The Legacy of Gauripur Raj Estate, Birthplace of Pratima Pandey & Pramathesh Barua!
HISTORY & HERITAGE !
The Legacy of Gauripur Raj Estate, Birthplace of Pratima Barua Pandey and Pramathesh Barua!
DIGANTA KUMAR GOGOI
At the onset of October 2024, sitting in my office at Darjeeling as my eyes are looking for Red marked holidays in the calendar, I observed the date 3rd October.
Suddenly, my memory striked, and I remembered that two prominent personalities of Assam who have marked their presence in the field of art, music and cinema were born in the month of October, incidentally , they hailed from the same family.
They are the legendary Singer Pratima Baruah Pandey (1934-2002 CE) and Pramathesh Chandra Barua(1903-1951 CE), both from the Royal Zamindar family of Gauripur, Dhubri district, Assam. While 3rd October is the birthdate of Pratima Baruah Pandey , 24th October is the birthdate of her uncle Pramathesh Chandra Barua.
Pratima Barua Pandey, an Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, is known for her immense works in Goalpariya lokageet which mainly based on folk songs of undivided Goalpara district comprising modern day district of Goalpara, Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Chirang and Kokrajhar.
Her uncle Pramathesh Barua, was a famous actor, director, and screenwriter of Indian films in the pre-independence era and was renowned for his movie Devdas(1935 CE). I was delighted by reminiscence of my three years (1995-1997) stay of my childhood in Gauripur Irrigation Colony during my father’s posting as Executive Engineer at Irrigation Department, and also by my recent travel to Gauripur in scooty with my wife cum travelling partner, Priyam.
It was in the monsoon of 2022 CE, during our stay in Barpeta Road, owing to my job posting, myself and Priyam embarked on a journey in our scooty to the historical place of Gauripur, located 144 KM from our residence at Barpeta Road. We knew that the journey would be long,difficult and risky, especially in the rainy season.
Still we remained firm in our resolution and covered ourselves with rain coats, to protect ourselves from possible outpour in our way, and as expected we were drenched by showers at several places during our journey. Passing through the district of Barpeta and Bongaigaon, we first arrived at Chapar, one of the prominent towns in Dhubri District, situated on the bank of the Champabati River.
We had some warm tea and snacks there and then continued our journey. We crossed Bilasipara, another prominent town of Dhubri district, and reached the historic place of Panbari or Rangamati, which used to be Mughal military bastion during their invasion of Assam.
Rangamati finds its place in the old Assamese metaphor “ Hoy Guwahati, nahoy Rangamati (its either Guwahati or Rangamati)” for all-out war during the Ahom-Mughal battles in the 17th century. The metaphor denotes Assamese resolve to finish Mughal invaders in Guwahati and chase them to their bastion at Rangamati, in present day Dhubri District.
We observed the Historical Panbari or Rangamati Mosque, situated on the National Highway 17, and is approximately about 25 km east from Dhubri town. According to some sources, the mosque was constructed by Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah(1493-1519 CE) of Bengal after his conquest of Kamatapur Kingdom in 1498 CE.
Another source credits its construction to Mir Jumla, Mughal Subedar(Governor) of Bengal, while he invaded Assam in 1662 CE, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb(1658-1707 CE). It is considered to be the oldest mosque in the Indian state of Assam. Besides regular prayers, Islamic festivals of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are observed with pomp and joy by the local populace.
We also observed ruins of a Magazine (store house for ammunition and explosives), situated on National Highway, nearby Rangamati Mosque premise. The Magazine was used by soldiers of the Bengal Sultanate and later by the Imperial Mughal army, from the 16th century to early 18th century. Both the above structures are protected by the Archeological Department.
After a 4 hours journey from Barpeta Road, we finally arrived at our destination Gauripur. Gauripur is a developing town, located around 10 KM from district headquarter Dhubri. The town is situated on level plain with the river Gadadhar flowing from North to South towards Brahmaputra, on the bank of which the district headquarter Dhubri town stands.
The National highway No. 31 passes through the town and touches Dhubri in the south, Cooch Bihar and Siliguri on the west. We visited the historic Matiabagh palace, popularly known as Hawa Mahal at Gauripur in Dhubri District, Assam.
Built by Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua, Zaminder of Gauripur Royal Estate, in 1914, on a small hill-top at Matiabagh, on the banks of the Gadadhar river, the palace was built by Chinese carpenters from China Town in Kolkata at a cost of Rs 3,40,000/- at that time. Construction of the palace began in 1904 and took 10 years to complete.
