Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Monday, May 11, 2020
Banaili Roots to Raj continued-----The Banaili Raj and its details....Conclusion
The Banaili Raj
History of Revenue Administration -
Purnea being the district from where
Banaili
Raj originated as a small Zamindari
Estate, we shall take a look at the system of Revenue-administration in the
district which prevailed before 1765. We shall also scan through the Revenue-system
prevalent after 1765, when the Dewani
of Bengal was given to the East India Company by Emperor Shah Alam. This will help us to perceive
a clear picture of the administrative details of Banaili Raj.
The Zamindar realized land rent from the Raiyat and paid it to the government, either directly or through an
Amil i.e. revenue collectors. In a Fouzdari area like Purnea, the Fouzdar or the Military governor
performed the duty of the Amil as
well. The Zamindar’s rights were
hereditary or permanent and they were expected to realize rent as well as
maintain peace and order in their areas. They collected the revenue under their
charge and received a certain fixed proportion as their remuneration. They
received Rasum (pre-requisites) and Narcar (subsistence allowance), for the
functions they performed. This was, normally an assignment of land. The Zamindar collected rent from the Raiyats but had no power to fix or
alter the revenue demands, or to alienate lands from Government-assessment
without sanction of the Government. All information regarding the circumstances
of land was made available to the government through the office of the Kanoongo. It was because of these
sepoys of the government that the Zamindar
could not realize more than what was due from the Raiyat. The entire history of land was available from the Kanoongo’s office. In short they were
the land registrars. Beneath the Kanoongo
was the village registrar called Patwari.
However, the office of Kanoongo
became defunct during the rule of Mir
Kasim who found the office vexatious. When it was revived later in 1763, it
had lost its true character and hardly performed its purpose.
In Bengal ,
the Amil collected rents of a whole
area or Parganna for the Zamindar and deposited the amount into
the government treasury. The bigger Zamindars,
however deposited the amount directly to the government treasury. In a Fouzdari area, the Fouzdar also collected the rent from the Zamindars, in the capacity of an Amil. Thus in Fouzdari
areas, the Fouzedar cum Amil collected rent with the
assistance of Chaudharies, who were
subordinate revenue collectors. The Chaudhari
were generally senior to a Zamindar.
There were two types of Raiyats, Khudkasht and Paikasht.
The Khudkasht or permanent tenants
cultivated lands of their own village or where they resided. They could not be
evicted as long as they paid their rent. Their rights were protected by the Patwari and Kanoongo. The other was the Paikasht
who were temporary tillers of land; they generally made more favourable terms
and paid lower rent than the Khudkasht.
The above was the system which
prevailed earlier, but, later, much before the grant of Dewani in 1765, the rights of the Khudkasht-raiyats had been made nugatory or worthless, due to raise
in rent with the addition of different cesses and imposts.
The next phase of revenue
administration started with the grant of Diwani
in 1765. Shah Alam, Emperor of Delhi,
by a Firman or patent made a
perpetual grant to the East India Company,
of the Dewani of the three provinces
of Bengal , Bihar
and Orissa on 12.8.1765, on condition of annual payment of 26 Lacs. Any excesses
over this amount were to be retained by the company for expenses of the office
of Dewan and Nazim, and as its own emoluments. As a first step, the novice East India Company appointed Supervisors
to superintend the local collectors of revenue and the administration of
Justice. These supervisors were to inquire into the real limits of estates held
up by the Zamindars, the quantity of
land they ought to have revenue free, and the real rent every cultivator ought
to pay. Illegal revenue free holdings were to be granted, in order to protect
the Raiyat from Zamindar. However the Indian revenue collectors and the Amils strongly disliked and opposed the
presence of supervisors in their districts.
Next in 1772, in order to cure the
diseased Revenue- system the East India
Company decided to farm lands for a period of five years. The Khalsa or treasury was shifted to Calcutta
The administration of civil justice
was now vested in the Amils or Dewans. Police head was the Fouzdar who worked under the Naib-nazim, whose functions and office
in the department of criminal justice were now revived at Murshedabad.
Settlement of the districts was made
to the highest bidder, annually, during 1778-79-80. Now the Zamindar was given preference.
The settlement of 1781 was made
principally with the Zamindars for a
period not exceeding 3years. Later proposals were made for settlement of land
for ten years with Zamindars. This
was only partly implemented when the permanent settlement came in 1793. After
the arrival of Lord Cornwallis in India
a)
Rani Indrawati- (Pahsara
and Sauriya Estate) Zamindar of Sultanpur, Sripur, Fattepur-Singhia, Haveli, Katihar, Kumaripur, Gorari
and Nathpur. (approximately 2000 Sq
miles)
b)
Raja Madhav Singh-(Darbhanga Estate) Zamindar
of Dharampur. (approximately 1063 Sq
miles)
c)
Saiyad Fakhruddin Hossain- Zamindar of Surjapur
(approximately 726 Sq miles)
d)
Bakaullah- Zamindar of Badaur (
approximately 295 Sq miles)
e)
Shivnath and Gaurinath- Zamindar of Tajpur (approximately 180 Sq miles )
f)
Dular Singh ( Banaili Estate)- Zamindar
of Tirakharda (approximately 76
miles)
Expanse
of The Banaili Raj -
In area, Banaili Raj was one of the largest Zamindari estates of the province. It comprised of vast Zamindari properties scattered within
the districts of Purnea, Araria, Saharsa, Madhepura, Bhagalpur Bihar and Bengal .
The total expanse of Banaili Raj was 12, 58,227 bigha
19 kathaa and 14 dhur[1].
Many Ghatwali estates of Kharagpur came within Banaili Raj. Between 1887 and 1892 Mr.
Collins carried out a survey of the joint estates of Srinagar
It was within the Banaili Raj that the biggest measurement
(Laggi) of a Bigha was used. This was in Parganna
Dhaphar where a Laggi of nine
cubits was in universal use. However, the smallest Laggi of 4.5 cubits also came within the sphere of Banaili Raj in portions like Chankasinghia where it held Patni
tenure.
I produce here a list of Banaili-Raj
Mahals under the various collectorate with the government demands.
Monghyr Collectorate
|
|||||||
Touji.no.
|
Name of Mehal.
|
Revenue
|
Cess.
|
||||
Rs.
|
As
|
P.
|
Rs.
|
AS.
|
P
|
||
525/2
|
Jamalpur Tappa, Parganna
Farkia
|
11,867
|
3
|
0
|
5815
|
5
|
0
|
536
|
Talooka
Nandlalpur, Parganna Farkiya
|
1,133
|
12
|
0
|
90
|
13
|
0
|
541/2
|
Ghordaur, Parganna Farkiya
|
133
|
4
|
0
|
88
|
10
|
0
|
568/2
|
Arazi in
|
43
|
7
|
0
|
28
|
0
|
0
|
584
|
Nandlalpur, Jafferpur,
Permanandpur and Madanpur
Khairi …
|
256
|
12
|
0
|
24
|
8
|
0
|
653/2
|
Mohabba, Parganna Balia
|
608
|
3
|
0
|
223
|
5
|
0
|
1187
|
Shamshipur, Parganna
Imadpur …
|
478
|
13
|
0
|
70
|
15
|
0
|
1382/3
|
Imadpur, Parganna Farkiya
|
12
|
7
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
0
|
1560
|
Manullah Naik Jagir,
|
11
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1823/2
|
Than Singh Hawaldar Jagir,
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1826/2
|
Jagir Jitan Singh Naik,
Parganna Farkiya
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
8
|
