Rai Budh Singh Bahadur School

 Rai Budh Singh Bahadur Dudhoria (Badi Kothi, Azimganj) was a famous Shaharwali Zemindar in Azimganj. A school was established on his memory. It was a primary school that was upgraded to a higher secondary school. It was the only high school (RBSBHSM) at Azimganj till 1965.

Large numbers of students studies in the school including me. Rai Budh Singh Bahadur primary school is situated behind Badi Kothi and opposite to Keshar Kumari Balika Bidyalaya at Azimganj City. RBSB High school is situated at Baraduari on way to Don Bosco school. The high school is near Azimganj Jn.

Both the schools have a track record of good result. RBSB schools at Azimganj are presently managed by the government.

Famous people from Azimganj Part 1
Famous people from Azimganj Part 2
Famous people …….. Part 3
Famous People..........Part 4
Famous People..........Part 5
 

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari (N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Mahendrapat Singh Dugar, Jaipur undergone Heart Surgery

Mahendrapat Singh Dugar (Monu Babu), of Azimganj, presently living in Jaipur has undergone for heart surgery last week. He has been operated at Fortis hospital in Jaipur and released from hospital yesterday.

Mahendrapat Singh Dugar belongs to famous Rai Dhanpat Singh Dugar family (Harawat Estate) in Azimganj.

He is at home. We wish him get well soon.

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari (N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite. New venture: Vardhaman Infotech)

Comment I get from Mr. DK Bhandia

Hi Jyoti Bhai,
great to see this site blog here.You have been spear heading the documentation of this Jain clan from West Bengal very nicely.
I wish to add here the details of whatever I know.
Bhandia family in Kolkata is a well known Johri Saath group who have been renowned for their Jewellery and Gem Stone business.
My Grandfather Late Sri Puran Chandji Bhandia ( Johri ) Married as his second wife Smt. Suhag Sundari from the Kothari Family of Guahati who belonged to the Jiyaganj Azimganj Clan of Jains. I am the last grandson of her last son Late Shri.Kiron Singhji Bhandia residing in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu associated in Jewellery and Textile Business. My Elder Brother Naresh Bhandia lives in Bangalore associated in manufacturing of PP Woven Sacs required in the cement industry. I will be glad to know more and even contribute to the efforts you are taking. Please feel free to get in touch. I have a Family histry Tree for our family contributing data of 13 generations. I will be happy to put in inputs in it if you have any.
thanks and regards

Dinesh Kumar Bhandia.

Jyoti Kothari
(Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

Siddharth Lodha has become member of Supreme Court Bar Association

 Congratulations!!!
Siddharth Lodha is now member of Supreme Court Bar Association! He has also started practicing in the apex court of India. Siddharth is quite young and completed his LLB just a year and half back. He is a talented young boy who has become member of the Bar Association of the Supreme court of India. 

Late Sri Dhirendrapat Kothari, Azimganj, Murshidabad is maternal grand father of Siddharth Lodha. He is son of late Sri Ishwarchand and Smt. Shila Lodha.

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari (N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Moni Nahar expired

 This is a sad news which I have to share with heavy heart. My sister, Moni Nahar, w/o Sri Surendra Nahar, Pune expired today (11.1.2011) afternoon. She was daughter of late Sri Samarendra Pat (Beta Babu) and Srimati Putul Kumari Kothari  and grand daughter of late Sri Chandrapat Kothari of Azimganj.

Sri Samarendra Pat Kothari was elder brother of my father Sri Dhirendra Pat Kothari. She left her daughter Vandana and son Vishal behind her.

Jyoti Kothari

मुर्शिदाबाद की विरासत बचाने का प्रयास: मुर्शिदाबाद हेरिटेज डेवलपमेंट सोसायटी

 मुर्शिदाबाद हेरिटेज डेवलपमेंट सोसायटी की स्थापना मुर्शिदाबाद की विरासत बचाने  का एक प्रयास है. प्राचीन काल में मुर्शिदाबाद का क्षेत्र गौड़ के नाम से जाना जाता था. औरंगजेब के सिपहसालार मुर्शीदकुली खान ने इसे बसाया एवं ढाका के स्थान पर सन १७०४ में इसे बंगाल, बिहार, एवं उडिस्सा की राजधानी बनाया. जब मुर्शीद कुली खान यहं आये तो उनके साथ उनके परम मित्र जगत सेठ मानकचंद गेलडा को भी साथ लाये. जैनों के उत्कर्ष का काल यहाँ पर तभी से शुरू हुआ.
यह नवाबों के शहर के नाम से भी जाना जाता रहा.

