Pana Chand Nanak Chand Kothari family of Azimganj

Pana Chand Nanak Chand Kothari family is among the famous and renowned families of Azimganj. The widowed wife of late Pana Chand Kothari brought her young son Nanak Chand from Rini (Presently Tara Nagar) in Rajasthan with her to Azimganj. Nanak Chand was only 5 years old at that time. Perhaps some family members (Cousins?) were already residing at Azimganj at that time and the widow of late Pana Chand Kothari was called by them.

Nanak Chand Kothari was married to a girl from the famous Harakh Chand Golechha family and had three sons 1. Nihal Chand Kothari 2. Kamala Pat Kothari 3. Tarachand Kothari. Nihal Chand Kothari was married to Raja Bijoy Singh Dudhoria's family and had no sons but only daughters. Kamlapat Kothari was married to the daughter of Narpat Singh Dugar of the famous Rai Dhanpat Singh Dugar family in Azimganj.

He had four sons 1. Chandra Pat Kothari 2. Champa Pat Kothari 3. Narendra Pat Kothari and 4. Jitendra Pat Kothari. Late Sri Narendra Pat Kothari was a freedom fighter and was elected as Vice-Chairman, of Jiaganj-Azimganj Municipality. Chandrapat Kothari was also elected as a counselor for the said municipality. He and his son Gajendrapat served as a treasurer of Sri Neminath Swami Panchayati temple, Azimganj. 

Tara Chand Kothari, youngest son of Nanak Chand was married to the Bachchhawat family and had four sons 1. Abhay Chand 2. Rikhab Chand 3. Padam Chand and 4. Vimal Chand Kothari.

Chandraapat Kothari had three sons 1. Samarendra Pat married to Putul Kumari D/O Mohanlal Mahamwal 2. Gajendra Pat married Aruna Kumari of the Sethia family and 3. Dhirendra Pat married Kusum Kumari of the Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim family. Jyoti Kumar Kothari, the blog writer is the only son of late Sri Dhirendra Pat Kothari. 

The Kothari family was known for their religious activities, knowledge, and devotion to the Jain religion. Kothari family along with the Bothra family had occupied the driving seat for all religious activities at Azimganj. whether it was Chaturmas, Paryushan, Navpad Oli, Navpad Mandal Pujan, or daily rituals at the temples.

Most of the family members are residing nowadays outside Azimganj especially in Kolkata, Jaipur, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ganpatganj etc in India. Some of the family members are residing out of India.

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Navpad Mandal and Ashtapad Poojan at Neminath temple

Sri Vimal Singh Nowlakha has been sponsoring Navpad Mandal and Ashtapad Poojan at Neminath temple on October 18 and 19 respectively. Azimganj Sri Sangh used to organize Navpad Mandal Poojan on the last day of Navpad Oli at Sri Neminath Temple.

Sri Harakh Chand Roomal of Azimganj has innitiated Navpad Mandal Poojan at this temple many years ago. It has been continuing since then without break. The Sangh organizes this auspicious event on Sharad Poornima, last day of Navpad Oli every year with enthusiasm. It is worth noted that Sri Nowlakha, Grand son (Maternal) of Sri Roomal Ji is sponsoring the event on the auspices of Oli Parne of his wife.

There will be Ashtapad Poojan too on the next day, October 19. This Poojan will be organized after many years at Azimganj. There is great enthusiasm regarding both the Poojas.

People of Azimganj are enthusiastic about Navpad Oli and Mandal Poojan since time immemorial. They organize Mandal Poojan in the best way in India. It is great celebration.

I will be joining these events and perform both the Poojas. Suraj has arranged for every thing and I am grateful to him to provide me such opportunity.

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Rai Kumar Singh Bachchhawat expired

Sri Rai Kumar Singh Bachchhawat (Bholu Babu) of Azimganj expired few days back in Kolkata. He was son of late Sri Bahadoor Singh Bachchhawat, President, Azimganj Sri Sangh. He was in old age and was suffering from illness for last few months. He was married to daughter of Sri Mukandi Lal Mookim of Kolkata and had no issue.

He was religious minded and a man of integrity and served Sri Neminath temple and the Shaharwali society with utmost sincerity through out his life.

We feel sorry for his untimely demise and pray to God for heavenly peace.

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Famous Shaharwali People- Raja Bijay Sigh Dudhoria

  
Raja BIJOY SINGH Bahadur, Zamindar of Azimganj 1900/1933, born in November 1879, educated privately under the tuition of Babu Abinash Chandra Das, M.A., B.L.; having attained his majority on 22nd December 1900, he took charge of his estate; he was nominated as Commissioner for Azimganj Municipality in 1903 and re-elected in 1909; Vice-President of the All-India Jain Conference in December 1904; he was appointed Honorary Magistrate of the independent Lalbagh Bench in Murshidabad in January 1907.