0
|
1834
|
Govind Ram Jamadar (Ijmal)
|
4
|
13
|
0
|
7
|
11
|
0
|
1861/2
|
Jagir Mahamad Saddiq
Kumadan,
|
5
|
15
|
0
|
8
|
7
|
0
|
1880/2
|
Jagir Dular Singh Singh
Sipahi,
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
15
|
0
|
1886/2
|
Jagir Dargahi Jemadar,
|
1
|
11
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
0
|
2428/2
|
Jagir Faizullah Jamadar,
|
3
|
11
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2441/2
|
Mahamad Tandail Jagir,
|
7
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
2461/2
|
Jagir Zorawar Sipahi,
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
2480/2
|
271
|
12
|
0
|
26
|
9
|
0
|
|
2482
|
Jagir Kalloo Beg Subedar,
|
45
|
8
|
0
|
19
|
13
|
0
|
2486
|
Jagir karimullah Jamadar,
Thana Jafra …
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
0
|
2497
|
Jagir Bakhsee Sepahi in
Nandlalpur,
|
9
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2531/2
|
Amanat Sarkar,
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
2642
|
Arazi Amanat Sarkar,
|
20
|
3
|
0
|
8
|
7
|
0
|
2682/2
|
Arazi Mahamadpur Bhalwa,
Parganna Farkiya
|
146
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2714
|
Arazi Girdlain Amanat
Sarkar (Ijmal)
|
16
|
13
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
0
|
3085/2
|
Arazi Girdlain,
|
22
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
14
|
0
|
3717
|
Mathurapur Mutainga Bhadas,
Parganna Farkiya
|
252
|
1
|
0
|
231
|
1
|
0
|
4128
|
Arazi Khana Sakunat Sipahi,
|
10
|
12
|
0
|
1
|
9
|
0
|
4132
|
Arazi Khana Mirza Hossain
Beg Sewak Sipahi, and Mahsaram Khalasi,
|
1
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
4421/2
|
Diarah Madhopur, Parganna
Farkiya
|
1739
|
12
|
0
|
464
|
2
|
0
|
4430
|
Diarah Shamastipur,
Parganna Imadpur …
|
153
|
8
|
0
|
22
|
13
|
0
|
4467/2
|
Madsudanpur, Parganna
Lakhanpur
|
360
|
3
|
0
|
146
|
12
|
0
|
4470
|
Lakra, Parganna Parbatpara
|
175
|
0
|
0
|
30
|
7
|
0
|
4480/1
|
Satkharia Parsotimpur,
Parganna Lakhanpur …
|
9
|
7
|
0
|
5
|
13
|
0
|
4489
|
Arazi Lachmipur …
…
|
66
|
11
|
0
|
83
|
9
|
0
|
4496/1
|
Barkatha Tilkari, Parganna Sahroi
|
26
|
11
|
0
|
18
|
9
|
0
|
4499
|
Arazi in Mousah Bagha &
c.,
|
259
|
8
|
0
|
85
|
10
|
0
|
4501
|
Bhagalpura Parganna
Parbatpara …
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
14
|
0
|
4503
|
Araji Thana Himatpur in
Alampur Jagir Mahamadpur Raza Tandail
…
|
39
|
7
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
4504
|
Mouza Bhagalpura Parganna
Parbatpara …
|
74
|
12
|
0
|
41
|
3
|
0
|
4505
|
Baurna urf Baruna,
Parganna Parbatpara …
|
66
|
11
|
0
|
81
|
0
|
0
|
4506/1
|
Arazi Harai Chak, Parganna
Parbatpara …
|
8
|
9
|
0
|
6
|
5
|
0
|
4510
|
Passe Chak, Parganna
Sikahrabadi…
|
11
|
2
|
0
|
9
|
3
|
0
|
4511
|
Arazi Madanpur, Parganna
Sikahrabadi …
|
25
|
4
|
0
|
38
|
12
|
0
|
4517
|
Jagir Benigir Kumardan,
Parganna Sikahrabadi …
|
101
|
15
|
0
|
29
|
15
|
0
|
4518
|
Amanat Sarkar in Bahadupur
and Bikrampur,
|
9
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
15
|
0
|
4520
|
Jahangira,
|
59
|
8
|
0
|
64
|
4
|
0
|
4522
|
Arazi Amanat Sarkar, Thana
Bindraban in Mouza Badahra, Jagir Guzashta Hari singh
Sepoy Parganna Sikahrabadi
|
9
|
10
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
4564/3
|
Jagir Dina Pande Jamadar,
Parganna Sikarhrabadi …
|
6
|
9
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
4585
|
Jagir Lalchand Naik,
Parganna Sikahrabadi …
|
5
|
11
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
0
|
4652/1
|
Jagir Alaf Khan Sepoy,
Parganna Sikarabadi …
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
14
|
0
|
4655
|
Jagir Kharak Singh
Havildar, Parganna Sikahrabadi …
|
3
|
6
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
4955
|
Gaura Sakti, Parganna
Farkiya …
|
198
|
0
|
0
|
74
|
5
|
0
|
6450/2
|
Chakla Ser, Parganna Farkiya
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
46
|
14
|
0
|
43
|
Jagir Kriparam Bhagat
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
476
|
Jagir Sitarampur
|
21
|
5
|
0
|
10
|
5
|
0
|
1508
|
Jagir Dulum Pandey naeb
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Dharbhanga Collectorate
|
|||||||
3599
|
Sangram, Parganna Dharour
|
17
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
7
|
0
|
3610
|
Madhu Sangram, Parganna
Dharour
|
49
|
13
|
11
|
20
|
10
|
0
|
5462
|
Bishanpur Phakla, Parganna
Fakrabad
|
91
|
2
|
5
|
16
|
14
|
0
|
6501
|
Mouzah Padri, Pergannah
Havi …
|
216
|
4
|
4
|
47
|
3
|
0
|
8582
|
Khajura, Pagranna Pachhi
|
181
|
5
|
11
|
59
|
12
|
0
|
9111
|
Kismat Awal, Mouza Sakari,
Parganna Nareydigar
|
110
|
15
|
0
|
36
|
3
|
0
|
9112
|
Kismat Awal, Mouza
Gopalpatti Rampura Parganna Nareydigar
|
53
|
14
|
0
|
11
|
13
|
0
|
10322
|
Bishanpur Baigni, Parganna
Fakrabad
|
32
|
13
|
9
|
8
|
1
|
0
|
10333
|
Bishanpur Baigni, Parganna
Fakrabad
|
122
|
11
|
9
|
16
|
1
|
0
|
Purnea Collectorate
|
|||||||
1315
|
Zilla Gorhari, parganna
Dharampur
|
14,262
|
1
|
0
|
1778
|
9
|
0
|
25
|
Parganna Tirakharda
|
7,241
|
4
|
2
|
2383
|
3
|
0
|
27
|
Sarra Kaimi, Parganna
Dharampur
|
515
|
3
|
3
|
100
|
3
|
0
|
1358
|
Mahamadpur Sadik, Parganna
Dharampur
|
90
|
14
|
9
|
31
|
5
|
0
|
1359
|
Gokhulpur GhanShyam,
Parganna Dharampur
|
44
|
11
|
7
|
12
|
3
|
0
|
1361
|
Chakla Fakerana Makneha, Parganna
Dharampur
|
78
|
10
|
7
|
10
|
8
|
0
|
98/1
|
Budhi Dakaitia Bhadowan,
Parganna Siripur
|
165
|
3
|
9
|
46
|
13
|
0
|
115/1
|
Kesar Rai, Parganna Siripur
|
42
|
8
|
0
|
9
|
10
|
0
|
153
|
Banaili, Parganna Havelli
|
16
|
1
|
2
|
10
|
8
|
0
|
201
|
Sosabanbhag, Parganna
Haveli
|
4,371
|
10
|
9
|
718
|
0
|
0
|
202
|
Mouza Pariyagbhag, Parganna
Haveli
|
73
|
0
|
2
|
8
|
0
|
0
|
213/1
|
Lachhmipur Kucheli Parganna
Sultanpur
|
0
|
12
|
3
|
0
|
15
|
0
|
250/1
|
Begampur Pakaria, Pagranna Haveli
|
33
|
14
|
11
|
8
|
7
|
0
|
1635
|
Tunaha Israin, Zilla
Birnagger, Parganna Dharampur
|
104
|
0
|
6
|
23
|
9
|
0
|
1637
|
Raghunathpur, Zilla Gondbara,
Parganna Dharampur
|
8
|
1
|
6
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
1772
|
Kharsahi, Parganna
Dharampur
|
30
|
13
|
4
|
0
|
14
|
0
|
481
|
Mouza Mohni, Parganna
Siripur
|
4
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
6
|
0
|
1812
|
Kala Balua, Parganna
Dharampur
|
25
|
4
|
3
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
1813
|
Mouza Sukhpatti Lal Ghat,
Zilla Birnagger, Parganna Dharampur
|
8
|
9
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
1813/1
|
Mouza Sukh Patti Lal Ghat,
Zilla Birnaggar, Parganna Dharampur
|
20
|
0
|
3
|
8
|
11
|
0
|
1828
|
Mouza Raghunathpur pran,
Parganna Dharampur
|
5
|
0
|
10
|
13
|
13
|
0
|
1848
|
Kharsahi, Parganna
Dharampur
|
20
|
3
|
4
|
11
|
1
|
0
|
1872
|
Mouza Rampur Adi, Zilla
Gondvara, Parganna Dharampur
|
18
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
|
1908
|
Bela Sohangama, Parganna
Dhaphar
|
319
|
8
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
618/1
|
Bagampur Khanta, Parganna
Haveli
|
164
|
3
|
11
|
69
|
8
|
0
|
640
|
Mouza Amgachhi, Parganna
Tirakharda
|
57
|
2
|
5
|
13
|
6
|
0
|
674/2
|
Mouza Bangawan Bhag
Subidhi, Parganna Haveli
|
10
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
8
|
0
|
743/3
|
Mouza Madhubani Murtezapur,
Parganna Haveli
|
13
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
11
|
0
|
1135
|
Rahikpur Khawaspur Parganna
Sultanpur
|
26
|
13
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
1138
|
Arazi Tira Kharda, Parganna
Tirakharda
|
21
|
12
|
10
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1287
|
Mouza Sarochia, Parganna
Haveli
|
308
|
9
|
6
|
46
|
6
|
0
|
743/R.S
|
Madhubani, Murtezapur
|
12
|
13
|
5
|
6
|
9
|
0
|
743/2
|