मुर्शीदकुली खान के बाद नवाब  अलीवर्दी खान, नवाब सुजाउद्दीन आदि ने नवाब की गद्दी संभाली. सिराज़ुद्दौला मुर्शिदाबाद के अंतिम स्वतंत्र नवाब हुए. मुर्शिदाबाद मुग़ल एवं ब्रिटिश शक्तियों के वीच युद्ध स्थल बना. पलाशी के युद्ध में सिराज़ुद्दौला के सेनापति मीर जाफर की गद्दारी के कारन उन्हें ईस्ट इंडिया कंपनी के क्लाइव लोयेड के हाथों पराजित होना पड़ा.  यहीं से भारत में ब्रिटिश शासन की नींव पड़ी.      


 अंग्रेजों ने अपनी राजधानी मुर्शिदाबाद से बदल कर कलकत्ते को बना लिया लेकिन मुर्शिदाबाद की गरिमा फिर भी बनी रही. मुर्शिदाबाद अपनी कलाप्रियता के लिए जाना जाता रहा.


मुर्शिदाबाद के अजीमगंज एवं जिआगंज में रहने वाले जैन धर्मावालम्वी ओसवालों ने यहाँ की संस्कृति में रंग भरने में अपना विशिष्ट योगदान दिया. यहाँ के जैन धर्मावलाम्वी शहरवाली के नाम से प्रसिद्द हुए.यहाँ की कला, संस्कृति, स्थापत्य आदि की उन्नति में शहरवाली समाज का योगदान कल्पनातीत है.

शहरवाली समाज के लोग उच्च शिक्षित, राईस व धनवान होने के साथ ही धर्मात्मा भी थे. अनेकों जिन मंदिर एवं दादाबाड़ी उनकी धर्मं परायणता का उदहारण है. शहरवाली समाज द्वारा स्थापित अनेक विद्यालय, महाविद्यालय जहाँ उनकी शिक्षा एवं ज्ञान के प्रति रूचि दर्शाती है वहीँ उन लोगों के द्वारा स्थापित चिकित्सालय उनकी परोपकारिता को.

यहाँ के जैन मंदिर एवं कोठियां शहरवाली समाज के अतीत गौरव की याद दिलाती है. यह एक धर्मं प्राण समाज है एवं अनेक दीक्षाएं इस बात कीगवाह है. अजीमगंज व जियागंज से अनेक साधू - साध्वियां भी हुई हैं.
शहरवाली पोषाक  की अपनी अलग विशेषता है.  अजीमगंज शहरवाली साथ का खानाभी अपनी विशिष्टताओं से भरपूर है. इनकी विविधता भी निराली है. शहरवाली समाज के रीती रिवाजों में भी यहं की माती की सुगंध है.
क्रमशः.........

Launching Murshidabad Heritage Development Society

Images Murshidabad Heritage Development Society

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari
(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Launching Murshidabad Heritage Development Society

PP Rashtra Sant Acharya Padamsagar Suri Ji Maharaj will formally launch Murshidabad Heritage Development Society at 02:30 PM on 31/10/10 at Jain Dadabari, 29 Badridas Temple Street and PP Sadhvi Shri Shashi Prabha Shree  Ji will bestow her blessings.

People of Murshidabad believe that this will be proved as a big step towards development of Azimganj, Jiaganj and Murshidabad. Both West Bengal state and the Central Government of India will be involved in this projest.

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari 
(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

What is happening in Azimganj and Jiaganj?

I am not getting any news from Azimganj and Jiaganj. What is going on there?

With regards, Jyoti Kothari (N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Azimganj Jiaganj: The then no fishing zone

Azimganj and Jiaganj were main Jain districts during 19th century and first half of twentieth century. Jain community of Azimganj and Jiaganj (Baluchar) was not only powerful but also very religious minded. Large numbers of huge Jain temples speak the story itself.

It is not required to mention that this religious community was totally vegetarian while following Jainism. More over, fishing was banned in the River Bhagirathi (Ganga) in the area of Jain district.

There was a famous story about fishing in this zone. There was a non-Jain Rai Bahadur in Jiaganj. He took as a challenge to catch a fish in this zone. He arranged to catch fish and caught some. Maharaj Bahadur Singh Dugar took it seriously and lodged a case against him. He fought the case  in several courts and finally won. He obtained an order from Privy Council (London) against fishing in this zone. Privy council was the apex court in British India.

It is told that he spent Rs. 6.25 lakh to win this case! Just imagine the value of money at that time! He did not care for money and spent it for his non violent religion, Jainism and vegetarianism.

