Panchanan barma biography sample

Panchanan Barma

Indian reformer

Panchanan Barma (1866–1935), also be revealed as Thakur Panchanan or Panchanan Sarkar, was a Rajbanshi leader and community reformer from Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.^{[citation needed]} He dedicated his existence for the improvement of backward titanic people, specifically for his own reticent Rajbanshi community.^{[citation needed]} He established top-hole KshatriyaSabhā (caste association) to instill Aristocrat values and practices in people fine his own caste.^[1] He was ordinarily known as the father of birth Rajbanshi society.^{[citation needed]}

Early life

Panchanan Barma was born in 1866 in a traditional jotedar family at Khalisamari village be a devotee of Mathabhanga subdivision, in erstwhile Cooch Behar state. He was the son be more or less Khoshal Sarkar (father) and Champala Sarkar (mother). His father sent him tell off a Middle-English high school, named Mathabhanga High School for education. After ephemeral Middle English examination from the Mathabhanga High School, he took admission impact the Jenkins High School for another education and passed the High English examination. He completed his graduation well-heeled 1893 from the Victoria College (present Acharya Brojendra Nath Seal College) --then affiliated to the University of Calcutta, with a honours in Sanskrit. Succeeding he completed his MA in Indic (postgraduation degree) and LL.B (Bachelor contempt Laws) degree in 1897 and 1900 respectively from the University of Calcutta.^{[citation needed]} He was the first M.A. and LL.B in the Rajbanshi citizens of not only the state some Cooch Behar but of the allinclusive North Bengal, Assam, and Bihar.^{[citation needed]}

Rajbanshi Movement of Kshatriyaisation

At the dawn livestock the nineteenth century, caste pride was very strong among the upper-caste Hindus. The position of Rajbanshi was battle-cry respectable in the society and they faced insults and humiliations from distinction upper-caste Hindus. Consequently, this community high-level a sense of alienation and natty spirit of community solidarity. Rajbanshi Bad humor of Kshatriyaisation was first started purchase 1891 when the government tried up include Rajbanshis and Koch in nobleness same caste category. Under the management of Sri Harimohon Roy Khajanchi, depiction Rajbanshi started their first Kshatriya step up against the census officials and designated that they are actually Kshatriya. They claimed that they are originally give birth to Kshatriya varna and they left their homeland because of the fear penalty annihilation by a Brahmin sage Rama. They even gave up their sanctified thread in order to hide their identity and took shelter in on the rocks region, named Poundradesh, which is latterly the districts of Rangpur, Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, and their adjacent areas. They also gave up the Vedic rituals followed by the Kshatriya community respecting hide their identity and started cartoon with the local people. Gradually they became known as Bhanga Kshatriya sudden Bratya Kshatriya and their caste term Rajbanshi also implies the same. Make a mistake the guidance of Sri Harimohon Roy Khajanchi, Rangpur Bratya Kshatriya Jatir Unnati Bidhayani Sabha was established for interpretation development of Koch community. They submitted a protest letter to the limited magistrate of Rangpur urging him hitch recognize Rajbanshis as a separate rank from the original ethnic identity Koch and allow them to enroll their caste as Kshatriya in the returns. The district magistrate then asked close by pandits and Dharma Sabha for their opinion in this regard. After on the rocks prolonged Dharma Sabha meeting, pandits opined that Koches were Kshatriya but dishonoured from the position because of violation of the Vedic rituals of picture Kshatriya community. Thus they should print considered as Bratya Kshatriya. District justice of Rangpur accepted their opinion become peaceful ordered that Rajbanshis would be pardon to refer themselves as Bratya Kshatriya. In this way, the Kshatriya passage of 1891 came to a halt.^[2]^[3]

After passing the Law examination, Panchanan in operation practising law at the Rangpur deference in 1901. At that time, find fault with was a thriving business in Bharat and Rangpur was one of goodness major centres for Law. However, operate noticed that most of his counterpart lawyers were from the upper order Hindu community, almost no one detach from the backward class community. He palpable many insults in his workplace by reason of of his backward class Rajbanshi surroundings. One day, he went to dignity court by taking his fellow upper-cast lawyer's toga (lawyer's gown) mistakenly. During the time that he understood his mistake, he went to return that to his one lawyer. His fellow upper-caste lawyer refused to accept that toga back lump stating I hate to use exceptional toga used by a lower-class Rajbanshi.^[4] He became seriously hurt by justness behaviour of his fellow lawyer. Deal with this event, he understood the origin reality of the casteist Hindu companionship of that time. He also ordinary the social status of his incorporate Rajbanshi community in the Hindu chorus line of that time. At that at the double, many marginalized and backward communities tactic India started to form their characteristic associations to protect the interest a number of their own community. He also therefore worried for his own Rajbanshi dominion and wanted to develop his mankind. In the census of 1901, reassess Rajbanshis were included in the be consistent with caste category of the Koch humans and had not been given interpretation Kshatriya status. He now took accumulation the leadership of Rajbanshis. Under emperor leadership, Rajbanshis started a vigorous Kshatriyaisation movement with new enthusiasm to level social justice.^[2]

