The Narayan Dynasty
BRIEF HISTORY
The Narayan dynasty founded the principality on the ruins of the ancient Hindu kingdom of Kamarupa. The first Raja, Chandan Narayan, of Koch and Mech descent, established himself on Mount Chikna in 1510. His half-brother and successor, Maharaja Vishnu Narayan, greatly expanded his domains and established his capital in the plains. Vishnu's son, Maharaja Nara Narayan, conquered vast territories and subjugated most of the surrounding principalities. Their successors maintained their independence until the late seventeenth century, when Maharaja Mahendra Narayan faced repeated attacks by the Mughal Nawab-Nazims of Bengal. His successor ceded half his principality and became their tributary in 1711.
The state came under British protection after the acquisition of the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, by Lord Clive of Plassey in 1765. Bhutanese intervention in succession disputes prompted a formal treaty between the rightful heir and the British in 1775. The family, belonging to the Rajbhansi and Sudra caste, was highly cultured and of modern outlook, championing education, Hindu reform and Indian literature.
Maharaja Sir Nripendra Narayan, and his wife Maharani Siniti Devi, were court favourites of the Queen-Empress Victoria. Their children were educated in England and two of their daughters married sons of Samuel Theodore Mander, of Wightwick. The state acceded to the Dominion of India in 1947 and merged with the state of West Bengal in 1950.
Maharaja Sir Nripendra Narayan of Cooch Behar
SALUTE: 13-guns.
ARMS:
Purpure an annulet or, between a sword blade vert and a sword proper hilted of the second. Crest: Monkey sejant argent. Supporters: Lion and elephant proper. Motto:"Jato Dharma Stato Jaya" (Where there is virtue, there is victory). Lambrequins: Purpure and or.
STYLES & TITLES:
The ruling prince: Maharaja Shri (personal name) Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar, with the style of His Highness.
The consort of the ruling prince: Maharani (personal name) Devi Sahiba, with the style of Her Highness.
The sons of the ruling prince: Maharaj Kumar Shri (personal name) Narayan.
The daughters of the ruling prince: Maharaj Kumari (personal name) Devi.
The grandsons of the ruling prince, in the male line: Raj Kumar Shri (personal name) Narayan.
The grand-daughters of the ruling prince, in the male line: Raj Kumari (personal name) Devi.
RULES OF SUCCESSION:
Male primogeniture.
GLOSSARY:
Bhup: sovereign, ruler.
Diwan Deo: hereditary title borne by the Chief Minister, held by a junior branch of the ruling family.
Nazir Deo: Lord Guardian, hereditary title borne by the commander-in-chief of the Army, held by a junior branch of the ruling family.
SOURCES:
Burke's Landed Gentry, Burke's Peerage Ltd. In conjunction with Shaw Publishing Co. Ltd., London.
Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage. Burke's Peerage Limited, London, 1900-1959.
Harendra Narayan Chauduri (comp.), The Cooch Behar State and its Land Revenue Settlements. Cooch Behar State Press, 1903.
Russell Harris (comp.), The Lafayette Photographic Collection at the V&A Image Library, Kensington, London, 2000.
Gayatri Devi and Santha Rama Rau, A Princess Remembers, The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur. J.P. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1976.
Shri. Hemanta Kumar Rai Barma, Kochbiharer Itihas, 2nd edition (1988)
Kochbihar Parikrama, ed. Krishnendu Dey, Niraj Biswas & Digbijoy De Sarkar
Sunity Devee, Maharani of Cooch Behar, The Autobiography of an Indian Princess, 1921.
GENEALOGY
Hajo, a Koch Chief, who had issue, two daughters:
* 1) Jira. m. Hari Das [Hariya], a Mech, and had issue, two sons:
* a) Raja Chandan Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Chikna - see below.
* b) Kumar Madan Narayan.
* 2) Hira. Regarded as the incarnation of the Goddess Bhagavati. m. with her sister at the age of eight, Hari Das [Hariya], a Mech. She d. before 1545, having had issue, two sons:
* a) Raikat Shishu [Sisvasinha], of Baikunthapur. Chief Minister and C-in-C to his younger brother, 1522-1555. m. a daughter of the Chief of Chikna. He had issue:
* i) Manahar Deb Raikat. He had issue:
* (1) Manikya Deb Raikat. He had issue:
* (a) Bhaba Deb Raikat. He had issue:
* (i) Dharma Deb Raikat. He had issue:
* 1. Darpa Deb Raikat.
* b) Sri Sri Maharaja Vishnu Narayan Bhup Bahadur [Vishvasinha], Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
1510 - 1522 Raja Chandan Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Chikna. b. 1482. Founded the principality in 1510. m. a daughter of the Chief of Chikna. He d. 1522.
