Ra/ and contri9 ted s 9stantially to$ards de!elopment o# B rd$an Ra/+ %n 1744B 0ahta9 Chand married ,arayani : mariB da ghter o# :edar ,ath ,andaB 9 t she did not 9ear him a child+ -e adopted Brahma Prasad ,andaB son o# Bangsa Gopal ,andaB his 9rother-in-la$ and named him his s ccessor+
13. A."ab #han$ +ah"ab (1%7 -1%%5)

Brahma Prasad ,anda adopted the name o# 1#ta9 Chand 0ahta9 &1758N1772* and too> o!er a#ter the death o# 0ahta9 Chand Bahad r+ -e $as then only 18-years old+ 'here#oreB Ban9ehari :apoor $as in e##ecti!e charge o# a##airs+ -e contin ed 0ahta9 Chand Bahad r6s policies+ -e esta9lished an .1 CollegeB $ith pro!ision #or #ree t itionsB a p 9lic li9rary and spent s 9stantial amo nts #or $ater s pply arrangements+ -e contin ed the patronage o# poets and scholars+ 'ranslations o# se!eral parts o# Ramayana $as completed and p 9lished+ 3ome Bengali translations o# Jrd literat re $as also done+

31 1#ta9 Chand 0ahta9 died at the yo ng age o# 22 years and did not lea!e 9ehind a s ccessor+ 1t the time o# his deathB he a thori?ed his $i#eB Binodeyi )e!iB to adopt a son+ .amily disp tes delayed that+ %n 1775B she #ormally adopted Bi/on9ehari :apoorB son o# the Estate 0anagerB Ban Behari :apoorB and named him Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9+ -o$e!erB as the adoption too> t$o yearsB Co rt o# Dards too> o!er the administration o# the estates+ 'ourt of Fards& ("GG#6"GG;!
14. ,i,ay #han$ +ah"ab (1%%7-1 41)

Brief Biogra(hy& Some Significant As(ects "ahara/adhira/a 2hri 2ir Bi/ay 1hand "ahta' Bahadur, "ahara/a of Burdwan, 0137 )8 %anuary 8*#$, K137 8 %anuary 8*9*-, 3:" ;rd 1l )c 8*9*-, K123 )8# Decem'er 8*88- 0137 )8 %anuary 8*#$-, 'orn 8*th :cto'er 8<<8, son of .a/a Ban Behari Kapur 2ucceeded on the death of his maternal uncle, 8<<= .eceived 'y H" The King-7mperor 7dward !33 at Buc&ingham Palace 8*9>, and H" The King-7mperor 0eorge ! 8*#> "em'er 3mperial L1 8*9*-8*8#, "L1 Bengal 8*9=-8*8<, "71 Bengal 8*8< and 8*8*-8*#$, "em'er 3ndian .eforms 7n,uiry 1ommittee 8*#$, 3ndian Ta?ation 7n,uiry 1ommittee 8*#$-8*#+ President British-3ndian (ssoc 8*88-8*8<, 8*#+-8*#<, and 8*;+-8*$8 Trustee !ictoria "emorial, 1alcutta 8*8$-8*$8 President Bengal !olunteer (m'ulance 1ommittee, Bengali .egimental 1ommittee and the (gricultural-Horticultural 2ociety of 3ndia 1hairman 1alcutta 3mperial .eception 1ommittee 8*88-8*8# .eceived @reedom of the 1ities of 7din'urgh, "anchester and 2to&e-onTrent, 8*#> @.02, @.2(, @.13, @6B(, ".(2, @A2, @.Hort2 Hon LLD )7din'urgh and 1am'ridge Bniversity- Poet, (uthor and Dramatist

32 -is r le started in 1775 and lasted till 1841+ %t $as the longest in the B rd$an Ra/+ %n 1775B he $as only si( years old+ 'here#oreB the Co rt o# Dards along $ith the )i$ani-i-Ra/B Ban Behari :apoorB r led p to 1802+ ) ring the later part o# the r leB there $ere allegations o# #inancial corr ption+ Co pled $ith mismanagementB the a##airs o# the Ra/ $ere in sham9les+ %n 1783B the title o# FRa/a6 $as 9esto$ed on Ban Behari :apoor+ 'he go!ernment permitted the Ra/ in 1785 to maintain an armed #orce o# 400 people and 41 cannons+ %n 1788B Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9 passed the entrance e(amination o# Calc tta Jni!ersityB and $as the #irst in the Ra/ .amily to o9tain a #ormal ed cational < ali#ication+ %n 1803B the title o# FRa/adhira/6 $as 9esto$ed on Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9 at the )elhi ) r9ar+ 1 pompo s coronation $as organi?ed in the Palace at B rd$anB $here ;ie tenant Go!ernor Bordillian $as present to 9esto$ the hono r+ %n 1807B as per a proclamation o# ;ord 0intoB the title o# F0ahara/adhira/6 $as 9esto$ed on a hereditary 9asis+ 'he national mo!ement had started pic>ing p+ 'hree 9ranches o# Bharat 3a9ha set p 9y 3 rendranath Baner/ee $ere esta9lished at B rd$an+ Eatindra ,ath Bandopadhyay o# Channa $ithin the area o# the Ra/B sec red army training in Baroda and /oined the 1n shilan gro p+ Rash9ehari Bose o# :handaghosh in the Ra/ had already 9ecome a re!ol tionary leader+ %n s ch an en!ironmentB Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9 in!ited the Go!ernor General ;ord C r?on to the B rd$an Palace and constr cted the C r?on Gate in Gothic 3tyle at the / nction o# Bi/ay Chand Road and Grand 'r n> Road+ %n 1803B he sa!ed the li#e o# the ;ie tenant Go!ernorB 3ir 1ndre$ .raser+ %n ret rn #or his loyalty to the BritishB he $as hono red $ith the title o# :C%E &:night Commander o# the %ndian Empire* and %ndian Order o# 0erit &class %%%*+ %n 1804B he to red E rope+ %n 1837B he $as a mem9er o# the .rancis .lo d Commission to s ggest changes in the Permanent 3ettlement o# 1583+ 'he commission recommended the replacement o# the ?emindari system 9y a ryot$ari &tenancy* system in $hich the o$nership o# land $o ld !est $ith the ryot &tenant* and the land re!en e paya9le 9y him co ld 9e re!ised periodically+ 'he recommendations co ld not 9e implemented 9eca se o# di##erences in the .a?l l - < 0inistry+ -o$e!erB it $as e!ident that

33 the days o# ?emindars $ere coming to an end+ %t $as this realisation that led Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9 to e(tend indirect s pport to the Congress+ Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9 $as deeply in!ol!ed $ith Bengali literat re+ -e $as president o# the reception committee in the 7th session o# the Bangiya 3ahitya 3ammelan held at B rd$an in 1814+ .rom amongst the t$enty 9oo>s he $roteB mention may 9e made o# 3mpressionB The 3ndian Hori4onB "editationB 2tudiesB !i/aygiti&a &collection o# songs composed 9y him*B Troyodashi &poem*B .an/it &play*B and "anaslila &science-play*+ %n 1807B he again $ent to to r o# England and E rope and letter penned a 9oo> named Diary o" a 7uropean Tour. -e $as also noted #or his philanthropyB especially in #ield o# ed cation and health $el#are .or e(ampleB in 1807B he donated Rs+ 40B000C- to$ards constr ction o# hostel and other #acilities #or Ranchi 1rts College8 RanchiB $here B rd$an Ra/ also held large estates+ Bi/oy Chand -ospital $as also #o nded 9y him d ring his reign in decade o# 1810+ -e $as a mem9er o# the Bengal ;egislati!e Co ncil #rom 1805 to 1817B and o# the %mperial ;egislati!e Co ncil #rom 1808 to 1812+ -e $as associated $ith the state administration in s 9se< ent years and 0em9er o# E(ec ti!e Co ncil o# Bengal #or the years 1818-1824+ -e $as also the President o# British %ndian 1ssociation #rom 18111817 and again in 1822+ %n 1814B he $as appointed as one o# the $as mem9ers o# the committee that in!estigated in to riots o# B dge B dge and :omagata 0ar incident %n 1824B he $as one o# the mem9ers o# a committee headed 9y 3ir Charles 'odh nter8 $hich loo>ed in to ta(ation re#orms in British %ndiaB $hich s 9mitted its report in 1822 and $as also the mem9er o# %ndian Re#orms En< iry Commission o# 1824+

34 %n spite o# his loyalty to$ards the BritishB he pro!ided $arm hospitality to 0ahatma GandhiB $hen he !isited Bardhaman in 1822 and $elcomed cordially 3 9has Chandra Bose $hen he !isited Bard$an in 1827 to campaign in the m nicipal elections+ An *nterlude "H?H6"H:< ) ring the later part o# his r leB ho$e!erB there $ere allegations o# #inancial corr ption co pled $ith mismanagement and the a##airs o# the Ra/ $ere in sham9les+ 'he British administrator too> o!er the complete management o# B rd$an Ra/ and Bi/oy Chand $as depri!ed o# management #rom the years 1828-1834+ %n 1834B he $as handed o!er the reign o# his Estate 9ac> 9y British+ -e marriedB 1785B Radharani )e!i &styled Lady "ahta' 1808*B 9orn 14th 1 g st 1777B died 21st ,o!em9er 1852B da ghter o# ;ala Ehanda 0al 0ehra o# ;ahoreB 0aharaniadhirani #rom 1803B 0aharaniadhirani Ra/mata 'ha> rani a#ter her h s9andIs deathB and had iss eB t$o sons and t$o da ghters+ -e died 28th 1 g st 1841+

32

As a rare gesture the >ournal of the Royal Asiatic Society in its 1dition (ublished an I.bituaryJ on the demise of Sir Bijay 'hand Mahtab:-

34

-e died in 1841 at B rd$an -is reign $hich 9egan in 1775 and lasted till 1841B $as the longest in history o# Bard$an Ra/+-e le#t 9ehind t$o sons Jday Chand and 19hay Chand and t$o da ghtersB there9y ending the long history adoptions #or s ccession in B rd$an Ra/:-

1.Maharajadhiraja Bahadur Sir Uday Chand Mahtab

35

2. Maharaj Kumari Sudharani Devi, born 16th September 190 , married 191!, "and#a# Khanna, born 1900, died 196$, %on o& 'a#a Sriram Khanna o& 'ahore, and had i%%ue. She died 6th (ebruary 19)6.
*'t.+Co#. *ret,d.- .mrit Kumar Khanna, born 21%t May 192), married 19)6, Champa/ Santanam, born th .u0u%t 192$, died )th May 1991, dau0hter o& 2andit K. Santanam, and had i%%ue. 3e died 1th 4u#y 1991. Urvai%hi Sudharani Kumari Khanna, born 19th September 19)!, married 19 1, 5ordon Con#an, born 2nd Mar6h 1911, and ha% i%%ue. She died 11th 4anuary 2011. 7i6toria Kumari, born 2nd Mar6h 19 , married 20th Mar6h 2012, Mr. 3ara#d Kumar 8rharter. -

$.Maharaj Kumari 'a#itarani Devi, born 2nd "ovember 1911, married 192 , Bha0abati 2ra%ad Mehera, born 20th September 190!, died 6th 96tober 19) , %on o& 'a#a :%h;ari 2ra%ad Mehera o& Burd;an, and had i%%ue, one %on. She died 12th 4anuary 19) . *Saroj Kumar Mehera, born 2 th Mar6h 192!, Kni0ht,
1%t C#a%%, <oya# "or;e0ian 9rder o& Merit, 1996= Kni0ht, 1%t C#a%%, 9rder o& the >hite <o%e o& (in#and, 1996= married 1916, Savita, born 9th (ebruary 19$1, dau0hter o& Shri Ba#dev, and ha% i%%ue. Sanjeev Mehera, born 2$rd September 191 , married 19!$, .marantha Bedi, born 2nd 96tober 1919, dau0hter o& <an0a ?ri#o6han Bedi, and ha% i%%ue, t;o dau0hter%. Diah Mehera, born 19th "ovember 19!). 7edi/a Mehera, born 1)th .u0u%t 19!!. <atan Mehera, born 1!th May 1961, died 11th .u0u%t 1962. ?i#a/ Mehera, born 1$th De6ember 196$.-

37 4+ Capt+ &retId+* 0ahara/ : mar 19hay Chand 0ahta9B 9orn 24th 3eptem9er 1812B ed cated at -arro$ 1828C1832B married 1847B Charan : mariB 9orn 31st 1 g st 1822B da ghter o# ;ala 3ada ,and 0alhotra &0ehra*+ -e died 17th 1 g st 1883+

15. 1day #han$ +ah"ab (1 41-1 %4)

-e $as eldest son o# Bi/oy Chand 0ahta9 9orn 14 E ly 1802+ ) ring regency o# his #ather he ser!ed as )e$an-i-Ra/ #or se!eral years and s cceeded to the throne o# B rd$an Ra/ a#ter death o# his #ather+ -e married in 1929 to <adharani Devi, born 21th .u0u%t

1911, died $0th 4une 196$, %ty#ed Badhurani 1929@19)1 and Maharaniadhirani 19)1@196$, dau0hter o& 'a#a Dhuni Chand Mehra o& .mrit%ar. Jday Chand 0ahta9 $as edu6ated at 2re%iden6y Co##e0e, Ca#6utta and Ca#6utta Univer%ity *B... 1926-= %u66eeded hi% &ather in 19)1, in%ta##ed 19)$ a% Maharajadhiraja Bahadur o& Burd;an= 3onourary Mana0er o& the Burd;an <aj 19$0@19$ = De;an+i+<aj 192 @1929 and 19$ @19)1= 2re%ident o& "on+Mu%#im b#o6/ o& Ben0a# 2artition meetin0 19) = M.'... Ben0a# 19$ @1912= Member o& Damodar Cana# 8nAuiry Committee 19$! and o& Se#e6t Committee on Ca#6utta Muni6ipa# *amendment- Bi## 19)0= Chairman o& Burd;an Di%tri6t (#ood <e#ie& and Ben0a# Centra# (#ood <e#ie& Committee% 19)$@))= Chairman o& :ndian <ed Cro%% .ppea#

