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((short description|Princely state of the British India))
((More citations needed|date=May 2022))
[[Image:Burdwan bahadur 96 4.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Mehtab Chand of Burdwan, ((circa)) 1860–65]]

((EngvarB|date=January 2014))
((Use dmy dates|date=September 2020))
The '''Bardhaman Raj''' (((lang-bn|'''বর্ধমান রাজ''')), ((IPA-bn|Bôrdhoman Raj|bn|))), also known as '''Burdwan Raj''', was a ''[[zamindar]]i'' Raja estate that flourished between 1657 and 1955 in the [[Indian states|Indian state]] of [[West Bengal]]. Maharaja Sangam Rai Kapoor, a Punjabi [[Khatri]] from Kotli mahalla in [[Lahore]], [[Punjab]],((sfn|McLane|2002|p=128, 130)) who was the first member of the family to settle in [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]], was the original founder of the house of Bardhaman,<ref>((Cite web|title=Burdwan Municipality|url=http://burdwanmunicipality.gov.in/about.php?subject=About%20Burdwan%20Town|access-date=23 September 2020|website=burdwanmunicipality.gov.in|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925060122/http://www.burdwanmunicipality.gov.in/about.php?subject=About%20Burdwan%20Town|url-status=live))</ref> whereas his grandson Abu Rai, during whose time the [[zamindar]]i started flourishing, is considered to be the patriarch of the Bardhaman Raj family.<ref name="raj2"/><ref name="Bengal27"/>

[[Bardhaman district|Maharaja Kirti Chand Rai]] (1702–1740) extended the estates far and wide by attacking and defeating the Raja of [[Mallabhum|Bishnupur]]. At its height in the early 19th century, it extended to around 5,000 square miles (13,000&nbsp;km) and included many parts of what is now [[Bardhaman district|Burdwan]], [[Bankura district|Bankura]], [[Medinipur Sadar subdivision|Medinipur]], [[Howrah district|Howrah]], [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]] and [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]] districts.((sfn|McLane|2002|p=126))<ref>((Cite web|title=Burdwan District Gazeteers|url=http://www.bardhaman.gov.in/distgazet/dtgaz.htm|access-date=23 September 2020|website=bardhaman.gov.in|archive-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209142738/http://www.bardhaman.gov.in/distgazet/dtgaz.htm|url-status=live))</ref> After his victory against the king of Vishnupur, he constructed a victory gate, [[Baradari (building)|Baraduari]] (the outer gate), at Kanchannagar in [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]]. In the 20th century, it covered an area of ((convert|2689|sqmi|km2|disp=or|abbr=on)).((sfn|McLane|2002|p=126))

((Bengal Zamindars series))

== History ==
[[File:Bengal Province 1931.png|thumb|Burdwan Raj in 1931.]]

===Sangam Rai===
According to the tradition of the family, '''Sangam Rai''', a [[Khatri]] of the [[Kapoor]] clan, from [[Kotli]], was the founder of the house of [[Bardhaman]].<ref name="Bengal26">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=26))</ref> He, on his way back from a pilgrimage to Puri, being much impressed with the advantages of ''Baikunthapur'', a village near [[Bardhaman]] town in present-day [[Purba Bardhaman district]] of [[West Bengal]], settled there permanently and devoted himself to commerce and money lending.<ref name="Bengal26"/> From this period onwards the history of the family is identical with that of the [[Bardhaman district]]. During the battle between ''[[Jagir]]dar'' Sher Afghan of [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]] and Him he won. As a reward, in 1610, the Emperor of Delhi conferred upon him the titles of  ''[[Kotwal|Char Hazari Kotwal]]'' and ''Munsifdar''.<ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=1))</ref>

===Banku Behari Rai===
Sangam Rai's son '''Banku Behari Rai''' was also a ''[[Kotwal]]''. The title of ''Rai-Raiyan'' was conferred upon him.<ref name="raj2">((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=2))</ref> He was also involved in his family business. Not much  is known about him.

