History Ville || LIFE OF RANI BHAVANI.

Rani Bhavani, the 8th century Zamindar of Nature (Now a Part of Bangledesh) who proved herself to be a benovolent Zamindar, but also a social influencer and reformer. She was one of the few Zaminders who refused to assist the British force to Depose Siraj-ud-Daulah. She dis this inspite of the fact that Siraj tried dishonouring her widow daughter. She felt that between Siraj and British rulers. Siraj was better for the welfare of the country

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^{Historical Palace of Rani Bhavani}

Rani Bhavani (1716-1795) was a Zamindar during the british colonial era in what is now of Rajshahi Bangledesh. A woman as a Zaminder was extremely rare in those days. But Rani Bhabani managed the vast Rajshahi Zamindari most effectively and efficiently for over four decades. Her life and contributions to society can be a lesson to any woman. Before the battle of Plassey. Rani Bhavani urged Raja Krishna Chandra and all others Zaminders of Bengal not to help Clive. Rani Bhavani was the first to realise that if Siraj was defeated it would bring unlimited troubles for the people of Bengal. She thought before hand that net of power and that the people of Bengal would become their slaves.
Rani Bhavani sent army to help the Nawah in the battle of plassey. But the Nawab had been defeated before the soldiers of the Rani reached there.

BIRTH
Rani Bhavani was born in a Brahim family at the Chatimgram village on 1716, Adamdighi, Upazila, Bogura District.

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PARENTS
Bhavani's father's name was Atmaram Choudhury who was also a Zaminder. The name of Bhavani's mother came from an aristocratic family. Hari Derv Thakur, the Father of Jay Durga was the second son of Raghab Thakur of Pakuria.

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HUSBAND
Raja Ramkanta Ray, the husband of Rani Bhabani was an adopted son of Raja Ramjiban as he had no male child. He took Ramkanta Ray, the youngest son of Raski Ray who was considered as the Brahman Kulashrestha and an inhabitant of village Chougram under Singra Police station. He gave Rasik Ray Chougram Pargana and Islamabad under the district of Rangpur for allowing him to take Ramkanta Ray as adopted son. Ramjiban gave the entire property to Ramkanta Ray, the adopted son for an inheritance.

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MARRIAGE
Ramkanta Ray got his maturity and immediately proposed the marriage of Rani Bhavani. At the time of her marriage Bhavani was 15 only and Ramkanta 18. On the occasion Ramijiban was present in a village Chatiangram. Atrmaram Choudhury, the father of Bhavani gave away a part of the village as a dowry of the marriage. In an Auspicious day at the end of the marriage all with the new couple returned to the headquarter at Natore. Since then Bhabani Devi became known as Rani Rhabani. Raja Ramkanta was a simple natured man. On the other hand, Rani Bhavani posed extraordinary talent.

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CROWNED QUEEN
After the death of Raja Ramkanta Ray, 1748. Rani Bhabani became the only owner of the Zamindari. Alivardi Khan entrusted Rani Bhavani with the charge of administering the Zamindari. Rani Bhavani too showed her fitness and ability to the administration of Zaminidari.

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PERSONAL LIFE OF RANI BHAVANI

Maharani Bhavani was very pious in her personal life. She passed her life in a strict and disciplined way. Every night she used to get up from bed 1 hour and 36 minutes, before the night was over and finished her prayer. After that she entered her flower garden 12 minutes before the night was over and plucked flowers with her own hands. Thereafter she took bath in the Ganges sat on the river coast, for prayers again and continued her offers to shiva up to 48minutes after daybreak.
Afterwards, she offers flowers each to the temple gods and goddesses and returned home and listened to the stories of the Punanas, worshipping Shiva and "Ista"(desire). Then she cooked food herself and first fed 10 Brahimin of her own family and ate Habis Hanna (Rice and butter boiled together.)
She examines everything propeely before pitting her singnature. She had a deep love and respect for her husband. Though she was a woman she proved her worth in running the administration of the Zamindari.

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POLITICAL LIFE

Inspite of being owner of a large Zamindari. She had to depend on the Stipend of the government in later part of her life. The amount of this stipend gradually decreased and became Rs. 1000/- only in the end. She witnessed the glorious days of Natore and also the day of her downfall. Not did the downfall of Natore come, but also most outstanding Raj families. (landlord families) were ruined within the year 1802. This dignified lady breathed her last breath at age 79 years.
Her generosity made her respectful in the society. Her intelligence skill for administation of the estate. No sooner had Rani Bhavani died than the glory of Natore Raj Family come to an end.

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LIFE AS AN ADMINISTRATOR

After death of her husband in 1748, Rani Bhavani became legal owners of Natore estate and was running administration of the estate excellently. To conduct her administrative duty, her daughter, Tarasundari and Dewan Dayaram Ray helped her in all respects. It may be said Rani Bhavani conducted admimistration of her estate successfully, during the period, three kinds of rents were collected, legal revenue for the land in possession, monetary fine as punishment for convincting a crime or extra charges and mischelleneous.

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RELIGIOUS CONTRIBUTION

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^{Bhavani Temple at Baranagar}

Rani Bhavani was not only successful as an administration but also was equally concerned about the religious upliftment of her subjects She paid much attention to spread of institutional religion and encouraged establishment of temples in various part of Zamindari and beyond. She built a beautiful temple in memory of her birth place too. The name of the temple was " Jai Durga Mondir.

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^{Temple "Jai Durga Mondir" erected in memory of Rani Bhavani's hometown.}
An idol was also installed inside the temple.
She constructed more temples at Mammi Kalikapur, near Dasuria, Raghunath Temple at Mandapukur of Naogoan District. Tarakeswar Shiva Temple of Natore. Bhavaniswar temple at Baranagar, ia a major achievement of Rani Bhavani

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WIDOW MARRIAGE
Rani Bhavani was a far sighted lady. She was the first to realise that Hindu widows should be remarried, Tarasundari, daughter of Rani Bhavani became a widow at an early age. Perhaps for this she took initiative for widowers marriage, because his daughter became a widow. Rani Bhavani amd Raj Ballav, placed the proposal of their daughter's marriage before panditis(scholars). Rani Bhavani was a kind hearted enough to the widows. She offered a monthly stipend to many widowers . Rani Bhavani made a Shelter for widows on the bank of the Gangers and made arrangements for maintenance.

^{This article was compiled after extensive research work on the history and life style of Rani Bhavani}

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