1522 - 1554 Sri Sri Maharaja Vishnu Narayan Bhup Bahadur [Vishvasinha], Raja of Cooch Behar. b. 21st March 1502. Succeeded on the death of his half-brother, 1522. Removed his capital from Mount Chikna to Hingulavasha. Abdicated and retired to the mountains as a mendicant, 1554. m. (first) a daughter of the Chief of Chikna. m. in one day, eighteen wives, two ladies from Nepal, two from Kamarupa, one from Keshmira, four from Benares, three from Sonitapura, and two from Mithila. He had issue, eighteen sons by different wives:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumar Narasinha Narayan. Renounced his rights in favour of his younger brother, Nara Narayan, 1554. He had issue:
* a) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Anirudhra Narayan.
* 2) Sri Sri Maharaja Nara Narayan [Malla Deva] Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* 3) Sri Sri Raja Sukladwaja Narayan [Chila Rai]. C-in-C. Made ruler of Assam or eastern Kamarupa. He d. 1576, leaving descendants who founded the families of Bijni, Durrang, and Beltala, including:
* a) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Raghu Dev Narayan. He had issue, three sons:
* i) Sri Sri Raja Parikat Narayan, Raja of Darang. Attacked his cousin, Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan, thus precipitating the Mughal invasion of Cooch Behar. They annexed his principality in 1612. He had issue:
* (1) Vijit Narayan, founder of the Bijni dynasty ->.
* (1) Sri Srin Rani Mangaldahi Devi. m. Sri Sri Budhha Swarga Narayan Deva Sri Raja Susengpha [Pratab Singh], Raja of Assam (d. 1641). She had issue - see India (Assam).
* ii) Sri Sri Raja Dharma Bali Narayan, Raja of Darang. Expelled by the Mughals in 1615. Restored with the help of the Raja of Assam, becoming a tributary of that state.
* iii) Sri Sri Raja Gaja Narayan, Raja of Beltola.
* 4) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Kamala Narayan.Gosain.
* 5) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Maidan Narayan.
* 6) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Ram Chandra Narayan.
* 7) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Surasinha Narayan.
* 8) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Manasinha Narayan.
* 9) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Mecha Narayan.
* 10) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Vrishaketu Narayan.
* 11) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Rama Narayan Narayan.
* 12) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Ananta Narayan.
* 13) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Dipasinha Narayan.
* 14) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Hemadhara Narayan.
* 15) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Megha Narayana Narayan.
* 16) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Jagat Narayan.
* 17) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Chandra Narayan.
* 18) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Surya Narayan.
1554 - 1587 Sri Sri Maharaja Nara Narayan [Malla Deva] Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the abdication of his father and the renunciation of his elder half-brother, 1554. Established his sovereignty over the territories of Rungpur, Jalpiguri, Bogra, Dinapur and Purneah and forced the Deva Raja of Bhutan and the Rajas of Assam, Manipur, Kachar, Jaintia, Tripura, Kairam, Dimuria and Sylhet to become his tributaries. He divided his large territories amongst his brothers, ancestors of the houses of the Assamese zarmindaris of Bijni and Durrung, Raikats of Barkanthapur, and the Panga of Rungpur. He introduced the Narayani currency which lasted for three centuries. He d. 1587, having had issue, one son and one daughter:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar- see below.
* 1) Rani Shri Kashmavati Devi Sahiba. at Nandpur, 23rd December 1596, Mirza Raja Shri Man Singh (I) Bahadur, Raja of Amber (d. at Elichpur, 6th July 1614), eldest son of Amir ul-Umara, Raja Bhagwant Das, Raja of Amber. She d. (committed sati) July, 1614, having had issue, two sons - see India (Jaipur).
1587 - 1621 Sri Sri Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1587. He d. 1621, having had issue, eighteen sons, including:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Bira Narayan Bhup Bahadur (s/o the chief consort) - see below.
* 2) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Bajra Narayan.
* 3) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Bhima Narayan.
* 4) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Mahi Narayan. Nazir Deo. Ancestor of the Nazir Deo family of Balarampur. Removed from his official posts for attempting to seize the throne. Later became a sannyasi and earned the title of Gosain. He had issue, four sons:
* a) Kumar Darpa Narayan. He d. before 1682, having had issue, three sons:
* i) Kumar Shanta Narayan. Nazir Deo 1691-1700. He d.s.p. 1700, having adopted his grand nephew.
* ii) Kumar Satya Narayan. Diwan Deo 1693-1714. He had issue:
* (1) Kumar Dina Narayan.
* (2) Kumar Ksahtriya Narayan. He had issue:
* (a) Kumar Kumud Narayan.
* iii) Kumar Kandarpa Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* (1) Kumar Govinda Narayan.
* (2) Kumar Hari Narayan.
* b) Kumar Jagat Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* i) Sri Sri Maharaja Rupa Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* ii) Kumar Visva Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* (1) Kumar Hem Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* (a) Kumar Aboy Narayan, of Krosi Balarampur. Nazir Deo. He d. 29th May 1808, having had issue, two sons:
* (i) Kumar Bhagabanta Narayan.