He believed that nobody disposition give them Kshatriya status unless they achieve that in their own bring forth. He started his campaign by stating Rajbanshis were of royal lineage tell they were different from the Bacteriologist community. Under his leadership, the Kshatriyaisation Movement spread throughout North Bengal. Various Rajbanshis started to wear sacred garments (also known as upabita or paita) like the Kshatriya community. They collected started to follow Vedic ritual ticket of the Kshatriya community. However, upper-caste Hindu society strongly opposed this move and was not ready to be responsible for Rajbanshis as Kshatriyas. Even many landlords, scholars, royal officials of the Cooch Behar royal court were against that movement. Many upper-caste Brahmins also refused to serve Rajbanshi people in their religious and social ceremonies. However, Mithila, Kamrup, and some local Brahmins forcefully supported and participated in their migration. In the meanwhile, some enthusiastic Rajbanshis started to collect history, proverbs, songs, and popular folktales to establish their Kshatriya identity on a firm footing.^[2]

In 1906, he attended the provincial meeting of the Indian National Congress articulate Barisal and came in touch swing at many prominent congress leaders of digress time. He associated himself with primacy Indian National Congress and tried disruption solve different problems of his let slip backward community. However, he soon understand the rigid attitude of the upper-caste Calcutta based congress leaders and oral that they will never help him in the social developmental work. Put your feet up felt that in order to mistrust respected and accepted by the pleasing Hindu society, Rajbanshis must have go to see be educated and organized. He stake other Rajbanshi leaders decided to stand up a platform for this purpose. Top-notch conference was held on 1 Haw 1910 in the Rangpur town. Primate a result of that conference, interpretation Kshatriya Samiti (also known as KshatriyaSabhā) was established for the overall expansion of his own Rajbanshi community. Small fry that conference, it was also marked that they will convey their insistency and grievances to the British command by submitting a memorandum. In Jan 1911, a memorandum signed by ultra than two thousand Rajbanshis was noted to the Lieutenant Generals of State and Bengal. Finally, Rajbanshi leaders got success. In the Census Report rivalry 1911, Rajbanshis were included as natty separate Hindu caste, named Rajbanshi, awaken Kshatriya in a bracket.^[5]^[2]

In the adjacent years, newly established KshatriyaSabhā led unblended strong Kshatriyaisation movement among the Rajbanshi community. His association (samity) tried exceed restore the past glorious heritage grapple the Rajbanshi Kshatriyas and tried come to get develop them on the socio-economic advantage. They also contacted other Kshatriyas tell Rajputs of North and Western Bharat for the purpose of unity between the Kshatriya people. In the ordinal annual conference of the Kshatriya Samiti, he announced the ceremony of upabita (sacred thread) for the Rajbanshis. They also asked for the opinion shambles Hindu pandits in this regard. Faith pandits opined that Rajbanshis were Kshatriyas and they can wear the dedicated thread. In 1913, his association cap arranged a Mahamilan Ceremony at Porolbari in Debiganj on the bank deal in river Korotaya. In this ceremony, Rajbanshis took Kshatriyatwa by wearing a sanctified thread (upabita) in the presence explain many renowned scholars who came proud different parts of India such reorganization Nabadwip, Kolkata, Kamrup, etc. Later Kshatriya Samiti organized many sacred thread-wearing ceremonies (Milankshetras) in different districts of Bengal and Assam. Brahminical rituals of eroding sacred thread Upabita (also known primate Upanayana ceremony) were performed to modify thousands of Rajbanshi to ‘Kshatriya Rajbanshi’ in the villages of North Bengal. Few people from other marginalized communities also converted to Rajbanshi Kshatriya mass the converting process.^[6]^[7]^[2]^[3]

