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RAJSHAHI.

rPrlce-ln India, Ra. B 1 In England, 4a. Bd.J BENGAL DISTRICT GAZETTEERS.

RAJSHAHI

BY ~ L. S. S. O'MALLEY,

INDIAN CIVIL SE.RVICE.

CALCUTTA: ... BENGAL SECRETARIAT BOO'K DEPOT.

1916. PLAN OF CONTENTS.

- --+-- CHAPTER . PAGB. I. PHYSICAL ASPECTS 1 II. HISTORY 23 III. THE PEOPLE ... 49 IY. PUBL~C HEALTH . .. 67 V. AGRICULTURE 75 - VI. NATURAL CALAMITIES ... 87 VII. RENTS, WAGES AND PRICES -9! VIII. INDUSTRIES AND TRADE - 103 IX.. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION 113 X. LAND REVENUE ADMINISTRATIOX 119 XI. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 128 XII. THE GANJA l'J.AHAL 134: XIII. LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT 145 XIV. EDUCATION ... 14S XV. GAZETTEER . ... 154 INDEX 193 ·~· TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PhYsical ' Aspects.

GENERAL .DESCRIP'riON-Derivation of name-Boundaries-:Natural divi­ sions-Barind-Hiparian tract-The /,il area-Scenery-Marsh- ./ . es or bUs--Uhalau Bil-LINES OF DRAINAGE-RIVER SYSTEM- ' Ganges or PaJma-Oharll or diaras-~lahananda-Atrai and Gur­ Jamuna-Baral-Nandakuja...... and Gmnaui -.Musakhan or Gadai - Baralai-Niirad-GEOLoGY-llOTA NY-FAUN A--Mam mala-.--Birds -FiHh-Heptiles-CLIMATE-WinJ:>-Temperature-Rainfall 1-22

CHAPTE.R II.

··Ustory. EARLY HrsTORY-PALA KINGs-Gopala, 750 A.D.-Dhat·mapala, 800 A.D. -Devapala-Mongolian interregnum-Mahipala 980;-1030 A.D.­ A popular rebellion-Ramapala, 1084-1130 A.D.- Administration of the Palas-THE SENA . KINGS-MUHAMMADAN RuLE-RAJA KANS OR GANEsn-A HINDU HEVIVAL-A HJNDU CouRT-MUGHAL' GovERNORs-Rise of the Nator Raj -MARATHA RAIDS-EARLY ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION--LawlessneRs of the «;JOUntry:_Police. administration-FORMATION OF THE DISTRI

CHAPTER Ill.

Tha People. GROWTH OF POPULATION-DENSITY-MIGRATION-TOWNS AND VILLAGES__: RELIGIONs-Animists-Christians-Muhammadans-IIinds. castes -Brahmans-CASTE Go\TERNMENT-Baishnab-Kaibartta-Muchi­ Narnasudra-Rajbansi-Dhii.wa-Jolaha-Kulu--Sheikh--MuHAM­ MADAN SEcTs-SoME 'Low MusALMAN CLASSEs-SoME MUHAM­ MADAN MARRiAGE CUSTOMS-OTHER CUSTOMS-Ali>SOCIATI()NS AND NEWSPAFERS .,. 49-66 X TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

Public Health. PAGES. GJ£NERAL CONDITIO~S-U!'!HEALTHr AREAs-UNHEALTHY SEASONS- FE\"ER SEASO~S-TYPES OF FEVER-DISPENSARIES-VACCINATION- INFIB:MITJES - . ... 67-74

CHAPTER V.

Agriculture. ' .J'ENEBAL CONDITIO!\S-EXTENSION OJ' CULTIVATION-SOJLS-AGRICUJ.­ TURAL CALENDAR-PRINCIPAL CROP&-Aman or winter rice-Aus­ rict>-Boro rice-Uainfall-Disposal of the crop.-Jnte-Ralii crops -Oil t~eedtJ-:-Sngarcaue-Mulberry cultivation-Pan rlantations_:. . Other crops-A.GRICULTURAL FAR:M-V'ETERINABY RELIEF-SEBICUL- 'fURE ... 75-86

CHAPTER VI.