* (ii) Kumar Khagendra Narayan, of Krosi Balarampur. Nazir Deo. He d. 1817, having had issue, four sons:
* 1. Kumar Birendra Narayan. Nazir Deo. He had issue, one son:
* a. Kumar Tatwa Narayan, of Krosi Balarampur. Nazir Deo. He d. 23rd November 1824, having had issue, one son:
* i. Kumar Hemendra Narayan, of Krosi Balarampur. He had issue, five sons:
* 1a. Kumar Rupendra Narayan.
* 2a. Kumar Kandarpa Narayan.
* 3a. Kumar Pratap Narayan, of Krosi Balarampur. He d.s.p. 1865.
* 4a. Kumar Ram Narayan, of Krosi Balarampur. b. 1850, educ. Jenkins Sch., Cooch-Behar. He d. July 1870, having had issue, one son:
* 1b. Kumar Karindra Narayan (s/o a secondary wife).
* 5a. Kumar Mukunda Narayan.
* 2. Kumar Gajendra Narayan.
* 3. Kumar Sambhu Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* a. Kumar Mahindra Narayan.
* b. Kumar Bodhendra Narayan.
* 4. Kumar Jogendra Narayan. He had issue, four sons:
* a. Kumar Durga Narayan.
* b. Kumar Ganga Narayan.
* c. Kumar Indra Narayan.
* d. Kumar Tarini Narayan.
* (b) Kumar Rudra Narayan. Nazir Deo.
* (2) Kumar Lalit Narayan. Nazir Deo 1700.
* c) Kumar Jagna Narayan. Attempted to seize the throne on several occasions, eventually pacified. Nazir Deo 1687-1691. He d.s.p. 1691.
* d) Kumar Chandra Narayan. He was k. in battle, ca. 1665.
1621 - 1625 Sri Sri Maharaja Bira Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1621. Removed his capital to Atharakotha. He d. 1625, having had issue:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Pran Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
1625 - 1665 Sri Sri Maharaja Pran Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1625. He d. 1665, having had issue, three sons:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumar Vishnu Narayan. He had issue:
* a) Raj Kumar Mana Narayan. He had issue:
* i) Sri Sri Maharaja Mahendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* 2) Sri Sri Maharaja Moda Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* 3) Sri Sri Maharaja Vasudeva Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
1666 - 1680 Sri Sri Maharaja Moda Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. He d.s.p. 1680 (succ. by his younger brother).
1681 - 1682 Sri Sri Maharaja Vasudeva Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the death of his elder brother, 1681. He was k. by his cousin, Jajna Narayan, 1682.
1682 - 1693 Sri Sri Maharaja Mahendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. b. 1677, educ. privately. Raised to the gadi after the assassination of Maharaja Vasudeva, 1682. Faced repeated invasions by the Mughlas and forced to cede province after province. He d.s.p. 1693.
1693 - 1714 Sri Sri Maharaja Rupa Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the death of his cousin, 1693. Forced to treat with the Mughals, becoming their vassal and losing Western Kamarupa in 1711. Removed his capital from Atharakota to Guriahati. He d. 1714, having had issue, four sons:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Upendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* 2) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Kharga Narayan. Diwan Deo 1738. He had issue, five sons:
* a) Kumar Ram Narayan. Diwan Deo. He was k. 1770.
* b) Sri Sri Maharaja Rajendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* c) Sri Sri Maharaja Dhairyendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* d) Kumar Surendra Narayan. Diwan Deo 1770. He had issue:
* i) Kumar Jivendra Narayan. Nazir Deo 1785. He d. 1819, having had issue, an only son:
* (1) Kumar … Narayan. He d. 1821.
* ii) Kumar Nagendra Narayan. Diwan Deo.
* e) Kumar Baikuntha Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* i) Kumar Krishna Narayan. He had issue:
* (1) Kumar Revendra Narayan (Jnr.).
* ii) Kumar Tantra Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* (1) Kumar Keshava Narayan.
* (2) Kumar Mukunda Narayan.
* 3) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Vidya Narayan.
* 4) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Narendra Narayan.
1714 - 1763 Sri Sri Maharaja Upendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1714. Faced a Mughal invasion of his principality in 1737-1738, but they were defeated with the help of the Bhutanese. m. (first) …(she committed sati 1763). m. (second) …He d. at Dhaliyabari, 1763, having had issue:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Devendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur (s/o the junior Rani) - see below.
1763 - 1765 Sri Sri Maharaja Devendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur. b. 1759. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1763. Reigned under a Council of Ministers. The state came under the suzerainty of the HEIC after the assumption of the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, 12th August 1765. He was k. at Padma Pukur, by the Brahmin, Rati Sarma, 1765.
1765 - 1770 Sri Sri Maharaja Dhairyendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur (first time) - see below.
1770 - 1772 Sri Sri Maharaja Rajendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur. Raised to the gadi by the Deb Raja of Bhutan, 1770.
1772 Sri Sri Maharaja Dharendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur (first time) - see below.
1772 - 1774 Sri Sri Maharaja Dharendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, son of Diwan Deo Rama Narayan. Raised to the gadi by the Deb Raja of Bhutan, 1772. Deposed by the British in 1774.