===Abu Rai===
'''Abu Rai''', the son of Banku Behari Rai, was appointed ''Choudhuri'' and ''[[Kotwal]]'' of Rekhabi Bazar in [[Bardhaman]] in 1657 under the ''Faujdar'' of ''[[Bardhaman district|Chakla Bardhaman]]''. He is considered to be the patriarch of the Bardhaman Raj family as it was during his time the [[zamindar]]i started flourishing and the [[zamindar]]i was firmly established.<ref name="raj2"/><ref name="Bengal27">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=27))</ref>

===Babu Rai===
'''Babu Rai''', the son of Abu Rai, was the first in the family to completely do away with the family business and invest more time in buying and managing profitable zamindari estates. He owned Pargana Bardhaman along with three other estates.<ref name="Bengal27"/><ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=Bardhaman Raj Itibritto|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=4))</ref>

===Ghana Shyam Rai===
After the death of Babu Rai, his son, '''Ghana Shyam Rai''', succeeded him.<ref name="Bengal27"/>

===Krishna Ram Rai===
Upon Ghana Shyam Rai's death, his son, '''Krishna Ram Rai''' (1675-1696), succeeded to the zamindari. Among many other new estates he also acquired ''Pargana Senpahari''.<ref name="Bengal27"/><ref name="raj5">((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=Bardhaman Raj Itibritto|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=5))</ref> In 1689, he was honoured with a ''farman'' from Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] in the 38th year of his reign. This confirmed his title as the ''Zamindar'' and ''Choudhuri'' of ''[[Bardhaman|Pargana Bardhaman]]''.<ref name="Bengal27"/><ref name="raj5"/>

During his reign, in 1696,'' Sobha Singha'', the zamindar of Chitua and Barda (in [[Medinipur District]]), then a part of [[Bardhaman|Bardhaman Raj]], with the help of Rahim Khan, an Afghan chief, started rebelling against the zamindar of Bardhaman. Their united forces advanced towards [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]] and in a battle killed Krishna Chand and captured his family members, except his son ''Jagat Ram Rai'', who somehow managed to escape to seek the help of the governor of Bengal, Behar and Orissa. In an incident, Sobha Singha was killed by ''Raj Kumari Satyabati'', the daughter of Krishna Ram Rai. After the death of Sobha Singha, the insurgents then elected Afghan chief Rahim Khan to be their commander. Under his leadership, the rebellion assumed so threatening an aspect that the emperor appointed his own grandson Azim-u-Shan to the government of Bengal, Behar and Orissa. In the meantime, Zabardust Khan, son of the nawab, had by a series of successful movements driven them back upon [[Bardhaman]]. They were finally defeated just outside the town by Azim-u-Shan and their leader Rahim Khan was killed.<ref name="Bengal27"/>

===Jagat Ram Rai===
Afterwards, '''Jagat Ram Rai''' (1699-1702), was restored to the estate and honours of his father. He made further additions to his family estate. He was honoured by Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] with a ''farman''. He was treacherously murdered in 1702. He left two sons- Kirti Chand Rai and Mitra Sen Rai.<ref name="Bengal28">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=28))</ref><ref name="raj17">((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=17))</ref>

===Kirti Chand Rai===
'''Kirti Chand Rai''' (1702-1740), the eldest among the two sons of Jagat Ram Rai, inherited the ancestral zamindari. He expanded it further by acquiring the Parganas of Chitua, [[Bhurshut]], Barda and Manoharshahi.<ref name="Bengal28" />
Kirti Chand was a man of adventurous spirit. He fought with the Rajas of [[Chandrakona]] and Barda near [[Ghatal]] (a part of [[Paschim Medinipur district]] of [[West Bengal]]), and possessed their kingdoms. He also seized the estate of Balghara situated near the holy town of [[Tarakeswar]] in [[Hooghly district]]. He then proceeded to [[Murshidabad]] and had his name  registered as a proprietor of new properties. The boldest achievement of Kirti Chand was his attacking, defeating the powerful Raja of [[Mallabhum|Bishnupur Kingdom]].<ref name="Bengal28"/>

