Roya History of : ~ CoochBehar(Part-V)

Maharaja Nripendra Narayan Bhupbahadur [Rajshak 354-402 || 1863-1911 A.D.] : 21st Maharaja :

When Maharaja Narendra Narayan passed away in 1863 A.D., as per will of the Maharaja his ten month child-son Nripendra Naryan was crowned in as the next king of Behar.

 At first the state administration was looked after by Queen Kamteswari, Brindeswari and Nistarini Eye Devi since Maharaja Nripendra Narayan was only a child.

 Later the power of administration was handed over to the Commissioner appointed by the British Governor General.

 Colonel Hawton was appointed as the Commissioner of Behar in 1864 A.D.

  Maharaja Nripendra Narayan stayed in Cooch Behar for five years. In 1868 A.D. he was sent to Baranasi for learning. There he took lessons till 1872 A.D.

  After that he was schooled in Patna Collegiate School for six years while staying at Bankipur. He learned riding and hunting over there.

  On the occasion of the crowning-in of Queen Victoria in 1877 A.D., Maharaja Nripendra Narayan was invited at the Delhi Durbar.

   In 1878 A.D. Maharaja Nripendra Narayan married Suniti Devi, daughter of famous Keshab Chandra Sen of Kalikata. Immediately after marriage he left for England for higher studies.

   There he strted learning under Sir Benjamin Simson and Mr. Kelar.

   Thereafter he toured to Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Bulgaria and other countries.

   Maharaja Nripendra Narayan returned back to Behar on 3rd March 1879 and got admitted in Presidency College to study Law. He studied Law in that College till 1881.

   In 1883 A.D. Maharaja Nripendra Narayan was old enough to assume the authority of administering the state and ceremoniously he ascended the throne.

   Thereafter he engaged himself in state affairs.

   For higher studies in his state he established the Victoria College (now A.B.N. Seal College) in 1888. There was opportunity of studying M.A. and Law in that college under Kalikata/Calcutta University.

  Famous educationist and intellectual Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal was the Principal of that college.

  Maharaja Nripendra Narayan constructed a Brahma Mandir (temple for the Brahmas) in 1888 A.D. and granted lease of land for 30 years.

 In 1883 he constructed Nripendra Narayan Hall in Jalpaiguri city and in 1887 granted land for the construction of the Lewis Jubilee Sanitarium in Darjeeling. In 1889 Anandamoyee Dharmashala (religious rest-house) & adjacent Madan Mohan Temple were constructed in the city of Cooch Behar. 

  The present Palace in Cooch Behar city was constructed in 1887 during Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. He engaged Mr. F. Barkli as the chief engineer to construct the palace.

  Maharaja Nripendra Narayan was the architect of modern city of Cooch Behar.

  He built buildings for administrative purposes like High-court, Judge-court, Treasury Commissioner Office, School Inspector Office, Police Office, S.D.O. Office, Registration Office and others. All the old beautiful buildings surrounding Sagardighi portray Maharaja's immortal building-ability.

   After a few days that rail-line was tranformed into meter-gauge line. Present temple of Madan Mohan was constructed during his time and the deity of Lord Madan-Mohan was transferred to that temple from the temple adjacent to the royal palace. 

 British Government conferred the title of "Grand Commander of Most Eminent Order" to Maharaja Nripendra Narayan.

   Maharaja Nripendra Narayan was a famous athlete. He had many best quality horses. He used to win in almost every horse race.

   In 1886 Maharaja Nripendra Narayan constructed pilkhana (elephant shed) at Cooch Behar for 52 elephants. He constructed many roads, hospital and schools to cater to the service of his subjects. In the name of his queen he set up a girls school named as "Suniti College" in 1881 which was later named as "Suniti Academy". 

  While administering the state so smoothly, Maharaja Nripendra Narayan fell sick in 1911 A.D. He was taken to England for treatment. Over there Maharaja Nripendra Narayan passed away on the 18th September of 1911 A.D.

Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan [Rajshak 402-404 || 1911-1913 A.D.] : 22nd Maharaja:

Rajendra Narayan, eldest son of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan, was born at Woodsland Palace of Calcutta on 11th April 1882 A.D.

 During his childhood he took lessons under a British female home tutor. When he was a boy of 11 years, he was sent to "Lordmayo" college at Ratputna for studying.
 He was much attentive in his studies; turned out favorite to his class-mates; participated in sports. He had special inclination towords Engineering. It was of great pleasure/fun to him in playing games of fake war & capturing fort.
 Maharaja Nripendra Narayan sent Rajendra Narayan to England for studying in 1894. There he got admitted to the "Preparetory" School of Mr. Castor and schooled for three years. In 1897 he got admitted to "Itan". 
 Studying over there for three years he took admission in Oxford University in 1900 A.D.
 Completing his studies at Oxford, Rajendra Narayan returned back to India and helped his father in carrying out state proceedings. During that time he received military training at "Caded Core".
  After his father Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan ascended the throne of Cooch Behar in 1912 A.D.
  He carried out proceedings as per his father's will. He was very close to his mother and heeded with great respect.
 During his stay in England, Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan got chest-injury while playing game and from then on he felt acute pain in his chest. That turned out to be the cause of a type of depression for the Maharaja because of which he didn't get married.
  After ascending the throne Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan looked after the developments of his state
 Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan visited London along with Suniti Devi for medical treatment when his illness aggravated to much extent.  There he received treatment under Dr. Rijin Russel. 
 At that time on the other hand, his younger brother Jitendra Narayan married Indira Devi, daughter of Maharaja Gaikoard of Baroda, in London.
 Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan passed away on the midnight of 1st September 1913 A.D.
 His brother Victor Nityendra Narayan was with the Maharaja during his last moment. Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan’s last rites were carried out in London and his corpse-ashes were brought back to and buried at Cooch Behar.