1772 and 1774 - 1775 Sri Sri Maharaja Dharendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur. Raised to the gadi after the death of Rajendra Narayan, 1772. Fled with his mother and the Royal family to Balrampur, after an armed insurrection by the Bhutias. Entered into Treaty relations with the HEIC, 5th April 1773. Defeated by the Deva Raja of Bhutan, who carried him off as a prisoner into Bhutan. Entered into treaty relations with the HEIC, 5th April 1773 and was restored after a similar treaty with Bhutan in 1774. He d.s.p. 1775.
1765-1770 and 1775-1780 Sri Sri Maharaja Dhairyendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. Raised to the gadi after the assassination of his cousin, 1765. Defeated by the Deva Raja of Bhutan, who carried him off as a prisoner into Bhutan, 1770. Restored after the death of his elder 1775. m. several wives. He d. 1783, having had issue, two sons:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Dharendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see above.
* 2) Sri Sri Maharaja Harendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
1783 - 1839 Sri Sri Maharaja Harendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. b. 1780, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1783, aged three years and nine months. Reigned under a Regency until he came of age in 1801. m. (firstly) 1793, a daughter of Jadunath Isore. m. (secondly) 1793, Maharani Bhuban Mohini, a daughter of Padma Nath Kerji. m. (thirdly) 1797, Maharani Bara Madhyana Aye Devati, a grand daughter of Darpa Deo of Baikunthapur. m. (fourthly) 1800, Maharani Chhota Madhyana Aye Devati, another granddaughter of Darpa Deo of Baikunthapur. m. (fifth) Srimati Dewrir Beti Aye. m. (sixth) Srimati Nakeshwari Aye. m. ca. 1814, a daughter of Brajanath Gohain, of Assam. He d. at Benares, 29th July 1839, having had issue, six sons and several daughters:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaja Shivendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* 2) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Meghendra Narayan. He had issue, four sons:
* a) Kumar Sri Govinda Narayan. He had issue, one son:
* i) Kumar Sri Gajendra Narayan. Became insane.
* b) Kumar Sri Nagendra Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* i) Kumar Sri Kshitindra Narayan (Jnr). He had issue, one son:
* (1) Kumar Sri Kamalendra Narayan.
* ii) Kumar Sri Nalindra Narayan.
* c) Kumar Sri Lakshmindra Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* i) Kumar Sri Kshitindra Narayan (Snr).
* ii) Kumar Sri Gajendra Narayan. MRAC. Supt. of Police 1895-1916, MSC 1916-1920 and 1925, Additional MLC 1920-1924.
* d) Kumar Sri Bhahendra Narayan. m. and had issue, one son:
* i) Kumar Sri Gajendra Narayan. Barr-at-Law. Mgr. Chaklajat estates, 1899. MLC 1906-1916. He had issue, four sons:
* (1) Kumar Sri Bikashendro Narayan.
* (2) Kumar Sri Kamalendro Narayan.
* (3) Kumar Sri Kanakednro Narayan.
* (4) Kumar Sri Pritendro Narayan.
* 3) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Mahendra Narayan. Regent. He d. 30th March 1847, having had issue, one son:
* a) Raj Kumar Sri Bhubanendra Narayan. He had issue, one son:
* i) Kumar Sri Vishvendra Narayan.
* 4) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Bajendra Narayan. Joint Administrator of the state 1836-1839 and again from 30th March 1847 until his death. He d. 1857, having had issue, three sons:
* a) Kumar Sri Chandra Narayan. b. 1841, adopted by Maharaja Shivendra Narayan in 1845 and succeeded on his death as H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Narendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch Behar - see below.
* b) Kumar Sri Birendra Narayan. He had issue, four sons:
* i) Kumar Sri Jitendra Narayan.
* ii) Kumar Sri Halendra Narayan.
* iii) Kumar Sri Ravendra Narayan (Jnr.). MLC.
* iv) Kumar Sri Amindra Narayan.
* c) Kumar Sri Kulindra Narayan. He had issue, three sons:
* i) Kumar Sri Padmendra Narayan.
* ii) Kumar Sri Ragendra Narayan.
* iii) Kumar Sri Alendra Narayan.
* 5) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Jogendra Narayan. He had issue, four sons:
* a) Kumar Sri Sarvendra Narayan. He went insane. He had issue, one son:
* i) Kumar Sri Amarendra Narayan. He went insane.
* b) Kumar Sri Munindra Narayan.
* c) Kumar Sri Manabendra Narayan. He had issue, one son:
* i) Kumar Sri Raghabendra Narayan.
* d) Kumar Sri Bhabendra Narayan. He had issue, two sons:
* i) Kumar Sri Girindra Narayan.
* ii) Kumar Sri Prafulla Narayan.
* 6) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Nilendra Narayan. He had issue, one son:
* a) Kumar Sri Sasindra Narayan. He had issue, one son:
* i) Kumar Sri Nagendra Narayan.