*Ben0a#- 19)$@19)6 and o& Ca#6utta >ar Committee 19)$@19)6 and o& Damodar (#ood Centra# 8nAuiry Committee 19))= Member o& Ben0a# ?an/% :mprovement Bi## Se#e6t Committee 19)) and o& .dvi%ory Committee on ?errori%t Convi6t% in Ben0a# 19))= Member o& >e%t Ben0a# (ore%t Denudation 8nAuiry Committee 19)) and o& Se#e6t Committee on Ben0a# .0ri6u#tura# :n6ome ?aB Bi## 19))= Member o& the :ndian Con%tituent .%%emb#y 19)6@19) = 2re%ident o& Briti%h :ndian .%%o6iation= Member o& Centra# 4ute Board 1911@1912= Dire6tor o& over $0 bu%ine%% &irm% and Chairman o& %evera# board%, Member o& Mana0in0 Body o& %evera# 5overnment or0ani%ation%= a;arded Si#ver 4ubi#ee *19$1- and Coronation *19$ - meda#%= Member o& Ca#6utta C#ub, Ca#6utta and 5ym/hana C#ub, Darjee#in0 and .&tab C#ub, Burd;an,

38

1#ter a9olition o# Pamindari system in 1822B he shi#ted #rom B rd$an to #amilyIs ho se at 1lip r in Calc tta+ -ere he 9ecame a director o# %%3COB and se!eral other leading mercantile #irms o# the dayB s ch as ) nlop8 0etal Bo( and Broo>e Bond -e acceded to the re< est o# the Chie# 0inister of Fest Bengal8 )r+ Bidhan Chandra Roy and handed o!er his palaceB 0ahta9 0an?il and Golap Bagh to the Jni!ersity o# B rd$an 'o the n mero s employees o# the Ra/ he gi#ted a piece o# land in Bardhaman so that they co ld 9 ild a ho se there+ Dith the end o# the Ra/B he immersed himsel# in his commercial and 9 siness interests+ -e $as also a 3te$ard o# the Royal Calc tta ' r# Cl 9+ -e instit ted a # nd #or 'he 0ahara/adhira/a Jday Chand 0ahta9 O# B rd$an 0emorial C p at Calc tta Race Co rse -e died 10 Octo9er 1874 lea!ing 9ehind three sons and three da ghters:o 1. MaharajKumari Barunarani Devi C7aruna DeviD, born 1 th "ovember 19$2, married 1910, Major *ret,d.- Shiv Kumar Sin0h <athore, born 1th "ovember 1920, and ha% i%%ue.

40

*Kumari U%ha Devi, born 21th .pri# 1911, married 19 1 *div,d.-, Kenneth M6.ndre;, and ha% i%%ue. "i/hi# Kri%tian M6.ndre;, born 1th Mar6h 19!0. Kumari <adha Devi, born )th .pri# 1911, married 1%t#y, .bdu# Karim 4ama#, born 26th De6ember 1910, died 1!th 4u#y 1992, married 2nd#y, 2001, .%pi 4. Daru/hana;a#a, born 29th "ovember 1960, and ha% i%%ue. Shaheen 4ama#, born .u0u%t 19!0. ?a%neem 4ama#, born .u0u%t 19!1.-

2.Maharaj/umari 4yot%narani Devi, born 22nd May 19$1, married 1%t#y, 1961 *div,d.-, Brian de Bre&&ney, born 1)th 4anuary 19$1, died 11th (ebruary 19!9, married 2nd#y, 196) *div,d.- .nthony Mayer, $0th September 19$2, died 12th (ebruary 1991, married $rd#y, 19 0, Major+5enera# *ret,d.- .%hi%h <anjan Dutt, born 6th 96tober 1926, died !th .u0u%t 199!, and ha% i%%ue. *Sita+Maria .rabe##a de Bre&&ney CSita, 7i%6ounte%% de

o o

o o

3.Maharajadhiraja Bahadur Dr. Saday Chand Mahtab C2rin6e 3enryD *%ee be#o;4. Maharaj/umari Karunarani Devi *t;in-, born 11th September 19$ , married 1966 *div,d.-, Shivantha ?hambiaiah o& Co#ombo, born 19$!, died 1996. She died )th 4u#y 2010. 5. Maharaj/umar Ma#ay Chand Mahtab *t;in-, born 11th September 19$ , died unmarried 9th Mar6h 2000. 6. Maharaj/umar Dr. 2ranay Chand Mahtab C2rin6e DannyD 2h.D., married 196), "andini <ay, born 11th

7e%6iD, born )th 4u#y 1962, married ?he 3on. ?homa%, th 7i%6ount De 7e%6i, born !th 96tober 1911, and ha% i%%ue. ?he 3on. Damian Brian 4ohn 7e%ey, born 2)th "ovember 19!1. ?he 3on. Co%ima (ran6e% 7e%ey, born 22nd 4u#y 19!!. ?he 3on. 9#iver :vo 7e%ey, born 16th 4u#y 1991. Dr. ?obia% Mayer 2h.D., born 1)th 4u#y 1961, married (arhana, born 16th 96tober 196 , and ha% i%%ue. "adia Mayer, born 21%t De6ember 199!.-

De6ember 19)2, dau0hter o& Benoy Bhu%han <ay, and ha% i%%ue. *<aj/umar .joy Chand Mahtab, born 1%t .pri# 196 ,

41

married 1991, ?arina 5hai, born 2)th September 1966, dau0hter o& M. M. 5hai, and ha% i%%ue. Kumar Karanjay Chand Mahtab, born 9th 96tober 1999. Kumar 7ivaanjay Chand Mahtab, born th 96tober 2001.-

Jday Chand 0ahta9 $as the #irst grad ate in the #amily and in 1835B he $on the election to the ;egislati!e Co ncil de#eating Bi/oy Chandra Bhattacharya o# Congress+ -e too> o!er in a < iet coronation ceremony+ -is accession to po$er $as #ollo$ed 9y the great #amine o# 1843+ %t m st go to the credit o# the Ra/ .amily that no comm nal dist r9ances too> place in B rd$anB e!en a#ter the great Calc tta >illings in 1844 and comm nal riots in many places across Bengal+ 'he minority committee $as $ell protected #rom dist r9ances+ %n the #irst election a#ter independence in 1822B Jday Chand 0ahta9 lost to a #reedom #ighter and comm nistB Benoy Cho dh ryB $ho later 9ecame the ;and Re#orms 0inister o# Bengal 'he election de#eat $as #ollo$ed 9y legislation #or a9olition o# the ?emindari system in 1824+ 1n em9ittered Jday Chand 0ahta9 shi#ted #rom B rd$an to the =i/ay 0an?il in 1lip rB Calc tta+ -e 9ecame a director o# %%3COB set p in a part o# his Ra/B and se!eral other leading mercantile #irms o# the dayB s ch as ) nlop8 0etal Bo( and Broo>e Bond+ -e $as also a 3te$ard o# the Royal Calc tta ' r# Cl 9+ -e acceded to the re< est o# the Chie# 0inister8 )r+ Bidhan Chandra Roy and handed o!er his PalaceB 0ahta9 0an?il and Golap Bagh to the Jni!ersity o# B rd$an8 $ith 3hri 3 > mar 3en as its #irst =ice Chancellor+ 'o the n mero s employees o# the Ra/ he gi#ted a piece o# land in B rd$an so that they co ld 9 ild a ho se there+ Dith the end o# the Ra/B he immersed himsel# in his commercial and 9 siness interests+ -e died on 10 Octo9er 1874B lea!ing 9ehind three sons and three da ghters N

42
1. &ahara+kumari ,arunarani 2e3i 45aruna 2e3i6, born !th 7o3ember 8/9, married 8.:, &a+or (ret-d$# Shi3 Kumar Sin'h Rathore, born .th 7o3ember 89:, and has issue$ 2ied on /; ;9: /$ o $umari +sha !evi, (orn '5th ,pril 1-51, married 1-75 .div/d"*, $enneth 0#,ndrew, and has issue" %ikhil $ristian 0#,ndrew, (orn 5th 0ar#h 1-12" $umari 3adha !evi, (orn 4th ,pril 1-55, married 1stl5, ,(dul $arim 6amal, (orn ')th !e#em(er 1-52, died 11th 6ul5 1--', married 'ndl5, '221, ,spi 6" !arukhanawala, (orn '-th %ovem(er 1-)2, and has issue" Shaheen 6amal, (orn ,ugust 1-12" Tasneem 6amal, (orn ,ugust 1-15"

2/&ahara+kumari <yotsnarani 2e3i, born 99nd &ay 8/., married stly, 8% (di3-d$#, ,rian de ,re))ney, born "th <anuary 8/ , died th =ebruary 8>8, married 9ndly, 8%" (di3-d$# Anthony &ayer, /:th September 8/9, died 9th =ebruary 88., married /rdly, 8!:, &a+or; ?eneral (ret-d$# Ashish Ran+an 2utt, born %th @ctober 89%, died >th Au'ust 88>, and has issue$ o Sita 0aria ,ra(ella de Breffne5 7Sita, 8is#ountess de 8es#i9, (orn 4th 6ul5 1-)', married The :on" Thomas, 7th 8is#ount !e 8es#i, (orn 1th ;#to(er 1-55, and has issue" The :on" !amian Brian 6ohn 8ese5, (orn '4th %ovem(er 1-15" The :on" Cosima <ran#es 8ese5, (orn ''nd 6ul5 1-11" The :on" ;liver Ivo 8ese5, (orn 1)th 6ul5 1--1" !r" To(ias 0a5er =h"!", (orn 14th 6ul5 1-)5, married <arhana, (orn 1)th ;#to(er 1-)7, and has issue" %adia 0a5er, (orn '1st !e#em(er 1--1"

3. &ahara+adhira+a ,ahadur Saday Chand &ahtab 4Arince Benry6 (See ,elow# 4. &ahara+kumari Karuna 2e3i (twin#, b)rn 11"h S&0"&mb&r 1 37, married 8%% (di3-d$#, Shi3antha Thambiaiah o) Colombo, born 8/>, died 88%$ She died "th <uly 9: :$ 5. &ahara+kumar &alay Chand &ahtab (twin#, b)rn 11"h S&0"&mb&r 1 37, died unmarried 8th &arch 9:::$

43
6. &ahara+kumar 2r$ Aranay Chand &ahtab 4Arince 2anny6 Ah$2$, married 8%", 7andini Ray, born th 2ecember 8"9, dau'hter o) ,enoy ,hushan Ray, and has issue$ o 3ajkumar ,jo5 Chand 0ahta(, (orn 1st ,pril 1-)7, married 1--5, Tarina >hai, (orn '4th Septem(er 1-)), daughter of 0" 0" >hai, and has issue" $umar $aranja5 Chand 0ahta(, (orn -th ;#to(er 1---" Kumar !ivaan/ay 1hand "ahta', 'orn =th

:cto'er #998

16. Sa$ay #han$ +ah"ab (1

%4 "i(( $a"&)

Maharajadhiraja Bahadur SADAY CHAND MAHTAB [Prince Henry !Head "# $he Burd%an &aj #a'i(y )ince 1*+4.

Saday Chand Mahtab, eldest son o# 'he 0ahara/adhira/a 3ir Jday Chand 0ahta9 Bahad r o# B rd$anB :C%EB 9y his $i#eB 0aharani Radharani )e!iB o# 1mritsarB P n/a9B ;a% born 26th May 19$6,

married 1919, Maharaniadhirani Deep :nder Kaur C2rin6e%% BuntyD, born 1 th 4u#y 19$6, dau0hter o& <aja Sir 3arindar Sin0h Brar o& ,arid-"$! and ha% i))ue
*Maharaj/umari "i%harani Devi, born )th De6ember 1961, married 19! , <ajiv Kehr, born 2 th 4anuary 1962, and ha% i%%ue.

.ditya Kehr, born 12th (ebruary 19!9.

Maharaj/umar 4ai Chand Mahtab, born 2!th September 1966, married 1991, Maharaj/umari Bha;ani Devi, '+ at Bri/ra/ Bhawan, 8*

44 :cto'er 8*>= )dCo Bttara Devi- m at Bri/ra/ Bhawan, Kotah

dau0hter o& Maharao Shri Brijraj Sin0h Bahadur o& ."$ah, and ha% i%%ue, t;o dau0hter%.

