Custodial history: Raja Nabakrishna Deb, the founder of the Shobhabazar family, was closely associated with the administration of Clive and Verelst. His father Ramcharan Deb used to work as an official under the then Bengal ruler, Murshidkuli Khan. He was appointed as a collector and a salt agent of the areas of Hijli, Tamluk, Mahishadal and other parts of Bengal. Later on, he became the Dewan of Cuttack. After his death, his wife moved to Arpuli from Karnasubarnapur, Murshidabad, and then settled down at Sutanuti Shobhabazar. Nabakrishna Deb, the youngest son of Ramcharan was well read in Arabic and Persian and later on he mastered in English, the official language of communication during the colonial period. He started his career as a Persian teacher to Werren Hastings as early as 1750 when Hastings first landed in Calcutta. By 1756 he became the Persian clerk or Munshi to the Company. During the crucial days of 1756-57, he rendered useful service to the East India Company as interpreter. Gradually, Nabakrishna established well found rapport with the Company officials like Hastings, Clive and others. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, he quietly rose to prominence and got a share in the ‘loot of Plassey’. In 1767 he was appointed Political Banyan to the Company. Clive conferred upon him the title of ‘Maharaja’ in 1766. He emerged as the most influential Indian not only during the time of Clive but also in the following years under Clive’s successor Verelst. By utilising his growing influence, Nabakrishna acquired huge property in Calcutta. Revenue records revealed Nabakrishna in the role of operator in salt business as well as in tax collection of the rich Bengal District of Burdwan. His success as a fortune maker was a phenomenon of the changing times. Raja Nabakrishna Deb adopted his elder brother, Ramsundar’s son, Gopimohan Deb in 1770. At that time, he had no issues of his own. But in 1782, his wife gave birth to a son, Rajakrishna Deb. Both Gopimohan and Rajkrishna were influential people among the ‘babus’ of 19th C Bengal. They were well read, patrons of different art forms and specially known for their philanthropic activities. Gopimohan Deb’s son Radhakanta Deb was a renowned educationist and social activist. He was the editor of Sanskrit encyclopaedia, Shabdakalpadroom in eight volumes, the first of which appeared in 1822 and the last in 1856. He was the first Knight Commander of the most exalted order from India. This family is also renowned for hosting dance musical performances during the Durga Puja festival. Nowadays the family members are branched out in several professions. But till today, a larger share of their income comes from the estates scattered in Calcutta and its suburbs. The continued tradition of estate management is still visible among the present generation.The EAP research team visited the Sobhabazar Rajbari several times and meet the family members and identified some important documents under the custody of Mr. Alok Krishna Deb, the senior most member of the Deb family.
This collection contains the following 11 files.
- EAP1104/2/1: মহারাজা রাজ কিসেন বাহাদুরের ইচ্ছাপত্রের আদর্শ প্রতিলিপি ( বাংলা সংস্করণ) [29 Aug 1861]
- EAP1104/2/2: True Copy of the Will of Maha Rajah Raj Kissen Bahadoor (English Version) [26 Aug 1861]
- EAP1104/2/3: Equity Suit: Moha Rajah Sib Kristno Bahadur vs. Kristo Chunder Ghosh and Kristosoka Ghosh [19 Sep 1836]
- EAP1104/2/4: Equity Suit: Moha Rajah Sib Kristno Bahadur vs. Kristo Chunder Ghosh and others [13 Nov 1838]
- EAP1104/2/5: Old Equity Suit: Kristo Chunder Ghosh vs. Kristosakha Ghosh [10 Aug 1926]
- EAP1104/2/6: Old Equity Suit: Kristo Chunder Ghosh vs. Kristosakha Ghosh [13 Sep 1926]
- EAP1104/2/7: Grant of Tallookdarry to Rajah Nobkissen by the East India Company [28 Apr 1778]
- EAP1104/2/8: Kristo Chunder Ghosh vs. Kristosakha Ghosh and others and the other accuses [30 Jun 1942]
- EAP1104/2/9: Invitation card for 'Bai' Dance on the occasion of Durga puja festival at Sobhabazar Rajbari [30 Sep 1940]
- EAP1104/2/10: Partition of the Zamindari Estate [10 Nov 1927]
- EAP1104/2/11: A Rapid Sketch of The Life of Raja Radhakanta Deva Bahadur, With Some Notices of His Ancestors, and Testimonials of His Character and Learning [1859].
The physical collection in India also contains the following 6 books (which have not been digitised for this project).
- शब्द्क्लपद्रुम्: [Sabdakalpadruma (1st. Canto- 1st. vol.)], 1860.0
- शब्द्क्लपद्रुम्: [Sabdakalpadruma (3rd. Canto- 8th and 9th vol.)], 20 Aug 1888
- शब्द्क्लपद्रुम्: [Sabdakalpadruma (3rd Canto- 10th and 11th vol.)], 20 Aug 1888
- কায়স্থ-কারিকা ও বংশাবলি [Kayastha- Karika o Bamshabali (1st vol. - 7th and 8th numbers)], 12 Dec 1884
- কায়স্থ-কারিকা ও বংশাবলি [Kayastha- Karika o Bamshabali (1st vol. - 10th and 11th numbers)], 2nd half of the 19th century
- কায়স্থ-কারিকা ও বংশাবলি [Kayastha- Karika o Bamshabali], 2nd half of the 19th century.