Madhubani, Murtezapur
|
21
|
9
|
0
|
10
|
5
|
0
|
244/2
|
Padampur
|
45
|
9
|
6
|
32
|
1
|
0
|
940
|
Satkowa, Parganna
Fatehpur Singhia
|
9
|
0
|
8
|
2
|
15
|
0
|
827
|
Kalpir Pattanghatti,
Parganna Sripur
|
78
|
3
|
0
|
50
|
14
|
0
|
1937
|
Parganna Akbarabad
|
11,765
|
10
|
0
|
1373
|
11
|
0
|
195C
|
Ghoredaur Parganna
Dharampur
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
22
|
11
|
0
|
554
|
Mauza Tulsia
|
43
|
3
|
9
|
34
|
5
|
0
|
Maldah Collectorate
|
|||||||
9
|
Bansbaria, Parganna
Akbarabad
|
35
|
6
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
6
|
76
|
Taraf Gangarampur Parganna
Bhitia-Gopalpur
|
164
|
11
|
0
|
123
|
3
|
6
|
528
|
Taraf Paraninagar, Parganna
Mahinagar
|
302
|
9
|
0
|
46
|
7
|
6
|
537
|
Chandwa Milik, Parganna
Mahinagar
|
39
|
0
|
0
|
14
|
1
|
0
|
568
|
Parganna Mahinagar
|
1768
|
9
|
0
|
343
|
10
|
0
|
270
|
Chandpur Hossain …
|
1,468
|
8
|
0
|
332
|
7
|
0
|
283
|
Taluqa Khajuria …
|
1,397
|
12
|
0
|
1345
|
8
|
0
|
292
|
Mahmmad Aminpur urf
Sultanganj
|
952
|
9
|
0
|
398
|
3
|
0
|
319
|
Basdeopur Bhalwa …
|
27
|
0
|
0
|
12
|
11
|
0
|
322
|
Keria …
…
|
23
|
14
|
0
|
10
|
13
|
0
|
326
|
Bissenpur Mahgawan …
|
17
|
0
|
0
|
150
|
13
|
0
|
335/1
|
Gangapur Tilakpur
appertaining to Bikrampur Chakrami …
|
302
|
2
|
0
|
71
|
11
|
0
|
349/1
|
Dyalpur
|
214
|
9
|
0
|
45
|
4
|
0
|
351/2
|
Tulsipur …
…
|
124
|
13
|
0
|
35
|
0
|
|
362
|
Singhar …
…
|
241
|
12
|
0
|
18
|
8
|
0
|
388
|
Taluqa Nyanagar …
|
1,274
|
6
|
0
|
911
|
11
|
0
|
406
|
Kashnagar …
…
|
102
|
2
|
0
|
365
|
13
|
0
|
410
|
Mozufferpur Ismail …
|
75
|
4
|
0
|
21
|
11
|
0
|
445
|
Mahalat Kharakpur …
|
72,498
|
5
|
0
|
94,814
|
4
|
0
|
462
|
Bhalwahi …
…
|
437
|
10
|
0
|
486
|
1
|
0
|
464
|
Belaith …
…
|
147
|
2
|
0
|
27
|
10
|
0
|
482
|
Golam …
…
|
445
|
4
|
0
|
343
|
10
|
0
|
505
|
Kajra Dawn …
…
|
122
|
15
|
0
|
20
|
11
|
0
|
508
|
Musahri …
|
94
|
13
|
0
|
50
|
3
|
0
|
526
|
Chikne …
|
1
|
11
|
0
|
213
|
7
|
0
|
5795
|
Keotan …
|
33
|
8
|
0
|
13
|
13
|
0
|
556
|
Lalchand Pati …
|
15
|
14
|
0
|
10
|
5
|
0
|
565/1
|
Maldih Bagha …
|
48
|
5
|
0
|
21
|
7
|
0
|
577/2
|
Fatehpur …
…
|
16
|
14
|
0
|
21
|
15
|
0
|
592
|
Nurpur Bagha
…
|
15
|
5
|
0
|
15
|
4
|
0
|
724
|
Chitaha Hanumannagar
|
132
|
0
|
0
|
21
|
4
|
0
|
5764
|
Ram Chanderpur appertaining
to Dayalpur…
|
56
|
2
|
0
|
17
|
4
|
0
|
737
|
Khairati Bagh …
|
11
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
738
|
Jamtikri …
|
18
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
743
|
Kazi Chak …
|
53
|
7
|
0
|
12
|
14
|
0
|
794
|
Kasba Jehangira
|
57
|
9
|
0
|
32
|
7
|
0
|
806
|
Chakbhir appertaining to
Dinanathpur
|
77
|
0
|
0
|
20
|
13
|
0
|
1488
|
Jagir Garib Singh Havaldar
|
3
|
12
|
0
|
21
|
3
|
0
|
1502
|
Jagir Zorawar Khan Naek
|
1
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1512
|
Jagir Manu-llah Sepoy
|
1
|
10
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
0
|
1522
|
Jagir Nawab Ali Sepoy
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
6
|
0
|
2583
|
Kistmat Awal Mouzah Kamrail
Runahi
|
213
|
9
|
0
|
66
|
0
|
0
|
2621
|
Jahangira Amanat Sirkar
Mokam Sujapore
|
367
|
0
|
0
|
71
|
3
|
0
|
2648
|
Nisahra
|
227
|
4
|
0
|
41
|
7
|
0
|
2801
|
Lakar Khaua
|
128
|
5
|
0
|
45
|
0
|
0
|
2815
|
Jehangira …
|
43
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2831/1
|
Kajhi …
|
491
|
10
|
0
|
489
|
10
|
0
|
2910
|
Jagir Janbaz Khan Subedar
|
3
|
13
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
2982
|
Jagir Ram Bux Naik
|
2
|
11
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
0
|
3038
|
Jagir Barkat Ullah Havaldar
|
66
|
9
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
3039
|
Jagir Namdar Beg Sipahi
|
53
|
2
|
0
|
11
|
2
|
0
|
3040
|
Arazi Amanat Sirkar Bheloo
Jagaria
|
55
|
0
|
0
|
25
|
15
|
0
|
3041
|
Arazi Janipur
|
45
|
0
|
0
|
24
|
5
|
0
|
3042
|
Arazi Amanat Sirkar
|
15
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
6
|
0
|
3044
|
Arazi Amanat Sirkar
|
45
|
8
|
0
|
58
|
7
|
0
|
3489/3
|
Kelapur Taluqa Badrai
Alampur
|
38
|
15
|
0
|
24
|
13
|
0
|
5750
|
Chanpur
|
410
|
6
|
0
|
134
|
13
|
0
|
3522
|
Gangula
|
246
|
5
|
0
|
303
|
0
|
0
|
3523
|
Khan Pati
|
754
|
8
|
0
|
147
|
8
|
0
|
3524
|
Taluqa Shahpur
|
1201
|
6
|
0
|
446
|
0
|
0
|
3526/2
|
Saifabad (Ijmal)
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3527
|
Agwan Pati
|
1105
|
9
|
0
|
559
|
2
|
0
|
3532
|
Gobargarha
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
127
|
5
|
0
|
3536/1
|
Kokrahi alias Rahua
|
0
|
12
|
0
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
3546
|
Aokahi
|
419
|
13
|
0
|
78
|
15
|
0
|
3554
|
Telhar
|
1260
|
7
|
0
|
1773
|
10
|
0
|
5806
|
Mohanpur Nouhatta
|
69
|
4
|
0
|
34
|
0
|
0
|
3556
|
Nowhatta
|
1591
|
14
|
0
|
635
|
8
|
0
|
3558
|
Kandaha
|
46
|
7
|
0
|
55
|
10
|
0
|
3562
|
Dhanouj Dharampur
|
7
|
5
|
7
|
18
|
0
|
0
|
3566
|
Kamrauni Bajhwa
|
38
|
14
|
0
|
17
|
15
|
0
|
3862/1
|
Parbaha
|
36
|
13
|
0
|
15
|
1
|
0
|
3864/2
|
Koeli
|
0
|
9
|
0
|
2
|
13
|
0
|
3873
|
Parsahi
|
10
|
2
|
0
|
25
|
1
|
0
|
3881/2
|
Pureni
|
1
|
14
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
4001
|
Jagir Baktour Singh Subedar
|
45
|
1
|
0
|
14
|
3
|
0
|
4333
|
Kismat Seom (3rd)
Jahangirpur Basii
|
60
|
9
|
0
|
118
|
3
|
0
|
4477
|
Arrapati
|
0
|
11
|
0
|
17
|
12
|
0
|
4512
|
Kismat Nahum (9th) Gorihari
|
0
|
10
|
0
|
12
|
9
|
0
|
4609
|
Mehal Kusmaha
|
479
|
10
|
0
|
386
|
1
|
0
|
4787
|
Kismat Doem (2nd) Daurum
Madhepura
|
72
|
13
|
0
|
14
|
7
|
0
|
5076
|
Chakla Parsahi
|
22
|
4
|
0
|
8
|
9
|
0
|
5108
|
Bhim Nagger
|
1182
|
0
|
0
|
157
|
0
|
0
|
5187
|
Jagir Bhaloa
|
3
|
13
|
0
|
4
|
11
|
0
|
5609
|
Bharbar
|
13
|
15
|
0
|
22
|
14
|
0
|
5662
|
Dhaphar
|
10,433
|
12
|
0
|
1797
|
7
|
0
|
604
|
Jawaripur
|
93
|
8
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
4272
|
Kismat Panjum Chak Jawari
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
446B
|
Lakhraj Ghorighat
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
804B
|
Lakhraj Moosharey
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
871B
|
Lakhraj Musdi
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
11
|
6
|
0
|
962B
|
Lakhraj Nowhatta
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
5
|
0
|
963B
|
Lakhraj Nowhatta
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
13
|
0
|
1197B
|
Lakhraj Sajooa
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
6
|
0
|
1398B
|
Jagir Alauddin
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
8
|
0
|
1698B
|
Lakhraj Nowhatta
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
3559
|
Buhorba
|
41
|
8
|
0
|
67
|
0
|
0
|
345
|
Jahagirpur Baisi
|
0
|
60
|
9
|
65
|
11
|
0
|
Revenue Divisions -
There
were ten revenue circles or divisions within the estate namely Gogri, Nowhatta, Purnea, Bhattsila, Kherhi,
Jalalabad, Mullehpur, Godda, Dhaphar and the Sadar. These circles and Kachaharies
were run with the help of 10 circle officers, 68 Tehsildaars, 244 Patwaries,
30 Mokaddam, 3 Sajawal, 1 Gumasta and
hundreds of Jamadaars, peons and
orderlies[2]. A list of Kachaharies falling under each circle is provided below-
1. Sadar circle--------------------- 1 Sourkhajaria, 2 Hazartaki,
3 Barriarpur, 4 Masdi, 5 Murarpur, 6 Itahari, 7 Mozahidpur, 8 Manikpur, 9
Akbarabad, 10 Golayan, 11 Parail-Ratwara,
12 Khidarpur, 13 Malti, 14 Sultangunj-kothi, 15 Gopal Prasad, 16 Bhagipur.
2. Purnea
circle---------------------1 Kohbara,
2 Gopal-pokhar 3 Dubri, 4 Marga-mohankunda,
5 Sarochia, 6 Garhia, 7 Sossa,8 Madhubani, 9 Jagaili, 10 Devi-nagar,
11 Dhanghatta, 12 Rasarh, 13 Belsara, 14 Parsa-hat, 15
Kharsahi-raghunathpur, 16 Kursa-kanta, 17 Kursa-kanta muffasil.