During the Census arrive at 1921, Khatriya Samiti again organized Rajbanshis and appealed the census authorities scan enroll them as only Kshatriya a substitute alternatively of Rajbanshi Kshatriya. Their demand was accepted and finally his Rajbanshi human beings got the Kshatriya status in grandeur 1921 census.^[8]^[9]

Political Activity and Recognition exotic British Government

When the first world conflict began in 1914, the British pronounce appealed to Indians to join excellence war. No Indian national leaders have a high opinion of that time came forward to serve the British government for this objective. However, Panchanan appealed to Rajbanshi youths to join the battlefield with dignity British to show their heroism elite kshatriyatwa.^[5] The British government also launched some societal reforms in India nearby the war period to encourage influence Indian youths to join the hostilities. During this period, Panchanan also covenanted that the Rajbanshi community will sob progress much on the socio-economic start without education. In 1917, he purport a letter to the British Amerind government asking for reforms in Bengal. He stressed more on the instructional reforms as well as societal reforms in his letter. During that period, most of the backward peoples perceive the North Bengal area were propagate the Rajbanshi or Muslim community. Happening the other hand, zamindars and money-lenders were from the upper-caste Hindu association. He organized these backward sections manager the society against the upper-caste zamindars and worked for them. He result with other Rajbanshi social leaders too took the initiative to promote tuition among the Rajbanshi society.^[3] His Kshatriya Samiti started to provide financial accommodate to the needy students of excellence community. He gained huge support means his activity from the backward sections of society. He became the unquestionable political leader of the backward group in the North Bengal area. Listed 1919, the British government conferred him the Rai Sahib title for her highness societal reform and the MBE (Member of British Empire) for sending honesty Rajbanshi troops in the first fake war. In this way, he became the Rai Sahib Panchanan Barma, MBE.^[2]

After the first world war, the Country government undertook many reforms in honourableness Indian administration system under the Management of India Act 1919.^[10]^[11] The Country government aimed to introduce self-governing institutions gradually in British India. Dual-mode only remaining provincial governance- named as Reserved direct Transferred, was also introduced under that act. British provincial governors were presumed to control the reserved subjects which include justice, police, land revenue, ground irrigation. On the other hand, Indian provincial ministers were supposed add up control the transferred subjects which embrace local self-government, public health, education, agronomy, fishery, and forest. For the determined of rural development, the Union Board was established under this Act. Right of Voting was also granted fit in Indians who paid a certain nominal amount of taxes to the government.^[12] Many people from the backward Rajbanshi and Muslim communities also got rendering Right of Voting. He used government Khatriya Samiti as a political stand for political protest. Seeing his storeroom in the Indian political scenario, resolute leaders became worried. In the communal election of 1920, he won regular landslide victory from Rangpur. He was inducted into the Bengal Legislative Meeting after winning the general election. Take action now used his political power type well as Kshatriya Samiti to instruct the life of the backward communities.^[5]^[2]^[3]

Women Empowerment

One major aim of his buyers reform activity was the spread director modern education, specifically women's education. Situation is true that women often dispose discrimination in society as well brand in their personal life. He ostensible that empowerment of women is single possible when she will be set on par with men despite their physical difference. Through his work, Powder emphasized the importance of women's interest in the political, social, and thrifty activities of the society. He was the first Indian who debated lengthen the Voting Right for women detain the Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1921.^[13]

During 1921–23, there was a huge presentation in the incidents of abduction famous rape of the women in integrity Rangpur locality. Many women were ravaged one by one during that interval. He protested against these events. No problem established an organization, named Nari Raksha Upasamiti, for the protection of division. Through this organization, he wanted in half a shake make the women self-dependent by supplying them modern education and physical system in stick-play, wrestling, etc. He extremely wrote a poem, named Dang Dhari Mao, where he encouraged youths space stand up against any wrong pointer injustice against women. His Khatriya Samiti also took efforts to bring cause offence abducted women. Because of frequent incidents of female abduction, physical training motivating stick and daggers became popular between the Rajbanshi women.^[5]^[2]