He was granted the title of Raja in June 1908 in recognition of his public services, liberality, and high personal character; Member of the District Board, Murshidabad; Member of the executive committees of the Imperial League, the King Edward Memorial Fund, and of the British-Indian Association of Calcutta where he was Vice-President in 1915; married in February 1894, the youngest daughter of Rai Dhanpat Singh Bahadur of Baluchar, and had issue, one daughter. He died in 1933.

Kumari (name unknown), married Babu Srichand Nahata of Baluchar. 

Raja Chandra Singh Bahadur (qv)
Raja Padam Singh Bahadur (qv)

Raja Bijay Singh established the Edward Memorial Institute at Jiaganj. The higher secondary school is presently known as Raja Bijoy Singh Vidyamandir. His residential place on the bank of river Bhagirathi Ganga at Azimganj is known as Rajbadi. Several items of his time such as old palenquins and a canon are kept at the Rajbadi.

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Shaharwali society in facebook

I have got few beautiful posts in facebook page of Azimganj-Jiaganj and posted these here with references. I hope people will enjoy.

MAZUM KA BARFI ---Narrated by Mr. Bimal Singhji Nowlakha 

MAZUM ka BARFI. Saharwali peapole, decades ago are well versant with it . Mazum ka Barfi made in MARBLE HOUSE ( the house of BHURU BABU) was famous for its excellent taste ,texture and a hilarious joyful mild nasha (intoxicant).Bhuru Babu used to make it at Holi season only. The process of making the Mazum ka Barfi is very gruesome laborious and need special care in processing. Many people till remember it.
Here are revelation of Devi Pandey (Bhuru Babu’s Cook ) about the process and ingredients for making it.
One need to pluck Bhang leafs from its plant in the just evening (Godhuli) of Maghi Purnima complete nakedly , then the leaves are carefully washed in water, to be dried in sunlight then the leaves were to be boiled in a copper pot. first boiled water to be drenched out and again the Bhang leaves were be puted in fresh cow milk and boiled for some time , drench out Bhang leaves the milk be putted on earthen pots for making Curd (Dhai) next step is to get butter from the curd and make Ghee.
The next process is to put Chana Dal in water for five hours , drench it out and make paste either in Silla or in crusher, the paste than be putted on Karhai (pot made from either Mixed Bell Metal or of Brass) the paste need to be fried in very low temperature mixing the ghee earlier received. When it become little brown MAWA (Khoya) need to be added and stair for some time to be properly cooked and sugar need to be added lastly. Bhuru Babu use to add Kesar (Saffron) cardamom crush and rose water. The hole processed lump need to putted on Thali (Plate) to make even and to cut into Barfi.

Dharmesh Boyed

I remember my Nanaji (Sri Bimal Singji Nowlakha) told that there was 2 Bajras, one belong to the Bari Kothi (House of Sri Noba kumar singh ji & Jay Kumar Singhji Dudhoria and the other belongs to Sri Nirmal Kumar singh ji Nowlakha and there was one Banwalia (smaller version of Bajra) belongs to Sri Kishore Singh ji Srimal well known as Bhuru Babu. Bajra is a kind of House Boat (smaller than the Kashmiri house boat and are mainly seen in the Ganges & Yamuna river one can view it at Banaras.)He told that it may possible to find photo of these with Sri Sidharth ji Dudhoria, Sudipji Dudhoria and from Sri Sashi Kantji Nowlakha,Padam Singhji Srimal. In the nineteen fifties Sri Rajendra Singh ji Singhee has brought one small speed house boat.He also remember that once a sea aero plane has landed in the ganga river and news was that Managing Director of Bird & Co has came in that plane to visit their Jute purchasing agency at Cossimbazar. At 1940 to 1955 Steamers used to play frequently in Ganges. The Zamindars used to erect Bamboo fencing all along the River bank from the Kathaltalla to the house of Khem chand ji Choraria at Fhatak at the time of Barsat(rainy season) It was a very charming & eye catching to view the Ajim ganj side of the river banks while coming from North Bor –Nagar side. He also told that in the Ninteen fourties FIRST Division Football Tournament were held at Victoria Ground belongs to Nowlakhas and the Shield Nown as Nowlakha Shield Many famous teams like Mohan Bagan East Bengal played there.ONE Sri Narendra singh ji Boyed (Tuklu Bhai) used to play as Goalkeeper in Mohanbagan.

