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Thursday, 19 April 2012

Royal History Of :~ CoochBehar(Part-III)


Maharaja Upendra Narayan [Rajshak 205-254 || 1714-1763 A.D.] : 11th Maharaja :

On being sworn in as new king all commanders and royal courtiers paid loyalty to Maharaja Upendra Narayan. Maharaja issued currency in his name.

During that time king of Bhutan started extending his realm towards the plains. Bhutan King used to rule the mountain areas and no plain was under his jurisdiction. When he tried to invade the plains, he had to fight Maharaja Upendra Narayan on many occasions. But Maharaja Upendra Narayan could do little to resist him.

Maharaja Upendra Narayan was sonless. For that reason he adopted Deena Narayan, child son of dewan Satya Narayan. Maharaja loved him very much.

Maharaja Upendra Narayan appointed Shatananda Goswami of Murshidabad as Rajguru (royal teacher/ spirited one or path finder). After the death of Shatananda his son Ramananda Goswami became the next Rajguru.

During his time land measure of Behar kingdom was carried out. Some of his notable royal courtiers were Haradeb Khasnabis, Jaydeb Darbar Khan, Raghupati Rai, Chakrapani Jamdaria, Hareswar Karjee, Jagadish Karjee, Bireswar Karjee and Baleswar Karjee. The royal posts were Sardar, Aswayar, Kayastha, Nayeb, Ukil, Bakshi, Shikdar, Khannabish, Khas Dewaniya, Hisabnabis, Oyakkanabis, Patowari, Basunia, Tahasildar, Daptaria, Pujari, Kirtania, Patra, Bhandar Thakur, Chowdhury, Majumdar, 
Amin, Muhuri, Gomasta, Dalai, etc.

During his time there was an widespread earthquake (11th October, 1737 A.D.).

In the meantime his second queen gave birth to a male child. He was named Debendra Narayan. The Prince was only 4 years old when Maharaja Upendra Narayan breathed his last in 1763 A.D. 


Maharaja Debendra Narayan [Rajshak 254-256 || 1763-1765 A.D.] : 12th Maharaja:
Main Gate


After the demise of Maharaja Upendra Narayan, his son Debendra Narayan ascended throne of Behar at a minor age of four. During his time administration of the state totally broke down. The Bhutias started to spread out their kingdom encroaching the Behar regions.


Every year the Bhutia ruler of Buxa Duar and other important Bhutia heads used to visit Behar till Chekakhata. Their hospitality was looked after by the Dewan of Behar. The Bhutia used to offer presents to the Behar Maharaja in kinds and in return the Maharaja used to pay double the price of those gifts. 


At that time a Brahmin (Hindu priest) named Rati Sharma resided in Balarampur. Maharaja Debendra Narayan was then 6 years old and one day he was playing with other children on the side of Padma Pukur (pond) on the southern side of the palace. There was a temple at that spot. That day Rati Sharma appeared over there suddenly and beheaded Maharaja Debendra Narayan with a sharp word.


Thus Maharaja Debendra Narayan was murdered in 1765 A.D.


During this time on 12th August 1765 Bangadesh (then consolidated Bengal) came under the jurisdiction of British East India Company. Khajna (rent) of Boda, Patgram, Panga and other chaklas (regions) under the Maharaja of Behar had to be paid to East India Company from then onwards.


Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan [Rajshak 256-261 || 1765-1770 A.D.] : 13th Maharaja:


After the death of Maharaja Debendra Narayan, Najir Rudra Narayan decided to make his nephew Khagendra Narayan the next king. But high ranking courtiers & kings men like minister Gouriprasanna Mustafi, khasnabis Gouriprasad and others did not support such decision. At last based on united decision, Dhairjendra Narayan, cousin of Debendra Narayan (son of his eldest uncle Kharga Narayan who was also the dewan), was crowned in as the king of Behar. 


Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan issued coins in his own name.


In the meantime Debraj, king of Bhutan, felt sorry coming to know from his spies about the assassination of Maharaja Debendra Narayan.


During this time many regions like Jalpeswar, Mandas, Jalash, Lakshmipur, Santarabari, Maraghat, Bholka and others went under the grip of the Bhutias. All those regions were under Behar kingdom. By that time Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan married Kamteswari Devi and other five maidens. After some time Maharaja obtained his son Dharendra Narayan.


At that time of all royal courtiers Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan used to trust Ram Narayan the most. Ram Narayan was the Dewan as well as the eldest brother of Dhairjendra Narayan. 


At first Dhairjendra Narayan expressed his inability to be present at the party. At that point the Bhutias informed the Maharaja that in his absence they would also not attend the said party and would boycott the same. At last Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan agreed to join the party. 


Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan was taken back to Bhutan capital Punakh.



Maharaja Rajendra Narayan [Rajshak 261-263 || 1770-1772 A.D.] : 14th Maharaja:

Debraj, king of Bhutan, imprisoned Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan and crowned in Rajendra Narayan (Dhairjendra Narayan's second elder brother) as the next Behar king. After ascending the throne Maharaja Rajendra Narayan appointed Hareswar Karjee as the dewan and Jadunandan as the treasurer. But practically the Maharaja had no power in administering the state. Virtually Bhutan royalty's representative Pensuthma was the administrator of the kingdom.



Even he along with the Rajmata (mother-queen) had to live upon the income from his personal farm though Pensuthma used to grant little for their living. In that way two years passed away. By that time Rajendra Narayan got married. Tragically on the fifth day after his marriage Rajendra Narayan suffered severe fever and breathed his last in 1772 A.D.


Maharaja Dharendra Narayan [Rajshak 263-266 || 1772-1775 A.D.] : 15th Maharaja:
Night View


Maharaja Rajendra Narayan died in 1772 leaving behind no son to succeed him. Taking this opportunity in order to acquire the throne Baikuntha Narayan conspired with Bhutan king's representative Pensuthma. Pensuthma confiscated the royal throne, scepter & umbrella and kept in the Madan Mohan temple under heavy guard of Bhutia soldiers.


On the other side, Najirdeo Kashinath Lahiri, Gosaijideo discussed with the Queen and decided to enthrone Dharendra Narayan (son of Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan) as the Behar king. 


Najirdeo held the royal umbrella over the Maharaja. Coins were issued in the name of Maharaja Dharendra Narayan.


After that Bhutan army commander Zimpe invaded Behar capital and captured the kingdom. Thenafter he enthroned Bijendra Narayan 16th Maharaja.

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