The palace features elements of Hindu, Mughal and British architecture and was used mainly as a royal guest house and summer residence by the royal family of Gauripur. The view of Gadadhar River from the hillock of Matibagh palace is majestic.
We also observed a medieval age cannon with inscription in medieval Assamese language of Koch King Raghudeva Narayan(1581-1603 CE) at the front yard of the palace. The cannon with inscription of Koch King Raghudev Narayan, takes us on a journey to the origin and into the history of Gauripur Raj Estate.
The Gauripur Zaminder family was traced its origin to a Kayastha name Narahari Rai, who hails from Tirhoot, in present day Indian state of Bihar, and joined the service of Maharaj Bishwa Singha (1515–1540 CE) , the first ruler from Koch dynasty of Koch Bihar. He was bestowed the title Barua, which his descendants continued to use till date. Maharaj Nara Narayan( 1554–1587CE) employed Narahari Barua’s grandson Kabindra Patro as one of his ministers.
In 1581 CE, the Koch kingdom was divided between Nara Narayan and his nephew Raghudev Narayan, taking the Sankoch river as the boundary between both kingdoms. The Koch kingdom west of Sankoch, remains with Naranaryan and it retains the original name of Koch Bihar, while the kingdom east of Sankoch river, eventually came to be known as Koch Hajo.
Lakshmi Narayan, the son and successor of Nar Narayan, dismissed Kabindra Patro from his court, and hence Kabindra Patro, joined the service as minister of Raghudev Narayan (1581-1603 CE) and later Raghudev’s son Parikshit Narayan (1603-1616 CE) the ruler of Koch Hajo. After the occupation of Koch Hajo kingdom by the Mughals, Kabindra Patro Barua was appointed as Qanungo at Rangamati in present-day Dhubri district of Assam, by the Mughal administration.
The Qanungo post holds special powers in the matter of civil, criminal and revenue affairs. Pleased with his service to Mughal administration, Mughal Emperor Jahangir granted large tracts of Nankar lands to Kabindra Patro Barua. His son Kabi Shekhar Barua succeeded the post of Qanungo and due to his faithful service, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb bestowed him the title of Raja, and a Lakhiraj grant of 70,000 bigha land and thus laid the foundation of Zamindars of Rangamati.
Kabishekhar‘s descendant, Boal Chandra Barua who succeeded the post of Qanungo and zamindari of Rangamati, acquired zamindari of five parganas, Ghurla, Aurungabad, Makrampur, Jamira and Gola Alamganj.
Boal Chandra Barua was succeeded by Bira Chandra Barua, whose tenure witnessed the fall of Mughal supremacy in Bengal and subsequently the new master of Bengal, British East India Company brought Rangamati Raj Estate initially under Decennia Settlement, and ultimately converted it to the Permanent Settlement like zamindaries of Bengal, during the Governor Generalship of Lord Cornwallis (12 September 1786 – 28 October 1793 CE) .
Bira Chandra Barua’s sucessor, Dhir Chandra Barua purchased the pargana of Kalumalupara, Noabad Faturi, Dhubri, and a share in the Taria pargana. Dhir Chandra Barua’s son and successor Pratap Chandra Barua transferred his headquarter from Rangamati to Gauripur and laid foundation of the present day town. From that time onwards, the Rangamati Raj Estate, was also known as Gauripur Raj Estate.
Pratap Chandra Barua assisted the British Government in Anglo-Bhutanese war, popularly known as Duar war(1864-1865 CE) and as reward for his service, the British government conferred him the title Rai Bahadur in 1867 CE. In 1869 CE, Rai Bahadur Pratap Chandra Barua made a generous donation of lands from his Dhubri Pargana to the British Government, when authorities proposed to move Goalpara district headquarter to present day Dhubri Town.
The next Zamindar Prabhat Chandra Barua, made significant progress in developmental works around Gauripur Raj Estate. Contemporary British records showed him as a liberal and enlightened figure. Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua founded a library at Dhubri, maintains a high school in the name of his predecesor Pratap Chandra Barua, and maintains two Health care dispensaries, one at Gauripur and another at Agomoni.
The famous Mahamaya tank of Gauripur was also constructed by Rai Bahadur Prabhat Chandra Barua. Rai Bahadur Prabhat Chandra Barua was a patron of literature, and sponsored publication of “Social History of Kamrnp” in three volumes, written by N.N.Basu. As a symbol of gratitude, Basu dedicated all the volumes of the book to Rai Bahadur Prabhat Chandra Barua.
He provided financial assistance for publication of “Kaystha Samajer Etibrita” by H.N. Dutta Barua, a book that deals with the history of Kayastha of Assam. The illustrious Zamindar passed away in 1940 CE, handing over Gauripur Raj Estate under a Trustee, as per his final Will.