<aj/umari Mena/a Kumari, born 29th "ovember 199$. <aj/umari Kriti/a Kumari, born 1!th May 199 -

'he present representati!e o# the B rd$an Ra/ is 3aday Chand 0ahta9 $as ed cated at 'he )oon 3chool8 )ehra ) n and Cam9ridge Jni!ersity+ -e too is in!ol!ed in 9 siness !ent res+ -is yo nger 9rother )r+ Pranay Chand 0ahta9 holds a Ph+)+ in history completed at the 3chool o# Oriental and 1#rican 3t dies8 Jni!ersity o# ;ondon -e is presently a mem9er o# the Board o# 'r stees o# the =ictoria 0emorial -all8 Calc tta and President o# the Bengal -ome %nd striesB a charita9le organisation+ 'he comments made 9y his sister Ra/> mari :ar na )e!i in 2010 are signi#icant:In these da5s, things were just like a fair5 tales" ?e had several pala#es, elephants, horses, soldiers, hundreds of servants, ever5thing" 05 famil5 has ruled over Burdwan for #enturies" ?e have esta(lished man5 nota(le institutions and pla#es of worship during Burdwan 3aj" It was all perfe#t, until ever5thing was taken awa5 from us in 1-54 with the a(olition of @amindari s5stem in India" 05 father was the worst affe#ted, (ut life had to go on" :e was an eAtremel5 generous man and a true nationalist" :e gave awa5 his =ala#e and >olap Bag for esta(lishing the +niversit5 of Burdwan" :onestl5, I/m still tr5ing to #ome to terms with the end of Burdwan 3aj"B

'ha(ter # Burdwan Raj 0 Freedom Struggle

42 'he British Cro$n ass med 9o7ernment of *ndia by the (roclamation of 5ueen !ictoria in 1725+ 'he Permanent Settlement with its huge re7enue demands (ut all the 5aminders under (ressure and this (ressure was gradually but ine)orably transmitted down to the ryots+ 'he Burdwan 2an/ivani in "G;G critici5ed the go7ernment for its failure to (rotect the ryots %atin Baner/ee o# Channa in Galsi 'hana area was the first to (reach the ado(tion of re7olutionary methods for attaining *nde(endence The 2a&ti 2amitiB an athletic cl 9B $as esta9lished in :alna to$n and the mem9ers o# the cl 9 had to ta>e a !o$ to a9/ re #oreign goodsB to9acco and li< or+ 1 similar cl 9B %oydev 2eva& 2ampradhi $as esta9lished in Ranigan/ in 1807+ 'he people o# B rd$an reacted shar(ly to the (roclamation of "H3# (artitioning of Bengal A number of meeting were held in the district8 <3 boys had to lea7e school at Asansol8 a number of students of Burdwan Raj 'ollege were e)(elled for crying !andemataram+ 1 ,ational 3chool was o(ened at -alna in "H3G The -hilafat Mo7ement also s(read among the Muslim of the district A hartal was obser7ed throughout the district on "G March "H?: The 2wara/ PartyIs nominees $ere elected #rom si( o t of the ten seats at the -alna Munici(ality election8 while at -atwa the leader of the local non6coo(erators was elected 'hairman of the Munici(ality in "H?C *n "H:38 when 0andhi/i $as arrested there was com(lete hartal at Burdwan *n Se(tember "H:"8 bombs were thrown into the thana com(ound at -alna and in the Kuater of the S* of (olice8 Memari 2u'has 1handra Bose paid a !isit to B rd$an in December "H:" and had addressed a meeting The conditions were such that Bengal Pu'lic 2ecurity (ct 8*;# $as (romulgated in the Asansol Subdi7ision Ka4i 6a4rul 3slumB the noted Bengali poet $as 9orn at Ch r lia in Ranigan/+ -is poems pro!ided inspiration to the people #or attainment o# %ndependence+ 'he people o# B rd$an responded to the call o# the co ntry d ring the L it *ndia Mo7ement of "HC? The %ost .ffice of -ashiara was burnt as also the Railway Station of -alna %olitical agitation in different forms continued till the e7e of *nde(endence

44 )2ourceD District 0a4etter, Burdwan -

'ha(ter < Burdwan Raj 0 1ducation

45
&Ed cational Contri9 tion o# B rd$an 0ahta9s*

'he Royal .amily o# B rd$an 0ahta9s ha!e done immensely in de!eloping the ed cation o# B rd$an )istrict+ %n 1771B the 0ahta9 #amily esta9lished the B rd$an Ra/ College #rom the money o# the royal estate+;ater $hen Jni!ersity o# B rd$an $as esta9lished in 1840B the #amily donated their residential a9ode to ho se the ni!ersity+PresentlyB the c rrent scion )r+P+C+0ahta9 9rother o# 0ahara/a 3aday Chand 0ahta9B is one o# the pillars 9ehind the restoration o# =ictoria 0emorial in :ol>ata+

1.

Bur$2an Ra, #)((&g& (&s"ab(ish&$ in 1%%1)

'he origin o# the College goes as #ar 9ac> as 1715 $hen 0ahara/a 'e/ Chand #o nded an anglo-!ernac lar school $ithin the premises o# his palace at B rd$an+ %t $as e(tended and renamed F-igh English 3chool6 9y 0ahara/a 0ahata9 Chand in 1724+ %nspite o# Bengal renaissance slo$ly trans#orming the social #a9ricB B rd$an remained rather indi##erent to higher English ed cation ntil 1#ta9 Chand 9ecame the 0ahara/a o# B rd$an 1771+ %n the same yearB he shi#ted the school to ,at ngan/ and introd ced ;i9eral 1rts co rses in accordance $ith the permission o# the Jni!ersity o# Calc tta and christened the ne$ nit 0ahara/a6s College+ 'he school 9ecame e!ent ally named FRa/ Collegiate 3chool6 and the College FB rd$an Ra/ College6 3ince thenB the progress o# the College $as steady as $ell as remar>a9le+ 1mong the ma/or incidents o# its historyB mention may 9e

47 made o# its trans#er to 1#ta9 -o se in 1841+ 1#ta9 -o se stands in the north-$est corner o# the pict res< e 3hyamsayar at a distance o# a9o t one >ilometre #rom B rd$an Rail$ay 3tation+ %ts camp s meas res 13 acres and is almost contig o s to that o# the Jni!ersity o# B rd$an+ 'he royal patronage o# B rd$an Ra/ College $as ta>en o!er 9y the Go!ernment o# Dest Bengal in 1824 nder the sponsoring scheme and #inally its necessary parting #rom the Jni!ersity o# Calc tta 9ecame e##ecti!e+ E!ent allyB B rd$an Ra/ College $as a##iliated to the Jni!ersity o# B rd$an in 1840+ ** Burdwan University

Ra/9atiB the Residential Palace o# the 0ahta9 #amilyB no$ ho ses the Jni!ersity o# B rd$an $hich $as esta9lished in 1840+

The vintage building housing the administrative headquarters of Burdwan University may soon have a heritage tag as reported in August 2012. "The demand for preservation of the age old BU administrative headquarters at !a"bati has already been pla#ed to the Ar#haeologi#al $urvey of %ndia and we

48
have #onsistently been demanding the heritage tag of the building&' said University (i#e )han#ellor $mriti *umar $ar+ar. The $tate ,igher -du#ation .inister& .r Bratya Basu& after a detailed briefing on the (i#e )han#ellor/s demand& said0 1Truly this stru#ture needs to hold a heritage tag and we shall e2tend every support to this idea.' 3hile the university/s a#ademi# a#tivities #entre mainly around the 4olapbag )ampus & the administrative wor+ is still mostly done at !a"bati 5 the 6ala#e of the Burdwan .ahara"a. %t was ere#ted between 1781 and 1790 by the #onstru#tion by firm .a#+intosh Burn. The 6ala#e was designed and planned by an %talian ar#hite#t as per the order of .ahara"a .ahtab )hand in 1781& when the !oyal :amily shifted from its previous residen#e at *an#hannagar& a##ording to the Burdwan !oyal :amily;s ar#hival re#ords. The 6ala#e was de#orated with %talian marble semi pre#ious stones. All the woodwor+ was done with imported tea+. The !ani/s 6ala#e had indoor swimming pools& a tennis #ourt and fountains. 3hen 3arren ,astings& the 4overnor 4eneral of Bengal left the $tate& the !a"a of Burdwan pur#hased all his belongings and added them to his estate. After the abolition of the <amindari system in the 1=80s& Uday )hand .ahtab& the last representative of the Burdwan !a"& showed his magnanimity in leaving almost his entire property to the $tate 4overnment. This& #oupled with the initiative of )hief .inister Bidhan )handra !oy& fa#ilitated the establishment of the University. Burdwan University started on 18 >une 1=90& with $u+umar $en& an %ndian )ivil $ervi#e ?ffi#er& as its first (i#e )han#ellor.

(Rajbati Complex, was demolished to allow for improvements to a women's college. The Su umar Sen!founded Rarh Sans riti "arishad. #n

$a% &''(, the $ubara $an)il, the Rani's "alace within, had placed an appeal to the *overnor of +est ,engal against the demolition wor . -ormer ,urdwan district magistrate Subrata *upta had ordered a probe. .

20

'ha(ter ; Royal FamilyLs 'oncern with the %eo(leLs Health

21 'he B rd$an R ling .amily too> all possi9le steps to loo> a#ter the health o# the people and also helped the organi?ations $or>ing in the #ield o# health care+ B rd$an 0 nicipality $as initiated in 1742+ 1ccording to the 0 nicipality )eed on the 9asis o# $hich :anchannagar )+ ,+ )as 3chool $as set p 9y the F)+,+ )as Charita9le 'r st6 nder the s per!ision o# the great patriot " philanthropist Re!d+ )innonath )as the goal o# $hich $as to pro!ide@ .ree Ed cation " -ealth #or 1llA+ %s$ar Chandra =idyasagar had called him the F.irst 0an o# Bengal6+ %n his 9oo> '$el!e 0en o# BengalB .+)+Bradley had termed him Fone o# the great men o# the 18th cent ry+ %n 1721B Ramtan ;ahiri8 posted to B rd$an as -eadmaster o# a schoolB created a sensation in the small to$n 9y discarding his sacred thread+ 'hat $as possi9ly the #irst s ch incident+ 1ltho gh a #ollo$er o# Brahmo idealsB he had retained his sacred thread till then+ People acc sed him o# hypocrisy and so he remo!ed it+ 'he incident shoc>ed the orthodo( society and a campaign $as la nched to socially 9oycott him+ Dithin a short periodB he $as trans#erred o t o# B rd$an+ -e $as also noted #or his philanthropyB especially in #ield o# ed cation and health $el#are+ .or e(ampleB in 1807B he donated Rs+ 40B000C- to$ards constr ction o# hostel and other #acilities #or Ranchi 1rts College8 RanchiB $here B rd$an Ra/ also held large estates+ Bi/oy Chand -ospital $as also #o nded 9y him d ring his reign in decade o# 1810+ 1ll this $as done d ring the R le " nder the Patronage o# 0ahara/a 0ahta9 Chand and 0aharala Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9+ 'he concern and in!ol!ement o# the R ling .amily in the medical pro#ession is also re#lected $hen at the %na g ration Ceremony o# Charita9le )ispensaryB the 0ahara/a o# B rd$an &3ir Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9*B in his opening 3peech said @my coming here this morning has 9een prompted 9y a d ty that % o$e to the representati!e o# the late )r+ B dden Chandra Cho$dh ry in consideration o# the esteem and regard in $hich -is -ighness the late 0ahara/a 0ahta9 Chand Bahad r o# B rd$an held the late )octorA+& Contesting Colonial 1 thority:

22
0edicine and %ndigeno s Responses in ,inteen and '$entieth Cent ry %ndiaB Edited 9y Poonam BalaB ;e(tington Boo>sB 2012B Page 43*

One o# the serio s challenges #aced 9y the B rd$an Ra/ $as the Epidemic o# :ala-1?ar in the last < arter o# the ,ineteen Cent ry+ %t $as called 9y di##erent names s ch as 1ssam .e!er8 Blac> 3ic>ness8 B rd$an .e!er8 Cachectic .e!er8 ) m ) m .e!er8 :ala-1?ar8 'ropical 3plenomegaly )e#ined:-

.?ord kala a@ar #onsists of C$alaB.in :indi means CBla#kB* D Ca@arB .in :indi means C<ever*B<ever asso#iated with dark #ompleAion CBla#k Si#knessBwould have (een appropriate C$alaBor C$alBin :indi also means CfatalBjust as Ckala swarpBmeans Cdeadl5 snakeB $ala a@ar means C<atal IllnessB 3oss pointed out that (la#kdeath signifies plague" Historically, the cutaneous form of leishmaniasis is a disease of anti,uity and was recogni4ed in the :ld Eorld with various names such as oriental sore, Delhi Boil, Baghdad 2ore, and so forth This is an ancient disease 3n the 89th century (ra' physicians have descri'ed it as the :riental 2ore -

'he history o# :ala-1?ar or :ala E$ara in %ndia dates 9ac> to the 1770Rs+ 'he disease $as earlier dominant in parts o# 0editerranean E rope and 1#rica+ %t is 9elie!ed that the disease $as transported to the orient 9y E ropean traders+ 'he disease slo$ly spread in the eastern parts o# %ndia+ 1#ter 1772 the British grad ally ass med po$er and a thority o!er entire %ndia+ ) ring that period the go!ernment $as gra!ely concerned a9o t the ne$s o# an epidemic o# < inine resistant #e!er in the B rd$an district and -ooghly district 'he go!ernment in Calc tta &no$ :ol>ata* recei!ed ne$s a9o t an epidemic #e!er that a##ected the B rd$an+ %t $as later disco!ered to 9e :ala-1?ar 9y 3ir ;eonard Rogers+ 'he earliest :ala-1?ar epidemic recorded in %ndia $as in 1750 in 1ssam+ 'he disease is similar to malaria 9 t it co ld not 9e c red $ith the dr gs that $ere sed #or c ring malaria+ 'he disease $as highly #atal+ 'he locals addressed it as R3ar>ari Bimaari+%t had a de!astating e##ect in the 1780Rs in 1ssam+ %t also spread in B rd$an district and :ol>ata 'he disease $as >no$n as B rd$an .e!er and ) m ) m .e!er in the t$o districts respecti!ely+ %t soon spread all o!er %ndia+ :ala-1?ar o t 9ro>e in 1ssam #i!e years a#ter the second epidemic in

