Jump to content

Bawali Raj

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bawali Raj
Bawali Mondal Family
CountryIndia
Current regionTollygunge, West Bengal
Place of originNadia
FounderSovaram Roy

The Bawali Mondal family, also known as the Bawali Raj family, was a prominent zamindar (landlord) family of Bengal, with a lineage that dates back to the Mughal era, they were Mahishyas by caste. Their seat of power was located in Bawali, a village in South 24 Parganas near Kolkata, and in the early half of the 19th century in Chetla area of Calcutta in present-day West Bengal, India. They played a significant role in developing the region's cultural and architectural heritage.[1]

The family was awarded as much as 3 lakh bighas of land in the South 24 Parganas and numerous villages as a token of gratitude by the Mughal Commander Raja Man Singh for the crucial aid they rendered during the Mughal conquest of Bengal. Subsequent generations built and developed the area and were largely responsible for its cultural and architectural growth. The prominent members of the family are as follows:

History

[edit]

The family's lineage traces back to Basudev Ray, a devout Gaudiya Vaishnav and a Mahishya by caste[1][2] and an inhabitant of the Basantapur village of Nadia district and a high-ranking official in Emperor Akbar's court. His grandson, Shovaram Ray, was awarded the title Mondal by the Raja of Hijli.[3] Sovaram was succeeded by his son Meghnad. Subsequently, Rajaram, Meghnad's son and Shovaram's grandson, was granted ownership of several villages, including Bawali, by the Mughal authorities as a reward. Sovaram Ray was also, a trusted ally of Raja Man Singh of Amber and a commander of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Shovaram suppressed rebellions and pirates with great skill, thus he came to the attention of Man Singh and Akbar. Pleased, Raja Man Singh granted him a dominion of 3 lakh bighas of land on the emperor's orders, and gave him the title of "Mandal", abolishing the title of "Roy". The Mondals established their residence in Bawali by the early 17th century.[4][5]

Rajaram was a very astute military commander and a hugely efficient administrator, he could device effective strategies. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, he had played a very important role of suppressing revolts in different parts of Bengal. It is said that he was the primary reason why the Mughal Empire could suppress the mutiny and insurgency. As an appreciation for his contributions, he received a Royal Charter called Firman from the Mughal court, granting him the ownership of 15 villages and huge tracts of land. From his time to the time before Haradhan Mondal, the family served as officials to the Mughal Empire.[2]

Rajaram's great grandson Haradhan, who became a trading partner of East India Company, and his sons built many temples in Bawali turning the nondescript village into a "temple town".[6]

Cultural contributions

[edit]

Under the leadership of Harananda Mondal, the family flourished, becoming influential landowners and patrons of the arts. They transformed Bawali into a temple town, constructing numerous temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temples are renowned for their exquisite terracotta work and intricate floral motifs. Notable among these is the Navaratna (nine-domed) Gopinath Jiu Temple, built in 1794.[7]

Bawali Rasmancha

The Mondals also constructed the Rajbari Bawali, a grand two-storied mansion spread over three acres. This architectural masterpiece served as the family's residence and a center of cultural activities. It has been now turned into a grand hotel. The Rajbari is now a heritage site, showcasing the opulence and grandeur of the era.[8]

Temple establishment

[edit]
  • In 1771, Harananda Mandal built the temple of Radhakanta Jiu in Bawali.
  • In 1794, he established the Navaratna Temple of Gopinath Jiu.

They also built twelve Shiva temples, a terracotta Gopinath temple, temples of gods and goddesses like Jagannath, Lakshmi, Janardana, Chandimata, Rajarajeshwari etc. A remarkable creation of this Mandal family was the Jaltungi. Such architecture was a novelty in Bengal at that time.[9][4]

  • Gopinath Jiu
    Gopinath Jiu
  • Side view of Gopinath jiu temple
    Side view of Gopinath jiu temple
  • Radhakanta temple
    Radhakanta temple
  • Natmandir
    Natmandir
  • Radha Krishna bigraha
    Radha Krishna bigraha
  • Radhashyamsundar temple
    Radhashyamsundar temple
  • Kuldevta
    Kuldevta
  • Varah avtar art
    Varah avtar art

Chetla branch

[edit]

It appears that in the late 18th century, a branch of the family moved upwards to the Chetla area, on the banks of Adi Ganga, in the Southern parts of Calcutta on the invitation of the Governor General Robert Clive himself. Babu Ramnath Mondal, the eldest son of Haradhan Mondal built the Radhakanta Temple which was also of Nabaratna style by the side of Adi Ganga in the modern day Chetla in Tollygunge area of Calcutta. It is 110 feet in height and the construction work began in 1796, was completed in 1807, and the temple was opened 1809. This temple also had a nat mandir. It is said that this temple was the inspiration for the Dakshineswar Kali Temple built by Rani Rashmoni of the Janbazar Raj family.[10][9] They also had matrimonial relationships with Rani Rashmoni's family, as they belonged to the same caste, the Mahishyas.[11][12] Apart from the temples at Bawali and the Radhakanta Jiu temple, this branch of the family also built many other temples as well such as a part of the Kalighat Kali Temple built by Babu Uday Narayan Mandal and the Boro Rashbari and the Choto Rasbari on the banks of River Adi Ganga by Babus Monimohan and Pyarilal Mandal.[10]

Legacy

[edit]

Efforts have been made to restore and preserve their legacy. The Rajbari Bawali has been renovated and now operates as a heritage hotel, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's history and culture.[13]


[edit]
  • Night view of the Palace (Bawali)
    Night view of the Palace (Bawali)
  • Interior
    Interior
  • Decorations
    Decorations
  • Drone view of the Rajbari
    Drone view of the Rajbari
  • Garden area
    Garden area

Reference

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Caudhurī, Kamala (1987). Dakshiṇa Cabbiśa Paragaṇāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Maḍela Pābaliśiṃ Hāusa. pp. 61, 62.
  2. ^ a b c বাওয়ালি জমিদারবাড়ির ইতিকথা by সোমা দাস
  3. ^ "রাজকীয় উইক-এন্ড কাটান বাওয়ালি রাজবাড়িতে". sangbadpratidin. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b "বাওয়ালি রাজবাড়ির সঙ্গে সম্রাট আকবরের কী সম্পর্ক জানেন?". JiyoBangla (in Bengali). 1 January 1970. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  5. ^ "History". The Rajbari Bawali. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Rangan Datta, Freelance Travel Writer & Photographer". www.rangan-datta.info. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  7. ^ Caudhurī, Kamala (1987). Dakshiṇa Cabbiśa Paragaṇāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Maḍela Pābaliśiṃ Hāusa. pp. 61 to 62.
  8. ^ Kolkata Album (in Bengali). Anubhav Prakashan. p. 47.
  9. ^ a b "কংক্রিটের আড়ালে মুখ ঢেকেছে মন্দিরশিল্প" (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  10. ^ a b Basu, Debashish Ed (1990). Kolkatar Purakatha. pp. 71 to 78.
  11. ^ "Bawali Rajbari, Budge Budge, 24 Pargans (South)". Rangan Datta. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Mondal family, Rani Rashmoni & Dakshineshwar Temple". Anil's Blog. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  13. ^ "The Rajbari Bawali". The Rajbari Bawali. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bawali_Raj&oldid=1297098761"