Natural calamities.'

LIABILITY, TO FAMJNF.-FAMINE Oli' 1769-7(}-li'AlV'INF. OF 1874-FAMINE OP 11197-SrA.RCITY OF 1908-09-FLOODS-EARTHQUAKE OF 1897 ••• 87-93

CHAPTER -VII.

Rents~ wages and Prices.

RE~TS-PBODUCE RENTB-~-J bi.Cabs-ENHANCEMEN1 OF RENTB-PRICES- W A.GES-GE~ERAL CO~CLUSIO:XS ••• 94-102

CHAPTER VIII.

andustries and Trade.

0ccUPATIONS-INDUS1'RlAL CENSt:'S-bDl:"STBIES-Sugar nJiiJs-Brass and hell-metal-Fisheries-Silk manufacture-Kluimru silk-Jfath·a silk--other iudustries-Indigo-TRADE-Melas and hats • ..... j03- 112 TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi

CHAPTER IX.

Means of Communication. PAGES. HAILWAYS-ROAIJS-Nator road-Nahata 1:oad-.Malda road-Pabna road --Dinajpur road-Bo~.ra road-\VATEB COMMUNLCATIONR-Steamer service:.~-Boats ..... ~ •• 113-118

CHAPTER X.

Land Revenue Administration.

RKVEI\UE HISTORY-GOVERNIIIEN'f ESTITES-HEN'f-]!'R~;E 'fENURES- A i'l&as-1-'irpiil-Debottctr, brahmottar, bhugottar aud mahattran­ Service tenures-Hebas-HENT rAYING TENUREs-J>atni tenures­ Other teuureR-Jfu~uri jot-Siinkarii1·i-Blliig-klliijana-LAND- LORDB AND TE~ANTS J19-127

CHAPTER. XI.

General Administration. ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES AND STAFF-PUBLIC \VORKS DEPART'\IENT-. ADliiNISTRATION OF JUSTICE-?OLICE--JAILS -REGISTRATION- EXCISI£-JNCOME-TAX ... ti8-t33

CHAPTER XII.

The GanJa Mahal- .

G gN ERA L-CULTl VA TIO~-The n nrsery-Thlj fields-'fransp!autation­ Subsequent treatmeut-Eiimination of the male· plant~-MANUFAO= TURE-The Chiitars-Flat oiinja-Rouud giinja -Di~posal of sticks, leaf and seeds-ADliHNlSTRA'IION-CUL'fiVATORS. • •• ] 34.-144

CHAPTER XIII.

Local Self-Government • • DISTRICT B:1ARD-LooAL BoAnos-MuNICII'ALITlES-Rampm· Boalia__:.

Nator uo 145-147 . ,· xii TABLE 01!, CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIV. .

Education. I'AGES. LlTKBACY-EDUCATIONAL I!ITAJ'J'- EDUCA"fiONAL' INSTITUTIONS-Rijshahi- College-Attached institutions-Secondary schools-Primary schools -JudustriaJschooJs-other schools-FEMALE EDUCATION-EDUCA- TION OJ' MUHAMMADANS 148-153

CHAPTER XV.

Gazetteer. Badalgachhi-Ba.~atipara--Bagha--Balihii.r-Bhandarpur--Bilmaria­ Dayarampur--Dighapatia--DubalLati--Godagari--Gurudaspur- ...... • · Kalam .-Kasimpur-Khetur-Kusumba-Lakshmanhati-Lilpur-· Mah~debpur-llalanchi-Manda-Manda · (Thaknr)-Naogaon­ N~&ogaoo Subdivililon~-Nator-Nator Sul>Jivision--Niamatpur­ Pah~rpur-Pa nan agar-Puthia-Raja pur-Rirupur Boalia-Ram pur Boalia S.IbJivi.:~ion-Sardah~Tiihirpur-Thii.kur 1\l:inda ••• 154-191

INDEX .•• 193-197 193

INDEX.