23 1772+ %t lasted till 1800+ :ala-1?ar spread thro gh the hilly regions o# north east %ndia and e(tended to some parts o# the plain+ 'he #atal disease depop lated se!eral !illages and >illed many people+ 1nother epidemic a##ected 1ssam and Bengal in 1815 and lasted till 1822+ %n 1831 :ala-1?ar s 9sided completely+ &;ater in 1835 it a##ected Bihar and >illed se!eral people+ RecentlyB in 1857 it s$ept thro gh Jttar Pradesh and Bihar * Disco7ery of 'ause of -ala6A5ar 'ill the end o# 18th cent ry the ca se o# this disease remained n>no$n+ Research wor2 9egan in # ll s$ing to identi#y the germ #or :ala-1?ar+ 'he #irst disco!ery $as made in 1803 9y )r+ Dilliam ;eishman+ -e $as a lie tenant in the British %ndian 1rmy and $or>ed as a physician in his regiment+ -e had ser!ed se!eral patients s ##ering #rom :ala-1?ar d ring his ser!ice in %ndia+ -e e(tensi!ely st died 9lood samples and disco!ered strange 9odies in the 9lood cells+ 'hese germs $ere later named as R;eishman 9odiesR+ 19o t the same time an %rish physician Charles )ono!an also researched on :ala-1?ar+ -e $as a pro#essor o# physiology at the 0adras Jni!ersity 0edical College+ -e participated in the sanitary ser!ice o# the British Cro$n in %ndia+ -e also st died the 9lood samples o# the patients and s ccess# lly disco!ered a ne$ germ+ Eames -omer Dright also descri9ed the #irst case o# ;eishmania in#ection in an 1rmenian patient+ 'heir $or>s $ere p 9lished and the parasite $as named as ;eishmania )ono!ani+ 'he researchers then $or>ed to nderstand ho$ the germ $as transmitted to control the spread o# the disease+ %n 1805B Patton in %ndia disco!ered that the germ #or :ala-1?ar m ltiplied in the g t o# the 9ed9 g+ %t then grad ally changed into a #orm that $as in#ectio s #or man+ 'he :ala-1?ar Commission nder the leadership o# ChristopherB 3hortt and Barra d 9egan their $or> in 1ssam in 1824+ %n 1822 3hortt and his colleag es concl ded that the 9ed9 g $as not the ca se o# transmission o# :ala-1?ar+ 1 year 9e#ore :no$lesB ,apierB and 3mith had disco!ered that many sand#lies 9ecame in#ected $hen they $ere #ed $ith the 9lood o# patients s ##ering #rom :ala-1?ar+ 'his disco!ery $as con#irmed 9y 3horttRs gro p+ 3e!eral research $or>s $ere cond cted #or years together on :ala-1?ar+ 'he dr g rea sti9amine $as then #inally disco!ered 9y 3ir J+ ,+Brahmachari+ 'his timely disco!ery pre!ented the spread o# the disease o!er other parts

24 o# 1ssam and Bengal+ 'he se o# ))' to control malaria a#ter Dorld Dar %% also s 9stantially declined the spread o# :ala-1?ar+ 'he B rd$an R ling .amily made all e##orts possi9le at that time to control it and ga!e the a!aila9le medicine to the p 9lic i# the Estate+

'ha(ter G

22

Historic Buildings 0 %laces of *nterest

'ho gh their roots $ere in P n/a9B the royal #amily o# B rd$an contri9 ted immensely to the glory o# ancient Bengal+ 'he Royals $ere >een patrons o# the arts and se!eral temples o# 9 rnt clay $ere constr cted d ring their reign+ " De7i Sarbamabgla Tem(le

Devi SarbamanglaTemple has a unique architecture consisting of three layers. The second layer of the temple has four chariots, whereas, the third layer has five chariots.

Sarbaman'ala was the @))icial 2eity o) the ,urdwan Royal =amily$ 'he massi!e str ct re $as 9 ilt in 1540 9y Ra/a :irti Chand Ray+ %t is one o# the rare ) rga 'emples in the 3tate+ The premises are well;maintained$ The temple has recently been painted pink and white$ @) the other structures in the compound, two Shi3a temples stand out$ ,oth are adorned with terracotta sculptures$ A deul;style temple also catches the eye$
,ine to$ersB at t$o le!elsB 9order the central edi#ice+ 'he #irst le!el ho ses #o r to$ersB called raths+ 'he other #i!e raths are 9 ilt on the higher le!el+ 'he deity has 17 hands+ ) rga p /a is the 9est time to !isit this landmar>+ The statue in this temple is made of touchstone. There are fingermade symbols or weapons in the eighteen hands of the statue of Devi.

This temple attracts huge number of devotees during Durga Puja and the first day of Baisha h.

24

2+ "3G Shi7a Tem(le

"3G Shi7a Tem(le& A com(le) com(rising of "3G deities of 4ord Si7a housed in "3G tem(les in (icturesKue surroundings8 a beautiful garden and a la2e 8 constructed by Maharani Bishnu -umari (Burdwan 6 * Bloc2! The :> Shi3 &andir situated at 7awab Bat is an epitome o) beauty and solitude$ @ne is awestruck to see a 'roup o) :> Si3a lin'am temples$ One

circle has 54 temples $here another has 34 temples+ ,uilt in !>> by &aharani ,ishnu Kumari o) ,urdwan, the temples are a spectacle to behold$ This is a rare place in India or e3en in the world to ha3e :> separate temples within the same premises$ (ach year, a week lon' )esti3al is celebrated on the occasion o) &aha Shi3ratri$

Siddheswari Tem(le

'emple o# presiding Goddess 3iddhes$ari 1m9i>aB s rro nded 9y 3i!a 'emple+ .amo s #or 'erracotta $or>s %t is a ma/or landmar> and is dedicated to )e!i 1m9i>aB and it is a#ter her that :alna is also >no$n as 1m9i>a :alna+

25 4+ 9o(aldas(ur

Ra2halraj is the most worshi((ed deity here The wooden idol of Radha2anta is housed in a beautiful tem(le (-alna 6** Bloc2!

Ant(ur Radha69o7inda Tem(le

'he most #amo s temple in Ant(ur is that o# Radha-Go!inda $ith e(< isite terracotta car!ings depicting stories #rom all the 17 p ranas+ 'his 100 #eet high temple $as constr cted 9y :rishna Ram 0itraB the )i$an o# Bardhaman Raj in 1574+ %ts Chandi 0andap and )ol 0ancha ha!e 9ea ti# lly cra#ted $ood car!ings+ 'he period $hen the temple $as 9 ilt $as c rio s+ 0 slim r le $as e99ing o t and the E ropeans $ere ma>ing #orays into the co ntry+ %t is said that :rishna Ram 0itra 9 ilt the temple to enth se the -ind s+ 'erracota $or> $hich $as earlier an e(cl si!e preser!e o#

27 Bishn p r artisans $as no more so+ Dhile Radha and :rishna are predominant in the car!ingsB there also is the goddess ) rga+ 5+ -rishna 'handra Tem(le 4alna

The -rishna 'handra MandirB $ith its 22 steeplesB is pop lar landmar>+ 3cenes #rom the epics are depicted on its terracotta $alls+ %t $as constr cted in 1521-1522 1+)+ on the orders o# Ra/a 'rilo> Chan !. Gurudwara

Gurudwara" #n the si$teenth century, %uru &ana , the founder of 'i h religion, stayed for some days near %argara %hat at 'hyamba(er. )ater a %urudwara was set up at that place by the name of %uru &ana *haran amal. +t present the main %urudwara which is situated on the %.T. ,oad near the municipality was founded by a civil surgeon )ieutenant *olonel Baba -ari ishan 'ingh. The building was constructed between./01-./02. )t. 'ingh set up this %urudwara in memory of his parents.

G Hawa Mahal (9ola(bag!

Hawa Mahal (9ola(bag!

28

'he long path o# red m dB shade o# )eodarB 3haal B 1r/ n the $ater s rro nded+1ll these $ill gi!e yo a charming atmosphere $hen yo come to Golap9agh+ Golap9agh $as once set p as the pleas re-garden o# the >ings+ %nside this garden there is a 9ea ti# l palace named )ar l9aharB $hich $as sed as a rest ho se in s mmer+ 'his palace is an instance o# Roman gothic architect re H Meghnad Saha %lanetarium8 9ola( Bag
Meghnad Saha %lanetarium8 9ola(bag

Meghnad Saha Planetarium" This planetarium is a wonder of technology constructed by the famous 3apanese %oto optical manufacturing company. The building was set up on the 2.. acres of land provided by Burdwan 4niversity and in grant of the governments of 3apan and #ndia and common people. The building was inaugurated on 3an /, .//5. #n the north of %olapbagh beside %T road, this center is open for all from . pm to ! pm. The solar system, the revolution of earth etc are shows here in automatic e$hibition.

"3Burdwan 'hurch

40

'hrist 'hurch: %n 1714 the Ch rch 6issionary 'ociety 9o ght the land 9et$een Bi/oy 'oron and the head post office #rom the then ing at Rs 12+20 per ann m as re!en e+ 'he principal organi?er $as Captain Charles 3t art $ho $as an o##icer o# the East %ndia Company+ 'his Ch rch made o# 9ric>s is a $onder# l instance o# E ropean 1rchitect re+ 11. Baroduari

Baroduari" Before the construction of 6ahatab 6anjil the Palace of the 7ing was at anchananagar. 'hova 'ingh, the 3amindar of *hitua and Baroda of 6idnapur besieged the Palace of Burdwan Princess 'atyabati who was tortured by the 3amindar, murdered him and committed suicide. To avenge this 6aharaj 7irti *hand conquered *hitua and Baroda in .00!. To commemorate this victory he built twelve gateways of which one has survived struggling with the ravages of time. This 7anchanagar was once famous for manufacturing nives and scissors. But this cottage industry is going to be e$tinct today

"? 'ur5on 9ate (Bijoy Toran!

41

'ur5on 9ate:1 historical 0on ment constr cted 9y 0ahara/a Bi/ay Chand o# B rd$an to $elcome ;ord C r?onB the then =iceroy o# Bengal at the entrance o# B rd$an 'o$n ,o$ :no$n as Bijoy Toran The eye-soothing tower is set up following the pattern
of the gateway of #ndia of 6umbai. This tower is situated at the meeting place of %.T ,oad and B.*. ,oad. The tower got its shape in the hands of an #talian sculpture. The previous name of this tower was 8'tar of #ndia9. +.:. -ugh had painted a picture of it and gifted it to the citi(ens of Burdwan. The pillars, the lions of bothsides, cornice, the fretted decorations and the three fairies at the top of this structure are one of the best instances of sculpture. The two side arches and the main arch deserve your passing glance.

"? The %alace of Burdwan Maharaja

42

"C Rajbati or Mahatab Manjil

KThe %alace of the Maharajah of Burdwan8 in Burdwan B This was (hotogra(hed on a tour conducted by American Red 'ross for DS military (ersonnel stationed nearby

(%hotogra(h by 9lenn Hensley8 "HCC! ,ajbati or 6ahatab 6anjil was built by 6ahtab *hand Bahadur in .;2.. The entire architectural outloo is e$traordinary to loo at. Presently, it houses the administrative office of Burdwan 4niversity. 6aharajdhiraj 4day *hand <omen9s *ollege and the settlement office are also adjacent to this building. =Details given brfore in *hapter >?

"# Mijay Man5il

43 Mijay Man5il o# B rd$an Royal .amily in :ol>ata at 1 B rd$an Road is 9 ilt on a 24 acre estate $hich $as ac< ired 9y 0ahara/a 1#ta9 Chand 0ahta9 #rom 3tephen 1rathoon in the late 18th cent ry 'he main 9 ilding $as constr cted 9et$een 1802-1804 'he #amily still resides here and the halls and gardens are let o t #or $eddings

14+ Golap Bagh and Darulbahar

9ola( Bagh and Darulbahar: 'he e(tended path o# red m dB cool shade o# )eodar B 3haal B 1r/ n the soothing cool $ater s rro nded 9y a moat - all these $ill pro!ide yo a charming atmosphere $hen yo come to Golap Bagh+ Golap Bagh $as once set p as the pleas re-garden o# the >ings+ %nside this garden there is a 9ea ti# l Palace named )ar l9aharB $hich $as sed as a rest ho se in s mmer+ 'his Palace is an instance o# Roman gothic architect re+ ,o$ this place is reso nded $ith the m rm ring o# the ni!ersity st dents

17. Kri hna a!ar

44

-rishnasayar: %n 1481 at the $est o# this to$n a 9ig la>e $as d g o t 9y the then >ing o# B rd$an co!ering 33 acres o# land+ 'his la>e is called :rishnasayar+ Pre!io sly there $as a high 9an> s rro nding this la>e the remnants o# $hich are still here+ 'he 'r stee Board helped to reorganise :rishnasayar as a par> and no$ this place is #amo s #or !isiting and 9oat ro$ing+ 3tate le!el dance #esti!al is organised at the occasion o# dolyatra and a #air o# handicra#ts ta>es place #rom 1st Ean ary on$ards and contin es #or 10 days+ 1t the time o# this #air #lo$er e(hi9itionB art e(hi9itionB #ol> songB reading o# story and poetry are arranged here+ 'he m rm ring o# 9irdsB the cool shade o# trees and the s$eet #ragrance o# #lo$ers seem to create a part o# Eden+ "G %irbaharam Si22a

'om9 o# 3her 1#ganB s 9/ect o# 1>9ar the Great " : t 9 ddinB 3 9edar o# Bengal+

"H -anchannagar

42

Kan*a(&s2ari Ka(i is one o) the )amous holy places o) ,ardhaman and the idol o) ?oddess Kali is en'ra3ed in stone$ This temple is de3oted to ?oddess Kali which is the main attraction o) this temple and the idol placed inside the temple has ei'ht hands$ It is ornamented with terracotta panels and is a 3ery )amous )or Bindus$