1839 - 1847 Sri Sri Maharaja Shivendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Raja of Cooch Behar. b. at the Royal Palace, Cooch-Behar, November 1776, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 29th July 1839 (recognised by the GOI, 28th August 1839). m. (first) in a double ceremony, 8th March 1841, Maharani Kameshwari Sri Sri Dangar Aye Devati (d. at Benares, 7th March 1889), daughter of Bajradhar Karji of Chapapuri. m. (second) in a double ceremony, 8th March 1841, Maharani Vrisundeshwari Bara Aye Devati, daughter of Brajendra Narayan Chaudhuri of Parvatjoyar. He d.s.p.m. at Benares, 23rd August 1847 (succ. by his adopted son and nephew).
1847 - 1863 H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Narendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch Behar. b. 1841, as Kumar Sri Chandra Narayan, eldest son of Sri Sri Raj Kumar Bajendra Narayan, educ. Govt Coll., Kishnanangar and Ward's Institution, Calcutta. Adopted by Maharaja Shivendra Narayan in 1845 and succeeded on his death, 23rd August 1847 and ascended the gadi on the same day. Reigned under the regency of his father. Invested with full ruling powers, 1857. Granted the personal title of Maharaja Bahadur with the style of Highness, 1862. m. five wives including (a) H.H. Maharani Nistarini Deo Aye Devati. m. (b) H.H. Rajmata Nishimayi Deo Aye Devati (The Rajmata). m. (c) H.H. Rajmata Brajeshwari Madyam Aye Gharain (d. 5th February 1927). m. (d) Srimati Harasundari Aye Devati. He d. 6th August 1863, having had issue, two sons and one daughter:
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumar Jotindra Narayan. b. at Cooch-Behar, 26th February 1861 (s/o Harasundari Aye Devati), educ. Additional MLC 1916-1920. He d. 23rd September 1920.
* 2) H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Nripendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch Behar (s/o Nishimayi Devati) - see below.
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Ananda Mayi Devi. b. at Cooch-Behar, 18th July 1860 (d/o Nistarini Devati). m. 20th January 1868, Raja Jogendra Narayan, Raja of Panga (d.s.p. of cholera at Calcutta, 1869). She d.s.p. at Chinsurah, 23rd December 1887.
1863 - 1911 Colonel H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Nripendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch Behar, GCIE (23.2.1888), CB (m 20.5.1898). b. at the Royal Palace, Cooch-Behar, 4th October 1862, educ. Ward's Institute, Benares, Bankipur Coll., Patna, Presidency Coll., Calcutta and Calcutta Univ. Succeeded on the death of his father, 6th August 1863 and was installed on the gadi that same evening. Reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers, 8th November 1883. Granted the personal title of Maharaja Bahadur, 25th February 1880 (made hereditary, 16th October 1884). Hon Col. IA 11/1/1902 (Hon. Lieut-Col. 30/7/1887, Hon Maj. 22/8/1883) attached 6th King Edward's Own Lcrs., served in the Tirah exped. 1896 and on the NWF 1897 (MID). Hon. ADC to the King-Emperor Edward VII 11/1/1902-1910 (and when Prince of Wales, 30/7/1887-1901), Extra ADC to the King-Emperor George V 4/6/1911. Attended the Imperial Durbar at Delhi, where he received a sword of honour. Attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Queen-Empress Victoria in London in 1887, the Coronations of the King-Emperor Edward VII in 1902 and of the King-Emperor George V in 1911. Rcvd: KIH gold medal (1877), Golden Jubilee (1887), Tirah (1897), Coron. (1902 and 1911), and Delhi Durbar (1903) medals. District Grand Mark Master of Bengal, Past Grand Senior Warden of Mark Masters of England, etc. Mbr. Marlborough, Cavalry, Portland, Raneleigh, Queen's and Princes, and MCC, United Services (Simla), Turf and Saturday (Calcutta), Darjeeling, Wheelers (Meerut) and Himalayan (Mussoorie) Clubs, Hon Mbr. Hurlingham Club. A rackets and tennis player of international repute and a keen cricketer. m. at Cooch-Behar, 6th March 1878, H.H. Maharani Siniti Devi Sahiba, CI (18.3.1887) (b. at Sen's House, Calcutta, 1864; d. at Ranchi, 10th November 1932), sometime Regent of Cooch-Behar and Presdt. State Council, eldest daughter of Babu Keshab Chandra Sen, by his wife, Sati Jagan Mohini Devi. He d. suddenly, at Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, 18th September 1911, having had issue, four sons and three daughters:
* 1) H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar - see below.
* 2) H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Jitendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar, KCSI - see below.