3.
Godda
circle----------------------1
Telya and Kojhi, 2 Bogaria, 3 Taljhari, 4 Godda.
4. Mallehpur
circle-------------------1 Mallehpur,
2 Panchrukhi, 3 Singhoul,
4 Kaladighi, 5 Dharhara, 6 Pando, 7 Laheta.
5. Bhatsilla
circle----------------------1 Kheosar,
2 Rata,
3 Bhatsilla, 4 Chutia, 5 Kumarsar, 6 Rajpur chaiti, 7 Gulni,
8 Ganeli, 9 Banheti, 10 Dumariya, 11 Kharaundha- bunglow.
6. Jalalabad
circle-----------------------1 Korian,
2 Rahmatpur,
3 Shampur, 4 Khandbihari, 5
Faizaligunj, 6 Rajpur-saurhi,
7 Bichhichanchar, 8 Kouria.
7. Kheri
circle---------------------------1 Kasbamoradpur,
2 Banama, 3 Kodanda, 4 Ghorepithia, 5 Nisihara, 6 Kumaitha,
7 Kastikri, 8 Kesopur, 9 Gidhora, 10 Kushmaha.
8. Nowhatta
circle-----------------------1 Nowhatta,
2 Dumra,
3 Kedali, 4 Shahpur, 5 Belahi, 6 Darhar, 7 Ekarh, 8 Maheshru-sarouni, 9 Kherho, 10 Bangaon, 11 Naharwar, 12 Chainpur,
13 Bara, 14 Aguanpur, 15 Aukahi, 16 Chikni, 17 Bhelwa-sukhasan,
18 Bishanpur, 19 Baigni, 20 Nowla, 21 Sikaria,
22 Hati.
9. Gogri
circle --------------------------1Belasimri,
2(Madhurapur) Mathurapur, 3Kachout, 4Mahawas, 5Dighowm, 6Gogri-jamalpur, 7Maheshkhut, 8Paura, 9Gochari, 10Pasraha, 11Pipralatif, 12Baisa, 13Rajdhan, 14Nayagaon, 15Govindpur, 16Timapur, 17Aguaani, 18Mohabba, 19Gogri-Bowrna,
20 Pattinandania(Gochhal).
10. Dhaphar
circle-----------------------------1 Kachahari-dhaphar,
2 Kapura 3 Bhagwanpur[3].
There were several forests within Banaili Raj. They were at Mallehpur, Sangrampur, Shyampur, Itahari, Bogaria, Kherhi, Baarhat, Bhore-Bhandari and Singhoul.
These were managed with the help of foresters and Moharirs who were kept for the protection and maintenance of the jungles.
These Moharirs worked under the Tehsildars. Banaili Raj owned several mines that contained minerals like Mica
and Sulphur
Among the several Bundhs
constructed by Banaili Raj, the Amhara Bundh near Belhar Thana in Bhagalpur
The Tiljuga Bundh on river Tiljuga
near Dharamgachhi became very famous
for the litigation it entailed with the Darbhanga
Raj, regarding the damage done to Banaili
side.
The
combined waters of Balan and Tiljuga rivers used to flow through the Tiljuga, Satidhar and Dumaria channels during the monsoons.
Much of the waters of the Balan used
to overflow and pass through the Darbhanga
villages. To control this, Darbhanga Raj
constructed a set of big and small bundhs
on the western banks of the Tiljuga.
Thus they drove all the water of the Balan
to the Tiljuga. This action of Darbhanga Raj, gave them the advantage
of bringing under safe cultivation, thousands of Bighas of land. But at the same time all the waters of both Balan and Tiljuga were driven through the Satidhar
and Dumaria, to Banaili lands on the east of Tiljuga and inundated all the villages
within Kabkhand. This led to a long
chain of court battles between the two Estates but the case was finally decided
in favour of the Banaili Raj in 1926.
The
Baghakole Bundh was a pucca Bundh constructed across the River Mahaney, from Ratni (a village owned by Darbhanga
Raj) to Khaira (a village of Banaili Raj
Some of the other Bundhs were at Bhavanandpur in Banka and at Rata-Bellia.
Establishment -
Although most of the proprietors preferred to
have their residence at or near their native village Banaili, in the district of Purnea, the estate head-quarters was
kept at Bhagalpur Bhagalpur
Between
the General Manager at the top and Punkha-Pullers
at the bottom the total number of men, employed at the Sadar office was 157.
There were 15 Kacheharies within the
Sadar office at Bhagalpur Bhagalpur
Elephants and horses were used as a
mode of transport. Elephants were kept in Kherhi,
Sangrampur, Daphar, Masdi, and Kursakanta. While Tandem and horses were
used for Purnea and Gogri circles, only horses were required
at Mallehpur and Jalalabad[5].
There were 33 Horses, 12 Carriages, 2 Palki
and 2 Motorcars for the use of the General Manager and other officers in the Sadar office at Bhagalpur
Although the proprietors were Maithil Brahmins, no special privilege
was given to their own community in matters of employment or promotion. Out of
the 20 officials and 73 Tehsildars,[7]who
worked for the estate, in 1921-22, there were only 2 Brahmin officers whereas we find 3 Europeans, 3 Muslims and 3 Rajput officers. But the Kayasthas
hit the top at 9. Among Tehsildars there
were 4 Muslims, 2 Koeris, 1 Barai, 2 Goalaas, 9 Rajputs, 6 Bhumihaars 1 Banaut and 4 Brahmins. Again the Kayasthas
topped the list. They were 34 out of 73.
An
average annual expenditure of Rs.17000 for Pensions and Parwarshi as shown in the official records points in the direction
of a benign and benevolent attitude towards the employees. Pensions were
provided for retired employees, especially for those who had proved their merit
and loyalty. Parwarshi or
maintenance was provided for the widows of several employees to the extent of
Rs.733 annually.
Meritorious workers
received increment in their pay.
Banaili Raj has enjoyed the privilege of giving
employment and bread to several men who later rose to eminence and became
famous. Among them was the popular Bengali
Writer Sharatchandra Chattopadhyay
who worked as a Clerk in the Banaili Raj and
Mr. Rameshwar Thakur, present
Governor of Orissa, who started as an Auditor in the Raj.
Income
& Expenditure -
I have come across some bundles of statements
and papers related to the administration of Banaili
Raj. These papers throw light on the revenue administration of the estate.
Among these papers I found an estimate and assessment made by the then general
manager of the Estate, Rai Saheb Awadh
Bihari Sinha, who had earlier worked as an Assistant Manager in the estate.
He joined as General Manager in the year 1322 fasli (1914-15) and made these
assessments in the year 1329 fasli (1921-22). He recorded the following
findings during the first eight years of his Manager-ship i.e. Fasli 1322 to 1329.
During these 8 years of the
Manager-ship of Rai Saheb Awadh Bihari
Sinha the average income of the Raj was
18 lacs.[8]
If we look at the income from 1312 to 1329 the highest collection was made in
the year 1327 Fasli (1919-20) which was
Rs.20, 81,823/13/4/-.
Out
of this, 3 lacs were paid to Government as revenue and Cess. In those days
revenue was paid to the government in four annual installments i.e. in June,
September, January and March. Another 3.75 lacs was given as rent to 7annas Patti of the Raj. 30 thousand was spent for Patni
and other rent payable to superior landlords. Another 30 thousands was
given for income tax, super-tax, municipal-tax and Chokidari-tax.
When
we take a look at
the establishment costs of the revenue circles, we find that Gogri area alone cost the estate an
amount of Rs.9024/-annually. Rs.4416/- was paid to the staff in its 19 Kachehries while the expenses of the
Circle office was Rs.4608/-.
In these 8 years Rs. 643300/-
was spent by the Estate for the cause of donations and subscriptions. Out of
this Rs. 2,00,000/- was used under the head of recurring subscription i.e. Rs. 16,000
for the T. N. J. College (which is
known as Tej Narayan Banaili College [9]today) and Rs. 9, 000 for various dispensaries
and schools every year. Rs 2, 16,000 were spent for completing the Construction
of T.N. Jubilee College, Bhagalpur Patna Bhagalpur Patna
Regular Pujas were performed in the following circles Kachaharies :- Hazartakki,
Sultanganj, Dhaphar, Gogri, Kursa-kanta, Nawhatta, Kheosar, Rata, Chutia,
Kumarsar, Bogaria, Taljhari, Mellehpur, Singoul, Kherhi, Kesopur, Jalalabad,
Rahamatpur and Korian. Total expenses incurred for the above was Rs.
2985/6/-. Rs. 790/2/- was paid for the annual Dasahara Puja [10]in
the above mentioned places[11].