I request all that if any photography is available, please bring into light.

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Jain temple in Gaysabad- Dasturhat

There was a Shwetambar Jain temple in Gaysabad- Dasturhat in the last century. We have visited Gaysabad in 1977 and found a ruin. An old aged farmer informed us that that was a ruin of a Jain temple. I do not know what happened with that ruined temple.

I have found an old inscription that tells us about a temple in Dasturhat, 7 KM west from Azimganj. The inscription in an idol also informs that a member of Shaharwali community had performed Pratishtha of that idol. Gaysabad is on the opposite side of Dasturhat on the bank of river Bhagirathi.  It is possible that Gaysabad and Dasturhat are the same place and the inscription and the ruin are referring to the same Jain temple.

Sri Prakash Barnawat recently informed me that the Jain Tirthankar idols in Gaysabad were brought to Kiratbagh, Jiaganj by Maharaj Bahadur Singh Dugar. The idols are installed in Kiratbagh and these are there since that time.

It is possible that there was dense population of Shwetambar Jain (Shaharwali community) in Gaysabad and Dasturhat region in the last century. They may be shifted from there for some unknown reasons. At present there are no Jain population.

It is matters of investigation that whether the temple referred in Dasturhat and Gaysabad are the same? Whether there were a Jain population in these places? If yes, why Jain population were shifted from there? I am trying to answer these questions and urge people living at Azimganj and Jiaganj to physically verify the areas and try to find out the truth. I will be grateful to him or her who will inform me about this.

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Gemstone idols at Chintamani Parasnath temple in Azimganj

Crystal gemstone idol at Chintamani Parasnath Jain temple, Azimganj

 The Gemstones idols at Chintamani Parasnath Jain temple, Azimganj 

Harakchand Golechha family was a renowned Shaharwali family residing at Azimganj. They were very rich and religious. The Golechha family built a complete Chouveesi made of gemstones. They established all these gemstone idols at their Ghar Dehrasar. This temple was famous as Chhote Shantinath ji. The main idol, Sri Shantinath swami, was made of jade, a rare gemstone. It had a grape color. There were another 24 idols made of various gemstones such as ruby, hessonite, rock crystal, iolite, etc. There was a Gattaji (Navpad-Siddhachakra) made of a precious gemstone, an emerald.

It is worth noting that this was the only Shwetambar Jain Chouvishee made of gemstones. There were a few other gemstone Tirthankar idols in other places, but no complete Chouvishee till the recent past. There was a Chouvishee in the Digambar Jain temple at Mudbidri.

Later on, the whole temple of Chhote Shantinathji was shifted to the Sri Chintamani Parasnath temple in Azimganj. All these idols were put in an almirah. Sri Chintamani Parasnath temple committee then shifted all these idols, building a separate Gambhara (Sanctum).

Unfortunately, all these expensive gemstone idols were stolen in the mid-1990s. It was a very sad event. I met Mr. SB Chouhan, the then Home Minister of India, along with a delegation, requesting him to put his effort into recovering stolen idols. The Hon'ble Home Minister took the pain and wrote a letter to Mr. Jyoti Basu, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal. Only a few of the idols were recovered after all efforts. The rest of these gemstone idols are not yet recovered.

A few of the remaining gemstone idols are placed in the original Gambhara, whereas other statues are kept under lock and key at the Chintamani Parasnath temple in Azimganj. I have photographs of both these places, which are put here for your perusal.

Video Jain Teerth Azimganj and Jiaganj

Writing book on Shaharwali society and culture

I am in process of writing a book about  Shaharwali society and culture that also include religious and historic descriptions. Few chapters of the book is already written. It is after five years of blogging about the society.

This book, I believe, will help spreading information about rich traditions of Shaharwali society of Azimganj and Jiaganj in Murshidabad. I have found several historical books that depicts rich traditions, culture and religiousness of Murshidabad Jain society.

Dr. Shivprasad, renowned Jain historian working in Jain research and study center at Jaipur is helping me in collecting historical references. I am thankful to him. Suraj Nowlakha has motivated me to write this book and he is also sponsoring the project. He wants to release the book on the occasion of Mandalji ki pooja at Azimganj.

I have already posted details of the project in this blog in Hindi language. Please view these posts and help me with information, data, references, evidences, images etc. Your cooperation will enrich the book and I will feel obliged. I have received some from Pradip Kothari, Patna and am thankful to him. Suraj also provided some information along with his father Vimal Bhaisab. Thanks to them.