* 3) Lieutenant-Colonel Sri Sri Maharaj Kumar Victor Nitendra Narayan. b. 21st May 1887 (for whom of the Queen-Empress Victoria stood sponsor), educ. Mayo Coll., Ajmer, Eton, and with ICC, Dehra Dun. Attended the Delhi Durbar 1911 as a member of the Bodyguard to the King-Emperor George V (rcvd: silver medal). MLC Cooch-Behar 1911-1929, MSC in charge of H.H.'s Household 1913 -1919, MSC in charge of the Education, Press, Agriculture and Industry departments 1919 -1929; Cdt. Cooch-Behar State Forces and Military Sec. 1914-1919. Rcvd: Silver Jubilee (1935) and Coron. (1937) medals. m. at Calcutta, 1916, Maharaj Kumari Niropoma Devi, daughter of M.L. Gupta, Esq., Barr-at-Law, of Calcutta. He d. in a motor accident at Osterley, Surrey, 31st October 1937, having had issue, two sons:
* a) Sri Sri Raj Kumar Shri Nidhi Narayan. He d. young, 5th April 1927.
* b) Major Sri Sri Raj Kumar Gautam Narayan, educ. Eton, Berks. Cmsnd. 2nd-Lieut. IA (EC) 16/11/1941 attached Bombay Sappers and Miners, RIE; prom. Lieut. 1/10/1942, prom. Capt. 23/12/1944, temp. Maj.12/9/1945, served in WW2 (rcvd: 39/45 and Burma stars, Defence, War and IGS medals). Dep. Chief Engineer 1945-1949, Vice-Presdt. Cooch-Behar Sahitya Sawa. He d. 1970.
* 4) Lieutenant-Colonel Sri Sri Maharaj Kumar Hitendra Narayan. b. at Darjeeling, 1st July 1890, educ. Eton and with ICC, Dehra Dun. Cmsnd Hon. Lieut. IA, 15/10/1914, served in the Great War as Staff Officer to the GOC IEF in France 1914-16 (rcvd: MID Neuve Chapelle, 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals and Indian recruiting badge), Cdt. Cooch-Behar State Forces and Military Sec. 1919-1920, MLC and MSC in charge of Household Affairs 1919-1920. He d. suddenly at Colinton, Darjeeling, 7th November 1920.
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Sukriti Sundari Devi (Princess Sukriti Ghosal). b. 15th January 1884. m. at Woodlands, Alipur, Calcutta, 29th November 1899 (div.) The Hon Sir Josna Nath Ghosal, CSI, CIE, KIH (b. 13th June 1871), sometime MEC, son of Janaki Nath Ghosal, Zamindar, ICS, and his wife Srimati Svarna Kumari Devi, poetess and author, daughter of Maharshi Devendra Nath Tagore. and sister of Maharaja Sir Rabindra Nath Tagore, Nobel Prize winner and Bengali man of letters.
• 2) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Prativa Sundari Devi [Princess Prativa Mander]. b. at Lily Cottage, Calcutta, 22nd November 1891. m. at Woodlands, Alipur, Calcutta, 21st February 1912 (div.), Lionel Henry Mander (b. at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, 14th May 1888; m. second (div. 1936), Kathleen Bernadette French, of Sydney, NSW, and d. suddenly from heart failure, at Los Angeles, California, USA, 7th February 1946, leaving issue by his second wife); educ. Harrow Sch., Mdsx., Loretto and McGill Univ., Montreal; served in the Great War with RASC, retd. as Capt.; sheep farmer, pioneer pilot; screen actor, director and writer in over 100 films as "Luther Miles" and "Miles Mander"; radio commentator in the USA 1938-1941; author, novelist and writer; second son of Samuel Theodore Mander, of Wightwick Manor, Staffordshire, by his wife, Flora St Clair, daughter of Henry Nicholas Paint, MP in Dominion Parliament, of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She d.s.p. at Calcutta, 23rd July 1923.
• 3) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Sudhira Sundari Devi [Princess Sudhira Mander]. b. 7th March 1894. m. at Woodlands, Alipur, Calcutta, 25th February 1914, Alan Jocelyn Mander (b. 28th February 1891; d. 21st December 1967), third son of Samuel Theodore Mander, of Wightwick Manor, Staffs., by his wife, Flora St Clair, daughter of Henry Nicholas Paint, MP, of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She d. 7th January 1968, having had issue, two sons and two daughters:
◦ a) Samuel Mander.
◦ b) Derek Anjum Mander, b. in London 1928; has issue 3 sons and 1 dau:
▪ i) Nigel Peter Mander, b. 1952; educ. Univ. of Surrey (B.Sc. 1974).
▪ ii ) Alan Paul Mander (Derek Anjum Mander’s son by Edwina); d. 7 Jan 2009.
▪ iii ) Danielle (Derek Anjum Mander’s daughter by Edwina); b. 1959; m. Nadeem —, of Harley St., London, and two children:
▪ Charlotte, b. 4 July 1980.
▪ Darius, b. 2 Dec 1991.
▪ iv ) Marcus Narinendra Mander, b. London 9 Jan 1966; m. and has issue.
◦ a) (Pamela) Ghita Mander; b. London 8 Jul 1920; d. unm. 27 Jun 1965.
