Treasure of Azimganj

Rani Bhabani

the mid-17th century, a small trading centre called Azimganj came up on the banks of the Ganga in Murshidabad. The royal family of Natore, now in Bangladesh, built a riverside palace in a village near Azimganj, and called it Baronagar, meaning ?a big town?.

Rani Bhabani, born in 1716 and widowed at 32, became a legend for her administrative ability. Driven by religion, she planned to build a Varanasi in Bengal. From 1755, a huge complex with over a dozen temples was built in Baronagar. Many have since been reduced to dust, but a few still stand strong, a testament to the past glory of Bengal.

One of the magnificent structures is the Panchanan Shiva temple on the Ganga embankment. Small and red, it has a unique Shivalingam ? five heads of Shiva carved on black stone. The temple houses a beautiful garden with a breathtaking riverside view.

The main attraction of Baronagar is the Charbangla mandir complex. Built in 1760 by Rani Bhabani, this is a small square arena fenced by four massive temples. Each one is built on a 1.5-ft high foundation and is dochala hut-shaped, a fine example of Bengal architecture. Each temple has three doors with three Shivalingams inside.

The magic of these temples is on their walls, embellished with beautiful terracotta work. The Ramayana is wonderfully sculpted. This is unique among terracotta temples in Bengal. Hindu motifs are also visible.

The temples had a narrow escape in December 1992, when a mob stormed the complex after the Babri Masjid demolition.

Another temple with a unique shape is in the north-west part of the Charbangla complex. The Bhabaneshwari temple of Baronagar is a masterpiece in distinctive Murshidabadi style. Built in 1755, it is 18-m high with a massive dome on top and decorated with fresco works, both inside and outside.

Famous people of Azimganj

Dr. Vimal Bachchhawat

Few people know that Dr. Vimal Bachchhawat of Azimganj had been awrded with Padmabhushana. He was also bhatnagar award winner in science. He was also the President of Indian scientists association for long time.

So many Rai Bahadur at British raj from one small Twin Town

1 )BISHAN CHAND DUDHURIA, Rai Bahadur. 

Born loth June 1852. The title and was conferred on 2nd January 1888 for his liberal philanthropy and public services. Owns lands in the districts of Maimansingh, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Burdwan, Bhagalpur, Faridpur, and Rajshahi, and has always contributed to charitable and other funds, opening annachatras (or poor-houses) in times of famine, etc. His son is named Bijai Singh Dudhuria, born November 1879. His brother is Rai Budh Singh Dudhuria Bahadur. 


2) BUDH SINGH DUDHURIA, Rai Bahadur. 

The title was conferred on 2nd January 1888. Is a brother of the Rai Bishan Chand Dudhuria Bahadur. 


3)DHANPAT SINGH DUGAR (of Baluchar), Rai Bahadur. 

Born 1841. The title was conferred on i3th December 1866. The Rai Bahadur, son of the late Pratap Singh Dugar , is a leading man among the Jains, and has founded many Dharmsalas for the use .of his co-religionists in various parts of India, and published and distributed the Jain sacred books. He is a banker and manufacturer, having houses in most of the great cities of Bengal, and has been distinguished for 
his liberality and public spirit. He has been twice married, and has three sons Babu Ganpat Singh and Babu Narpat Singh by the first wife, and Babu Maharaj Bahadur Singh by the second. Is an Honorary Magistrate.The family emigrated about 150 years ago from Kishengarh in Rajputana,and settled at Baluchar and Azimganj.

4)MEGHRAJ KOTHARI, Rai Bahadur. 

The title was conferred on 8th October 1867, for services rendered to Government during the Bhutan war.

5) SHITAB CHAND NAHAR, Rai Bahadur. 