A. Barga sy:>tem, 95. r Barind, 2, 3, 17, 18, 47, 48,.51, 1g, Al.Ual>~, 65. 88. . I Abuxibs, 95-98, 126. Baruipara Kila, 163. A clltidars, 95. Bedias, 65. Admini:-!tration, lan1l revenue, -119- BehedayatiP.s, 63. 127; general, 128-133; Ganja Belgharia, 109. :Mahal, 141- 14 3. Bell-metal manufacture, lOG. AJministrati\·e charge::~ and staff, 44, Bengari, 118. 45, 128. Bhiidai crops, 78. Aghani cropR, 78. Bhadai river, 5. Agricnltnral farm, fl5. 11hiig-khiijana, 94, 124. .A~riculture, 75-86, 103. Bhaudarpur, 158. AhmaJia~. 64. Bhar, 76, 87. Aimas, 122. Bhaturia, 1, 29. Alaipur, 177. Bhima, 27. A man rice, 78, 79. · Rhor1ottar, 1_22. Andarkutha, 55. Bichiirs, 125. Anirnitits, 54, 55. Bilmaria, 159. Archreology, 46-48. BUs, 4, 5, 76. Asariadaha, 12. Birds, 19. Associations, 66. Biyaghat, 163. Atr:u, 105, 113, 131. Blindness, 7 4. Atrai river, 6, 14. Boats, 118. Aus rice, 79. Bogra road, 116 •. Boro rice, 80. B. Botany, 16, 17. Boundaries of dis~rict, 2. Bada1g1ichhi, 154. Bagatipara, 154. Brahmans, 56, 57.­ Bagha, 154-156. BrahmfJttat·, 122. Brass manufacture, 106. B1i.~n1ira. 16. Baishnabs; 58. Buddhism, 28. Balihar. 156-158. Bulanpur, 179. Banganga, 7. Bansphor>~, 64. c. Bara Kothi, 179-182. Calamities, natural, 87-93. Baral river, 15. Castes, 56-61. Bilralai river, 15. Census statistics, 49-56. 0 194 INDEX.

Chakrampor, 168. Emigrants, 52. · Chalan Bil. 5-9•. Estates, 120. Cnanchkhoir, 163. Excise, 133. Oharis, 118. Ohar1, 12, 13, 88• F. . Ohiitar., 137, 138. ~.. actories, 105. Chaugram, 47, 71, 117, 151. Failam, 6. d1ankidars, 129. i .. akirni river: 16. · Christians, 55. Famine!:!, 88-9'2 ; prices in, 100. Civil Courts, 129. Farazis. 63. . Climate, 21, 22. Farm, agricultural~ 85. Cot'ege, Rajsl•ahi, 149, 150. 1 Fauna, 17-20. Collegiate School, 151 Female education, 152. Comm~rce, 1.1 1. Ferries, Di.;trict Board, 14.5. Communications, 113-118, Fever, 7Q-72 . . Cotton weaving, 111. Filatures, :::,ilk, 105, 108, 109. Criminal Courts, 128. Fish, 20. Crops, 71-85. Fisheries, 103, 107. Cultivation, 75-86. Flood,;, 9.:!. D. G. Dafadars,.129. Gadai river, 15. • - . Dakra, 84·, 110. Game birds, 19. Dayarampur, 15.9. Ganesh.Raja., 29-33 Debottar, 122 • Ganges river,. 9-12. .pensity of population, 5 J. Ganja cultivation and manufacture, Dhawas, 60 134-141. Diaras,._12, 13, 88. Ganja Mahal, 134-14-t. Dighapatia, 151, 159,_161. Geology, 16. Digram, i 13. Godagari, 37. 38, 71, 162 . . Dinajp·tr road, 116. - Godagari Ghat, 113. DispensarieJJ, 72-74. Government estates, 121. District Board, 145. Gumani river, 6, 15. District, formation of, 44, 45. Gor river, 6, 14. Drainage, lines of, 9, · Gurodaspur, 163. Dubalhati: 19, 151, 161, 16~. · Dutch trade, 179-181 •. H. Haiti Bil, 19, 17 4. E .. Bats, 111. Health, public, 67-74 Earth')uakes, 93. Hedayatis, 63. Education, 148-153. Henan Bil, 116 .. Ekannabigha, 6. Hiala Bil, 111>. INDEX. 195