◦ b) Monisha Vida (‘Garbo’); b. London 1934; m. 1952 George Leslie John Garnham (d. 1988), sometime ceremonial sergeant at Canon Row Police Stn; and d. leaving three daus:
▪ i) Diana Anjoli Buse, b. 17 Nov 1954; m. 2003 Rodney Stewart Buse; educ. Leicester Uni, King’s Coll., London (MA); chief exec., Science Council, 2006.
▪ ii ) Sarah Garnham.
▪ iii ) Vanessa Ilsley, LLB, ACIS; m. Ian Ilsley, FCCA (b. 14 June 1961), company director and consultant; director of DTI; resident in Monaco.
1911 - 1913 H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar. b. at Woodlands, Alipur, Calcutta, 11th April 1882, educ. Mayo Coll., Ajmer, Faraborough Prep. Sch., Eton, Christ Church, Oxford and with ICC, Dehra Dun. Hon. Lieut. 2nd City of London Imperial Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons), 4/6/1902. Attended the Coronation of the King-Emperor Edward VII in 1902 of King-Emperor George V in 1911. Succeeded on the death of his father, 18th September 1911. Proclaimed at Cooch-Behar, 2nd October 1911 and installed on the gadi, 8th November 1911. Rcvd: Coron. (1902 and 1911), and Delhi Durbar silver medals, and Delhi Durbar bar to Coron. medal (1911). He d.s.p. unm. at Cromer, Norfolk, 1st September 1913 (succ. by his younger brother).
1913 - 1922 H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Jitendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar, KCSI (1.1.1917). b. in London, 20th December 1886, educ. Eton and with ICC, Dehra Dun. Attended the Coronations of the King-Emperor Edward VII in 1902 and King-Emperor George V in 1911. Succeeded on the death of his brother, 1st September 1913. Proclaimed at Cooch-Behar, 16th September 1913 and installed on the gadi, 17th November 1913. Rcvd: Coron. medals (1902 and 1911) and Delhi Durbar silver medals (1903 and 1911). m. at the Buckingham Palace Hotel, London, 25th August 1913, H.H. Maharani Indira Devi Sahiba (b. at Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda, 19th February 1892; d. at Bombay, 12th September 1968), Regent and Presdt. of the State Council from 20th December 1922 to 6th April 1936, the only surviving daughter of H.H. Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Sayaji Rao III Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCSI, GCIE, by his second wife, H.H. Maharani Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Gajra Bai Sahiba, CI, daughter of Shrimant Sardar Bajirao Amritrao Ghatge, Sarjerao, of Dewas state. He d. at the Royal Palace, Cooch-Behar, 20th December 1922, having had issue, two sons and three daughters:
* 1) H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Jagatdipendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar - see below.
* 2) Lieutenant-Colonel Sri Sri Maharaj Kumar Indrajitendra Narayan. b. at Poona, 6th July 1918, educ. Gibbs Sch., London, Harrow Sch, Mdsx; Mayo Coll., Ajmer; and at the Prince of Wales's RIMA, Dehra Dun. Cmsnd. 2nd-Lieut. IA 6/7/1939 attached to PAVO Cav., prom. Lieut. 3/10/1941, transf. Central India Horse 1942, prom. Capt. 12/3/1945, prom. Maj. 1/5/1945, served in WW2 in the Western Desert, India, Assam, Burma, and South East Asia. Rcvd: Coron. (1937 and 1953), 1939/45, Burma, Africa and Pacific stars, Defence, War and IGS medals (1945) and Indian Independence (1947) medals. m. at Madras, 28th February 1941, Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Kamala Devi (k. in a house fire with her husband, at Colinton, Darjeeling, 1951), fourth daughter of Meherban-i-Dostan Sri Maharaja Ravu Venkata Kumara Mahipathi Surya Rao Bahadur Garu, Sardar, Rajahmundry Circar and Maharaja of Pithapuram, CBE, by his first wife, Maharani Chinnamamba Devi, daughter of Raja Venkata Ramaya Appa Rao Bahadur, Raja of Kapileswarapuram. He was k. in a house fire at Colinton, Darjeeling, 1951, having had issue, one son and one daughter:
* a) H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Virajdendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar - see below.
* a) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Uttara Devi [Honey] (H.H. the Maharani of Kotah). b. at Cooch-Behar, 25th July 1942. m. 21st May 1963, as his second wife, H.H. Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Mahimahendra Maharao Raja Shri Brijraj Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharao Raja of Kotah (Shri Brij Raj Singh-Kotah) (b. 21st February 1934), eldest son of Brigadier H.H. Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Mahimahendra Maharao Raja Shri Sir Bhim Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharao Raja of Kotah, KCSI, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Shiv Kumari Kanwarji Sahiba, second daughter of General H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Sawai Maharaja Shiromani Sir Ganga Singhji Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, KCB, KIH. She had issue, one son and one daughter - see India (Kotah).
