The tradition of community Durga Puja in Kolkata was started by Nabakrishna Deb, a key conspirator against Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula, writes Sankar Ray.
http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-durga-pujas-colonial-roots-1754517
<< Deb was conferred the title of 'Maharaja' by Warren Hastings in 1766 for his unflinching loyalty and services rendered to the company. This included the drafting of the infamous 1775 agreement between the EEIC and a group of 'aggrieved' royal officials, for dethroning Siraj-ud-Doula, the last king of greater Bengal. The agreement was signed at the palace of Jagat Seth, one of the signatories and the largest banker of Asia in those days (financially several times larger than the first ten bankers of Britain together). Other signatories included Siraj-ud-doula's commander-in-chief, Mir Jaffar, Roy Durlabh and Umichand. Also present was the Maharaja of Krishnagar, portrayed as a patron of art and culture, whom social historian Benoy Ghosh described as the initiator of 'dependent and colonial culture', hybridised with feudal grandeur. >>
Durga puja's colonial roots
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012, 11:00 IST | Agency: DNA
The tradition of community Durga Puja in Kolkata was started by Nabakrishna Deb, a key conspirator against Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula, writes Sankar Ray.
http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-durga-pujas-colonial-roots-1754517
<< Deb was conferred the title of 'Maharaja' by Warren Hastings in 1766 for his unflinching loyalty and services rendered to the company. This included the drafting of the infamous 1775 agreement between the EEIC and a group of 'aggrieved' royal officials, for dethroning Siraj-ud-Doula, the last king of greater Bengal. The agreement was signed at the palace of Jagat Seth, one of the signatories and the largest banker of Asia in those days (financially several times larger than the first ten bankers of Britain together). Other signatories included Siraj-ud-doula's commander-in-chief, Mir Jaffar, Roy Durlabh and Umichand. Also present was the Maharaja of Krishnagar, portrayed as a patron of art and culture, whom social historian Benoy Ghosh described as the initiator of 'dependent and colonial culture', hybridised with feudal grandeur. >>
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