Hindus, 54 ; education of, 148. 1- L. I ~ History, 23-48. 1 Lakhiriij, 123. Honorary ::\lagi'Strates, 128. i Lakehmanbati, 106, 154. lluzuri jot, 1~4. Liilpur, 71, 166. I. Land revenue, 119-127~ Landlords, 95-98, 124-127. Immigrants, 51-53. Lashkarpm·. 45. Income-tax, 133. Leprosy, 7 4". J ndigo, 85, 111. LiteracY, 148. ' Industrial l:ichools, 15 ~. Local B.}ards, 146. Industries, 103-111_. Local Self-Government, 145·147. Infirmities. 74. Insanity, 74. M. 1 nundations, _92. Madt·asm;, 151, 152. J. 1\Iahiidebpur, 129,130, 166 •

J ahu na 1 iver, 14. .Mahiinanda rive•·, 13. Jails, 130. Jll ahattran, 122 .. ,lJal.:tabs, 152. Jaint11 24. Jamuna river, 14. 1\Iiilanchi, 154 J an,ral, Rar•i Bhawiini'.,;, 4 7. Malaria, 70-72. Jhalmalia, 15, 115. 1\Ialda road, 115 .. Jogendranagar, 6. 1\Iandn, 166~ Jolahas, 60. :Manda Bil, 167, 168. Judicial admiu1stration, 128. 1\laudail, 46. Jute, 81-83 ; presses, 105. .Manufactures, 105-lli. . .Maratha· raitis, 37, 38.· K. Marriage customs, 65, 6~ Kaibarttas, 56, 58. Marshes, 4, 5. · Kiijla, 109. Matka ~:~ilk, 110. Kalam, 53, 106, 163. Medical aspects, 6 7-7 4.' r Kaliclaskllali, 118. Melas, 112. Kalikapur, 166. :\Ieteorology, 21, 22. Kans, Raja, 29-33. l\lidnarore Zamindari Co., 180. Kiinti Narayan, Raja, 34-36, 189, 190· Migration, 51-53, Kiips, 56, 57. 1\lirganj, 84, 86, 110 Kiit>impur, 163. 1\lissiouEI, Christian, 55. · Khiimru tilk, 109. Motihari, 109. Khetur, 164. 1\luchis, 59. Khojapur, 109. Mnghal rule, 36-38. Krittivasa, 34-36. Mul;ammadan rule, 29, 36-38.­ Kulus, 60. :Muhammada.ns, 54, 61-66, 148 ; Kmuiirpur, 27. education of, 149. 152. KurJttail, 15 7. :Mulberry cultivation, 84. Kusumb"a, 165. Municipaliti~s, 146. 196 INDEX.