===Raja Chitra Sen Rai===
Kirti Chand died in 1740 and was succeeded by '''Chitra Sen Rai''' (1740-1744), who added the parganas of Mandalghat, Arsha and [[Chandrakona]] to his paternal estate. He was first in the family to be invested with the title of '''[[Raja]]''' by the Delhi Emperor.<ref name="Bengal31">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=31))</ref><ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=48))</ref>

===Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Tilak Chand Rai===
Chitra Sen Rai died  in 1744 without issue and was succeeded by his cousin '''Tilak Chand Rai''' (1744-1770), who was honoured by the emperor [[Ahmad Shah Bahadur|Ahmad Shah]] with a ''farman'' confirming his right to the raj and was after a few years, invested with the title of '''[[Maharaja|Maharaj Adhiraj Bahadur]]''' and ''Panj Hazari'' (commander of five thousand troops) by emperor [[Shah Alam II|Shah Alam]].<ref name="Bengal31"/><ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=77))</ref> Three years after the [[battle of Plassey]], on 27 September 1760, the zamindari of Bardhaman, together with the districts of [[Midnapur]] and Chittagong, was ceded to the [[East India Company]] by  [[Mir Qasim|Nawab Mir Muhammad Kashim Khan]], the governor of Bengal. At that time Bardhaman contained an area of 5,174 square miles and was considered the most productive district in ''Subah of Bengal''.<ref name="Bengal32">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=32))</ref> But the country was in an unsettled state and the company didn't find the acquisition as profitable as they had hoped.

===Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Tej Chand Rai===
When Tilak Chand Rai died at the young age of 26 in 1770, his son '''Tej Chand Rai''' (b.1764 - d.1832) was just six years old. So, his mother '''Maharani Bishan Kumari''' managed the estate with the help of ''Dewan'' Rup Narayan Choudhury.<ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=111))</ref> Since 1779, Tej Chand Bahadur started managing the estate by himself.<ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=Bardhaman Raj Itibritto|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=125))</ref><ref>((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=34))</ref>

In 1791, Maharaja Tej Chand's sixth wife '''Rani Nanaki Kumari''' gave birth to his only surviving son '''Pratap Chand Rai'''. After his mother died within 2 days of his birth, he was raised with much love and affection by his grandmother Bishan Kumari. He was called "Chota Raja" by his subjects and was universally loved and respected. Due to the conspiracies of Tej Chand's fifth queen '''Kamal Kumari''' and her brother Paran Chand Kapur, Pratap Chand disappeared in 1821 during the lifetime of his father and was never heard afterwards. <ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=Bardhaman Raj Itibritto|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=201))</ref>

Several years later, a pretender impersonating him appeared but his claim, without a proper investigation, was dismissed by a civil court. <ref name="Bengal38">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=38))</ref>

===His Highness Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Mahtab Chand Rai===
In 1832, Tej Chandra died at the age of 68. In 1827, due to the insistence of his wife Kamal Kumari, Maharaja Tej Chand adopted the youngest son of '''Paran Chand Kapur''' (Kamal Kumari's brother) named Chuni Lal Kapur, giving him a new name '''Mahtab Chand Rai''' (b.1820), and leaving him <ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=210))</ref> his great landed and funded estates.<ref name="Bengal38"/> Maharaja Tej Chand's youngest wife, '''Rani Basanta Kumari''', was Mahtab Chand's elder sister and a daughter of Paran Chand Kapur. She eloped and married Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee, a famous lawyer and [[Young Bengal]] member around 1835. <ref name="jalrajapratapchandra">See Gautam Bhadra, ''Jal Rajar Galpa: Bardhamaner Pratap Chand'', [Calcutta: Ananda Publishers, 2002] [in Bengali]</ref>

