Custodial history: Around 1700 AD Ajodhya Ram Roy of Pirojpur village near Bhagabangola and the river Padma (who traced his descent from Patrasayer of Burdwan District) came with his family to settle down in Cossimbazar, a renowned port city of Bengal closed to Murshidabad, the capital of the Nawab of Bengal. Ajodhya Ram Roy and his son Dinobandhu Roy were engaged in the business of silk exports and flourished tremendously. However, Cossimbazar lost its importance as a port city around the middle of 18th century as the neck of the meandering Ganges at Cossimbazar was cut to provide a shorter passage of the river from Murshidabad to Berhampore and gradually turned into a village from a vibrant commercial hub. Forced by the circumstances, Jagabandhu Roy, the son of Dinobandhu Roy, took up the service of the East India Company as a Dewan. Recognizing his capabilities, the Company sent him to East Bengal as the Surveyor General to conduct land surveys and prepare maps. Subsequently Jagabandhu Roy quit his service and purchased zamindari at Sarail (at present in Bangladesh) and emerged as one of the biggest zamindari families in Bengal. Jagabandhu Roy’s son Nrishingha Prosad Roy built the present palace of the Ray family at Cossimbazar around 1850. His two sons, Nobokrishno and Rajkrishno extended the palace but that was demolished due to the devastating earthquake of 1900.Nobokrishno died without a child. Rajkrishno and his wife Sukhoda Sundari Devi had a son by the name of Annada Prosad. Annada Prosad Roy was a highly educated person. In recognition of his benevolent activities and services to his subject, the British Government conferred upon him the title of Rai Bahadur. Later the Government decided to confer upon him the title of Raja. But unfortunately he expired on the night just before the day the Ceremony. The Government then decided to confer the title of Rani to his bereaved wife Annakali Devi at the palace of Cossimbazar. But she politely turned down the proposal. With the passing away of Annada Prosad the estate went under the management of The Court of Wards. Ashutosh Nath Roy, the son of Annada Prosad was groomed under the supervision of the Court of wards. When he attained the age of 18 the Government conferred upon him the Title of Raja as a personal distinction at a special ceremony at the Cossimbazar Palace in 1898. Ashutosh Nath Roy and his wife Rani Sarojini Devi had three children, two daughters and one son. Raja Ashutosh Nath Roy passed away at a very early age leaving behind his wife, two daughters and an infant son Kamalaranjan. Once again the estate passed under the supervision of The Court of Wards. A British Governess named Mrs C. Hickmutt was instated in the palace to groom Kamalaranjan. He received the best education both in European and Indian studies. He completed his BA with Distinction in English and at the same time he was a scholar in Sanskrit, and scriptures. He was widely read in Indian and Western literature, history and legal matters. The estate was managed by a British Manager named Halliday. When Kamalaranjan attained the age of 18 years, the estate was released and under his able leadership the family reached the pinnacle of prosperity and fame. In recognition of his services to his subjects, charitable works, Kamalaranjan was conferred upon the title of Raja as a personal distinction in the year 1938. Raja Kamalaranjan Roy was married to Rani Henarani Debi of the Bhukoilash Raj family of Calcutta. Raja Kamalaranjan Roy had two daughters and one son by the names of Debika Debi, Bharati Debi and Prosanta Kumar Roy. After the abolition of the zamindari system in 1950s the family faced severe hardship for time being. However, they recovered shortly. The present family members i.e., Prasanta Kumar Roy, his wife Mrs. Supriya Ray and their son Pallab Ray are very much engaged in business. The Roy family is very much conscious about their family tradition and extremely eager to preserve and restore their Palace at Cossimbazar and other materials under their possession. The EAP 906 research team was warmly welcomed by the present members of the Ray family. They showed keen interest in preserving the documents under their custody.
This collection contains the following 37 files.