Vegetarianism: The healthy way of life

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari


(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Photos of Azimganj in Google Earth and Google Map

 Some photos related to Azimganj, Murshidabad are selected in Google Earth and Google Maps. These are Sambhavnath Temple, Sumatinath Temple and Bari Kothi.
Please view the photos here.

Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari

(Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

My photos selected in Google earth

Some of my photos are selected for Google Earth and Google Maps. You can view those clicking here. These photos are from Azimganj, Jaipur and Kolkata. Photos are posted with the name of Vardhaman Gems.
View photos

Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari

(Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

Pratishtha in Saithia

 Saithia is a place near by Azimganj in Birbhum district. Pratishtha of the Jain temple is accomplished in the auspices of Sadhwi Shashiprabha Sri ji on December 13, 2009.

It is the first Shikhar vaddh Jain temple in Saithia.  It is worth to note that Jogi Pahadi, upsarga sthal (Chandkaushik sarp) of Lord Mahavira is situated near Saithia.

With regards,
Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari

Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also a ISO 9000 professional.

Marriage of Arihant Nowlakha in Hyderabad

 Congratulations!!

Arihant Nowlakha, son of late  Alok Nowlakha will be married with a Hyderabad girl on December 12, 2009. Marriage ceremony will take place in Secunderabad, Hyderabad. Arihant is grand son of Sri Kewal Chand Nowlakha, Azimganj.

Alok Nowlakha, father of Arihant had shifted to Patna from Azimganj and died in a bomb blast while going to Rajgriha.

Arihant Nowlakha had been in Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur as apprentice and then shifted to Hyderabad for business.

Congratulations!!! Marriages in Azimganj

Shaharwali families in Hyderabad

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari


(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.
He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Foundation stone at Azimganj Dadabadi on December 3, 2009

 Foundation stone of Azimganj Dadabadi will be laid on December 3, 2009. It is called Shilanyas or Shila Sthapna ceremony in Jain terminology.

Read more:
Shilanyas (Shila Sthapna) at Azimganj Dadabadi

Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari

Jain,  Jainism,  Jain Temples, Kolkata

Gemstones,  Travel, India,  Jaipur

Shilanyas (Shila Sthapna) at Azimganj Dadabadi

Azimganj Sri Sangh organize programm of Shilanyas (Shila Sthapna) at Azimganj Dadabadi on December 3, 2009. Shila Sthapna (Laying foundation stone) ceremony will be conducted in the auspices of Sadhwi Shashiprabha Shri ji.

Sona Chand Baid of Azimganj will laid  the main  foundation stone in the center. There will be eight more foundation stones to be laid in four sides and four angles.

Anil Choraria, Uttam Kumar Golechha, Sanjeev Nakhat, Bhupal Chand Rekhawat, Kishor Kumar Nowlakha, Nirmal Chand Choradia, Shashi Nowlakha and Dhanpat Singh Dugar families will laid these eight foundation stones. They are doing these in memory of their forefathers.

Shilanyas (laying foundation stone) will be at 7.30 AM on December 3, 2009 followed by Dadaguru Puja at 11.30 and Sadharmi Vatsalya (Lunch) hosted by Sona Chand Baid.

Pratishtha in Jalgaon
Pratistha in Saithia

Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari

Jain,  Jainism,  Jain Temples, Kolkata

Gemstones,  Travel, India,  Jaipur

Azimganj Shree Sangh: Address and Contacts

Azimganj Jain Shwetambar Shree Sangh

P.O. Azimganj : : District: Murshidabad : West Bengal: : PIN Code: 742122
Phone: 03483- 253312   :  Telefax: 03483- 253566
E-mail: azimganjshreesangh@yahoo.in

Kolkata Office:
2, Clive Ghat Street, 2nd floor,
Room No. 10,
Kolkata 700001

Navpad Mandal Pujan and Dadabadi Bhumi Pujan at Azimganj

 Bhumi Pujan and Khanan Muhurt of Dadabadi is done at Azimganj on Cctober 4 2009 morning 6 o' clock. Azimganj Shree Sangh has also organized Navpad Mandal Pujan on the same day at 10 o' clock.
Nakoda Bhairav Mahapujan was organized a day before at Sri Neminath Temple. Dadaguru Pujan and Ayambil tapa in group was also organized on october 4.

Satrah Bhedi Puja was organized on October 5 to celebrate Siddhi tap of Sadhwi Ji. Puja was followed by Sadharmi Vatsalya.