In 1864, the Maharaja was appointed an additional member of the Viceregal Legislative Council, being the first native person of Bengal who was so honoured.<ref name="Bengal39">((cite book|last=Peterson|first=J.C.K.|title=''Bengal District Gazetteers : Burdwan''|date=1910|publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Depot|place=Calcutta|page=39))</ref>

===Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Aftab Chand Mahtab===
After Mahatab Chand's death, he was succeeded by his adopted son '''Aftab Chand Mahtab''', who only lived until 1885. Aftab Chand left a widow whom he had empowered to adopt and she exercised the right in July, 1887 in favour of Sir Bijay Chand Mahtab Bahadur, who became the zamindar of Burdwan.<ref name="Bengal39" />

===Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Bijay Chand Mahtab===
((Main|Bijay Chand Mahtab))
His  predecessor, Maharaja Aftab Chand Mahtab died without heirs, and his widow adopted Bijay Chand Mahtab, son of Ban Behari Kapur, a relative of Mahtab Chand Bahadur, a past ruler of Bardhaman Estate. At the time of adoption, in 1887, he was only a child, therefore, the [[Court of Wards (India)|Court of Wards]] along with the [[Dewan|Diwani-i-Raj]], Ban Behari Kapoor, (the natural father of Bijay Chand), ruled the estate up to 1902. In 1893, the title of 'Raja' was bestowed on Ban Bihari Kapoor. The government permitted the [[British Raj|Raj]] in 1897 to maintain an armed force of 600 people and 41 cannons.<ref name=i>Imperial Gazetteer of India by Sir William Wilson Hunter, 1908 – Page 101</ref>

In 1899, Bijay Chand Mahtab passed the entrance examination of [[Calcutta University]], and was the first in the Raj family to obtain a formal educational qualification.

In 1902, he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers to the throne of Bardaman Raj. Next year in 1903, the title of '[[Raja]]dhiraj' was bestowed on him at the [[Delhi Durbar]]. A pompous coronation was organised in the palace at [[Bardhaman]], where [[James Bourdillon|Lieutenant Governor Bourdillon]] was present to bestow the honour.<ref name=i/>

In 1903, he invited the Governor General [[Lord Curzon]] to the Bardhaman palace and to commemorate the event constructed a gate now known as ''Curzon Gate'' in [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style, which is a major landmark of [[Bardhaman]] today and stands at junction of Bijoychand Road and Grand Trunk Road. The Royal Palace of Bardhaman is situated one km from the gate.((citation needed|date=April 2021))

In 1903, he saved the life of the Lieutenant Governor, Sir [[Andrew Henderson Leith Fraser|Andrew Fraser]]. He risked his life to save that of Sir Andrew Fraser, lieutenant-governor of Bengal, when an attempt to assassinate him was made by Indian nationalists on 7 November 1908. In return for his loyalty to the British, he was honoured with the title of K.C.I.E. and [[Indian Order of Merit]] (Class III).<ref name=g>[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=A4A9FE15B1E12C313AEC086DCCED853D.journals?fromPage=online&aid=5779668 Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (New Series) Table of Contents – October 1941 – Volume 73, Issue 04 pp: 387–388] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305142312/http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=A4A9FE15B1E12C313AEC086DCCED853D.journals?fromPage=online&aid=5779668 |date=5 March 2016 )) Obituary : Maharaja Adhiraja Bijay Chand Mahatab of Burdwan.</ref><ref name=i/>
[[File:Bijay Chand Mahtab Bahadur, Maharaja of Burdwan, in 1906.jpg|thumb|Mahtab in 1906.]]
In 1908, as per a proclamation of [[Lord Minto]], elevated to the title of '[[Maharajadhiraja]]', which was bestowed on a hereditary basis.<ref name=i/>

