Sivendra Narayan (1839-1847):(The Koch Kingdom Part 5)
After Harendra Narayan his son Sivendra Narayan ascended the throne in 1839 supported by the Koch officials. New currency was issued in his name. The coronation ceremony of Sivendra Narayan was observed according to the system and directives of the Koch royal family. After his accession he concentrated on administration. There was no proper method of tax collection and though the people were overburdened with taxes the state exchequer suffered. Moreover he had to face severe monetary crisis due to extravaganza of his father. Through a cautious surveillance on the behavior of the revenue officials and a rule of austerity, he succeeded in cleaning off the arrear tribute payable to the British and freed himself completely from the cumulative debt that his father bequeathed to him. Shivendra Narayan also focused on judiciary. Two courts were instituted at this time. In 1840 a court of justice or Rajsabha for the final negotiation of civil revenue and illegal cases was recognized. Shivendra Narayan was a man of parts. Being a pious Shakta Shivendra Narayan gave considerable attention to erection and restoration of temples in the Koch Kingdom. In 1841 a Dharmasala was established where the religious mendicants got food and lodging. Dvija Vaidyanath translated the Shiva Purana which is considered the only text about the Shaiva sect found in the court of the Koch kingdom. He is also said to have composed Shakta songs. Towards later years of his rule he went to Banaras where he breathed his last on the 23rd August, 1847.
Narendra Narayan (1847-1863):
When Shivendra Narayan passed away in 1847, his son Narendra Narayan was staying with his father at Baranasi. Over there he was crowned as the king of Cooch Behar even before returning to the capital. Narendra Narayan was then only 6 years old. Kalichandra Lahiri was then the Dewan of Behar. After discussing with Rajmata (mother-Queens) Kamteswari and Brindeswari Devi, Dewan took Narendra Narayan to Krishnanagar for imparting education to the king.
Narendra Narayan was intelligent. Within a few days he became proficient in Sanskrit grammar, literature, Smriti and other subjects. Back to Cooch Behar he continued studies in European style. Narendra Narayan was placed under the tutorship of Mr. Noor in accordance with the last wishes of the late king that East India Company’s government should take care of his son’s education. He was under the responsibility of Babu Rajendralal Mitra while studying at the Ward’s Institution, Calcutta. Rajmata Kamateswari and Brindeswari Devi looked after state administration till the king attained adulthood.
In 1860 Narendra Narayan took over state administration. At the time of his formal accession the chief officers were misappropriating the public money and accordingly the state revenue suffered a lot. Moreover during his reign problems with Bhutan flared up again and these were solved but not permanently. There was trouble with Rangpur and the two governments decided to conduct joint survey. In 1859 a topographical survey was conducted under J.G Pemberton, the revenue surveyor whose map is considered as the first regular map of the country. His reign is marked by growth in education, religion and other fields. He was an intellectual, judicious, able administrator with a refined character. Under his rule Cooch Behar kingdom flourished with increase in state income to a great extent and his subjects lived peacefully.
Nripendra Narayan (1863-1911):
When Narendra Narayan passed away in 1863, as per will of the king his ten month child-son Nripendra Narayan was crowned as the next king of Cooch Behar. At first the state administration was looked after by Queen Kamateswari, Brindeswari and Nistarini Devi since Nripendra Narayan was only a child. The British Government recognized the claim of Nripendra Narayan as the lawful heir to the throne on conditions that kingship would be conferred upon him when he attained majority.
Later the power of administration was handed over to the Commissioner appointed by the British Governor General. Colonel Hawton was appointed as the Commissioner of Cooch Behar in 1864. Nripendra Narayan returned to Cooch Behar on the 3rd March, 1879 having been educated in England and was accustomed to modern life. He attained his majority on the 3rd October, 1883 and the installation took place on the 8th November, 1883. In the coronation ceremony formalities were strictly followed.
The charge of administration was formally made over to the new king. Nripendra Narayan contemplated not to make any violent disturbance in planning the administration that was introduced after much consideration by the British administrators.
The separation of authority and scheme of control witnessed a significant change. A Deputy Commissioner under Nripendra Narayan was in supreme charge of all state departments. The administrative apparatus of the state was created on the model of a British district.
Nripendra Narayan had been highly influenced by his father-in-law Keshab Chandra Sen’s ideas i.e. the Brahma faith that helped to an immense extent in molding his social, ethical, political and private outlook and efforts were made by him to improve the traditional thoughts in relation to religion prevailing in the royal family. His endeavor in pursuing various fields of education and close association with the upper classes of Indian and foreign societies enabled him to overcome all superstitions.
He started the Brahmo religion as the state religion but he encouraged and supported the institutions of every creed, Hindu, Muslims, Christian or Brahmo. Nripendra Narayan died in 1911 in England and was succeeded by his eldest son Raj Rajendra Narayan.
Raj Rajendra Narayan (1911-13):
Rajendra Narayan was the eldest son of Nripendra Narayan. During his childhood he took lessons under a British female home tutor. Nripendra Narayan sent Rajendra Narayan to England for studying. There he got admission to the “Preparatory” School of Mr. Castor and studied for three years. In 1897 he got admit to “Eton”. After studying over there for three years he took admission in Oxford University in 1900. Completing his studies at Oxford, Rajendra Narayan returned to India and helped his father in carrying out state proceedings.
After the demise of Nripendra Narayan the throne of Cooch Behar had devolved upon his eldest son Raj Rajendra Narayan. The government of India recognized him as exclusively and fairly free to the throne. Two durbars were held in the Durbar hall. The Hon”ble Mr. F.W. Duke, Acting Lieutenant of Bengal, officially installed Kumar on his familial throne and delivered a speech at the Durbar held on the 8th November, 1911. Nazarana were presented to the new king by his officers and an announcement was made. He wished the cause of education particularly the primary and secondary education be expanded by him as far as the state resources admit.
Sudip Narayan Ghosh
Will be continued.