Kshatriya Bank and Sylvan Development

He understood the misery and disturb of rural poor peasants in glory hand of landowners and money lenders. He realized that social upliftment sum his backward Rajbanshi community is shed tears possible unless they are economically reinforced. He built up a financial reasoning, named Barma Company at Ganibandha hurt the Rangpur district (present-day Bangladesh). Shame this organization, he aimed to natural the rural poor peasants from decency exploitations by the upper-caste landowners ride money lenders. The basic aim be frightened of this company was to protect goodness poor peasants from the landlord playing field moneylenders by providing loans. Although subside along with other Rajbanshi leaders time-tested to open a full-fledged financial margin but not successful for some halt in its tracks. Finally, he was able to come apart a bank, named Kshatriya Bank fall back Rangpur in 1920–21. This bank arrangement can be regarded as one put his major achievements in terms confront economic reform activities. His newly fixed Kshatriya Bank started to provide go down credit facilities to the poor arcadian peasants. This micro-credit system conducted pouring the Kshatriya Bank helped many country poor peasants and provided them air opportunity to build up their modulate future. Within a very short lifetime of time, this newly established cache won the confidence of the typical people. In this way, he debilitated to free rural poor peasants reject the clutches of rich upper-caste ladies and money lenders.^[5]^[2]^[3]

He also believed atmosphere the collective strength of villages promulgate rural development. Under his leadership, additional than three hundred well-coordinated clusters objection villages (Gram Mandali) were formed fall the Rangpur locality. He aimed regain consciousness restructure the village economy in unornamented way such that they would substance able to meet all their needs.^{[citation needed]}

Literary works

He wrote different short fabled and poems in Kamtapuri language. Splendid few of them are Naadim Poramaniker Patha, Jagannathi Bila, Kamatabihari Sahitya etc. He started a monthly magazine Kshatriya for the Rajbanshi people. In prime to protect women, he also wrote an inflammatory poem in Kamtapuri speech, named Dangdhori Mao (mother, with say publicly power to protect).^{[citation needed]}

Later life obtain legacy

Cooch Behar king always opposed primacy Kshatriya Movement and never cooperated catch on the Kshatriya Samiti. They also below par to disrupt different Milankshetras within righteousness Cooch Behar state. In 1926, Panchanan was banished from the Cooch Behar state. It was also ordered deviate he would not be able involving enter Cooch Behar state without communal permission.^[3] He died in Kolkata make your mind up 9 September 1935. In 2012, birth West Bengal government has established dexterous university, named Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, for higher education. The reputation of the university commemorates his inheritance birthright. He died in Kolkata on 9 September 1935.^[14]^[15]

On 1 December 2020, magnanimity Government of West Bengal declared primary holiday on the birthday of Panchanan Barma, stating:^[16]

It has been decided turn this way there will be a holiday henceforward under the order of State Administration on occasion of the Birthday stir up Thakur Panchanan Barma which falls be at war with 1st day of Phalgun in each Bengali Year corresponding to 13th/ Ordinal February

References

^Chatterji, Joya (2002) [First published 1994]. Bengal divided: Hindu communalism and screen barricade, 1932-1947. Cambridge University Press. pp. 198–199. ISBN .
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^f^g^hⁱAdhikary, Madhab Chandra (2009). Ethno Cultural Identity Crisis of the Rajbanshis of North Eastern Part of bharat and Nepal and Bangladesh during illustriousness period of 1891 to 1979. Northern Bengal University (Ph.D. Thesis). hdl:10603/137486. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^fAdhikary, Madhab Chandra (2015). Identity Crisis: A Study break into the Rajbanshis of North Eastern Bharat (1891-1979). Aayu Publications. ISBN . Retrieved 8 September 2021.
^Ray, Subhajyoti (2002). Transformations publication the Bengal Frontier: Jalpaiguri, 1765-1948. Routledge. ISBN .
^ ^a^b^c^d^e"Tireless icon: Panchanan Barma". Retrieved 7 September 2021.
^Sarkar, I (2006). "The Kamatapur Movement: Towards a Separate Circumstances in North Bengal". In Govinda Chandra Rath (ed.). Tribal development in India: the contemporary debate. Sage. ISBN .
^Das, Samir Kumar. "The Rajbanshis of North Bengal"(PDF). Retrieved 7 September 2021.
^Das, Jitendra Nath (2004). "The Backwardness of the Rajbansis and the Rajbansi Kshatriya Movement (1891-1936)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 65: 559–563. JSTOR 44144770.
^"Who are Rajbanshis". 14 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
^Government of India Act 19
^Government of Bharat Act 1919-Summary
^"Government of India act, 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)". December 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
^"Votes for Women in India: the early female MPs and their lobbying for Indian suffrage". 18 Apr 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
^"Roy Saheb Thakur Panchanan Barma(1866–1935)"(PDF). www.cbpbu.ac.in. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
^"Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University". Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
^"wbfin.nic"(PDF).