Born 1 7th April 1847. The title was conferred,on 12th March 1875, recognition of his public spirit and services during the Bengal famine of 1873-74. Belongs to a Jain family of Bankers and Zamindars, owning land in the districts of Dinajpur, Murshidabad,and the Santal parganas. On ist January 1877, on the occasion of the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi in honour of the Proclamation of Her Most Gracious Majesty as Empress of India, he received a Certificate of Honour ; and on the occasion of Her Majesty's Jubilee, 23rd June 1887, he founded and endowed the Bibi Pran Kumari Jubilee High English School. Has edited sundry works on the religion of the Jains. He is an Honorary Magistrate of Azimganj, Murshidabad. He has four sons Mani Lai Nahar, born 7th April 1865 ; Puran Chand Nahar, born i5th May 1875; Golab Chand Nahar, born loth October 1881 ; and Koer Singh Nahar, born 8th October 1883.

6) SHIVA PRASADA, C.S.I., Rdjd. 

Born 1823. The title is hereditary, and was conferred on i6th February 
1887, on the occasion of the Jubilee of the reign of Her Most Gracious 
Majesty. Belongs to an Oswal Baisya family, claiming the same descent as that of the Jagat Seth family of Murshidabad. Raja Dal Chand, great-grand- father of the present Raja,on his two cousins being put to death by Nawab of Murshidabad, fled to Benares to the protection of the British Government. He was succeeded by his son, the Raja Utam Chand. The present Raja was early distinguished as a very learned man and a clever author. He entered the Department of Public Instruction of the North- Western Provinces, and was for many years a highly successful Inspector of Schools. He is also a Fellow of the Allahabad University. He was created a Companion of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, 28th May 1870 Raja, as a personal distinction, 2oth March 1874 and the same title declared hereditary, i6th February 1887. He has a son and heir, Kunwar Suchet Prasad.

Azimgang Heritage ,Culture & History

Some important facts of Azimganj

Some important facts of Azimganj :

1) Azimganj is located at 24.23°N 88.25°E[2]. It has an average elevation of 19 m (62 ft).

2) As of 2001 India census[3], Jiaganj Azimganj had a population of 47,228. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Jiaganj Azimganj has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 62%. In Jiaganj Azimganj, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

3) Kiriteswari Temple, one of the 51 Pithasthanas (a place where some part of the body of the goddess Sati is said to have fallen) where the Kirit (the crown) of the goddess to have fallen is not far away. The ruins of some of the old temples are also of Archeological interest. The Dahapara temple nearby attracts many devotees.

4) ascinating Baranagar temple complex built by Rani Bhabani (1714 – 1793), the Zamindar of Natore. The brick-built temples are considered to be amongst the best examples of Bengal Terracotta art. The Baranagar Temple complex is chiefly the creation of Rani Bhabani of Natore. The Bhabaniswara, Char Bangla, Jod Bangla and Rajrajeshwari are the main temples.

5) Azimganj Town population, according to the CCDSUS of 1911, is 12,327, of whom 9,772 aro Hindus, 1,712 are Musalmans and 795 are Jains. 

6) MUNICIPALITY.:Azimganj (as per year 1896)

Year of establishment.:1896

Number of ratepayers. 3030

Percentage to population. 24

Number of Municipal Commissioners.: 5

Income (excluding opening balance). 22360

7) The Azimganj Dispensary was founded in 1866 by Rai Dhanpat Singh Bahadur  

8) independance

India became independent on the 15th of August 1947, after being bifurcated into two nations, viz., India and Pakistan. Murshidabad, on the basis of the fact that Muslims were a majority, was part of (East) Pakistan for two days. Then it became part of India on the basis of the final award of the Radcliffe Commission.

Beautiful photographs of Jiaganj , Azimganj, Murshidabad

Old age Home at Azimganj...........My dream

I hv a dream to make a old age (retirement) home at Azimganj. my idea as follows:-

Proposed Retirement home at Azimganj

Apna Ghar(proposed name) is Jain's premier Retirement Residence and one of the

finest in India. Located at Azimganj -- a Jain Tirth very nearby to kolkata, Apna Ghar has

our very own Jain culture with modern amenities to provide our residents the best

contemporary lifestyle facilities.

Apna Ghar as a premier retirement residence, offers a continuum of assured lifetime care for every resident, that begins with access to health care services, food, personal assistance if requested, security, maintenance, housekeeping, linen services, wellness, entertainment and along the continuum, if needed, special care, assisted living and skilled long term care.