मुर्शिदाबाद शहरवाली समाज की ऐतिहासिक सामग्री

शहरवाली समाज के सम्वन्ध में पुस्तक के प्रस्तावित अध्याय

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Varshi Tap parna of Rashmi at Hastinapur

Congratulations!!

Rashmi Rakhecha performed Varshi Tap at an early age. Her Parna happened in Hastinapur today on the eve of Akha Teej. She is a religious-minded young female. Her maternal house is in Azimganj.

Rashmi, Bangaluru is the daughter of Sri Abhaychand Bothra and Smt. Prabha Bothra, Kolkata. Mrs. Prabha Bothra is the daughter of the late Sri Abhaychand Kothari at Azimganj and sister of Sri Nirbhaychand, Shitalchand, and Premchand Kothari.

She performed Ekantar Upavas for more than two years required to complete the Varshi tap. Her austerity and penance are admirable. We wish all the best to her.

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News of Shaharwali society

 Dear readers,
This blog is meant for Shaharwali society living in and outside Murshidabad. As all of you know that I am presently living in Jaipur so I don't get news from Murshidabad. I request all of you living in Azimganj- Jiaganj, Kolkata or somewhere else to send latest news about our society.

I will try to post it in the blog so that Shaharwali people worldwide will know that.

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Sri Shantichand Kothari left for his heavenly abode

 Alas! He is no more!
Sri Shantichand Kothari, s/o Sri Rikhab Chand ji and Srimati Shobha Kothari of Azimganj left for his heavenly abode today morning, April 11. He breathed his last in Kolkata after long ailment. He belonged to late Sri Tarachand Kothari family.

He left his brother Manichand, two sisters Srimati Pratibha Kothari and Srimati Baby Bothra and four daughters behind him. His wife and a younger brother died long back.

His uthawna will take place tomorrow.
May his soul rest in peace!

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Mayna Kumari Lodha completed century

  

Congratulations!

Smt. Mayna Kumari Lodha, w/o Sri Kanakchand Lodha turned 100 on this Monday. She belongs to famous Dharamchand Lodha family of Azimganj Shaharwali society. 

Rarely people can complete a century living and she achieved it! She is a soft spoken religious minded and kind hearted woman, born and brought up in Lucknow. Her eldest son is Sri Binaychand Lodha. Ajay Lodha, her grandson posted the message in Azimganj-Jiaganj group, Facebook.

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Rai Budh Singh Bahadur and Raja Bijay Singh Schools

RBSB High School, Azimganj

 Photo curtsy: Suraj Nowlakha

 Rai Budh Singh Bahadur Dudhoria (Badi Kothi, Azimganj) was a famous Shaharwali Zemindar in Azimganj. A school was established on his memory. It was a primary school that was upgraded to a higher secondary school. It was the only high school (RBSBHSM) at Azimganj till 1965.

Large numbers of students studies in the school including me. Rai Budh Singh Bahadur primary school is situated behind Badi Kothi and opposite to Keshar Kumari Balika Bidyalaya at Azimganj City. RBSB High school is situated at Baraduari on way to Don Bosco school. The high school is near Azimganj Jn.

Both the schools have a track record of good result. RBSB schools at Azimganj are presently managed by the government.

 Raja Bijay Singh Dudhoria of the same family had also founded Edward Coronation Institute at Jiaganj. Name of the institute was changed later to  Raja Bijay Singh Bidyamandir. It is the most famou senior secondary schools.


Raja Bijay Singh Dudhoria

Raja BIJOY SINGH Bahadur, Zamindar of Azimganj 1900/1933, born in November 1879, educated privately under the tuition of Babu Abinash Chandra Das, M.A., B.L.; having attained his majority on 22nd December 1900, he took charge of his estate; he was nominated as Commissioner for Azimganj Municipality in 1903 and re-elected in 1909; Vice-President of the All-India Jain Conference in December 1904; he was appointed Honorary Magistrate of the independent Lalbagh Bench in Murshidabad in January 1907; he was granted the title of Raja in June 1908 in recognition of his public services, liberality and high personal character; Member of the District Board, Murshidabad; Member of the executive committees of the Imperial League, the King Edward Memorial Fund and of the British-Indian Association of Calcutta where he was Vice-President in 1915; married in February 1894, the youngest daughter of Rai Dhanpat Singh Bahadur of Baluchar, and had issue, one daughter. He died 1933.
Kumari (name unknown), married Babu Srichand Nahata of Baluchar. 

(Information about Raja Bijay Singh is provided by Suraj Nowlakha)

Famous people from Azimganj Part 1
Famous people from Azimganj Part 2
Famous people …….. Part 3
Famous People..........Part 4
Famous People..........Part 5
 

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