Musakhan river, 15. ·, Patni tenures, 123, ~ .Musalmans. See Muhammadans. Paundras, 23 • Museum, 18~. Permanent Settlement; 38, 39. Mustard cultivation, 83 •. Phyt!ical a!'lpects, 1-22. Mutiny of 1857, 46. PigR, wiM, 18, 19. Pirpal, 122. N. Police, 44, 129. N'abinagar, 12. Population, statistics of, 49-5 I :Viids, 118. Potatoes, 85. Nagar riv«'r, 14. PrE>mtali, 164. Nakshbandis, 65. Presbyterian mh1sion, 55. N.amatmdras, 56, 59. Prices, 99, 100. Nandakiya river, 15. Primary schools, 152.­ Nandigram, 117. Produce rents, 94. Naogaon, 151, 167. Public Works Dt>partment, 128. Naogaon subdivision, 168. Pnndras, 23. . Narad river, ~1. 16._. Pnndravardhaua, 24 • Nator, 147, 151, 169-172. Puthia, 151, 176-78. Nator Raj, 36,, 37,38-40, 170-172. Nator subdivision, 173_ R. Natural calamities, 87-93. Rabi crops, 78, 83. Navigation, 1 J7 r 118. Rafiyadains; 63 Nausera, 12. - Railways, 113. Newspapers, 67. Rainfall, 22, 80. • Ni~matpur, 174.. Rajapur·, 178. Nikiih, marringes, 65, 66. ~ Rajbansis, 59. o. Rajshahi, derivation of name, 1, · 2 ; former extent of, 38, 44. · Occupations, 103, 104. Rajshahi Chakla, 34-45. Oilseeds, 83. Rajshahi College, 149, 150. Oraons, 54. Rampur Boalia, 37, 71, 85, 86, 105, P. 108, 130, 146, 149, 150. 151, , 152, 178-184. Paba, 105. Rampur Boalia subdivision, 184 Palma road, 115. Ranbagha, 117. Padma river~ 9-1.2. Registry offices, 131. Paharpur, 17 4. Religions, 54. Pakuria, 38. Rents, 94-99. Pala Kings, 24-28. Reptiles, 20. Pan plantatations, 85. Revenue, land. 119-127. ' Pananagar, 71, 175. Rice mill~:~, 105. Panikam_ra, 178. Riparian country, 3, 4. Patisar, 127, 151. Rivers, 9-16. Pankhyas. 65. Roads, 114-117. INDEX. 197 s. Tiiluks, 123 . . Technical school~, 152. Sankariiri, 124. ITemperature, 21. _ Sanskrit College, 151. Tenures, !21-124. Santa.ls, 51, 52. . Thakur Manda, 167. · Sardah, 11, 12. 108, 109, 129, 184· 1'hanaR 129. 189. 1 Titamari, 12. t;cenery, 4. Tobacco, 85. Schools, 149-152. Towns, 53. Self-Government, Local, 145-147. , . Seua Kings, 29 Trade, 111. Sericulture, 86. Training schools, Police, 129, lSO. Service tenures, 122. Tulsiganga river, 14. Shamshadipur, 109. Tumtums, 115. Sheikhs, 55, 61. Silk manufacture and trade, 38, 40, v. 103, 107-110. V~ccination, 7 4. Singra, 5, 6, 14, 117. Vareudra, 2, 24. Sirol, 18. Varendra Brahmans~ 57. Snakes, 20. Vareudra Research Sociery, 46, 183.

Soils, 77. Veterinary relief, 86 1 146. Srirlimpur, 1:!, 179. Vijayanagar, 29. · _ Steamer services, 118. Villages, 53, 54. Staff, administrative, 1~8 ; . educa­ tional, 149. w. Subdivisions., 50, 128, 129. Wages, 100. _ Sugarcane, 84. _ Wahabis,-62, 63. · Sugar mills, 106, Watson& Co., 46,_109, 111. Sultlinganj, 13. Wild animals, 17-19.. T. Winds, 21 •. Winteuice, 78, 79. Tagore, Sir Rabind1·a Nath, 127. Tagores of Pakuria, 38. z. Tahirpur, 34, 35, 45, 177, 189, 190. Zamiudars, 95-98, 124-27. Talam, 1G3. Zoology, 17-20.

B. S. Press-5-9-1916-329J-450-J. L.