Darbhanga Raj, a province that was in modern-day Bihar, has had its roots since 1000 AD and has contributed immensely to the country. This royal family has harboured its people through some turbulent times, crafted skilful leaders and contributed virtually to the liberation of India.
“Darbhanga Chronicles” by Tejkar Jha introduces the royal family while documenting how the rulers played a crucial role pre and post-independence. The book is explored in six facets: history, amity, politics, vision, change, & journal.
Part I
The writings of Maithil authors dating back to 1000 A.D clearly mention the presence of the Kharouray Bhour alias Khandalvals of Bihar, the clan to which the Darbhanga Raj family belongs. The roots of the family may be traced to central provinces where men of this dynasty acquired large tracts of lands in the districts of Khandwa, Mandala and Jabalpur. This is the family, supposed to be the head of the Brahmins in Mithila, and they are Shrotriyas.
Part II
The early decades of the twentieth century were a politically active period for the Indian Subcontinent. The Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji), was gaining strength and public support. People were coming out against the British Government and the British people, especially the executive class in India. Bengal presidency was the most volatile region, being the first to be controlled by the British; it was simmering with great discontent and distrust. Gandhiji’s struggle against British suzerainty took great momentum after his successful protest against the British planters engaged in Indigo farming and production in Champaran, Bihar.
Part III
The conquest of Subah Bengal by the British East India Company in 1764 led to a transcendental change in the socio-economic-political conditions of India. Slowly, after an accurate survey of the fertility of land and other available resources, the British East India Company introduced the Permanent Settlement Act in 1793. This act transformed the status of not only the ryots or peasants but also the erstwhile ruling chiefs of the region. The ruling chiefs became zamindars who were accountable for collecting land revenue of their respective region and got 10% as administrative cost and 15% as remuneration. The ryots became just tenants as far as the land was concerned.
Part IV
The conquest of Subah Bengal by the British East India Company in 1764 led to a transcendental change in the socio-economic-political conditions of India. Slowly, after a very accurate survey of the fertility of land and other resources available, the British East India Company introduced the Permanent Settlement Act in 1793. The ryots became just tenants as far as land was concerned. The introduction of Permanent Settlement Act was not digested by the ruling chiefs and several of them, prominently Hussepur, Darbhanga, Bettiah, Ramgarh, Benaras, Tikari, Dumraon, etc. revolted. Simultaneous to the permanent settlement came an introduction of agro-industries such as sugar mills, jute mills, Indigo and opium manufacturing units and saltpetre production. Darbhanga though not happy with the change, realized that the world order was changing and the economic status of a person or state would determine its power in future.
Part V
Maharaja Maheshwar Singh, who was supposed to be sympathiser of the rebels of the mutineers, died when Lakshmeshwar Singh was only two years old in 1860. This led to the estate going in the hands of the court of wards which not only took over the administration of the estate but also took over the education of the two princes, Lakshmishwar Singh and Rameshwara Singh. They were given English education, and were made to tour India and see for themselves the various cultural, political, social and economic state of the country. Possibly the brothers heard the stories of mutiny, read and learnt the family history and observed the behaviour of British with the natives. In the post mutiny years, several violent attacks on British officials were reported in Bengal Presidency, specially in Bihar.
Part VI
Darbhanga Raj had continued the age old practise of enumerating the proceedings of Darbar. The present two diaries, though incomplete, give a very scintillating view into the discussions and thoughts expressed in these Darbars. These are virtually first hand accounts of the Maharaja written down on the spot by late Professor Ramanatha Jha. He was for a long time the Chief Librarian of the Raj Library, Darbhanga, during the period of Maharajadhiraja Sir Kameshwar Singh.
Terrific start… looking forward to reading more 👏