He also served as representative of Bengal zamindars in Legislative and Provincial council, continuously for many years.<ref name=g/>

In 1908, he toured England and Europe and later wrote a book named ''Diary of ((sic|an|hide=y)) European Tour.''<ref name=g/>

He was also noted for his philanthropy, especially in field of education and health welfare. For example, in 1908, he donated Rs. 40,000/- towards construction of hostel and other facilities for Ranchi Arts College, [[Ranchi]], where Burdwan Raj also held large estates.<ref>Education and Social Changes in Bihar 1900–1921: A Survey of Social History by S. N. Pandey, 1975– Page 86</ref> [[Bijoy Chand Hospital]] was also founded by him during his reign in decade of 1910.

He was a member of the Bengal Legislative Council from 1907 to 1918, and of the [[Imperial Legislative Council]] from 1909 to 1912. He was associated with the state administration in subsequent years and Member of Executive Council of Bengal for the years 1919–1924.

He was also the President of British Indian Association from 1911 to 1918<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/archives/british-indian-association-annual-meeting/article23324260.ece|title=British Indian Association Annual Meeting.|date=2018-03-23|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-26|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015223840/https://www.thehindu.com/archives/british-indian-association-annual-meeting/article23324260.ece|url-status=live))</ref> and again in 1925.

In 1914, he was appointed as one of the members of the committee that investigated in to riots of [[Budge Budge]] and [[Komagata Maru incident]]<ref>((cite book|title=The Voyage of the Komagata Maru: The Sikh Challenge to Canada's Colour Bar By Hugh Johnston|year=2011|page=109|isbn=9780774844727|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IbA4vO9bFUkC&q=Bijoychand+Mahtab&pg=PA109|last1=Johnston|first1=Hugh|publisher=UBC Press|access-date=30 October 2020|archive-date=6 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306162422/https://books.google.com/books?id=IbA4vO9bFUkC&q=Bijoychand+Mahtab&pg=PA109#v=snippet&q=Bijoychand%20Mahtab&f=false|url-status=live))</ref>

In 1924, he was one of the members of a committee headed by Sir [[Charles Todhunter]], which looked into taxation reforms in British India, which submitted its report in 1925.<ref>Taxation and the Indian Economy by S.M. Jha, 1990– Page 166</ref> and was also the member of Indian Reforms Enquiry Commission of 1924.

[[File:Seal of Sir Bijay Chand Mahtab.png|thumb|Official seal of Bijay Chand Mahtab]]

In spite of his loyalty towards the British, he provided warm hospitality to [[Mahatma Gandhi]], when he visited Bardhaman in 1925 and welcomed cordially [[Subhas Chandra Bose]] when he visited Bardhaman in 1928 to campaign in the municipal elections.
[[File:Sir Bijay Chand Mahtab, Maharaja Bahadur of Burdwan, in 1931.jpg|thumb|Mahtab in 1931.]]
During the later part of his rule, however, there were allegations of financial corruption coupled with mismanagement and the affairs of the Raj were in shambles. The British administrator took over the complete management of Bardhaman Raj and Bijoy Chand was deprived of management from the years 1929–1936.

In 1936, he was handed over the reign of his Estate back by British. In 1938, he was a member of the ''Francis Floud Commission'' to suggest changes in the Permanent Settlement of 1793. The commission recommended the replacement of the [[zamindari]] system by a [[ryotwari]] (tenancy) system in which the ownership of land would vest with the ryot (tenant) and the land revenue payable by him could be revised periodically. The recommendations could not be implemented because of differences in the Fazlul Huq ministry.

However, with the India's independence gaining momentum it was evident that the days of zemindars and [[princely states]] were coming to an end. It was this realisation that led Bijay Chand Mahtab to extend indirect support to the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]].

