Moynagarh Monument of Dignity: A Symbol of First Rebellion against British Autocracy
©Rupesh Samanta
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The Revenue administration of Midnapore
was acquired by the British East India Company in 1760. Then Midnapore was
divided among 12 zaminders. Moynachoura was one of the famous zaminder estates
at that time. There was an amazing fort which is reminiscent of the `Dharma-
Mangala' and associated with the name of legendary King Lausen. The fort of
Moynagarh which is called Killah Moynachoura was invincible at that time due
to its watery defense. There had been
crocodiles in the deep water, dense bamboo forest in the bank of water line
and cannons in different positions. Then Jagadananda Bahubalindra was the
king of Moynachoura (17550-1773). John
Johnstone, first ever British Resident of Midnapore narrates in 1760,
‘Jagadananda was esteemed a formidable Rajah and kept a body of 3000 men at
his pay. He was a great favourite at the court in Murshidabad’. He again
wrote in 1773, `he has indulged extravagancies of pomp & show'. Jagadananda was very
rude about British and refused the superiority of British. He also refused to
pay revenue in the district headquarters. Warren Hastings became the first Governor General of British
India in 1773-74 under Regulating Act. Then Edward Baber was Midnapore
Resident. Edward Baber wrote to Hastings, `When I was in Calcutta, I had the
honour to inform you of the insolent conduct of the Moynachourah Rajah... he
threw off all obedience to my authority... speaking of me with the utmost
contempt and a day or two after, he seized money and took it by force'
(`letter dt. 06-01--1773)'. Then Hastings ordered : `Seize and send
Moinachura Raja as prisoner to Calcutta for his rebellious and insolent
behaviour... In the meantime, you must throw a small guard into his fort in
order to prevent his repossessing himself of it... He shall be wholly
dispossessed of his Zemindary and further for the sake of public example
(Parwana dt. 16-02-1773 & another letter). Baber
dispatched on 19th a party of sepoys to the fort under the command of a
lieutenant. But Jagadananda was not to be found. He made himself concealment.
Lt. Robert Baillie reported from Mynachoura fort : `my taking possession of
this place this morning at four O'clock, though I have not been fortunate
enough to lay my hands on the Raja ... searched every corner of his house to
satisfy myself that he was not concealed’. (Letter, February 1773). Lastly
Baber suggested that it would be better to throw down the ramparts and fill
up the ditches than to let it remain in a state of any strength or defense.
Finally, urgent instruction came from Fort william : `We have thought proper
to confirm the succession of the Zemindary of Moynachoura to the infant son
of the Rajah who has been dispossessed and during the minority of the new
zemindar we have appointed his mother to act as his guardian ...’ (letter dt.
24-08-1773). Thus Administration of British India strikes for the first time
at Moynagarh. Pranab Bahubalindra rightly says, ‘Jagadananda failed, but protected
his personal dignity and magnanimity. Britishers even could not triumph over
him ultimately’. In memory of first rebellion against British Autocracy by
the King Jgadananda a Monument of
Dignity was set up and inaugurated on 28 January, 2014. The place is about 10
km. west of Tamluk town and it is by the side of the river Kansabati, a
little above its junction with the Kaliaghai. It is in Garsafat Mouza under
Moyna Block in the district of purba Medinipur. Information Source:
[1] A Pen Picture of Moynagarh: Killa Moynachoura, Pranab Bahubalindra [2] Killa
Moynachoura, Edited- Dr. Koushik Bahubalindra |
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