Sheoraphuli Raj Debuttar Estate

Raja Girindrachandra the first Chairman of Badiyabati Municipality also inspected the construction of Sheoraphuli-Trakeshwar Railline along with Lord Dufferin in 1885

The Patuli Rajbansha holds a prominent position among the Bengal aristocracy. Its historical roots are deeply ingrained, dating back to the era of Adisur, the final ruler of independent Hindu dynasties. The adipurush of the lineage Devaditya Dutt was Uttararhi Kulin Kayastha welcomed in Bengal during King Adisura's reign, 10th Century ad, later his descendant Jadab Dutt (1167 CE ) a remarkable character flourished in the time when Raja Ballal Sen was on the throne of Bengal. It is somewhat curious that this king ascended the throne in the very year in which William of Normandy having defeated and slain Harold took possession of the English throne.[11] This esteemed lineage enjoyed prosperity during the Hindu rule until an unforeseen setback occurred with the advent of the Afghan invasion. Consequently, the family sought refuge in a more secure location, dwelling in obscurity for countless centuries until the emergence of the Mughal empire.

Royal Tarbari of Raja Raj Chandra along with the Jewel gifted by Shah Jahan

Initially residing in Patuli, located in the Burdwan district, the family received a noble distinction from the illustrious Emperor Akbar the Great, who bestowed them with the title of "Roy", an esteemed honor of significant value during that era. However, this title merely foreshadowed the greater honors that awaited them. Following Akbar's passing, the succeeding Emperor Jehangir elevated the status of the Patuli family by granting their leader the prestigious title of Mazumdar, an honor of much higher significance compared to Rai or Zamindar titles. While there were numerous Rais and Zamindars, the Mazumdar title was limited to just four families in all of Bengal, symbolizing its sacred Vedic significance. Among these esteemed four families was Bhabananda, widely regarded as the revered founder of the Nadia Raj.[12]

Raja N.C Ghosh Varman of Sheoraphuli Rajbari

Sheoraphuli, once an insignificant village, first rose to importance owing to its being the seat of an influential zamindari family, whose estate was consequently called the Sheoraphuli Raj. Purgana Arsha of Sarkar Satgaon belonged to two Kayasth brothers, Rameswar and his brother Basudeb. Between 1728 and 1749 A.D., a portion of the Pargana comprising strips of land on both banks of the Hooghly river from Hooghly to Calcutta was constituted as a separate zamindari under the name of "Zamindari Kismat Muhammad Aminpur." This was subdivided between the second and third sons of Rameswar and his two nephews.[13]

The second son Mukund got a nine-annas and the third son Ramkrishna a seven-annas share of Muhammad Aminpur. The elder nephew Manohar( Sheoraphuli Raj) got 10 annas and the younger nephew Gangadhar 6 annas of Pargana Boro. The remainder of Painam went to the eldest son of Rameswar, Raghudev, the ancestor of the Bansberia family. Manohar moved to Sheoraphuli and Gangadhar to Bally (Howrah), was succeeded by Durgaprasad, son of the younger son of Manohar, thus founding the ten annas and six annas branches of the Sheoraphuli family.[14]

Raja Manohar Ray established the Rajbari, thereby laying the foundation for the Sheoraphuli Raj family. This marked the inception of the family's illustrious history. Raja Manohar Roy acquired extensive land and constructed several temples,significant among them being the temple dedicated to Goddess Sarbamangala within the palace's premises.

The Andarmahal portion of Rajbari

Raja Manohar Roy's contributions gained wide recognition, with some comparing them to the great epic Mahabharata. He also donated land and funds for the construction of Mahesh's temple in Shrirampur. The Jagannathpur Mouza was denoted in service of Lord Jagannath by Raja himself. [15]

Nawab Moorshed Kuli Khan employed certain gruesome methods in which he exacted the public revenue from unwilling Zemindars which were too well known to need recounting. On some occasions, he caused them to be dragged through a pond filled with ordure, a contrivance for obtaining the Government dues, It happened so that a Brahman Zemindar had thus fallen into arrears and was about to be consigned to this gruesome torture, when Manohar Roy, the Zemindar of Patuli, stepped forward and paid off the whole debt. The Nabab was so much gratified with this act of generosity that he conferred on him an invaluable jewel, which the family has retained for centuries. For several generations, they vindicated their claim to this distinction by their liberal donations to various shrines, and it is said that few temples of any note can be found in the country that have not received some tokens of their devotion and bounty.[16]

Raj Pujaris along with the Silver Umbrella headed towards Mahesh Jagannath Dev's snan Jatra

Raja Manohar roy was honored with the title of "Kshatriya Raj" during the Vajpeya Yagya organized by Nawadipadhipati Raja Krisnachadra.[17]

The contemporary Nawabs of Bengal were greatly influenced by Raja Manohar Ray's philanthropic activities and temple constructions, leading them to donate significant land and wealth to him.[18]

Among the descendants of Raja Manohar, the best-known was Harish Chandra Roy, who flourished in the beginning of the 19th century. The great hat at Sheoraphuli owes its origin to him. He specially patronized the worship of Jagannath at Mahesh(Serampore). Raja Harishchandra on Horseback carried a 10 feet Silver Umbrella along with a 5 feet Silver Staff, as an age-old tradition of holding the umbrella on the diety Lord Jagannath with the staff held in high esteem before the rituals of the Snan jatra begins, it is followed till this day with much reverence.[19]

Here Sri Salil Chandra Ghosh is seen with his Guru Rabindrnath Tagore

Shri Ramchandra Mandir in Guptipara built by Raja Manohar Roy of Sheoraphuli Raj

Raja Raj Chandra Roy, also known as Jotey Raja (the king with dreadlocks), Zamindar of Sheoraphuli built the temple of Ram-Sita at Sripur (Serampore) in 1752. He resided in the Rajbari of Sheoraphuli, which also served as his temporary residence apart from his abode in Patuli. His third son Raja Harischandra left Patuli for Sheoraphuli, which served as their permanent dwelling thereafter. After him the Zamindari was demarcated into the 'Barataraf' and the 'Chototaraf' which has been retained.[20]

Later on Zamindar Nirmal Chandra Ghosh (Barataraf) and his descendants of the Raj Parivar continue to reside in the Rajbari. The Saraphuli Raj Debuttar has been traditionally renowned for the policy of self-effacement.