Roya History of : ~ CoochBehar(Part-VI)

Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Bhupbahadur [Rajshak 404-413 || 1913-1922 A.D.] : 23rd Maharaja:

Maharaja Jitendra Narayan was the second son of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. He was born on 20th December 1886 A.D. at Cooch Behar palace.

 During his childhood he took lessons under British home tutor. 

 In 1900 he left for England and got admitted to Itan School. After finishing his studies over there he took admission in Edinburrow University. He returned back to Cooch Behar after completion of his studies.

 Jitendra Narayan paid visit to his ailing brother Maharaja Rajendra Narayan who was under treatment in London.

 At that time Maharaja of Baroda along with his daughter visited London and proposed marriage between his daughter Indira Devi and Jitendra Narayan to Rajmata Suniti Devi and Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan.

 With their consent Jitendra Narayan married Indira Devi at the Backingham Palace Hotel on 25th August 1913.

 On the sixth day after that wedding, Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan passed away on 1st September 1913 A.D.

 Since Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan passed away leaving back no descendant of his own, Jitendra Narayan ascended the throne of Cooch Behar in 1913.

 At that time a fierce war broke out in England. Impact of that war was also felt at Cooch Behar. Rice and other food items were exported from Cooch Behar and that led to food shortage at the home-state.

 Price rose high. Then Maharaja Jitendra Narayan increased the salary of government employees. He also provided enough aids and grants to his subjects. He sent more helps for the war.

 Maharaja Jitendra Narayan was very clever and a subject-loving king. He was a skilled hunter. His younger brother Victor respected him and helped him in royal administration.

 In memory of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan, a statue was built and established at the capital by Maharaja Jitendra Narayan. That statue of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan was brought from London and a beautiful portrayal of art.

 Maharaja Jitendra Narayan thus administering the state peacefully fell sick. At last he breathed his last on 20th December 1912 A.D. at London. A son named Jagatdipendra Narayan was born to him in 1915.

Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan [Rajshak 427-461 || 1936-1970 A.D.] : 24th Maharaja:

Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan was the eldest son of Maharaja Jitendra Narayan and Indira Devi. 

 He was born on 15th December 1915 A.D. at the Cooch Behar palace.

 In his childhood he took lessons under home tutor.    After that for higher studies he was admitted at Hehro at London in 1927. Thereafter he got admitted to Cambridge University in 1929. While studying at Hehro he attained army training.

 Returning back to India he joined the 7th Indian Cavalry at Bolaram of Hyderabad and received higher army training.

 After that he joined the Honorary Military Training Course at Dehradun.

 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan ascended the throne on 6th April 1936 A.D. The state was administered by Regency Council till he attained adulthood (i.e. from 1922 to 1936 A.D.).

 Rajmata Indira Devi was the President of Regency Council. After ascending the throne Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan himself looked after state administration. He was a generous & dutiful king.

 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan was a good sportsman. He was the captain of the Calcutta Team in the match between Calcutta Cricket Team and Indore Cricket Team held in 1943. He was very good in the game of Polo.

 In memory of his father Maharaja Jitendra Narayan e set up a medical institution in Cooch Behar. 

 He was a famous hunter.

 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan used to be part of those hunting teams and hunt the protected forest areas of Patlakhawa, Takoamari, Gorpad, Bhalka Shalbari for Royal Bengal Tiger, Rhinoceros and other beasts. Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan also hunted in the jungles of Assam.

 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan carried out the state administration through the State Council. He was the President of the State Council.

 Maharaja himself was the Super of the State Military Department which had two branches namely State Infantry and Narayan Guard.

 In 1956 Maharaja married Geogina May Narayan in England. She was a British lady and educated in History at the Cambridge University. Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan obtained no child.

 On 20th August 1948 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan in an agreement merged the state with the Dominion Government of India.###pic 1###

 Thereafter Cooch Behar was transformed into Central Administered State. Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan obtained annual amount of eight lakhs & fifty thousand as his privy purse.

 At last on 1st January 1950 Cooch Behar was incorporated within West Bengal state of the Indian Dominion.

 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan was left as stateless King. He was deeply felt.###pic 2###

 Indian Government restored his royalty with due dignity. Even after he was addressed as "His Highness Maharaja Bhupbahadur" and treated with the prestigious royal formality.  

 Once while playing Polo at Jaipur, Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan fell back from his horse. His rib-bone got broken. He was taken to London for medical treatment.

 At last on 11th April 1970 Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan breathed his last at Calcutta. His body was brought to Cooch Behar the next day by the Maharaja of Jaipur, Maharaja of Kota and Maharaja's nephew Birajendra Narayan.

 On behalf of West Bengal Government, the Commissioner of Jalpaiguri Division and Deputy Commissioner of Cooch Behar received his body.

 Maharaja was shown military honor at the airport. 

 His body was taken to the palace and kept there for the visitors and subjects paying their respect.

 At afternoon his last rites were carried out on the bank of river Torsha to the west of Rani Bagan in the Cooch Behar town.

 Thus a 471 years old kingdom and royalty established by Maharaja Chandan dated back in 1510 A.D. came to a end and the royal sovereignty of Cooch Behar got washed away by Democracy.