Burdwan (Zamindari)

The Zamindari of Burdwan' (pronounced "Jomidar") in Bengal was one of the largest and richest feudal estates in the province of Bengal, Created under Mughal rule in the 17th century, the estate flourished under the British and was noted for its support of education and the arts.

History

The erstwhile Maharajas of Burdwan in Bengal belong to the Kapoor clan of the Khatri community, and hailed originally from the Punjab. Maharaja Bhadur Tedj Chand Ray adopted Chunilal Kapur who later assumed the Zamindari of Burdwan. Sangram Ray is said to have travelled eastwards on pilgrimage to the temple-town of Puri in Orissa. Thereafter, he travelled further northeast and settled permanently at Baikunthpur near the town of Burdwan, where he and his son, Banku Bihari, prospered vastly as tradesmen and bankers.

Ennoblement

In 1657, during the rule of the mughal emperor Jahangir, Banku Bihari's son Abu Ray was appointed the officer in charge of revenue collection and of the maintenance of public order in two precincts (Rekabi Bazar and Mughultuli) of Burdwan district. He owed this appointment to his ability to supply the army passing through Burdwan with adequate provisions at short notice. The family continued to flourish in trade, and Abu Ray's son Babu Ray added further to the prestige of the...
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