Bamandanga Zamindari

Bamandanga Zamindari was founded by Rameswar Mustowfi. He was a Brahmin from the Radha region. During the Coochbihar campaign of the Mughals, he was serving as the Mustowfi (secretary) of the Maharaja of Coochbihar. His ancestors were also employed as 'Mustowfi' of Coochbihar kingdom on a hereditary basis. Rameswar got half of Fatehpur chakla as his Zamindari from the Maharaja, which earned fame as Bamandanga pargana. After Rameswar, his son Bishweshwar and his grandson Kashishwar got 4.50/16 annas share of the Zamindari. According to information provided by buchanan, in the absence of any successors for three generations, the widows of adopted sons ran the Zamindari through court of wards between 1779 and 1807. Among them, Pabitra Devi was the most prominent one. She ran the Zamindari quite efficiently. Her adopted son Kartik Chandra succeeded her as the zamindar.

After his death (1842), the Zamindari was reposed on the court of wards and it was returned to the son Nabin Chandra in April 1856 immediately after he attained puberty. He assumed the title of 'Roy Chowdhury' in 1880. The Bamandanga Lake was dug during his time and a number of Shiva temples were also built. After his death, his two sons Saratchandra Roy Chowdhury and Bipinchandra Roy Chowdhury inherited the Zamindari. When Saratchandra expired in 1901, Bipinchandra got the whole of the Zamindari; after his death, his two sons Manindrachandra Roy Chowdhury and Jagatchandra Roy Chowdhury succeeded him. They were the last Zamindars. Manindrachandra was the secretary of Rangpur Zamindar Association (1945-50). [Muhammad Moniruzzaman]