'he deity resem9les a h man 3>elton+ @ach and every bone of the
body is clearly visible. The idol is engraved in stone, having eight hands and garlanded with the heads of human beings. Devi holds a trident in her hand, which is supposed to hurt the male idol lying under her legs. The body of the statue is uneven

?3 -hwaja Anwar Ber2

'om9o# :h$a/a 1n$arB the #amo s 0 ghal Darrior+ &B rd$an 0 nicipality*

?" Tomb of Sher Afghan

44

'he 'om9 o# 3her 1#ghanB the last o# the 1#ghan Eagirdars in BardhamanB is located near Ra/9ati or Ra/9ari &B rd$an Royal Palace o# 0ahara/a*+ 3her 1#ghan married to , r/ahan+ -e re!olt against 0 ghal 3amrat and to control thisB 0 ghal 3amrat Eahangir had to control thisB 0 ghal 3amrat Eahangir had sent : t 9 ddin+ Both $ere died at $ar and 9oth $ere 9 ried at this 9 rial gro nd+ )istance #rom Bardhaman rail$ay station is a9o t t$o and hal# >m 22. Burdwan Raj 'ollege

'ha(ter H

45 Ruling FamilyLs 'ontribution to Burdwan De7elo(ment ) ring the three cent ries that they held the estate o# B rd$anB the :apoor .amily contri9 ted richly to the de!elopment o# B rd$an as a c lt ral center+ %n partic larB 0ehta9 Chand Ray and Bi/ay Chand Ray are credited $ith ha!ing e(tended patronage to scholars and artistsB incl ding:

Paramhansa YoganandaB teacher o# meditation and yoga 3adha> :amala>anta8 Bengali poet and singer Gopes$ar Baner/eeB noted m sician o# =ishn p r )asharathi RoyB poet and composer o# Panchali PadmalochanB a disciple o# 3ri Rama>rishna

%n 1772B the B rd$an Ra/ College $as started in B rd$anB $hich $as s pported entirely 9y the re!en es o# the estate+ 'he #amily also constr cted se!eral tan>s and temples+ Ghanashyam RaiB son o# 19 RayB constr cted a large tan>B the 3hyam 3agar+ -is son :rishna Ram Ray constr cted the :rishna 3agar 'an>+ -is grandson :irti Chand RayB $ho #o nded the to$n o# :anchannagarB constr cted the Yades$ardih 'an>+ 'he Rani 3agar 'an> $as e(ca!ated 9y order o# :irti ChandIs mother Bra/a>ishoriB $ho also erected the Bai> nthanath 3i!a 'emple at :alna+ :irti ChandIs son Chitra 3en Ray 9 ilt the #amo s 3iddhes$ari 'emple in :alna+ ) ring the r le Chitra 3enIs son 'rilo> ChandB se!eral temples $ere 9 ilt+ -is mother ;a>shmi> mari erected the 3ri :rishna 'emple at :alnaB $hile his $i#e Chhanga> mari erected the Eagannath 'emple at :alna+ Other legacies incl de the 3ar9amangala 'empleB the Bai> nthanath 3i!a 'empleB the Bi/oy Toran and the .a/'adi &palace*+ 1ntp r in the district o# -ooghly in Dest Bengal has a n m9er o# terracotta temples that ha!e $on appla se #rom lo!ers o# antp r+ 1ll the mon ments in 1ntp r are located in land o$ned 9y the 0itra .amilyB an erst$hile Paminder o# the area+ 'o :rishna Ram 0itraB a )e$an o# 0ahara/a :irti Chand o# B rd$an Ra/B goes the credit o# erecting the most richly decorated terracotta temple o# RadhaGo!inda+

47 'his templeB #o nded in 1574B is o# $ell->no$n Bengali h t atchatatype $ith a do-chala ante-cham9er in the #ront+ On three sidesB eastB so th and $estB is #o nd op lence o# car!ed terracotta #ig rines depicting legends #rom the RamayanaB 0aha9harata and the P ranas+ Battle scenes o# Rama-Ra!ana con#rontation are depicted on the central #rie?e o# the so th #acade o# the temple+ 'he $estern #acade depicts :ali >illing demons in a #ierce 9attle+ 'here are also many sec lar scenes li>e h ntingB soldiers marchingB the local Paminder or Ra/a 9eing carried in a palan< in+ O tside the compo nd o# the Radha-Go!inda 'emple there are a #e$ 9ric> temples 9elonging to the second hal# o# the eighteenth cent ry+

References

48 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 2+ Bardhaman Eelar %tihas O ;o> 3ans>riti &-istory and .ol>lore o# Bardhaman )istrict* in Bengali 9y 1>>ari Chattopadhyay+ -istory o# the Bengali-spea>ing People 9y ,itish 3eng pta+ KB rd$an Ra/K in 3mperial 0a4eteer of 3ndiaB ,e$ Edition &O(#ord: Clarendon PressB 1807N1831*B =ol+ 8+ p+102 'he )istrict Ga?etterB B rd$an+ ;and and ;ocal :ingship in Eighteen Cent ry Bengal By Eohn R+ 0c;aneB Cam9ridge Jni!+ PressB 1883 & This 'oo& e?amines the politics and culture of landholding in eastern
3ndia Professor "cLane e?plores the dual and sometimes conflicting roles of the 4amindars, the landed chiefs, in eighteenth-century western Bengal during the decline of the "ughal 7mpire and the rise of the British Hegemony He focuses on 4amindari rent e?traction, techni,ues of coercion, and the meaning of gift-giving and gift-receiving He shows how the 4amindars &ept alive the rituals, patronage, and other traditions of normative Hindu Kingship for their su'/ects in the villages while they e?tracted revenue from the peasantry and intermediate gentry for the government of the "ughals and then the 7nglish 7ast 3ndia 1ompany He argues that the increased commerciali4ation and efforts to ma?imi4e land revenues imposed severe strains on the paternalistic and gift-oriented culture of BengalFs huge landlords This analysis is illustrated with a case study of BengalFs most important and controversial 4amindari, the Burdwan .a/ -

4+ 1 Geneological 1cco nt o# B rd$an .amilyB 'ranslated #rom Persian 0an script B -indoo Patriot 24 0archB1725

A((endi) *

50

-a(oor Tribe
('istorical (erspective! -a(oor or -a(ur is a !ery #amo s s rname in so th East 1sian Comm nity+ %t is the name o# a gotra o# ,orth %ndian descent 9elonging to the )hai-Ghar :hatri Caste &.o'ert !ane .ussell, !olume 8 of
The Tri'es and 1astes of the 1entral Provinces of 3ndia, , Pu'lisher "acmillan and 1ompany limited, 8*8>*

4ineage 'he )hai-Ghar originally consisted o# three #amily gro ps o# ,orth %ndia N :apoor8 :hanna and 0ehra &also >no$n as 0ehrotra or 0alhotra!+'hey $ere later e(panded to #orm the Char-Ghar :hatris &:hatris o# #o r ho ses* 9y incl ding the 'andon clan or the 3eth clan+ 1ll o# these comm nities ha!e 9een r9an comm nities nli>e other comm nities li>e Eats and 1hirs that ha!e 9een largely r ral comm nities o# %ndia+ 'hey $ere regarded as :shatriyas o# t$o and a hal# ho ses 9eca se a gro ping o# three is considered nl c>yH more so 9eca se hal# the ho se o# 0ehrasB those $ho remained in the -imalayas &present day Jttara>hand* had not /oined the ne$ gro p+ 'hey $ere also regarded as :hatri8 especially a#ter their e(pansion into Char-Ghar (#o r ho ses*+ 1 rang?e9 9anished many :hatris #rom the 0ogh l military and administrati!e roles 9eca se o# their noncooperation and since that time many o# the )hai-Ghar :hatris adopted tradingB 9 siness and other r9an pro#essions that many other :hatris $ere already engaged in and #rom $here they #re< ently too> $i!es #or their sonsB $hile gi!ing their da ghters only to the other )hai-Ghar :hatris in marriage+ 'o < ote #rom 3ir Ed$ard Bl ntIs 9oo>B @1 )hai-Ghar man can ta>e a $i#e only #rom the )hai-Ghar or Char-Ghar gro ps $hilst a )hai-Ghar $oman can marry only a )haiGhar man+ 'he )hai-Ghar are there#ore e(ogamo s as regards men and endogamo s as regards $omen+A&2ir 7dward Blunt, The 1aste 2ystem of 6orthern 3ndia, 7dition reprint, Pu'lisher 0yan Pu'lishing House, 8*;8, Page $=* -o$e!erB 9eginning in the nineteenth cent ryB the comm nity has progressi!ely rela(ed restrictions #or marriage and modern )hai-Ghar :hatris marry at times across other comm nities+ .rigin

51 'he origin o# this Caste is not clear and re< ires # rther research 9 t it appears that they are a relati!ely recent addition to the :hatri Clan as may 9e in#erred #rom 1in-i-1>9ari &Eyes #or the EmperorB Compiled in 1280* 9y 19 6l .a?al a prominent historian o# Emporar 1>a9 $ho recorded the :hatri Gotras+ )The (in i (&'ari 'y ('ul @a4lallami,
translated from the original Persian, 'y H Blochmann, " ( and 1olonel H 2 %arrett, !olume 8, Page ;=>, Low Price Pu'lications 3ndia-

B t there are many theories regarding their origin+ One legend relates that Parash rama &RamaB 4th incarnation o# =ishn * $anted to massacre the :shatriyas and ca sed e!ery :shatriya $oman to miscarry+ -o$e!erB some $omen escaped and too> shelter in Brahmin &highest priestly caste* ho ses+ 'he Brahmin declared them to 9e Brahmin and e!en ate $ith them in order to sho$ Parash rama that the :shatriya $omen $ere #rom their casteB and th s sa!ed them+ 1ccording to this storyB the children 9orn o# these $omen 9ecame the :hatri+ 'he :hatri claim to 9e Ra/p t: the second highest class o# $arriors in the #o r#old -ind caste system+ 'hey 9elie!e that their name is a corr pt deri!ation o# the 3ans>rit $ord :shatriya8 $hich is a synonym o# Ra/p t+ ) ring the British r le o# the 18th cent ryB the :hatri !irt ally had a monopoly o!er trade in P n/a9+ 'here is no do 9t that the :hatri is an in#l ential comm nity o# north$estern %ndiaH one that has emerged as one o# the most progressi!e and dynamic in recent years+ Be#ore %ndia6s independence and res ltant partition in 1845 the :hatris $ere settled mainly in the $estern part o# pre-partition P n/a9 &no$ in Pa>istan* and shortly a#ter 9egan migrating to %ndia+ P n/a9i :hatris 9ecame conscio s o# their caste identity a9o t 200 years ago+ 'he British $ith their #etish #or categori?ation and doc mentation #elt that all e(tant %ndian castes sho ld 9e #it into the =edic #rame$or> o# the #o r !arnas+ @%t $as decided 9y the Go!ernment o# %ndia in 1772 to ma>e a comprehensi!e #ield s r!ey #or precise in#ormation a9o t the $ay o# li#eB manners and c stomsB rit alsB marriage practices etc+ o# the tri9esB castesB s 9-castes o# the co ntry #or 9etter administration and ethnographic research+A 'he tas> $as assigned to a Bengal %ndian Ci!il 3er!ice O##icerB -er9ert -ope RisleyB $ho in 1781-82 p 9lished his The Tri'es and 1astes of BengalB a#ter @si( years o# intensi!e st dy and s r!eyA+ 0 ch to the chagrin o# the :hatris thro gh o t north %ndiaB Risley declared that @%#

52 thenB it is at all necessary to connect the :hatris $ith the ancient #o r#old system o# castesB the only gro p to $hich $e can a##iliate them is the =aisyasA+ 'his $as naccepta9le to the :hatris #or $hom the !illain o# the piece $as @One Ba9 Eogendra ,ath BhattacharyaB 0+1+B o# BengalA+ Risley had 9ased his concl sion on the st dy 9y Bhattacharya $ho in t rn $as alleged to ha!e deli9erately degraded the :hatris @ nder the in#l ence o# a personal gr dge against the B rd$an Ra/B p 9licly attri9 ted 9y the -ono ra9le Ra/a Ban Bihari :ap rB 0anager o# the 3tateB in his speech deli!ered 9e#ore the :hatri Con#erence at BareillyB in E ne 1801A 'he :hatris marshalled a $hole lot o# e!idence in #a!o r o# their higher social stat s andB $ishing to 9e s ita9ly classi#ied in the 1801 cens sB s 9mitted a @man script !ol me o# a9o t 300 pages o# #oolscapB dealing $ith the < estion in detailA to the cens s s perintendent #or ,orth Dest Pro!ince and O dh &corresponding to the present Jttar Pradesh*+ 'he response o# the a thorities $as rather ne(pected+ %t $as no$ proposed to classi#y @the :hattrisB the : rmis and the :ayasthasA all in a ne$ gro p called @Castes allied to :shatriyas $ho are considered to 9e o# high social standing B tho gh their claim is not ni!ersally admittedA+ 'his @night-mare o# impending social degradationA propelled :hatris into concerted action+ 1 three-day con#erence o# @more than #o r h ndred representati!es o# the n mero s :hattri 3a9hasB Committees and 1ssociations scattered o!er the co ntryA $as held in Bareilly in E ne 1801 nder the chairmanship o# Ra/a Ban9ihari :ap r+ 'he :hatri leadership $as e!ent ally a9le to con!ince the British a thorities that @the :hattris are generally 9elie!ed to 9e the modern representati!es o# the :shatriyas o# -ind traditionA+ %t is note$orthy that the de9ate centred on the position o# :hatris !is-S-!is =aishyas B :ayasthas and other castes in Bengal and &$hat is no$ * Jttar Pradesh rather than in the original :hatri ha9itatB P n/a9+ 'he res lts o# the campaign $ere s mmari?ed in a 1802 9oo> @1 Brief 7thnological 2urvey of the KhattrisA $ritten 9y 0oti ;al 3ethB )ep ty %nspector o# 3chools and mem9er :hattri -it>ari 1ssociationB 1gra+ 'his remains one o# the primary so rces o# in#ormation on :hatris+ 1 !al a9le additional and more general so rce is the three!ol me 0lossary of the Tri'es and 1astes of the Pun/a' and the 6orth