- EAP1104/11/1: ভারতবাণী [22 Aug 1913]
- EAP1104/11/2: সিদ্ধান্ত চূড়ামণি [1896]
- EAP1104/11/3: কথা প্রসঙ্গ [1913]
- EAP1104/11/4: বাংলার বাঁশী [1932]
- EAP1104/11/5: আমি [1885]
- EAP1104/11/6: অভিষেক গাথা [1896]
- EAP1104/11/7: অমৃত [1910]
- EAP1104/11/8: বৃত্ত সংহার [1926]
- EAP1104/11/9: অমৃত মদিরা [1903]
- EAP1104/11/10: ভিক্টোরিয়া স্তোত্রম [1902]
- EAP1104/11/11: মন্দাকিনী [1917]
- EAP1104/11/12: পদ্যপাঠের অর্থপুস্তক [1881]
- EAP1104/11/13: কবিতা কণিকা [1902]
- EAP1104/11/14: তাপিতের উচ্ছ্বাস [Early 19th century]
- EAP1104/11/15: অক্ষর পরিচয় [1884]
- EAP1104/11/16: তপস্বিনী পরিচয় [1878]
- EAP1104/11/17: বিবেক কৌমুদী [1879]
- EAP1104/11/18: আর্য জীবন [1885]
- EAP1104/11/19: মিতভাষিণী [1926]
- EAP1104/11/20: The Infant Teacher [1879]
- EAP1104/11/21: পদ্যাহার [Early 20th century]
- EAP1104/11/22: সীতাচিত্র [Early 20th century]
- EAP1104/11/23: ভাববিকাশ [1894]
- EAP1104/11/24: বিজ্ঞাপন [1st half of the 20th century]
- EAP1104/11/25: চিরকুমার সভা [5 Dec 1925]
- EAP1104/11/26: মাঙ্গলিক [23 Nov 1925]
- EAP1104/11/27: শুভবিবাহ [15 Nov 1925]
- EAP1104/11/28: চুন্টা প্রকাশ [Jun 1943]
- EAP1104/11/29: Note Book (1) [8 Oct 1851]
- EAP1104/11/30: শারদীয়া পূজা নিয়ম পদ্ধতী ( হস্ত লিখিত) [1944]
- EAP1104/11/31: Photo Album (1) [1897]
- EAP1104/11/32: Photo Album (2) [2nd half of the 19th century]
- EAP1104/11/33: মাঙ্গলিক [23 Nov 1925]
- EAP1104/11/34: মাঙ্গলিক [23 Nov 1925]
- EAP1104/11/35: মাঙ্গলিক [23 Nov 1925]
- EAP1104/11/36: মাঙ্গলিক [23 Nov 1925]
- EAP1104/11/37: মাঙ্গলিক [23 Nov 1925].
The physical collection in India also contains the following 126 books (which have not been digitised for this project).
- অবকাশরঞ্জিনী [Abakashranjini], 1888
- মহাকাব্য রত্নাবলী [Mahakabya Ratnabali], 1917
- বাঙ্গলার ইতিহাস [Banglar Itihas], 1901
- পঞ্চদশী [Panchadasi], 1904
- সাংখ্য- দর্শনম [Sankhya Darshanam], 1929
- মধুমালতী [Madhumalati], 1924
- নীতিপথ [Nitipath], Early 20th century
- আদর্শ গৃহিণী [Adarsha Grihini], 1906
- চরিতাষ্টক [Charitastaka], 1897
- পুজার নির্মাল্য [Pujar Nirmalya], 1911
- রাজোপহার [Rajopohar], 1875
- আর্য কীর্তি [Arya Kirti], 1917
- কবিতাকুসুমাঞ্জালি [Kabitakusumanjali], 1891
- শনিবারের চিঠি (১) [Sanibarer Chithi (1)], Apr 1936
- শনিবারের চিঠি (২) [Sanibarer Chithi (2)], Jun 1934
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (3)], 1932
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (4)], 1932
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (5)], Dec 1935
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (6)], 1929
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (7)], 1933
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (8)], 1932
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (9)], Oct 1943
- শনিবারের চিঠি (৩) [Sanibarer Chithi (10)], Feb 1936
- England's Work In India, 1919
- The Tourist's Guide Northan and Central India, 1899
- Speeches of Ram Gopaul Ghosh, Early 19th century
- Highroads of History, 1915
- Guide to The Buddhist Ruins of Sarnath, 1923
- An Introduction to Practical Chemistry for Indian Colleges, 1904
- S. C. Bosu Sarvadhicari's Public Speeches, Early 20th century
- Practical Rifle Shooting, 1906
- Lawn Tennis for Young Players, 1922
- Travels of Dr. Livingstone, 1st half of the 20th century
- A Pocket Guide of Delhi, 1939
- Blackmail or War, May 1938
- Milton's Paradise Lost, 1879