In the year 1921-22, Rs. 17044/12/6 was spent
under the head ‘Madad Parwarshi and
pension’ and Rs. 65101/3/3 for donations and subscriptions. Subscriptions to
schools and dispensaries cost the Raj,
an amount of Rs. 27185/-. Another Rs. 720 was given away as scholarship to
meritorious students.
Managers
and Management -
We
have already learnt that the proprietors of the estate preferred to live in the
district of Purnea, while estate headquarters remained at Bhagalpur
I present below a list of the Managers of the Banaili Raj. They were:- Dewan
Shivcharan Lal, Munshi Roshan Lal, Pandit Jagat Singh Thakur, Pandit Damodar
Singh Thakur, T. Sandys[13],
Rai Bahadur Hari Mohan Thakur, Babu Brahmanath Sen, Babu Umacharan Bose, E.
Tayler, Munshi Kamruddin, Nagendra Nath Sircar, Rai Bahadur Shiv Shankar Sahay
C.I.E, Rai Sahib Awadh Bihari Sinha, Babu Anant Prasad, Babu Gouri Shankar
Sahay, F.A. Savi, Yaswant Anant Godbole I.C.S, Rai Bahadur Suresh Chandra
Chrakarworty B.A., Rai Bahadur Sakhichand, E. W. Daunt, Rai Bahadur Ramchandra Choudhary.
Among them, Dewan Shivcharan Lal had been very influential during the purchase
of Kharagpur. Later Pt. Jagat Singh Thakur became Manager.
He was popularly known as the Nayab Raja of Banaili. This title itself tells us about the extensive powers
exercised by Jagat Singh Thakur, as
the manager of the Raj. It was through
his efforts that Raja Bedanand Sinha had
successfully consolidated his newly purchased Zamindari of Mahalat
Kharagpur. He was very loyal and was regarded as the next friend (nkfguk gkFk) of the Raja.
Changes took place in the Raj with the attempts made by Kumar Padmanand Singh to interfere with
the management. There was an Ikrar (Agreement)
between the father and son in 1873 and a trust deed was executed whereby Mr. T. Sandys and Babu Harimohan Thakur (of Baraari,
Bhagalpur the 1st of
September 1881 , in the court of the sub-judge of Purnea. Subsequently, on the 15th
march 1882, a board of management was constituted with Babu Bramhanath Sen as the Managing member.
Raja Lilanand Sinha
Bahadur died on the 3rd June 1883 .
In 1888 a partition suit was brought against Padmanand Singh by Kumars
Kalanand Sinha and Kirtyanand Sinha,
minor sons of the late Raja Lilanand
Sinha Bahadur, through their mother Rani
Sitabati as their next friend and guardian. The suit (Suit No. 21 of 1888)
was ultimately compromised and a compromise decree was passed on 4.4.1892,
defining the share of Kumars Kalanand
Sinha and Kirtyanand Sinha to be
9 annas and that of Raja Padmanand Sinha
Bahadur the remaining 7 annas in the Banaili
Raj.
Nagendra
nath Sircar managed
Raj Banaili with great ability and
tact between October 1896 and 1904. It was during his days that a systematic
method of revenue administration was set up which continued for many decades[14].
He was succeeded by Shiv Shankar Sahay.
As Raja Padmanand Sinha went on recklessly incurring debts, his first
wife Rani Padmavati filed a suit for
partition against him on behalf of her son, in 1903. The suit (Suit No. 122/2
of 1903) however, was mutually compromised on 14.8.1903 and Kumar Chandranand Sinha’s share was defined
to be 3½ annas out of the 7 annas of the Banaili
estate. The 9 anna proprietors gave a loan of about 40 lacs to satisfy the
various creditors of the 7 annas which was given in lease on 25.3.1904, for a
period of 12 years, to the nine annas proprietors
on an annual rent of Rs. 3,75,000/-. It was agreed that the 7 annas estate
would be managed by a Receiver until the liquidation in full of all the debts
payable by the proprietors of the said 7 annas share to the 9 annas.
The Raja being involved in heavy debts, transferred his remaining 3½ annas
to Kumar Chandranand on 26.9.1905,
the latter undertaking to provide Rs.
4, 000/- a month to his father and also to pay off the Raja’s debts.
Kumar Chandranand being declared a
disqualified proprietor, the seven annas
was placed in the hands of court of wards. Kumar Chandranand died on 26.8.1908 and Raja Padmanand died in 1912. On Kumar’s
death his widow Rani Chandrabati succeeded
to the 7 annas share and as she was also declared a disqualified proprietor,
the Court of Wards continued to manage the 7 annas.
Shiv
Shankar Sahay, by
profession, was a pleader in the courts of Bhagalpur
It was the duty of Rai Bahadur Shiv Shankar Sahay as Manager, to collect and receive
rents profits and other incomes arising of the estate. He made settlement of
land and rent with Raiyats and
settlement of Jalkar, Bankar, Phalkar,
grazing lands, Hat and Ghat. He took installment bonds in the
name of the proprietors, from the tenants and settled their accounts. He could
also grant remission of rent to them under advisable circumstances. It was his
duty as the manager to sell, trees, grains, crops and other produces of the
land of the estate and to provide and maintain an economical and suitable
establishment for the management of the estate including all Indigo factories.
He could exercise full powers of appointment, suspension, dismissal, fine and
full control in respect of all persons employed under him. He also had to make
payments out of the rents, issues, profits and income of the estate for :-
Government Revenue, Income-tax, Zamindari
and Patni rents, Mostajiri rent, Irrigation, building,
embankment and other charges, All establishment and charges, All law charges,
Principal and interest on debts, pensions, donations, subscriptions and Puja expenses. The Manager represented
the proprietors in all legal procedures. Thus, Sivshankar Sahay exercised vast powers as the Manager of the
Estate.
Rai
Siva Shankar Sahai Bahadur died
on 23.10.1914 and Raja Kirtyanand Sinha took
the management of the Raj in his own
hands. But on 6.1.1915, Rai Sahib Awadh
Behari Sinha was made general manager of the estate.
Like
his predecessor, he enjoyed extensive powers as Manager. He maintained an
economical and suitable establishment for the management of the estate. He also
exercised power to purchase moveable and immovable property on behalf of the
proprietors and could arrange for loans and pay off old debts according to
opportunity.
In 1914 total liabilities of the 9 annas
estate was Rs.20, 34,879 which included securities (35,000) taken from Tahsildars and Patvaaries, over-drawls from bank of Bengal
and petty dues of various firms of Calcutta
However, the total assets of the 9 annas
estate in 1914 was Rs.4557500/-. Out of this a loan of rupees 39, 29,000 was
standing on 7 annas. This loan had been given by the 9 annas and was originally
39, 65, 000, as before the beginning of the first term of lease of 12years. A
sum of Rupees 2, 74, 000 was given to Srinagar
Raj. Out of this 2, 14, 000 was under the heads “compromise decree obtained
“and 60,000 under the head “balance of mortgage bond”. Rs. 2 lacs were kept in
form of promissory notes with the bank of Bengal .
The rest of Rs.1,54,500 was invested with various individuals.
In spite of the fact that a substantial amount
of the liabilities of the Raj had
also been cleared off, Awadh Babu was
quite worried to find that the expenses of the proprietors had more than
doubled during 1916-17-18. He was alarmed by their pressing demands. He wrote,
“I have been passing very anxious days and I am entitled to your sympathy and
co-operation. It is impossible for me to meet the heavy demands of the Maliks and would request you to kindly
keep expenses within reasonable limits. If nothing tangible comes out of this
personal appeal to you I think the only next course open to me would be to
relieve myself of all these anxieties and pass my days, in peace, at home”.
During the latter part of 1918 when
misunderstandings developed between the proprietors and there was a separation
in mess, conditions deteriorated to such an extent that the partition of the
estate seemed in–evitable. But timely intervention of well-wishers and high
government officials prevented the estate from being divided in parts. The
proprietors entered into an agreement on 21.7.1920. According to this agreement
it was decided that joint management of the Estate would continue and the
Commissioner of Bhagalpur would
arbitrate in the event of all disagreement between the proprietors and his
decision would be final and binding on all. It was further decided that each of
the proprietors would receive a sum of Rs. 8000/- as monthly allowance and Rs.
6500/- as annual allowance for grains etc[16].
In
March 1923, about six months after Raja
Kalanand Sinha Bahadur’s death his eldest son Kumar Ramanand Sinha cancelled the powers of Rai Sahib, the common
Manager and a deadlock ensued in the management of the Estate. Soon afterwards
in April 1923, a Board of Management was constituted with Babu Gouri Shankar Sahay (General Attorney of Raja Kirtyanand Sinha Bahadur),
Babu Anant Prasad (General Attorney of Kumar
Ramanand Sinha) and Mr. F. A. Savi, Assistant Manager
in-charge, to run the Estate. All the terms of the agreement of 1920 remained
intact except for the substitution of a board of management for the common
Manager.
On 9.7.1925 Mr. Y. A. Godbole I. C. S. became general manager for three years.
He was a government officer whose services had been lent to the Banaili Raj for a period of 3 years[17].
He was a very capable man. The Raj was
indeed fortunate in having secured the services of Mr. Y.A. Godbole[18].
It was during the days of Godbole that the estate became free from
the heavy debts of Messrs Grant. On
this occasion Godbole wrote to Kirtyanand Sinha “I understand that the
total liabilities of the whole estate was about 60 lacs in 1870 and although it
has taken 50 years to wipe them off, it is a matter of sincere congratulation
that the estate is at last free from that heavy burden”. Messrs Grant held Mustagiri rights
of the Elaka of Sangrampur against a heavy loan of about 60 lacs, taken by the
estate in the days of Raja Leelanand
Sinha.