53 Eest @rontier Province, compiled 'y a British Ci!il 3er!ant -orace 1rth r RoseB s perintendent o# P n/a9 cens s operations+ 'he 0lossary is 9ased on P n/a9 Cens s Reports o# 1771 and 1781 prepared 9y )en?il Charles Ee## %99etson and Ed$ard )o glas 0aclagen respecti!ely +%t also @em9odies some o# the materials collected in the Ethnological 3 r!ey o# %ndia $hich $as 9eg n in 1800B nder the scheme initiated 9y 3ir -er9ert RisleyA+ %t m st 9e stated at the o tset that in the #ollo$ingB the c lt ral and geographical settingB r les o# endogamy and e(ogamy as $ell as hierarchical orderingB etc+B that are descri9ed here are as they o9tained a cent ry agoB e!en tho gh present tense is employed + 'here is no implicit appro!al or disappro!al o# any practice that is reported+ ,eedless to sayB !ario s social gro ps are #ar more #le(i9le no$ than they $ere in the past+ 'he changes ha!e 9een partic larly rapid a#ter the partition+ Gree> historians mention that people called :athaians $ho li!ed to the east o# ri!er Ra!i and ga!e a to gh #ight to 1le(ander6s army+ 'hey also !al ed 9ea ty !ery m ch to the e(tent that the @handsomest man $as chosen as >ingA ).aychaudhuri 8*=# 'here is a story that the gro ping $as #ormed 9y the #amilies o# three administrators - :ap r ChandB :han Chand and 0ehar Chand $ho had come to $or> in 1>9ar6s co rt #rom 0 ltan+ B t this story appears to 9e a #ictional one since the 0ehraB :hanna and :apoor clans ha!e pre-e(isted in %ndia as a :shatriya clan+ -istorically one o# the RatnaIs in 0 ghal Emperor 1>9arIs ,ine-Ratnas $as a :hanna >no$n as 'odar 0al :hanna %t is more li>ely that the gro ping $as #ormed in 1>9ar6s time #or marriages #rom three e(isting >shatriya #amily gro ps - the :apoorsB :hannas and 0ehras that pree(isted in %ndia+ 'he 9asis #or the gro ping appears to 9e s rya!anshi roots rather than any other consideration+ %t is #or this reason that the gro p incl ded other s rya!anshi clans that they enco ntered in the regions they came to inha9it s ch as the 'andons and the 3eths+ 'hese gro pings $ere 9ased on the 9elie# that all o# these clans are descendents o# ancient s rya!anshi >shatriya clans &Kumar 2uresh 2ingh,
B . 2harma, ( . 2an&hyan, !olume #$ of People of 3ndiaD 2tate series, (nthropological 2urvey of 3ndia, 8**>, =8+ pages*

54 'he name 0ehra appears to 9e deri!ed #rom 0ihira or 0ihir $hich means 3 n+ &Bom'ay )3ndia D 2tate- )8*98- 0a4etteer of the Bom'ay Presidency, !olume *, Part 8 0ovt 1entral Press p $= * 3ome mem9ers o# the 0ehra #amily also adopt the alternati!e #amily names o# 0alhotra8 0ehlotra or 0ehrotra+ 'o protect their lineage the )hai-Ghar :hatris traditionally did not permit their da ghters to marry $ith other >hatris o tside the dhaighar+ -o$e!er $hen necessity demanded they too> da ghters o# other >hatris in marriage #or their sons+ 'he gro p has e(panded rapidly since the time o# 1>9ar and spread across entire ,orth %ndia+ 1mongst these three #amily gro ps it is li>ely that the :apoor #amily are ancient migrants into %ndia #rom Eastern E rope since many mem9ers o# the )hai-Ghar :hatris ha!e !ery #air comple(ions &.o'ert
!ane .ussell, !olume 8 of The Tri'es and 1astes of the 1entral Provinces of 3ndia, , Pu'lisher "acmillan and 1ompany limited, 8*8> * 'o < ote #rom R+ =+ R ssel

K'hey are a handsome #air-s>inned classB some o# them $ith 9l e or grey eyesK and Kthe pro!er9 r nsB 1 :hatri $oman $o ld 9e #air $itho t #ine clothes or ornamentsBI andB I Only an al9ino is #airer than a :hatri $oman+IK 'hese remar>s are not # lly applica9le in modern %ndia+ 1ltho gh some o# the comm nity contin e to 9e #air comple(ioned there are many $ho are < ite dar> pro9a9ly as a res lt o# the inter marriages $ith other >hatris+ 'he 0ehra #amily may ha!e migrated #rom a !illage near ,ainital in Jttara>hand $here an ancient !illage 9y the name o# 0ehra =illage e(ists that $as esta9lished 9y the Ra/p t and other >shatriya migrations migrations into : maon &%ames @ @isher, Himalayan
(nthropologyD The 3ndo-Ti'etan 3nterface Eorld (nthropology, Ealter de 0ruyter, 8*=<* later ret rning to the plains to ser!e in the army o# Emperor

1>9ar along $ith Ra/p ts #rom other parts o# %ndia+

'ontem(orary .ccu(atioms

52 'he :hatris is a trading and mercantile comm nityB $ho originated in P n/a9 and spread to the many states in $hich they no$ li!e+ , m9ering aro nd 2+2 millionB they li!e in P n/a98 )elhiB -aryana8 Jttar Pradesh8 G /arat8 Eamm " :ashmirB 0aharashtra8 -imachal Pradesh8 BiharB BengalB 'amil ,ad 8 Ra/asthan8 0adhya Pradesh and Chandigarh+ %n allB they are distri9 ted in o!er 132 districts in the co ntry and ha!e 241 segments+ 'he :hatri are 9 sinessmen8 tradersB pro#essional moneylenders and #inanciers+ 'heir 9 siness p rs its range #rom o$ning and operating !illage shops to 9eing ma/or $holesale traders and ind strialists+ -o$e!erB there are also some $ho practice agric lt re and rear animals+ 0any are contractors and transportersB $hile a #e$ are employed in go!ernment and pri!ate sectors+ 'he :hatri o# G /arat are >no$n #or their cloth $hich they print and dye as $ell as the speciali?ed art o# 9andhini &tying and dyeing #a9rics*B $hile in 0aharashtra they are the traditional $ea!ers o# sil> sarisB especially the #amo s paithani saris+ 'he :hatri are also engineersB doctorsB scientistsB army8 policeB administratorsB politicians and creati!e artists+ GenerallyB they are highly literate+ 'hey enco rage 9oth sons and da ghters to st dy+ %n modern times the )hai-Ghar comm nity is engaged in di!erse pro#essions in %ndia ranging #rom administration to the army+'he :hatri are 9 sinessmen8 tradersB pro#essional moneylenders and #inanciers+ 'heir 9 siness p rs its range #rom o$ning and operating !illage shops to 9eing ma/or $holesale traders and ind strialists+ -o$e!erB there are also some $ho practice agric lt re and rear animals+ 0any are contractors and transportersB $hile a #e$ are employed in go!ernment and pri!ate sectors+ 'he :hatri o# G /arat are >no$n #or their cloth $hich they print and dye as $ell as the speciali?ed art o# 9andhini &tying and dyeing #a9rics*B $hile in 0aharashtra they are the traditional $ea!ers o# sil> sarisB especially the #amo s paithani saris+%t is signi#ica9t to note that 'he Pamindars o# B rd$an in Bengal 9elong to the :apoor Clan and held the title o# 0ahara/aB the deiaiHs o# $hich ha!e 9een gi!en in this @-istorical 1cco nt o# B rd$an Ra/A+

54 Jsha )e!i 0alhotra &-- 0aharanidhira/a Rani Ra/esh$ar 3a$ai 3hrimant 1>hand 3o 99agya!ati Jsha )e!i 0alhotraB T= Bahad rB 12th 0aharani o# %ndore* $as appointed as the s ccessor o# -ol>ar 3tate in a grand ceremony in presence o# the then President o# %ndia )r+Ra/endra PrasadB Prime 0inister Ea$ahar ;al ,ehr and -ome 0inister 3ardar =alla9h Bahi Patel in 1841+ 3he has 9een con#erred $ith the title o# 0aharani o# %ndore+ %n modern %ndia the monarchy is o##icially notionalB ho$e!erB it contin es in pop lar tradition+ '$o o# the %ndian 1rmy Chie#s N General )eepa> :apoor and General Om Pra>ash 0alhotra 9elong to this comm nity+ 3ince many #rom this comm nity are good loo>ing they ha!e done rather $ell in the %ndian #ilm ind stry+ .oremost among them is the:apoor .amily o# Bolly$ood Arts and Films& 1nil :apoorB Bolly$ood actorB #ilm prod cerB1nish :apoor8 sc lptor81n :apoorB Bolly$ood actorBBharat :apoor8 directorB $riterB prod cerBBoney :apoor #ilm director and prod cerBE>ta :apoor prod cer #or tele!ision and mo!ies &Bolly$ood*BGita :apoor8 Bolly$ood dancerB%shaan :apoorB actorB:areena :apoorB Bolly$ood actressB:arisma :apoorB Bolly$ood actressB,amitha :apoor8 3o th %ndian mo!ie actressB,eha :ap r8 Bea ty < eenBPan>a/ :ap r8 Bolly$ood actorB #ilm-ma>erBPrith!ira/ :apoor8 a pioneer o# %ndian theatre and o# the -indi #ilm ind stryBRa/ :apoorB Bolly$ood actorB prod cer and directorBRam :apoorB '= actorBRan9ir :apoorB Bolly$ood actorB son o# Rishi :apoorBRa!i :apoorB British actorBRishi :apoor8 Bolly$ood actorB3an/ana :apoor8 Bolly$ood actressB theatrepersonB o$ner o# Prith!i 'heatre83an/ay :apoorB Bolly$ood actorB3an/ee! :apoor8 go rmet che#B3hahid :apoor8 Bolly$ood actorB son o# Pan>a/ :ap rB3ha>ti :apoorB Bolly$ood actorB 3hammi :apoorB Bolly$ood actorB3hashi :apoor8 Bolly$ood actorB director and prod cerB #o nder o# the Prith!i 'heatre83he>har :ap rB #ilmma>erB3onam :apoor8 Bolly$ood actressB3te!en :ap r8 also >no$n as K1pache %ndianKB a pop singerB3 rinder :apoorB Bolly$ood #ilm prod cerB'irlo> :apoor8 Bolly$ood #ilm actor & 9rother o# Prith!i Ra/ :apoor*B' sshar :apoorB Bolly$ood actorBEeetendra &Ra!i :apoor*B Bolly$ood actorB o$ner o# Bala/i 'ele#ilms

55
3i"&ra"ur&4

,a!rattan :apoor 3ingh :apoor

5$u6a"i)n an$ s)6ia( 2)r*4

,arinder

Ra/ ,arain :apoor 4anguage 'he lang age spo>en 9y the :hatri people !aries #rom state to state+ %n P n/a9B -aryana and Eamm and :ashmirB the %ndo-1ryan lang ageB P n/a9i8 is their #irst lang age and the G r m >hi script is sed to $rite it+ -o$e!erB in the 3tate o# Eamm and :ashmirB they also spea> )ogri and Bhadra$ahi+ -indi is the primary lang age in )elhi and Jttar Pradesh and it is $ritten in the )e!anagari 3cri(t 'hey spea> 0aithili in BiharB 0e$ari or 0ar$ari in Ra/asthanB Bengali in BengalB Pahari in -imachal Pradesh and :acchi in G /arat+ 0ost :hatri are also #l ent in -indi lang age and many ed cated :hatri spea> English+ Their Beliefs 1ccording to one analysis the :hatris are 48 U -ind B 22 U 0 slim or 11 U 3i>h 9y #aith and strictly adhere to the tenets o# their respecti!e religions+ 3ome 9elong to the egalitarian 1rya 3ama/ and the G r -centric Radhasoami and ,iran>ari sects+ 3i>h :hatri hold the ten G r s o# their religion in high esteem+ G r ,ana>B the #o nder o# 3i>hismB as $ell as G r Go!ind 3inghB the tenth g r $as a :hatri+ 'he 0 slims among the :hatri li!e mainly in G /arat and adhere to the tenets o# the %slamic #aithB and 9elong to the dominant 3 nni 3ect+

A((endi) **

57

A((endi) ***

58

A((endi) *M

70
3PEEC- BY 3%R B%E1Y C-1,) 01-'1BB '-E 01-1R1E1 O. BJR)D1, O, BE-1;. O. '-E %,)%1, )E;EG1'%O, ;ord Dinterton: Prime 0inister- % am representing the 3ecretary 3tate o# %ndia+ had 9een ;ord Bir>enhead6s intentionB had he 9een presentB to as> the 0ahara/a B rd$an to spea>B and no$ on ;ord Bir>enhead6 9ehal#B %there#ore no$ do so+ 'he 0ahara/a o# B rd$an: Prime 0inister- % #eel !ery complimented indeed at ha!ing 9een as>ed 9y the 3ecretary o# 3tate #or %ndia to spea> on 9ehal# o# the )elegation at the opening