* 1) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Ila Devi. b. at Woodlands, Alipur, Calcutta, 1st October 1914, educ. Ravenscroft, Eastbourne and Shantiniketan Sch, Bengal. m. at Calcutta, 12th June 1936, Major Maharaj Kumar Shri Ramendra Kishore Deb Barman Bahadur, late 7th Rajput Rifles, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Mahamanyabar Maharaj Kumar Shri Brajendra Kishore Deb Barman Bahadur, by his wife, a daughter of Major H.H. Maharaj Rana Shri Nihal Singh Lokendra Bahadur, Maharaj Rana of Dholpur, CB. She d. of ptomaine poisoning at Darjeeling, 1945, having had issue, three children - see India (Tripura).
* 2) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Gayatri Devi (H.H. The Rajmata of Jaipur); born in London 23rd May 1919; educated at Glendower School, London; Shantiniketan, Bengal; Laussane, Switzerland; London School of Secretaries, Brilliantmont and Monkey Club London; President of the All India Badminton Association, and Rajasthan State Swatantra Party, Vice-President of the All India Lawn Tennis Association and All India Swatantra Party, Director Rambagh Palace Hotel, Jaipur, and Gee Stud Farm Pvt Ltd., Chairman of the Governing Council of Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls Public School, Jaipur, Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh Benevolent Trust, Jaipur, the Maharani Gayatri Soldier's Welfare Fund, Jaipur; the Sawai Ram Singh Shilp Kala Mandir, Jaipur; M/s Jaipur Durries Pvt Ltd, Jalpur and Rajasthan State Tourist Development Corporation, Jaipur; Member of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Lok Sabha, author of: "A Princess Remembers" and "A Government's Gateway", interests included photography, Fine Arts and Museums; gaoled under the "Emergency" government of Mrs. Gandhi 1975. m. at Cooch-Behar 9th May 1940, as his third wife, Lieutenant-General H.H. Saramad-i-Rajha-i-Hindustan Raj Rajendra Shri Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Sir Sawai MAN SINGH II Bahadur, Maharaja of Jaipur, GCSI, GCIE (b. at Isarda, 21st August 1911; d. at Cirencester, 24th June 1970) second son of Lieutenant-Colonel Raja Sawai Singhji of Isarda, by his wife, the daughter of Thakur Umrao Singh of Kotla (UP). She died 29th July 2009 at the Satokben Durlabh Memorial Hospital in Jaipur and was cremated the following day in Jaipur, leaving issue, one son - see India (Jaipur).
* 3) Sri Sri Maharaj Kumari Meneka Devi (H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Maneka Devi Bai Sahiba). b. in London, 5th July 1920, educ. Glendover Sch., London, Brillantmont, Switzerland and Shantiniketan Sch, Bengal. m. at Cooch-Behar, 19th February 1942, Major H.H. Meherban Shrimant Sir Yeshwant Rao [Bhau Sahib] Puar, Maharaja of Dewas (Junior), KCIE (b. 3rd March 1905; d. 19xx), only son of H.H. Meherban Shrimant Sadashiv Rao [Khase Sahib] Puar, Maharaja of Dewas (Junior), by his wife, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Parvati Raje Bai Sahiba, from the Angre family of Alibeg. She had issue, two daughters - see India (Dewas Junior).
1922 - 1970 Colonel H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Jagatdipendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar, KCIE (14.8.1947). b. at The Royal Palace, Cooch-Behar, 15th December 1915, educ. St Cyprians Sch, Farnborough, Harrow Sch., Mdx., and Trinity Coll., Cambridge. Succeeded on the death of his father, 20th December 1922 and ascended the gadi, 24th December 1922. Reigned under the Regency of his mother until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers, 6th April 1936. Cmsnd. 2nd-Lieut. IA 8/9/1939 attached 2nd Light Cavalry, prom. Hon. Lieut. 1/6/1942, prom. Hon. Capt. 11/8/1944, served in WW2 in North Africa, Assam, Burma, and South East Asia (present at the Japanese surrender at Singapore 1945), prom. Hon. Maj. 15/8/1945, prom. Hon Lieut-Col. 15/10/1946. Chief Cdt. Cooch-Behar Military forces 1943-1949. Colonel-in-Chief 1st Cooch-Behar Infantry and Rajendra Hazari Guards, Jaipur State Forces. Signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India, August 1947. Ceded full ruling powers to the GOI, 30th August 1949 and oversaw the merger of his state with West Bengal, 1st January 1950. Rcvd: Silver Jubilee (1935), Coron. (1937 and 1953), 1939/45, Burma, Africa and Pacific stars, Defence, War and IGS medals (1945) and Indian Independence (1947) medals. m. (first) 1948 (div. 1952) Nancy, née Valentine. m. (second) 1956, Gina, née Egan (b. 1930). He d.s.p. suddenly at Calcutta, 11th April 1970 (succ. by his nephew and adopted son).
1970 - [1992] H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Virajdendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar. Succeeded on the death of his uncle and adopted father, 11th April 1970 and ascended the gadi at Cooch-Behar, 12th April 1970 (recognised by the GOI, 1970). Deprived of his rank, titles and honours by the GOI, 28th December 1971. m. (first) (div.) ... m. (second) ... m. (third) ... He d.s.p. 1992.
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