Devi Chaudhurani (historical figure)
Devi Chaudhurani | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jaydurga Devi |
| Spouse | Narayan Chandra Chaudhury |
| Parents |
|
Devi Chaudhurani was an 18th-century Bengali anti-British female leader and the zamindar of Pirgacha. She was the first Bengali female leader to be martyred while fighting against the British. She was known as a goddess (Devi) or mother goddess (Devimata) to her subjects for her philanthropic work. However, she was also known to the British as the Bandit Queen.
Life
[edit]Devi Chaudhurani was born in Kaunia Upazila of Rangpur, Bangladesh. Her birth name was Jaydurga Devi. Her father was Braja Kishore Chaudhury and her mother was Kashishwari Devi.[1]
She was married to Narayan Chandra Chaudhury, the zamindar of Manthana (Pirgacha), and she was the zamindar of that area during the Sannyasi rebellion. After the death of her husband, the childless Jaydurga managed the responsibilities of the Manthana estate from 1765.[citation needed]
During her time, Jonathan Goodlad came as the Collector of the Rangpur region, and Devi Singh was appointed as his Dewan. Dewan Devi Singh and his employee Hare Ram were given the responsibility of collecting revenue. The peasants and even the zamindars became frustrated with their oppression during revenue collection. Furthermore, the oppression by the English indigo planters increased during this period; they started forcing the peasants to cultivate indigo on fertile land. In response to this, Devi Chaudhurani declared a rebellion against the British. Due to this, she incurred the wrath of the British. To suppress her, a group of English soldiers was sent under the leadership of Mir Qasim. In this battle, Devi Chaudhurani was joined by Nuruddin Baker Muhammad Jong and Bhabani Pathak of Rangpur, along with hundreds of peasants from Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Bogura regions. The battle began in February 1760. Devi Chaudhurani won the battle. Many, including the English captain, were killed in the battle, and Mir Qasim was forced to retreat. The place where Devi Chaudhurani won the battle is still known to the people as "Joypur".[citation needed]
On the first Thursday of April in 1783 (in present-day Chandipur village of Pirgacha Upazila), she was defeated and killed in a battle against an English force armed with modern weapons, led by Lord Warren Hastings. The zamindar of Annadanagar was also killed along with Devi Chaudhurani in this battle.[citation needed]
Memorials
[edit]A fair is held every Thursday of the Bengali month of Baishakh at the place where Devi Chaudhurani was defeated, which is known as the "Napai Chandi" fair.[citation needed]
In Rangpur, there is Devi Chaudhurani Degree College, Chaudhurani Railway Station, Chaudhurani High School, and Chaudhurani Bazar named after her.[2] To pay respect to her memory, the Devi Chaudhurani Law University is being established in Pirgacha, Rangpur.[3]
The historical structures of this event of "Devi Chaudhurani" have not been preserved. Only pieces of bricks can be seen at the site of the structure in Maksud Kha village.
To the west of this structural site, on the banks of the Ghaghot River in West Maksud Kha Daktarpara village, there was another structure. The site of this structure is now filled with dense trees. There is still a canal built during the time of "Devi Chaudhurani" surrounding the site of the structure. Besides, a massive pond belonging to "Devi Chaudhurani" can be seen adjacent to the mosque on the north side of Chaudhurani Bazar.
In East Maksud Kha Hajipara village, where there was a structure of "Devi Chaudhurani", about 60 decimals of land is still lying fallow. Another structure of "Devi Chaudhurani" is located on the banks of the Ghaghot River in West Maksud Kha Daktarpara village. Locals say that the two structures of "Devi Chaudhurani" sank underground long ago. Currently, the property of the structures of "Devi Chaudhurani" is being occupied and enjoyed across generations. The two structures were very high. With the evolution of time, the places of the structures have now become low.
Memorials of Devi Chaudhurani are also found in West Bengal, India. For example, the Devi Chaudhurani Kali Temple in Jalpaiguri, the Sannyasi Thakur Temple in Shikarpur, and the Manthani Temple on Belacoba-Radhamali Road.[4][5][6][7] Besides, Bhabani Pathak's Tila (hillock), a tunnel, and Bhabani Pathak's Kali Temple are located at her memory-associated place in Durgapur.[8]
The Devi Chaudhurani Research Centre has been established in Pirgacha. Former students of Pirgacha College are researching her. Devi Chaudhurani Research Centre was established by journalist and researcher Ribel Monowar, a native of the Parul Union of Pirgacha.[citation needed]
In popular culture
[edit]Bankim Chandra Chatterjee published a novel based on her life in 1884. Six editions of his novel were published during his lifetime.[citation needed] The novel was later adapted into a serial, titled Devi Chaudhurani, which aired on Kolkata-based channel Star Jalsha.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ Hasan, H. M. Shariful. "Banglar 'Dasyurani'- Devi Chaudhurani". bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ↑ Prabhat, Subh (23 June 2021). "Devi Chaudhurani: Know the history of an anti-British revolutionary". Subh Prabhat (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "Activities begin for the establishment of Devi Chaudhurani Law University". Manab Zamin. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ Chakraborty, Sumana (15 July 2021). "Devi Chaudhurani, Bengal's 'Bandit Queen'!". EiSamay Gold (in Bengali). Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "Devi Chaudhurani Temple: Still mysterious even after a hundred years". Aaj Tak Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "Shikarpur is being created holding onto the myths of Devi Chaudhurani and Bhabani Pathak". Aaj Tak Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "Rituporno Ghosh: Rituparno wanted to make Sonam Kapoor Devi Chaudhurani". Aaj Tak Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "Anandabazar Patrika - Utsav". archives.anandabazar.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "Rangpur's Chaudhurani is now a popular serial on Star Jalsha". Jago News (in Bengali). Retrieved 31 July 2021.