%t o# %ndian

71

)%ote&The 3mperial 1onference of 8*#> was the si?th in a series of increasingly formal meetings of the Prime "inisters of the Dominions of the British 7mpire, which usually too& place in London The 8*#> 1onference met shortly after the League of 6ationsF 0eneral (ssem'ly in 8*#> The most influential conclusion made at the 8*#> 3mperial 1onference was the Balfour @ormula or Balfour Declaration )this should not 'e confused with the 8*8= Balfour Declaration which declared British support for the esta'lishment of a national home for the %ewish people in Palestine- (rthur Balfour, who had 'een Prime "inister from 8*9#-+, and @oreign 2ecretary from 8*8>-8*, was in 8*#>

72
Lord President of the 1ouncil, and thus responsi'le for presiding over meetings of the Privy 1ouncil (t the 3mperial 1onference Balfour chaired the 3nter-3mperial .elations 1ommittee, who were appointed on the #+ :cto'er 8*#> Gto investigate all the ,uestions on the (genda affecting 3nter-3mperial .elations G This 1ommittee was comprised of Prime "inisters and Heads of Delegations The central conclusion that the 3nter-3mperial .elations 1ommittee drew was that the Dominions were, Gautonomous 1ommunities within the British 7mpire, e,ual in status, in no way su'ordinate to one another in any aspect of their domestic or e?ternal affairs, though united 'y a common allegiance to the 1rown, and freely associated as mem'ers of the British 1ommonwealth of 6ationsG The statement was ratified 'y the 1onference on 8* 6ovem'er 8*#> 6ota'ly, this was not a constitution for the British empire, for which some, including %an 2muts of 2outh (frica, had campaigned @urthermore, while the report called for an e,uality of status of the Dominions, it did not suggest that their functions were anything 'ut different ( tension e?isted 'etween the self-governing Dominions of the British 1ommonwealth, whose status was addressed at the 3mperial 1onference, and the non-self-governing elements of the British empire The uni,ue status of 3ndia in terms of self-determination and continuing inclusion in the British empire in some ways set it apart from the Dominions discussed at the 1onference The "ahara/a of Burdwan, the representative for 3ndia, gave a lengthy opening speech which addressed 3ndiaFs loyalty to the British empire and her recent economic developments The discussions were relevant, however, in terms of the continuing evolution of the British empire and 1ommonwealth The @ormula was enshrined in law only in 8*;8, under The 2tatute of Eestminster -

73

A((endi) M
Bur$2an 7)us&

Bur$2an(Bar$haman) 7)us&/(Bang(a A6a$&my) 11-200

Bur$2an 7)us&, the &ahara+a o) ,urdwan, Sir ,i+oy Chand &ahtab, a member o) the Administrati3e Council ( 8 8; 89"# came to 2haka on o))icial work once a year$ It is said that he built the ,urdwan Bouse in 8:% )or his con3enience$ The ,urdwan Bouse contains an eCclusi3e colonial style o) late 8th and early 9:th centuries$ A two storied buildin', is rectan'ular in plan, the central bay holdin' the main entrance portico bein' pro+ected out$ A wide arcaded 3erandah runs in )ront o) the buildin' at both le3els with balustrade railin's$ The arches are all semicircular which con)orm to the 8th century style$

A((endi) M*

74 Summ&r 8a(a6&/ 9ar,&&(ing

Summ&r 8a(a6& ). "h& +ahara,a ). Bur$2an

%n 1728 the British %ndian Go!ernment sent ;loyd and GrantB t$o o##icers o# the East %ndia CompanyB to inspect an old and deserted G r>ha 0ilitary station >no$n as )ar/eeling $here $aste / ngle lands $ere p t p #or a ction+ Pamindar 0ahta9 ChandB tenth in line o# s ccession a#ter 19 Ray on the Gaddi o# B rd$an Ra/B promptly mo!ed into )ar/eeling at this / nct re+ 3oon a#ter his arri!alB the 0ahara/a p rchased ele!en acres o# 9 ilding site named Rose Ban> #or his #amily6s residence #rom )r+ Cham9ell in 1740 and got it declared as #reehold property 9y the 3ecretary o# 3tate #or %ndia+ 3ince then )ar/eeling 9ecame an integral part o# the B rd$an Ra/ .amily home+ 'he h 9 o# the p rchased plot $as a t$o acres #lat piece o# gro nd / tting o t on the edge o# a ridgeB $hich dropped into ra!ines o# a 0o ntain streams on its t$o sides+ .rom this spot co ld 9e seen a circ lar !ie$ o# the entire mo ntain range $ith the gigantic sno$ capped pea> o# :anchan/anga as the 9ac>drop+ On this pict res< e plot the 0ahara/a constr cted a large and spra$ling 9 ilding on the lines o# a hill cottage and named it $ith Perso-0 ghal Connotation F0ahta9 ,asin6 a#ter his #irst name and a smaller g est ho se $hich he called in >eeping $ith the local ,epali lang age FChandra :hoti6 a#ter his second name+ %n 1785B 0ahta9 Chand6s grandsonB Bi/ay Chand had the pri!ilege o# recei!ing 3$ami =i!e>ananda as his personal g est at his )ar/eeling residence to contemplate di!ine g idance in his pro/ect to la nch the #amo s Ram :rishna 0ission+ 'he original constr ction o# 0ahta9 ,asin collapsed d ring the de!astating Bihar Earth< a>e o# 1834+ 3 9se< ently e(act replicas $ere reconstr cted on the original constr cted site and the original idolsB $hich had escaped the de!astationB $ere reinstalled 9ac> again+ 'he earth< a>e had also

72 completely demolished Bi/ay Chand6s residenceB as a replacement #or $hich he planned a ne$ ho se on the same plot at Rose Ban> commissioning the tas> to D+%+:eirB a reno$ned English 1rchitect o# )ar/eelingB $ho s 9mitted his designB a circ lar single #loor ho seB #or appro!al in 1pril 1834+ -o$e!erB $ith Great Britain declaring $ar on Germany 9e#ore the constr ction $or> co ld 9eginB some delays too> place+ 3 9se< entlyB $ith the concl sion o# the $arB in 1844 Bi/ay Chand along $ith his son-and-heirB Jday ChandB restarted 9 ilding acti!ities on the ne$ home o# the B rd$an Ra/ .amily and completed it nder the s per!ision o# his ho sehold comptrollerB R+B+ G r ng 9y 1848+ -e called it Jday 0ahal a#ter his o$n name+ Dith the a9olition o# ?amindar 9y the Dest Bengal Estate Re< isition 1ct o# 1823B the B rd$an Ra/ $as 9ro ght to an end $ith the 2142 acres estate ac< ired 9y 0ahta9 Chand 9eing !ested to the go!ernment+ 'he last 0ahara/a Jday ChandB $as allo$ed to retain #rom it only 2+07 acres #or his personal sesB there9y ending the #i!e-generation dynastic history o# the 0ahara/as o# B rd$an in )ar/eeling+ Architectural character -a!ing nderstood the historical de!elopments one can in#er that this residence sa$ a large amo nt o# changes 9oth stylistically o!er time and #rom the socio-political scenario o# the era+ 1 signi#icant change in this respect $as that o# Jday Chand modi#ying the design o# Bi/ay Chand to s it his o$n taste in >eeping $ith the 1rt )eco style pop lari?ed in the 1830+ 'his ho se there#ore does not #ollo$ the typical pattern o# the ?amindar mansions and is closer in character to a colonial 9 ngalo$B pro9a9ly also 9eca se o# its siting+ Jday 0ahal $as circ lar in shape $ith semi-circ lar arched 9eams sed to s pport the ceilings $hile the rooms on the gro nd and #irst #loor $ere he(agonal+ 'his circ lar plan $as di!ided symmetricallyB $hich each < adrant # rther s 9di!ided to ta>e on !ario s nat res o# # nctions+ 'he se< ence o# mo!ement is #rom the entrance lo99y into a main central hall $hich then # rther 9ranches onto the !ario s acti!ity areas+ 'he central hall and the pper gallery $ere octagonal $hile the grand staircase and 9athrooms $ere triang lar+ 'he pper #loor has indi!id al s ites in each < adrantB $hich all open onto !erandahs that r n along the entire perimeter o# ho se $hile an inner gallery o!erloo>s the central hall 9elo$+ Dhile !erandahs had geometrical patternsB the inner doors and pper galleries $ere topped 9y

74 semicirc lar !entilators+ 1n eye catching single lo#ty dome made o# 9l e enamel tiles topped the edi#ice+ 'he #ireplaces in rooms $ere also #itted $ith di##erent 9right colo red enamel tiles and highly polished stones+ 'he rooms are la!ishly designed $ith period # rnit reB paintings "arte#acts collected o!er generations+

75

A((endi) M**
Some Additional Significant 0 Rare %hotogra(hs "
0ahara/a 0ahata9 Chand Bahad r &1720 N 1758*

Mahtab 'hand of Burdwan8 .

77 :
Maharaja Bijay 'hand Mahtab during his teens8 "GGH

4.

Maharajadhiraja of Burdwan Sir Bijay 'hand Mahtab with his wife Maharanidhirani Radharani De7i in "H3# in all bejewelled regalia

78
# Sir Bijay 'hand Mahtab at the Delhi Durbar of "H:"

6. 0aharanidhirani Radharani 0ahta9B $i#e o# 3ir Bi/ay Chand 0ahta9B 0ahara/adhira/a o# B rd$anB 1820+

80
; Sir Bijay 'hand Mahtab ( sitting ! with younger son Abhay 'hand Mahtab (standing left ! with son in law daughter in law and

%. 0ahara/a Jday Chand 0ahta9 $ith his $i#eB 1830+

81
%. 0ahara/a Jday Chand 0ahta9 $ith his $i#e and #i!e o# children+ Children : 3tanding- Bar na 0ahta9B sitting:ar na and 0alay 0ahta9 on their parentIs lapB #ront Eyotsna 0ahta9 at rightB-enry 0ahta9 at le#tB 1835+ his t$ins sitting-

H %rincess Baruna MahtabAs wedding8 "H#3 6 Standing from right6 %rincess -aruna Mahtab8 %rince Saday 'hand Mahtab8%rince Abhay 'hand Mahtab8 %rincess Baruna Mahtab8 her husband Maj Shi7 -umar Singh Rathore8 %rincess >yotsna Mahtab8 Maharaja Dday 'hand Mahtab Sitting on e)treme right 6 Mrs Abhay 'hand Mahtab8 in the center& %rince Malay 'hand Mahtab and %rince %ranay 'hand Mahtab and on the left sitting is Maharani of Burdwan 8Mrs Dday 'hand Mahtab 'ourtesy 6 Dr % '

82

10+

Burdwan %alace from The /orth Side "" Mahtab Man5il Burdwan

1"#

Burdwan Raj 'ollege

Burdwan ,aj *ollege ta en by an un nown photographer around ./15. These are part of a album o$ photograph presented to )ord *ur(on, the Aiceroy of #ndia, by Bijay *hand 6ahtab of Burdwan =r..;;!-./5.?, on his short visit to the city on Bnd +pril ./15. =Source: British Library)

%hotogra(her Dn2nown & @ear "H3C +bove 0 Photographs of the Palace of Burdwan and

83
": Maharaja Bijay 'hand Mahtab seen with family members returning to *ndia from Britain after a s(an of G years in "H:#+

"C %rincess Baruna MahtabAs wedding8 "H#3 6 Standing from right6 %rincess -aruna Mahtab8 %rince Saday 'hand Mahtab8%rince Abhay 'hand Mahtab8 %rincess Baruna Mahtab8 her husband Maj Shi7 -umar Singh Rathore8 %rincess >yotsna Mahtab8 Maharaja Dday 'hand Mahtab Sitting on e)treme right 6 Mrs Abhay 'hand Mahtab8 in the cente & %rince Malay 'hand Mahtab and %rince %ranay 'hand Mahtab and on the left sitting is Maharani of Burdwan 8Mrs Dday 'hand Mahtab

84

"#

Both the %rincesses of Burdwan 4alitarani and Sudharani are (resent in this (ic in Fhitehall8 D- in "H?G

"< A rare (hoto showing from left 6 Maharaja of Burdwan Sir Dday 'hand Mehtab 8 Maharani of 'oochbehar *ndira De7i then 9o7ernor of Fest Bengal %admaja /aidu B %at Filliamson of Filliamson Magor in "H#G

82

"; Farid2ot 6 Burdwan Fedding8 "H#H 6 %rincess Dee(inder -aur ( center ! at the day of her wedding to the then Maharaja2umar Saday 'hand Mahtab of Burdwan8 later 2nown as Maharaja of Burdwan Seen with the ladies of Farid2ot Royal Family
)1ourtesy - Dr P 1 "ahta'-

"G

The Maharaja of Burdwan with family and guests at the 1lgin (>ul ?3"3!

84

"H

+ahara, Kumari Su$harani 9&:i ). Bur$2an (b.1 07-$.1 46) 2au'hter o) Sir ,i+ay Chand &ahtab, &ahara+a ,ahadur o) ,urdwan

%hotogra(hs shot in "H?; and "H:"

85

?3

+ahara, Kumari 3a(i"arni 9&:i ). Bur$2an (b.1 0%-$.1 47)

2au'hter o) Sir ,i+ay Chand &ahtab, &ahara+a ,ahadur o) ,urdwan %hotogra(hs shot in "H?; and "H:"

87

?"

Maharaj2umari -runa De7i DO. Maharaja Dday 'hand Mahtab of Burdwan in a rare (hoto (little distorted ! shot in Darjeeling in "H<: *mage 'ourtesy 6 /ational 9eogra(hic
Photo by )ee @. Battaglia &arch B1, ./>0

(b.1 37 $.2010)

22.