By
this time, Kumar Ramanand Sinha clearly
declared his Intention to Partition the estate. Kumar Krishnanand Sinha also joined hands with his brother.
From
the very beginning, Mr. Godbole was
against the partition of the Estate. He tried
to convince the proprietors about the demerits of the proposed partition. He
wrote to them “by partition, you will all lose the advantage of the prestige of
the ‘Banaili Raj’ which you all enjoy at present.” He added, “In the present
condition of the country when things are so unsettled due to political agitation
and unrest, and economic depression and agrarian discontent, it is unwise for
landlords to adopt a separatist policy.” Kirtyanand Sinha was very much against
the Partition. His opinion and apprehensions are very clear from the letter he wrote to Mr. Hallett “there is no doubt, with the partition of the Estate by
metes and bounds, the estate will lose its importance very greatly and the
proprietors will be reduced to the position of the petty Zamindars”. He also tried to convince Kumar Krishnanand through his letter to
him “I hope you will agree with me that we must have a common manager and must
not in any case partition the Estate, which has been founded by our ancestors
and make the posterity forget the name of “Banaili”. If we do so, we lose our
prestige and position. The Government also will not look to us with the same
eye as they are doing at present, for then we shall be reduced to the status of
petty Zamindars. We must avoid this
at any cost. Even His Excellency said that we should try and keep the estate in
tact, As long as we can.”
Till 1928 the lease of the 7
Annas to the 9 Annas was renewed once on 1.9.1916, on the same conditions as to
maintain common management. In 1928 the court of wards sold off 3 annas out of
the 7 annas to the proprietors of 9 annas in order to pay off its debts to the
latter, that were standing at Rs.38,87,738/-. So, the original 9 anna prop-rietors
become owners of 12 annas and the court of wards remained in possession of 4 annas
share. On 12.10.1928, a fresh Mustajiri lease
for a period of 12 years was executed by the court of wards in favour of the 12
annas proprietors with respect to the 4 annas share at an annual rent of Rs.
2,30,000/- payable in four equal installments.
In the meantime, requirement of
an interim management of the estate arose because Mr. Godbole went on leave on the First of April 1930.
On 20.5.1930 the Zilla Kisan Sammelan Bhagalpur appealed
through its secretary Munishswar Prasad
Singh to the Raja Bahadur to stop
the partition of the estate. Similar appeals were made to the proprietors from
various sections of Raiyats. The Zila Kisan Sammelan made another appeal
on 25/5/1930 . It seems that these appeals finally
made some impact on the Kumar Sahibs
and they abandoned the Batwara operations,
though only for a while.
Rai Bahadur Suresh Chandra Chakraworty B.A. became General Manager
on 1.4.1930 but stayed for a short span and handed back charge to Y. A. Godbole when he joined office
again on 1.12.30.
On
joining, Godbole was over-joyed to
hear that the proprietors had agreed to put a stop to the Batwara. He immediately congratulated Raja Kirtyanand Sinha and said that it was a very wise decision. A
pamphlet was taken out by Zilla Kisan
Sammelan Bhagalpur, rejoicing on the stoppage of partition.
AA Jh gfjgjAA
cuSyhjkt rFkk çtkvksa ds fy;s
g"kZnk;d lekpkjA
vki
yksxksa dks ;g tku dj vR;Ur çlUurk gksxh] fd ß vihy fl"kZd Þ”
ipkZ tks Nikdj ekfydkuksa dh lsok esa Òstk x;k Fkk] ml vksj mnkj’khy nqjn’khZ ekfydkuksa
dk /;kukdf"kZr gqvk gS] vkSj çxV gqvk g]S fd jkT; vc cVckjk ugÈ gksxk lkFk
gh ekfydku ;g pkgrs gS] fd ;fn drZO;fu"V ekuuh; okà , x©Mcksys vkbZ lh ,l
orZeku tsujy eSustj dk jguk fdlh rjg lEÒo u gks rks dksbZ vU; O;fDr eSustjksa
ds fy;s ukSdj ugh jD[ks tk;a] ekfydkuksa es ls dksbZ [kqn gh tks Lohdkj djsa
eSustjh dk dke djsa] ,slh voLFkk esa D;k gh vPNk gks fd Jh 108 vuqÒo 'khy iqT;
Jh jktk cgknqj Lo;e~ eSustjh dk Òkj vius mij ysus dh —ik djsa] ;fn o`)koLFkk ds
dkj.k vki brus cMs+ Òkj dks ysuk Lohdkj ugha djsa rks mUur’khy Jheku~ cMs+
dqekj cgknqj dks gh ;g Òkj lkSaik tk;] rks lEÒor% jkT; vkSj çtkvksa dk vlhe
midkj gks] ukSdjkuksa ds O;;Òkj v©j euekuh dks dekus ds fy;s vko’;drk gS] fd
jktk v©j çtkvksa essa ls pqus gq, O;fDr;ksa dh ,d d©ÇUly cuk fn;k tk;] tks
'kkykuk ctV] cgkyh cj[kkLrh] MkaM cka/k rFkk jktk çtkvksa esa gksusokys
fooknksa dks lqy>kus esas lgk;d gksxk] vk’kk gS] fd rkå 14&12&30 Ãå
ls iwf.kZ;k eass cVokjs dks jksd dj çcU/k ds lEcU/k esa tks ekfydkuksa vkSj
eSustj lkfgc dk dkSUQzsUl gksus tk jgk gS] ml esa fopkj dj ekfydku çtkvksa ds
ijke’kZkuqlkj gks çcU/k djuk fu’p; djus dh —ik djsaxssaA çtk oxZ ekuuh;
x©Mcksys lkgc dk ije —rK gS vkSj gkfnZd /kU;okn nsrh gS] fd vki ds vodk’k ls
vkrs gh ,d=hdj.k ds lekjksg dk ;g lekpkj Jk.koxr gqvk gSA iw.kkZ’kk gS fd vki
çtk erkuqdwy çcU/k dh O;oLFkk fu’p; djkus esa lc izdkj ls lg"kZ ps"Vk
djsaxsa] ftl esa jkT; lqjf{kr jg fnu nquh jkr pkSxquh mUufr djus dksa leFkZ
gksA rFkkLrqAA
8&12&1930 ^çtk çfrfuf/k*
Jh equh’oj izlkn flag
eU=h&ftyk fdlku lEesyu ÒkxyiqjA
fdlku çsl]Òkxyiqj flVhA
But Raja
Bahadur wrote back sadly to Godbole
on 12.12.1930 that Ramannad would stop Batwara only if he was made managing proprietor. As this was not
acceptable to him or Krishnanand,
there was no need of any congratulations as the Batwara was inevitable. In
his letter dated 16.1.1931 Kirtyanand wrote
that he hoped that the partition would come after his death. He wanted to delay
the work as much as possible.
Before Godbole was about to finally go away on 31.3.31. He had been
requested by Kumar Ramanand to join
again, as manager and to help in effecting the Batwara. But Mr. Godbole did
not want to continue as the General Manager of Banaili Raj. He wrote, “I do not wish to have the period of my
deputation extended. And as for being deputed to bring about an amicable
partition I would take serious objection to being sent on ‘Foreign Service’ for
such work”. He added, “My objection is due mainly to the reason that I was
deputed in order to help the proprietors in keeping the Estate joint, it being
considered that the jointness of the Estate and its good management was a
matter of some public importance. I do not see how the public will be benefited
by the Government, facilitating a partition of the Estate.
Both Kumar Ramanand and Kumar Krishnanand suggested that the Estate should be managed by a
Board of Management, after the departure of Mr.
Godbole. The Board of Management was strongly recommended by Kumar Krishnanand Sinha. Although Mr Godbole prepared a full fledged plan
for the Partition operations before going on leave, he was in favour of the Board of Management just to avert Batwara for sometime.
After
the term of Godbole, on 1.4.1931, a
Board of Management was constituted for a period of 3 years and Rai Bahadur Sakhi Chand was appointed as
the Secretary of the Board, or the General Manager who would be directly
responsible to the Board for the Management of the Estate. For all practical
purposes he was the Chief executive officer. Rai Bahadur Sakhi Chand was a retired Government (Police D.I.G)
officer.
This Board of management which came
into being after Godbole left had the
following rules.
1) The Board consisted of every
proprietor and his representative.
2) The purpose was involvement of
proprietors and better management.
3) An Executive officer, appointed by
the Board would work as Manager but with limited powers.
4) All decision to be taken by majority
of votes and in case of a tie; the collector’s decision would be final.
5) Raja
Bahadur Kirtyanand Sinha had an extra vote.
It
appears that neither the Public nor the Proprietors of Banaili Raj were satisfied with the management of Sakhi Chand. The collections dropped
suddenly and the administrative works came to a standstill. The tenants, all in
a body made up their mind not to pay any rent to Sakhi Chand as he was incapable to decide and settle their cases.
His mode of work created discontent among the tenants of the Raj. According to the letter written by Raja Bahadur to the governor Mr. Whitty it is clear that Sakhi Chand was a weak administrator. He
had no prior experience in managerial works and had many local connections in Bhagalpur
Ultimately Sakhi
Chand was removed on 19.12.1931 and the Proprietors gave him a compensation
of Rs. 6,000/- as he was removed before the period mentioned in the agreement
preceding his employment. Once again Rai Sahib Awadh Bihari Sinha was
recalled to join as General Manager of the Estate. The Raj Tenants with whom he had been very popular were clamouring for
him and had approached the proprietors, many times for his re-appointment as
the General Manager. With hopes to ease the threatened No-Rent-Campaign in the
estate, Rai Sahib was re-installed. Rai Sahib joined on 18.12.1931 and he
was invested with full powers for a period of 3 years. During the following
years there was a steady decrease in the income of the Estate, ignoring which
the proprietors continued to draw more and more as their personal allowances.