The concept of the old age home has become quite familiar today, but often for the wrong reasons. The idea seems to evoke a sigh of pity, which is uncalled for. Firstly, it has been ascertained by social surveys that there need not be any stigma attached to the residents of old age homes and neither do they require our pity. Secondly, many parents of middle class families are neither neglected nor abandoned by their children.

But, in this age of MNCs and FDIs, working professionals today are compelled to move away from home and work in faraway places. The elders of such families often do not wish to live permanently with their children in strange and distant places. Except for visits, they prefer to be live in their own homes.

Apna Ghar has been set up with the aim of providing home comforts and peace of mind to seniors seeking peace and calm. It is to be run as a non profit institution for Promotion of Jain Heritage, a social service organization to provide shelter to people of advanced years who feel stressed out by the daily hassles and troubles of life. The aim is to make them feel they are truly at HOME though in a different residence. Their stay at Apna Ghar will free them from various worries and pressures and find them a new life with all the basic comforts and care essential for them. They will never feel that Apna Ghar is a punishment transfer of residence because they have been rejected by society.

It is well known fact that many NRIs have their parents or relatives staying alone in Kolkata or other places in India. Most probably they are a worried group who themselves are helpless for being unable to give company and are left worrying about their near and dear ones in the matter of giving them a SECURED as well as comfortable life without the feeling of loneliness. There are only a very few old age homes who can cater to old people of this group. We are confident to cater this group who have resources but are unable to look after themselves effectively.

Sometimes it is found that children along with their parents are more conscious of the so called stigma of the Old Age Home rather than theCOMFORT in the old age and opting for buying expensive flats and making arrangement of enough helping hands to serve them. But it has been found that this is NOT helping the old people to come out of the feeling ofLONELINESS. Moreover, the headache of running the house still lies on the old people which money cannot buy and often becomes the target of cheating - even murder.

Apna Ghar’s effort is to bring people out of this feeling and realise the difficulties which has to be faced in the old age inspite of having all the resources.

Among many human achievements of 20th century "longitivity of life" is one, which is contribution of modern medical science this resulted in accelerated growth of senior citizens

To establish senior citizen homes for elders who are seeking social interaction, secure living to persuade their interests and yet remain free from all social pressures.

To maintain physical, psychological, spiritual aspects of each individual member.

To provide well furnished accommodation and comfortable living facilities.

FACILITIES

At Apna Ghar, we will take maximum care to provide all the possible facilities so that you can enjoy the best of your life.
The following facilities are available for our every resident and guest:

Accomodation Facilities:
•Fully Furnished Rooms.
•Attached Furnished Bathrooms.
•Furnished common lounges.

Dining Facilities
•Breakfast.
•Tea and Snacks two times a day and on call.
•Two meals per day.

Housekeping facilities
•Housekeeping two times a day.
• Linen services daily.
•In-House manager available 24 hrs a day.

Healthcare facilities
•Emergency medical response.
•Ambulance facility 24 hrs a day.
•Visiting Geriatrist Physician every week.
•Visiting Dentist once a month.

Club Facilities
•Cable TV at every room.
•Live Video chat facilities with your family and friends around the world.
•Current journals and periodicals and news papers.
•Games
•Carom
•Chess
•Cards

Proposed requirement Infrastructure:

1) 10 Bedroom (double) attached bathroom equipped with following: -

a) 2 single bed

b) 2 almirah

c) 2 chair

d) 2 table

e) 1 television

f) 1 intercom

g) 2 bed lamp

h) 1 celling fan

i) 1 tube light

2) One Common lobby

3) One dinning Hall

4) One kitchen room

5) Two store room

6) One doctor room

7) One guest room

8) One Generator room

Equipments require: -

1) One refrigerator big for kitchen

2) One refrigerator small for medicine

3) Oxygen cylinder and equipment

4) Aqua guard

5)

Manpower: -

1) Cook 2 person

2) Domestic helper – 2 person

3) One Manager

4)