- Milton's Paradise Lost, 1879
- English Etiquette for Indian Gentlemen, 1888
- The King Treasuries of Literature, 1st half of the 20th century
- Choice Quotations from Shakspeare, 1904
- Dramatic Poem, 1865
- Poems, 1866
- Muslim Politics in India, 1946
- The Panchadasi, 1899
- The Panchadasi, 1900
- Upanishadas, 1898
- Puranas, 1897
- Darshana, 1897
- The New Paul and Virginia, 1890
- The English Spelling Book, 1860
- Lessons in Exclution and Expressive Reading For Girls, 1882
- Sankaracharya, 1897
- Salome, 1st half of the 20th century
- Successful Man of Modern Times, 1799
- Prabodh Chandrodaya, 1854
- Poetical English Reader, 1st half of the 19th century
- English Poems, 1917
- A Short Account of the Brahmin Raj Family Cossimbazar, 1938
- An Introduction to the Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, 1941
- Selected Operas, 1928
- The Illustrated Webster, Spelling Book, 1866
- The Mother, 1928
- On Liberty, 1874
- The Temple Shakespeare, 1903
- A Manual of The History of India, 1865
- A Course of English Reading, 1876
- Love-Letters of Eminent Persons, 1st half of the 19th century
- Political English Reader, 1841
- The Young Man In Business, 1st half of the 19th century
- The Wishdom of The Upanishats, 1907
- Simple Truths From Scripture, 1862
- Virgil's Aeneid, 1884
- Cymbeline, 1st half of the 19th century
- The Life of The Buddha, 1929
- Ten Gems from Ghalib, 1945
- The Elevation of Woman of India, 1st half of the 20th century
- The Wealth of Friendship, 1st half of the 19th century
- The Imperial Silver Jubilee, 1935
- A Lecture on The Buddhistic Researches, 1871
- Money Its Natute, History, Uses, And Responsibilities, 1799
- History of British India, 1862
- The World Of To-Day ( Vol.1), 1908
- The World Of To-Day ( Vol.2), 1908
- The World Of To-Day ( Vol.3), 1908
- The World Of To-Day ( Vol.4), 1908
- The World Of To-Day ( Vol.5), 1908
- The World Of To-Day ( Vol.6), 1908
- History of Greece, 1917
- The Indian Fiscal Problem, 1924
- Faith, Reason And Civilization, 1944
- Introductory, 1899
- Rejected Addresses, 1879
- Euterpe or The Future of The Art, 1st half of the 19th century
- Darmas, 1898
- Pygmalion, 1939
- Ruskin Unto This Last, 1st half of the 20th century
- The Dance of Civa, 1st half of the 20th century
- Science Liberty & Peace, 1947
- History of France, 1878
- History of Europe, 1881
- Saint John: A Chronicle Play, 1938
- Political English Reader ( no. 2), 1855
- Julius Caesar, 1924
- The Golden Treasury, 1887
- Poems of Pleasure, 1912
- The Heroes, 1st half of the 19th century
- A Sportsman's Sketches ( vol.1), 1924
- A Sportsman's Sketches ( vol.2), 1924
- Back to Methuselah, 1945
- Shelley Adonais, 1920
- Man and Superman, 1946
- Inspired Talks, 1921
- The Cautious Amorist, 1938
- Object Lessons For Infants, 1903
- The Book of Beneficent Grief, 2nd half of the 19th century
- Stories In Verse, 1918
- Chaucer, 1880
- The Adventures of The Young Soldier in Search of The Better World, 1942
- Ram-Sita, 1927
- The Farmer and His Family, 2nd half of the 19th century
- Roman History, 1st half of the 19th century
- The Mother of India, 1891
- The Coronation Song, 1st half of the 19th century
- First Book on Reading, 1875
- The Vedanta Philosophy, 1899
- Swami Vivekananda On Hinduism., 1895.