Eight persons have completed their Navpad Oli tap and participated in Udyapan. Names as follows:

Sri Anil S/O Sri Kishore Singh Shrimal
Srimati Anita W/O Sri Birpal Singh Bachchhawat
Srimati  Priti W/O Sri Anand Chand Baid
Srimati Prabha W/O Sri Bhupal Singh Rekhawat
Srimati  Urmila W/O Sri  Alok Chand Dugar
Srimati  Sabita W/O Late Sri Punam Chand Jhabak
Srimati  Rupa W/O Sri Jayan Kumar lodha
Srimati  Sarika W/O SriSunil Kumar Choradia

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari

(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.
He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Famous persons and families in Murshidabad part 6: Bothra Family

Bothra family became dominant in religious and cultural activities among Shaharwali after decline of zemindari in 1954. Many of the prominent families of Murshidabad suffered huge set back after 1954. The Bothra family of Azimganj came to replace the vaccuam.

Late Prasan Chand Bothra established a business house for trading jute in Kolkata. Shree Parichand, Srichand and Gambhirchand Bothra were three able sons of him. They have flourished business after him and raised income many folds.

They became the new Rais of Azimganj residing at Parsi Bagan lane and Dover road in Kolkata. They have their Mukams in Jiaganj and other places. They purchased A.M. Mair and company that became the most successful jute brokerage farm. All the brothers were religious and social. Most of the charitable work in Murshidabad were supported by the family during last half of twentieth century. The brothers established Pawan Kumari Jnyan Mandir, a Jain pathshala at Azimganj in the name of their mother. Where Shree Parichand and Shrichand Bothra were more involved in socio-religious activities Shree Gambhirchand Bothra devoted his life in serving the patients. He was a daily visitor of Marwadi relief society, hospital at Chitpur.

Thanks,

Famous people from Azimganj Part 1

Famous people from Azimganj Part 2

Famous people …….. Part 3
Famous People..........Part 4
Famous People..........Part 5

Bari Kothi


Presented by:
Jyoti Kothari


Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.
He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.

Reconstruction of Azimganj Dadabadi at Rambag

 There are  hue and cry regarding dismental and reconstruction of Rambagh Dadabadi and some other related issues among Shaharwali society nowadays .

I have got several phone calls from Kolkata and Azimganj during these days. There are also some comments made by Shaharwali people anonymously in the blogposts.

I have repeatedly discussed the matters with Pujya Sadhwi Shree Shashiprabha Shreeji Maharaj and Shree Sunil Churoria, Secretary, Azimganj Shreesangh alongwith some other experienced, religious and socially active persons of Azimganj. I have also consulted some office bearers of Murshidabad Sangh, Kolkata and trustees of Azimganj Shreesangh. Now I am able to draw some conclusions about the matter.

1. It is suggestable to keep the pond in front of Dadabadi at its present position.

2. Dadabadi is already dismentalled and there is no way to rstore it as it is. Hence it is suggestable to  
reconstruct it  maintaining its old look. Old architecture of eastern India should be maintained and preserved.

3. It is also in the interest of everyone to rectify serious mistakes (That occured during reconstruction and Pratistha by Acharya Padmasagar Suri) in Sri Neminath Jain temple, Azimganj. Sri Sunil Churoria has assured me of the same in a telecon.

4. Pujya Maharaj Saheb informed me that Shilanyas of Dadabadi is postponed and it will not be done on the day of Navapad Mandal Ji Pujan. She has also informed me that she had advised the Sangh to  reconstruct Dadabadi with mimimum cost. 


I appreciate both the decissions.

5. It is suggestable not to involve the same Vidhikarak as "Margadarshak" in reconstruction of Dadabadi who had commited serious mistakes during earlier Pratistha in Sri Neminath Swami temple.

6. It also suggestable that the Sangh should meet and come into an unanimous decission. A plan, design and budget should be passed in that meeting in Margadarshan of Pujya Sadhwiji Shree Shashiprabha Shreeji. She has assured me of guiding the Sangh in this matter.

7. It is in the best interest of Azimganj Shreesangh and Shaharwali society at large to avoid all controversies and leg pulling (if any). We all are united for the cause of betterment of shaharwali society and to bring its past glory. May Arihant Paramatma bless us and dadagurudeva help us. 

Best wishes.


जैन धर्म की मूल भावना भाग 1
जैन धर्म की मूल भावना भाग 2

Jain Bhajans by Anup Jalota
With regards,
Jyoti Kothari

(Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Photo Gallery: Jain temples in Murshidabad

I have published a Photo gallery online about Jain temples in Murshidabad. This contains photos of  temples and Dadabadi in Azimganj, Jiaganj and Nashipur (Katgola).


Please click Here to view and enjoy
Thanks, 
Jyoti Kothari