Raja Prabhat Chandra sired several children from his two wives – Sarajabala and Saralabala. From his first wife Sarajabala, his children were Pramathesh Barua, Prakritesh Chandra Barua, Raj Kumari Niharbala, Raj Kumari Nilima Sundari and Raj Kumar Pranabesh Chandra Barua. From his second wife Saralabala, he had three sons Amal Chandra Barua, Ajoy Chandra Barua and Ajit Chandra Barua.
Pramathesh Chandra Barua(1903-1951 CE), was remembered for his significant contribution in Indian Cinema during the Pre-Independence era. His portrayal of Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s tragic hero of the Bengali classic “Devdas“, became legendary in the history of Indian Cinema till date. Several prominent actors of the later period tried to portray the character in the line of Pramathesh Chandra Barua.
Rajkumari Niharbala was a great artist and social worker and made significant contributions to the growth and popularization of Deshi songs and Dances. Rajkumari Nilima Sundari Barua made a huge contribution to the development of indigenous handicrafts, which earned her the title “Loksilpa”. Prakritesh Chandra Barua also known as Lalji, was the Executive of the Trust property of the Gauripur Raj Estate.
He was known for his hunting skills and was believed to have a supernatural understanding of elephants. In his peak days, he had around 40 elephants in his royal stables. His tenure witnessed the transition of British India into an Independent nation in 15th August, 1947 and subsequent abolition of Zamindari System in 1956 CE, and abolition of Privy Purse in 1970 CE, by the Government of India.
Out of nine children sired by Prakritesh Chandra Barua, two of his daughters, Pratima Baruah Pandey and Parbati Barua, marked their presence through their talents and expertise. Pratima Baruah Pandey has made immense contribution in growth and development of Goalparia Folk Songs, and to overall cultural development of Assam.
Inspired by the visit of Legendary Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, in their residence at Matiabagh palace, Gauripur, in 1955 CE, Pratima Baruah Pandey embarked on her musical journey and created popular songs, like “Matir Manush, Hastir Kanya, Bail Machhe Kheil Kare, Dui Diner Bhalobasha, etc. Her song “Oh Mor Mahut Bandhure” was inspired by the songs sung by the Mahouts (Indian term for an elephant tamer and caretaker) who used to catch elephants for her family.
She was also known by the name “Hasthir Kanya or Elephant maiden”. Her spouse, Ganga Shanker Pandey was principal of the Gauripur P. B. College. For her tremendous efforts in popularising Goalpariya lokageet or folksongs, Pratima Barua Pandey was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India and Sangeet Natak Akademi. She passed away on 27 December, 2002, at the age of 68, in Guwahati.
Parbati Barua, is an animal conservation activist and a mahout. Since her childhood, she had a keen sense of understanding and interest in elephants. She spent much of her time in the jungles along with her father, during their hunting excursions. Parbati Barua, came to media limelight after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) created the documentary “Queen of the Elephants” based on her life.
She resided in Guwahati and was also a member of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group, IUCN. In 2024, Parbati Barua, was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, like her illustrious sister, Pratima Baruah Pandey.
As Times passes by, the memories of the Zamindars of Gauripur Raj Estate have begun to fade. In a bid to preserve the history of Gauripur Raj Estate, the Government of Assam proposed acquisition of historical Hawamahal at Matiabagh, the residence of erstwhile Royal family of Gauripur, and to convert it into a museum.
On 2nd January, 2023, the family members of Gauripur Royal family, ceremonially handed over the Historic Matiabagh Hawa Mahal to the Assam State Cultural Department, for its restoration and preservation.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma, who paid an amount of Rs 15,20,82,000/- to the family on behalf f Assam Government, with a message for safeguarding all historical places in Assam.
The step taken by the Government of Assam was long pending demand of the people of Gauripur in order to preserve the area and convert it into a centre of cultural importance, and therefore have welcomed this move.
Source:-
- Allen B.C, Assam District Gazetters, Volume III, Goalpara, 1903
- Vasu Nagendra Nath, The Social History of Assam , 1922
- Census of India 1981, Part X B, Town Survey Report Gauripur
- Ahmed Akabbar Ali, Zamindars of Western Assam: Their Contribution to the Socio-Cultural Development of the Region: 1765 – 1956,Department of History, University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India, February, 2012
- Text by Samudra Gupta Kashyap and Rahul Karmakar, Forever Guwahati, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority
- Internet :Wikipedia
- Gait E.A, A History of Assam
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