This added to the anxiety of the Manager who found it difficult to make both
ends meet. As a result he had to arrange for temporary loans.
Next, Mr. E. W. Daunt became General
Manager, for a period of 3 years i.e. from 15-11-1933 to November 1936. As the proprietors
were completely dissatisfied with Mr. Daunt, his renewal for five years was
refused by them. Rai Bahadur Ram Chandra
Choudhary took charge as General Manager till such times, as the
Proprietors appointed some Government officer as General Manager for which they
had applied to the Commissioner or till such time as they appointed someone on
failing to obtain the loan of the services of a Government officer.
One
can gather some information about Mr.
Daunt’s plans and projects through his correspondence, as the General
Manager of the Estate. He wanted to construct wells at Asthandih and Belasimri and
a Road at Ajimganj for the general
benefit of the people. He felt that the efficiency of circle officers would
increase if they had Motorcars for their use and wanted to encourage them by
giving them loans to buy Cars for themselves. He also wanted to modernize the
methods of Revenue-collection as well as office management of the Estate. In
fact he may have proved to be quite useful for the Estate, had he not used
improper language in his letters and presented himself as an equal to the proprietors. From a letter written by E. W. Daunt Esq. to Kumar Ramanand Sinha dated 25.5.1936 one may gather that every year
a Budget-estimate of receipts and disbursements of the Estate of Banaili was made by the Manager with
detailed explanatory notes. These were approved by the Collector-receiver and
the District judge. Later it was sent for the opinion and approval of the
Proprietors. In the year 1936 the Audit of the Raj accounts was taken up for the first time by Messrs Lovelock
& Lewes, Chartered Accountants of Calcutta
On
11.12.1934 while Mr. E. W. Daunt was
the General Manager, Kumar Krishnanand
Sinha filed a partition suit in the Court of the Sub-judge Monghyr against Raja Kirtyanand Singh (defdt. No.1) and his six sons (being defdt
Nos.2 to 7) and Kumar Ramanand (defdt.
No. 8) and Rani Chandrabati (defdt.
No.9) asking for the Partition of the entire estate by metes and bounds. This
suit was transferred to Bhaghalpur by
the High Court (Title suit No. 13 of 1935).
In the month of April, 1935, trouble
arose in the Raj, regarding
collection works and on 6-4-35 Kumar Krishnanand cancelled his power given to Mr. Daunt and this was followed by Kumar Ramanand on 8-4-35 . Raja Kirtyanand filed an application
before the District judge Bhagalpur for
the appointment of a Common Manager, U/S 95 of the B.T. Act and this was
followed by another application on behalf of the Court of wards in the month of
may, as Kumar Ramanand had arranged
for separate collection with respect to his own share and also with respect to
the share of his brother Kumar
Krishnanand Sinha whose interest Kumar
Ramanand had taken by way of a Sud-bharna
deed in April 1935 and had engaged separate staff for collection which
caused disputes of various nature.
The
District Judge then appointed the Collector of Bhagalpur
It appears that Kumar Ramanand was trying to get a lease
of the 4 annas and manage it jointly with his own separated share. On the other
hand Kirtyanand Sinha also wanted
joint management of his share along with 4 annas, if and when the Kumars would separate their respective
shares.
But Rani Chandrabati died on 1-2-36 and disputes arose with regard to her Inheritance
before the Revenue authorities. Raja
Kirtyanand claimed the entire share, being the only surviving uncle of her husband
and Babu Bhimnath Misra and brothers
were claiming the entire share being sister’s sons of her husband, under the
law as it stood.
On 3.11.1936 there was a compromise to this
effect:--
Raja Kirtyanand ---------- -/1/6
Babu Bhimnath Misra & brothers ----
-/2/6
and
this share continued in lease with the Proprietors of the 12 annas Banaili Raj as the term of the lease
executed in 1928 expired in bhado 1347 F.S. (September 1940). In 1937 The Court
of Wards released 4 Annas Banaili Raj.
Raja
Kirtyanand Sinha filed a suit in the Court of the Sub-Judge Bhagalpur for issue of a permanent
injunction, restraining Kumars Ramanand
and Krishnanand from making separate collections of rent in the Estate.
This suit was transferred to the High Court Patna being T.S. No. 2 of 1936 and
after hearing was decreed on 17.4.1936 by Hon’ble
Mr. Justice Wort. Kumars Ramanand and
Krishnanand appealed against the above decree (L.P. Appeal No.17 of 1936). Later
compromise petitions were filed on 4.11.1936, by the parties with a view to
restore good feelings and avoid unnecessary expenses.
It
was decided between the Proprietors on 24.10.1936, to have joint management
till 1939 (1346F.S.). It was also decided to partition the Estate with the help
of experienced revenue officers and the Commissioner of Bhagalpur
For the smooth sailing of joint
management of the Estate, it was decided that the arbitration and decision of
the Commissioner would be final and binding on all, in the event of
disagreement among the Proprietors regarding management. With an intention to
expedite partition matters, the Proprietors agreed among themselves to give
another 3 years for the completion of partition works, and if the partition was
not completed within this period they could start their separate collections
and appoint their own General Manager.
Rai Bahadur Pandit Ramchandra Chaudhary,
a retired Senior District Judge was appointed General Manager of the Estate but
the government having declined to permit the retired officers to act as
manager, Babu (later Rai Bahadur) Gouri Shankar Sahai replaced him on 17.1.1937.
He
had joined very reluctantly and wanted to be relieved from office as and when
he came to learn that the Proprietors could not agree to a particular person as
a General Manager. Consequently, in the Partition suit pending in Court, of which
a preliminary decree was passed on 13.7.1937, Raja Kirtyanand Sinha applied for a receiver to be appointed and
also for ad-interim receiver, because Rai
Bahadur Gouri Shankar Sahai wanted to make over charge on 15-1-38. The
Court, after hearing the Parties, appointed Babu
S. K. Majumdar and Keshab Dutt Jha as
ad-interim joint Receivers on 15.1.1938.
Raja Kirtyanand Sinha died on 18-1-38 and in his place
his widow Rani Prabhabati was entered
as defdt. No. 1 and the sons remained as defdts. Nos. 2 to 7. On 2-4-38 the ad-interim
Receivers were made permanent Receivers by virtue of a compromise petition
filed by the Parties.
On the death of Rani Chandrabati, Babu Bhimnath Misra and his two other brothers
were made parties as defdts. Nos. 9, 9a, 9b.
In
the meantime Kumar Ramanand Sinha
sold 1½ annas out of his 3 annas, selling away ½ anna to each of the other
three shareholders Patti.
Now
the shares of the proprietors in the suit was :--1. Plaintiff:-
Kumar Krishnanand ----------------------- 3½ annas
2.
Defendents. Nos. 1 to 7:-
(Rani Prabhavati, and Kumars- Shyamanand, Bimalan-
and, Taranand, Durganand, Jayanand and
Adyanand—
---------------------------------------------------8 annas
3.
Defendent. No. 8:-
Kumar Ramanand
--------------------------1½ annas
4.
Defendents. Nos. 9,9a & 9b:-
Babu- Bhimnath, Buddhinath and
Ravaneswar--------------------------------------------------------------------3
annas _________
16annas.
After
the joint receivership of Kesav Dutt Jha
and Babu S.K. Majumdar ended in
1939-40, once again Rai Bahadur
Gaurishankar Sahay joined as the single, joint receiver of the Raj. Next, Rai Bahadur K.M. Kunar became receiver and continued till 1945,
after which Rai Bahadur Singheswar Prasad
I.C.S. joined as receiver. He was succeeded by Kumar Taranand Sinha in 1947.
In
1947 Babu Binodanand Jha was deputed
by the Government as the special Batwara
officer and was assisted by Rai Bahadur
Singheswar Prasad who worked in the same capacity. They gave an award in
1948 which was converted into a partial partition order by the sub-judge of Bhagalpur
Subsequent
to the order, a separate receiver was appointed by court for each of the four
share-holders Patti. They were-
1. Kumar
Taranand Sinha for Deorhi Banaili Champanagar.
2. Rai
Bahadur Kamleshwari Sahay
for Deorhi Krishnagarh Sultanganj.
3. Babu
Ravaneswar Misra
for Deorhi Ramnagar and
4. Babu
Parmanand Jha for Deorhi Garhbanaili.
Kumar Taranand Sinha continued as the
joint receiver by virtue of his capacity of being the acting Karta of the largest share-holder, the
8 annas Patti.
When
the Zamindari system was abolished
by the Government of India, the Banaili
Raj, along with the other Zamindari
estates, vested in the state of Bihar and
West-Bengal. The 1½ annas Patti of Garh-banaili and 3 annas Patti of Ramnagar vested in 1952 itself. But the remaining 11½ annas (8
annas of Champanagar and 3½ annas of Krishna-garh) contested the date of
vesting, on the grounds of time, being taken to trace out the 9 lost revenue Mauzas. However, on 30/1/1958 the high court ordered
physical handover of the above mentioned 11½ annas to the Government, by April
1958. When this was finally done on 25/4/1958 , the papers related to Tulsia Kachahari (in the present Kishanganj district) could not be
produced and was finally submitted in 1961. The lost 9 revenue Mauzas could not be found till the end.