Bijay Chand Mahtab was deeply involved with Bengali literature. He was president of the reception committee in the 8th session of the ''Bangya Sahitya Sammelan'' held at Bardhaman in 1914. From amongst the twenty books he wrote, mention may be made of ''Impression'', ''The Indian Horizon'', ''Meditation'', ''Studies'', ''Vijaygitika'' (collection of songs composed by him), ''Troyodashi'' (poem), ''Ranjit'' (play), and ''Manaslila'' (science-play).

Mahtab died on 29 August 1941 at [[Bardhaman]].<ref>((cite news|title=Maharaja of Burdwan Dead|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19410831-1.2.22|access-date=9 May 2017|work=[[The Straits Times]]|date=31 August 1941|page=2|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005154222/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19410831-1.2.22|url-status=live))</ref> His reign which began in 1887 and lasted until 1941, was the longest in history of Bardhaman Raj. He left behind two sons Uday Chand and Abhay Chand and two daughters, thereby ending the long history adoptions for succession in Bardhaman Raj. His elder son [[Uday Chand Mahtab]], succeeded him to the throne of Burdwan Raj.

===Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Uday Chand Mahtab===
((Main|Uday Chand Mahtab))
He was the eldest son of [[Bijay Chand Mahtab]]. He did his graduation from [[Presidency College, Calcutta]] and [[Calcutta University]].<ref>The Indian Year-book and Annual - Page 361</ref>

During the regency of his father he served as [[Dewan|Dewan-i-Raj]] for several years and succeeded to the throne of Burdwan Raj after the death of his father.

During [[British Raj]], he headed and was a member of several committees like, member of the Damodar Canal Enquiry Committee 1938,<ref>The lower Damodar River, India - Page 81 - Google Books</ref>  Select Committee on Calcutta Municipal (amendment) Bill 1940; Chairman of Burdwan District Flood Relief and Bengal Central Flood Relief Committees 1943–44; Chairman of Indian Red Cross Appeal (Bengal) 1943-1946 and of Calcutta War Committee 1943-1946 and of Damodar Flood Central Enquiry Committee 1944; Member of Bengal Tanks Improvement Bill Select Committee 1944 and of Advisory Committee on Terrorist Convicts in Bengal 1944; Member of West Bengal Forest Denudation Enquiry Committee 1944 and of Select Committee on Bengal Agricultural Income Tax Bill 1944; Member of the [[Indian Constituent Assembly]] - 1946–1947. He also presided the West Bengal group of Legislators, in 1946, which voted 58:21 in favor of partition of Bengal.<ref>Bengal Partition Stories: An Unclosed Chapter - Page 25</ref>

He served as President of the non-Muslim block of the Bengal Partition meeting in 1947 and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Bengal from years 1937 to 1952.<ref>Constitutional Schemes and Political Development in India: Towards ... - Page 654</ref> In the first election after independence in 1952, Sir Uday Chand Mahtab lost to a freedom fighter, [[Benoy Choudhury]], in spite of a campaign in his favor by [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]. The election defeat was followed by legislation for abolition of the [[zamindari]] system in 1954.

After the abolition of the zamindari system in 1955, he shifted from [[Bardhaman]] to his family's house at [[Alipore|Alipur]] in [[Calcutta]]. Here he became a director of [[IISCO]], and several other leading mercantile firms of the day, such as [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]], [[Metal Box]] and [[Brooke Bond]].<ref>Heroes - Page 330</ref> He acceded to the request of the then [[List of Chief Ministers of West Bengal|Chief minister of West Bengal]], [[Bidhan Chandra Roy|Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy]] and handed over his palace, [[Mahtab Manzil]] and [[Golap Bagh]] to the [[University of Burdwan]].((citation needed|date=April 2021))

He donated a piece of land in Bardhaman to the numerous employees of the Raj so that they could build accommodation there. With the end of the Raj, he immersed himself in his commercial and business interests.