!a"+umari *aruna @evi

88

A((endi) M***
Mubara2 Man5il (%or the &
a'e o$ moderni ation() As reported in May 2004

+ portion of the famous Burdwan ,ajbati comple$ C heritage is all set to be history itself for the Dsa e of modernisationE. + major portion of the 6ubara 6an(il or the 6aharaniEs Palace has been demolished by the administration of 6.4.*. <omenEs *ollege who are the current occupier of the portion of the palace without the nowledge of the district administration C heritage committee. The Rarh Sanastriki Parishad founded by Dr. 'u umar 'en had already appealed to the %overnor through the district magistrate for preservation of Burdwan ,aj Palace C stop such destruction. The member of parliament of Burdwan C the fund donator of the project, &i hilananda 'ar said, Fthe building was indeed in very bad shape. +lso being the ,ani 6ahal of the ,ajbari, the structure was not suited for classrooms, the purpose it is used presently. # had instructed the college authority to eep the architecture C the heritage intact C remove the inner part of the building for construction of newer classrooms. # have promised them to grant ,s. .1 lacs for construction of the new building.F

100

The Palace built between .;2.-.;>2 +D by the then 6aharaja 6ahtab *hand was later handed over to an educational trust by 4day *hand 6ahtab, the 6aharaja of Burdwan. The current ancestor of the ,aj :amily, Burdwan ,aj, Dr. Pronoy *hand 6ahtab have e$pressed deep concern about the incidence. -e said to bardhaman.com from his Darjeeling ,esidence, F#Ell meet the %overnor on the first wee of 3une =B112?, bring into his notice this act C see his assistance in this matter. Gur family donated the Palace to the Burdwan 4niversity for the betterment of education of the local people. #t doesnEt mean that, the whole heritage was handed over for destruction.F <hile the Aice-*hancellor of the Burdwan 4niversity, Prof. +mit 6allic said, F# donEt have an idea about thisF C instructed this correspondent to enquire about the matter in the estate department of the 4niversity Eduring any wor ing dayE. The District 6agistrate, Burdwan, 'ubrata %upta have instructed the +D6=%en? Ainod 7umar to initiate a probe in the matter. -e said, F<e should have to stop destruction of heritage at any cost. # have instructed to ta e proper action in this matter C e$planation is to be as ed from the concerned authority.F The Palace was designed C planned by an #talian architect as per the order of 6aharaja Tej *hand 6ahtab in the year .;2. +.D. when the ,oyal :amily shifted from their past residence at 7anchannagar, Burdwan. The Palace was decorated with #talian marbles C semi-precious stones. +ll wooden wor s were done with imported valuable tea . The 6aharaniEs palace was all set with indoor swimming pools, tennis court C fountains. <hen <arren -astings, the then %overnor %eneral of Bengal left the 'tate, the ,aja of Burdwan purchased all his belongings C added it to the ,ajasset.

101

'ailendranath 'amanta, an e$-curator of the Burdwan 4niversity 6useum C a member of the heritage committee informed, F6ubara 6an(il, built in .;>2 +D is one of the finest building C the gem of the ,ajbari comple$. ,ani 6ahal or the ,aniEs mansion was delicately built C a superb architectural specimen of #ndo-#talian style in Bengal. #t is sad that such a building of heritage value C a part of the history has been ruthlessly demolished by its current occupier.F -e also said, Fthis property belongs to an educational trust founded by 6aharaja 4day *hand 6ahtab himself under the guidance of Dr. B. *. ,oy, the then *hief-6inister of the 'tate for betterment C education of the people. This barbaric act is totally illegal.F The college administration however denied the charges. The Principal of the 64* <omenEs *ollege, 'u riti %hoshal informed, Fwe are not demolishing any heritage but only cleaning up the already demolished debris. The building was already in the worst shape C was a life threat to the students C staffs of the college.F <hen he was informed about the concern C protest of the heritage committee about the matter, he said, Fwhere were the committee when slabs of the roof of the building cave in during wor ing hoursH <e had repeatedly said we cannot maintain this building at our own cost. #Em sorry to inform the heritage committee is yet to publish a list of their acclaimed heritage buildings in the city. +lthough history is irrecoverable, we would li e the committee to help us to restore the present building of the palace which may also cave in any day.F

102

+ noted historian on the city, 'udhir *handra Dawn by virtue the President of the Rarh Sanastriki Parishad informed that, Falready we had appealed to the %overnor to stop such destruction of heritage buildings by the university authority. 'i$ months bac when the college authority published tender notice at two local newspapers for the wor , we had put our objection to the college but they continued with their plans. The heritage committee also doesnEt have any nowledge about this act of the college.F

The Aice-*hairman of the Burdwan 6unicipality C a member of the heritage committee +inul -aque informed that, Fno permission has been ta en from us for such wor . -owever we will see into the matter C ta e necessary action.F The *omment on thi ituation were a $ollow +,

Sudip Mondal# -o .ngele # /S.. The 6ubara 6an(il, as has been rightly mentioned, a superb architectural specimen of #ndo-#talian style in Bengal is a pride of Burdwan. #t is unfortunate to learn that the 64* <omenEs *ollege

authorit!, without the nowledge of the local municipality and the district administration, has demolished a part of it. #n a time when efforts are being made to restore and preserve the heritage buildings it is foolish on the part of college administration to even thin of demolishing this building. Burdwan being my home town this is a very shoc ing news to me. #f this is what an academic institute does what can we e$pect from othersH -ow stupid =sorry... but # canEt resist myself from using this specific word? can a Principal of a *ollege be to ma e a statement that why this building was not claimed as a heritage building by the -eritage *ommittee. #s he short of realising this simple truthHH +t the same time # do admit that efforts should be made to alter and modernise the building for proper running of classes. #t would have been wise if the college authority had discussed with all concerned authorities to figure out a better solution before brea ing it down. %iven the present situation, the destruction should be stopped immediately and steps from every corner of the administration must be ta en to eep the e$terior loo of the building as it was and do the necessary renovations.

103

Subir Mohanta# Kuwait. # fully agree with the comments made by 6r. 'udip 6ondal. Burdwan being my home town too. This is a very shoc ing news to me. +re we doing all this in the name of progressH Then it is really shameful. # thin , there must be other alternatives for e$panding college building without damaging this heritage buildings. <e always too pride for having this heritage buildings in our town. 'o we should preserve it by any cost. # donEt now who are there behind all these destructive activities. But # thin there are lot of qualified people in our district who are having the same feelings li eus.They should raise their voice to stop all this nonsense. 0indrilla Gho h# Durgapur #Em really shoc ed with the news of the heritage being demolished by a college. # have appeared in my board e$ams this year C hope to join college after the results are out. #Em really scared if the people of this mentality run a college, what can we learn from them during our days in the college.

104

A((endi) *P
Ambi*a Ka(na ; 'h& '&m0(& #i"y

Ambi2a -alna or simply -alna is a to$nB a munici(ality and head < arters o# -alna subdi7ision in Burdwan District in the *ndian state o# Fest Bengal+ %t is sit ated on the $estern 9an> o# the BhVgirathi 'he to$n is more pop larly >no$n as 1m9i>a :alna8 named a#ter a !ery pop lar )eity o# Goddess :aliB 0aa 1m9i>a+ %t has n mero s historical mon ments s ch as the Ra/9ari &the palace* and the 107 3hi!a 'em(les 'he to$n o# :alnaB is 40 >ilometres &35 mi* #rom BardhamanB the district head< arter+ 'ho gh part o# the B rd$an district o# Dest BengalB it is located near the 9order $ith ,adia and -ooghly )istrictB and is !ery near to the #amo s pilgrimage place called ,a9ad$ip and 0ayap rB #amo s #or the centre o# %3:CO,+ :alna is located on the agric lt rally rich all !ial plains 9et$een the Bhagirathi8 Ajay and )amodar ri!ers+ 'emperat res in this region !aries #rom 15-17 WC in $inter to 30-32 WC in s mmer

o#

'he peerless architect re o# the tem(les this to$n and their history lea!e #e$ nto ched+ 'he grande r o# the terracotta structures is compara9le to those o# Bishn p r+

'he t$o places areB in #actB ine(trica9ly lin>ed+ %n 1704B the Bishn p r Royal Estate $as p rchased 9y the >ing o# BardhmanB $ho then settled in :alna+ E!er sinceB the magic o# terracotta has enriched 9oth places+ 'he #irst re#erence to 1m9i>a :alna is #o nd in a 4th cent ry te(t named Ku'/i&a Tantra+ 3ome historians are o# the opinion that d ring the G pta eraB the place $as part o# the #amo s 'amralipta port+

102 %n 1502B 1 ranga?e9 appointed Ra/a Eagat Ram as the administrator o# :alnaB $hich reached an ad!anced stage o# de!elopment nder his son :irti ChandraB $ho too> o!er in 1528+ 'ho gh their roots $ere in P n/a9B the Royal .amily o# Bardhman contri9 ted immensely to the glory o# ancient Bengal+ 'he royals $ere >een patrons o# the arts and se!eral temples o# 9 rnt clay $ere constr cted d ring their reign+ %n 1525B 'ilo> ChandB then Ra/a o# BardhmanB re# sed to help ;ord Cli!e against 3ira/- d-)a llah+ 'ilo> Chand $as later !an< ished 9y the British in 1540 and he t rned to religion #or solace+ -is change o# heart coincided $ith the golden period o# temple architect re in :alna+ Bet$een 1522 and 1544B se!en large and 12 small temples $ere 9 ilt in Bardhman+ 'he most eye-catching o# the :alna landmar>s is a set o# 107 3hi!a 'emples &'he ,a!a :ailash* $ithin a single comple(+ 0ahara/a 'e/ Chandra sponsored the templesB completed in 1708+ 'he pro/ect cele9rated the trans#er o# o$nership o# the Bishn p r Royal Estate+

-alna Tem(le 'om(le)

'he temples are di!ided into t$o ro$s+ 'he #irst ro$ has 44 templesB o t o# $hich 32 ha!e $hite and 32 9lac> 3hi!a lingas+ 'he other ro$ consists o# the rest o# the templesB o# $hich t$o are empty+ 1ll the constr ctions are in the typical aatchala style+ 1cross the comple( is the main attraction o# :alnaB the Pratapaditya temple+ Prince Pratapaditya died in 1721+ 'he temple $as constr cted in his memory in 1748 9y his #irst $i#e Priya : mari+

104 'he architect ral style de!iates #rom the Bengal school and is a>in to Re>hade lB characteristic o# the Orissa school+ )esigned 9y Ramhori 0istryB the temple is one o# the 9est terracotta str ct res in Bengal+ 'he #ig res on its $alls depict the li#e o# :rishnaB Ra!ana ) rga p /aB =aishna!ites and e!en the E ropeans+ ,ear Pratapaditya temple is another $onder H the ma/estic 40-#t-tall :rishnachandra 'emple+ B ilt 9y Ra/a 'ilo> Chand in 1522B the 22 to$ers o# the str ct re are < ite ni< e+ 'his templeB tooB has 9een constr cted in the aatchala style $ith #a9 lo s terracotta sc lpt res on the $alls+ Episodes o# .amayana and "aha'harataB h nting scenesB child9irth and erotica are car!ed to per#ection+ 'he dilapidated royal palace and the rashmancha are in the same comple(+ 1 t$o-min te $al> a$ay is the ;ala/i 'empleB also $ith 22 to$ers+ Ra/mata Bra/o>ishori 9 ilt this in 1538B a#ter her ret rn #rom =rinda!an+ Gar daB the mo nt o# =ishn B is $orshiped here+

1nother landmar> that $ill capt re yo r attention is the 1nanta Bas de!a temple+ Ra/a 'ilo> ChandHs pet pro/ect $as 9 ilt in 1524 in the do 9le aatchala style+ Jn#ort natelyB only a #e$ o# its terracotta sc lpt res remain+ 'he temple $as reno!ated 9y the Birlas in 1844+ 'hen there is the 3idheshes$ari 'empleB the oldest in :alna+ 'he e&chala constr ction has 14 steps leading p to itB the #irst #i!e signi#ying the tantri& c ltB the ne(t nine indicating the ,a9agraha+ BesidesB there are t$o small 3hi!a temples+

105

Siddheswari -alibari

9o(albari Mandir consisting $ith 22 mon ments signi#ies a per#ect sc lpt re+ On the $alls o# this 'emples many 'erracotta are ornamented+ 'here is an image o# cop lation engra!ed here+ 1 hall ad/acent to the 'emple #or de!otional dancing and musical (erformances $as erected+ %t is an indication o# traditional sc lpt reB located in Bhad ri Para+ 'he terracotta $or>s on the panels o# Gopal9ari mandir are also $orth a !isit+ %n 1524B %ndra> mariB the < een o# BardhmanB had esta9lished t$o 3hi!a temples in Eagannath9ari+ Both are 12-#t tall $ith a 2-#t-high #o ndation+ %# yo are interested in terracotta sc lpt reB don"aposHt gi!e these temples a miss+ Episodes #rom -ind mythology and the epics are etched in #ine detail on 9oth+ %ntricate alponas are also car!ed in terracotta on the temple premises+ Anantabasude7 Mandir is sit ated at 3hyamrai Para+ %t is a9o t 220 years old+ -is -ono rB 0ahara/ Bah>tipromode P ri Gos$ami had reno!ated this 'emple a9o t 40 years 9ac>+ ,o$ 0ohara/6s nephe$sB nieces and their h s9and ha!e got the responsi9ility o# loo>ing a#ter it+ 19o t 220 years 9ac>B 0ahara/ o# B rd$an #o nded this 'emple+

107 *nside Bac2 Title

108 Bac2 Title