Relations with the Raiyats -
As
early as 1809, during the beginning years of Banaili Raj, Francis Buchanan
happens to make a comment on the Tenantry of Dular Singh in the following words:-
‘His people are so little oppressed, when
compared with those of all the neighbouring estates, whose rents are farmed,
that his lands are immediately occupied.’
The
above comment clearly points towards the existence of sound and sweet relations
between the propreitors and the tenants.
After
going through the Saal-Tamaam accounts
of the Banaili Raj, one finds that at
the beginning of the year 1936-37 the total amount of collection that was due
from within the circles of Sadder, Kherhi, Jalalabad, Sangrampur, Godda and
Mullehpur was Rs.75,25,126/-. This
not only shows the poor management but also the leniency of the proprietors.
Occasionally, when strict collections were attempted, portions of heavy arrears
could be collected only after a considerable amount was exempted to the Raiyats. This, led to massive financial losses to the proprietors but at
the same time made them very popular among their Raiyats who enjoyed one-sided benefits due to huge deductions in
their rent.
Salaami was a kind of premium taken by
the Zamindar at the time of making
settlement of land. In Banaili Raj
the rate of Salami was quite low
when compared with other Zamindars of
the area. Banaili Raj charged Salami at the rate of Rs. 20 per Bigha in Dhaphar Parganna where a Bigha
was equal to 1.67 Acres whereas Darbhanga
Raj took Salami at the same
rates in Dharampur Parganna even when
the Bigha was only 0.87 Acres. The Harawat Estate also charged the same for
a Bigha as small as 0.74 Acres.
Similar comparisons could be
made in cases of customs related with transferability of occupancy rights. In
the Dhaphar Parganna of Banaili Raj, all that the purchaser had
to do was to pay a mutation fee at the rate of Rs. 2 per Bigha (1.67 acres) to get his name entered in the Zamindar’s Serista. In Darbhanga Raj villages, besides a series
of formalities the purchaser had to pay 25% of the consideration money to the
estate to have their names entered. As a result, the purchasers would be
harassed in such a way that they would not feel inclined to even apply for
mutation and would continue paying rents in the name of the old tenant.
Through a letter issued by
The Banaili Raj Kisan Sabha of Belhat Bhagalpur to the governor of Bihar and Orissa,
the farmers of the area expressed their disapproval of the selection of Anant Prasad as a trustee of the trust
executed by Krishnanand Sinha. In fact they opposed the Kayastha community as a whole. They felt that the Kayasthas had eaten up the entire estate and their growing influence needed
to be checked. Although they would have preferred the estate to be managed by
one of the proprietors, yet they were thankful to the governor for the appointment
of Mr.Y. A. Godbole. These
representations prove that the common person had a right to speak and express
his views in the Banaili Raj.
Another redeeming feature of the Banaili Raj was that it took no fee from
its own tenants for grazing their herds on uncultivated waste lands
In spite of several inherent
defects in the administration of the estate, one most redeeming feature was the
benevolent attitude of the proprietors towards the tenants. Auction or sale of
the right of a Raiyat against arrears of rent was very
seldom. So the tenant, in general was happy and contented. Rai Bahadur Bhagawati Sahay records on page356 of his book “History of Education in Bihar under British
Rule” that he found the Raiyats of the Banaili Raj in Phulkia Diara and
Gogri to be in a flourishing
condition. They were rich and kept elephants. In fact they lived like virtual
owners of the land. “All honour to the Banaili Raj!” he wrote.
On page 566 A of The ruling Chiefs, Nobles and Zamindars
of India by A.Vadivelu, it is written “Leelanaand
Sinha was a simple-hearted and very liberal Zamindar, and his name is still spoken of, with veneration and
affection among a large body of his tenantry and by the public in general, in
the division of Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargannas.”
Kamal Narayan Jha ‘Kamlesh’ in
his article ‘Banaili Rajvansh’in the
December-January issue of Mithila Bharti writes “In Banaili-Srinagar Estate the rate of land rent was less than any
other Zamindar of Bihar .
As a result the Proprietors were very popular among the Raiyats.
Although
the defects of zamindari system, the
poor-management of the estate due to lack of faith co-ordination and agreement
between the co-sharers were always felt and borne by the common-people, nevertheless,
The benevolent nature of the Zamindars
of Banaili made them very popular
among their Raiyats.
Conclusion
In
a predominantly agricultural country like India
With the establishment of an intermediary
interest in land between the King and the tiller of soil, during the Turko-Afghan and the Mughal period, the history of Revenue
administration had undergone a radical change in the country. These rulers
allotted districts, Pargannas and
villages to their near and dear (mostly relatives, soldiers and servants) for
the triple purpose of collection of revenue, maintenance of troops and
administration of the said areas. The allotees were mostly called Iqtadars. It was during this early
phase of intermediary system that an ancestor of the house of Banaili joined the revenue system of the
country as a Jagirdar of Baigni.
The above mentioned system, however worked as long as the Mughals retained their vigour and
strength, after which, these intermediaries became the de facto hereditary
owners of their respective charges. During the declining years of the Mughals, when the rulers frequently
raised revenue in utter violation of the established rules and customs, the
intermediaries started utilizing their position for their own benefit at the
expense of the state. With the growing demands of the Mughals these chiefs and jagirdars
resorted to the system of making contracts for the annual payments of a
stipulated amount irrespective of the rates. Now, the intermediaries
established themselves as farmers of revenue by arranging to pay to the state a
fixed sum instead of accounting for fluctuations in the collection of revenue
in the areas. They came to exercise unrestricted power to impose any cess or abwabs. This trend became more prominent in the distant provinces
like Bengal and Bihar .
In fact much before the coming of the British these intermediaries had emerged
as native rulers and were asserting their rights as universal land owners. In
this way the chiefs, Rajas, Maharajas, Zamindars
and the like, had all become farmers of land revenue under the later Mughals. With time, the chiefs and other
intermediaries came to be designated collectively as Zamindars.
The fifty years between the death of
Aurangzeb in 1707 and the defeat of Shirazudaula in Bengal
in 1757, saw the emergence of the Intermediaries as a dominant potent force in
the political as well as agrarian life of the province. A small yet noticeable
intermediary like the house of Banaili grew and established itself under the
wise and influential Dewan Devanand Jha who had already acquired the two pergunnas of Tirakhardeh and Asja and
successfully carved out a place for himself, among the chieftains of the Fauzdari province of purnea.
By the time of the acquisition of
the Dewani of Bengal Bihar and
Orissa in 1765, by the East India Company, the Intermediaries or Zamindars had become powerful landed
magnates in their respective areas. The Company
made several experiments in the direction of revenue collection but eventually
decided to recognize the Zamindars
as statuary proprietors of their areas, the house of Banaili being one among
them.
In the present work an attempt has
been made to study this particular family which grew in power, prestige and
money, moving side by side with the changing concept of land ownership and
rights of property in India Independence
Long after Banaili has ceased to exist as a Raj, its benevolent impact can still be seen and felt through the
various educational contributions made beyond and within the province. It would
not be an exaggeration to say that the bygone Banaili Raj exists even today, though altered as ‘Raj
Banaili’[19]
which lives in the culture and tradition it propounded and supported in the
region.
[1] All information given here is related with Banaili Raj in the strict sense of the
term. There were several land tenures held as personal estates of the individuals
of Banaili. They may have been
related to the Banaili Raj but were
not a part of it. Such estates and properties have not been included in this
study. E.g. Personal Zamindari estates of Rani
Sitavati Devi, Rani Kalavati Devi, Rani Prabhavati Devi and Rani Jagrama Devi (of Srinagar
[2] Budget for 1335Fasli (1927-28)
[3] Budget fasli 1330.
[4] Saltamam for 1335 Fasli
[5] Budget for 1937-38.
[6] Budget explaination by Manager A.B. Sinha to Raja
Kalanand Sinha Dated 22.9.1919.
[7] Assessment of Awadhbihari Sinha in 1922
[8] Huge amounts of land revenue stood as arrears and
could not be realized till the end. This along with the frequent heavy
discounts given to the tenant points in the direction of a much higher amount
as expected income of the estate. However, the average income of the estate
between 1312 and 1344 F.S. was even lower than 18 lacs, falling only a little
over 16 Lacs.-----P.C.A. No. 3 of 1939-Kumar Ramanand Sinha and
others…Appelants- Versus- Babu Bhimnath Mishra and others…Respondents.
[9] Jubilee was replaced by Banaili at a later date.
[10] This figure went up toRs.1236/14/0 in the year 1335
fasli
[11] Budget of fasli 1330.
[12] 1. Ramnagar alias Adyanagar, 2.Banaili-Champanagar,
3.Garhbanaili and 4. and Krishnagarh
[13] He is remembered through the ‘Sandys Compound’ which
still exists in his name at Bhagalpur
[14] Pamphlet printed by Singheswar Choudhary in which he
appeals to the proprietors and the government dated26.7.1926
[15] Pamphlet printed by Singheswar Choudhary in which he
appeals to the proprietors and the government dated 26.7.1926
[16] Kalanand Sinha-
Rs.96000/-personal allowance in an year @
Rs8000/- per month
Rs.6500/- allowance for grains
etc,in an year
Rs.1,02500/- Total annual allowance.The same
amount was taken
By Kirtyanand Sinha.
[17] He was District Magistrate Purnea before he joined as
Manager of Banaili.
[18] History of Education in Bihar
under British Rule – by Bahadur Bhagawati Sahay page 338 “the Raj is fortunate
in having secured for the general manager a civilian so painstaking, zealous
and good natured as Mr. Y.A.Godbole.
[19] I have
come across several individuals (of high-intellect-repute) of this region who
refer to this cultural belt as ‘Raj-Banaili ’.
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