He was also a Steward of the [[Royal Calcutta Turf Club]]. He instituted a fund for The Maharajadhiraja Uday Chand Mahtab Of Burdwan Memorial Cup at [[Kolkata Race Course|Calcutta Race Course]].

He died on 10 October 1984 leaving behind three sons and three daughters.

==Raj Kumari Satyabati==

During the reign of Krishna Ram Rai, when Sobha Singha, the zamindar of Chitua and Barda, along with Afghan Chief Rahim Khan captured Krishna Ram's family members after killing him. Amongst the captives of Bardhaman Raj family was ''Raj Kumari Satyabati'', the daughter of Krishna Ram Rai, whom Sobha Singha kept in confinement until he decided to sacrifice her to his lust.  When Sobha Singha tried to outrage her modesty, the heroic Raj Kumari Satyabati, drew a dagger from her clothes and stabbed him, killing him almost immediately. Feeling herself polluted by his touch, she then killed herself with the same dagger.<ref name="Bengal27" /><ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman|page=12 & 13))</ref>

==List of rulers==
The list of rulers:<ref>((cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Nirad Baran|title=''Bardhaman Raj Itibritto''|language=bn|date=1999|publisher=Sujata Sarkar|place=Bardhaman))</ref>
* Kotwal Sangam Rai Kapoor, founder of Bardhaman Raj (1600s)
* Rai-Raiyan Banku Behari Rai
* Kotwal Choudhuri Abu Rai
* Kotwal Choudhuri Babu Rai
* Kotwal Choudhuri Ghana Shyam Rai
* Zamindar Krishna Ram Rai (ruled 1675–1696)
* Zamindar Jagat Ram Rai (ruled 1699–1702)
* Zamindar Kirti Chand Rai (ruled 1702–1740)
* Raja Chitra Sen Rai (ruled 1740–1744)
* Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Tilak Chand Rai (ruled 1744–1770)
* Maharani Bishtu Kumari (on behalf of his son Tej Chand Rai)
* Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Tej Chand Rai (ruled 1770–1832)
* His Highness Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Mahtab Chand (ruled 1830s to 1870s)
*Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Aftab Chand (ruled 1870s - 1880s)
* Raja Banbehari Kapoor (ruled as the Dewan of Burdwan on behalf of his son Bijay Chand) (mid 1880s-mid 1890s)
* Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Sir [[Bijay Chand Mahtab]] (ruled 1887–1941) (b. 1881 – d. 1941)
* Maharajadhiraj Bahadur Sir [[Uday Chand Mahtab]] (ruled 1941–55) (abdicated) (b. 1905 – d. 1984)

==References==
((reflist|30em))
===Sources===
* ((Cite book |last=McLane |first=John R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YH6ijJnUPmcC&pg=PA125&dq=&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiemK3i5caFAxUvh_0HHdXcAy8Q6AF6BAgIEAM |title=Land and Local Kingship in Eighteenth-Century Bengal |date=2002 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-52654-8 |language=en))
==Further reading==

* ''History of the Bengali-speaking People'' by Nitish Sengupta. ((Citation needed|date=August 2009))
* [http://bardhaman.nic.in/histandback.html History of Burdwan estate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070222042921/http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/southasia/Rachel.1.html Burdwan estate in the pre-British and British eras]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060825132326/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051204/asp/calcutta/story_5555984.asp Next weekend you can be at ... Burdwan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050507200902/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050507/asp/calcutta/story_4686167.asp Vijay Manzil, the estate of the Maharaja of Burdwan]

((Bengal Nobility))
((Bardhaman topics))
((Nobility of the Raj))

((West Bengal))

[[Category:1657 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Bengali zamindars]]
[[Category:Purba Bardhaman district]]
[[Category:Paschim Bardhaman district]]
[[Category:Zamindari estates]]
[[Category:Quasi-princely estates of India]]
[[Category:1955 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1657]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1955]]

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