Bhagyakul Roy family

The Bhagyakul Roy family also known as The Roys of Bhagyakul, was originally based out of a place called Bhagyakul (near Dhaka, Bangladesh) in undivided Bengal (now in Munshiganj district of Bangladesh).

Family overview

During the first half of the 18th century, the family branched out to the salt business and soon acquired vast fortunes, culminating in becoming landlords (zamindars) of chiefly Bhagyakul and many other estates in then undivided Bengal (pre-1947). Erstwhile zamindary estates spread out almost all over the undivided Bengal and also Bihar. The most significant phenomenon was that they didn't stick to feudalism/zamindary system and established inland water/steam navigation services along with shipping dockyards and then founded one of the biggest jute mills, M/S. Prem Chand Jute Mills Ltd, then founded banking institution, namely United Industrial Bank. Though originally 'Kundu', they were awarded the title of Roy Bahadur to Sri Gunendra Krishna Roy, one of the members of this family & rest with 'Roy/Raychowdhary' by the colonial British government, now the family uses as its surname as Ray / Roy. A few members of the family was also honoured with the title of 'Raja' by the British government.

Later the family diversified into steamships, banking, real estate and manufacturing industry. Many in the family entered public life, developed professional careers and created institutions of social importance that collectively constitute a major influence on the Bengali[1] society even today.[2]

The family was instrumental in setting up the East Bengal Club in August 1920.[3] It is also known that the family provided Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar with the loan to start the Vidyasagar College.[4]

During the colonial period, the family contributed towards the freedom struggle by actively participating in the Sixth Indian National Congress session (Tivoli Garden, Calcutta, December 1890)[5] and opposing the partition of Bengal.

Branches

Currently the family is divided into Four Hishas, namely Baro Hisha, Mejho Hisha(Arai), Sejo Hisha and Choto Hisha

Location

Though the family maintained its estates in British India, with the coming of Independence (and partition of India - 1947) the entire family shifted to Kolkata before partition and now are based mostly around Shobhabazar, South Sinthee Road, Gourbari, Dutta Bagan, Lee Road, Elgin Road, Kumartuly, Beliaghata, Goriahut, and in & around of various parts Calcutta. Old palatial house in the erst while zamindari in Bhagyakul are either being used as government offices or encroached upon and in dis-repair.

Family Deity

The family worships God Lakshminarayan as its family deity, with the current temple situated on Sovabazar street, Kolkata. Krishna Jibon Roy was first to established the worship of God Lakshminarayan at his country residence in the village of Nurpur in seventeen hundreds, however the seat of workship was transferred to Kolkata after the partition.

Durga Puja

Annual Durga Puja is organized with much festivity and gusto by each of the branches in rotation. Generally takes approximately 10 years for each rotation, however with increase in the family size, rotation period is expected to increase. Some time about 50 years.

Prominent descendants

  • Raja Srinath Roy, mayor of Dhaka
  • Raja Janaki Nath Roy, attended the Delhi Durbar in 1911, Sixth Indian National Congress session (Calcutta, 1890)
  • Rai Bahadur Sita Nath Roy, Member of Indian legislative council and Bengal legislative council, Victoria memorial trust, Sheriff of Calcutta, Councilor of Calcutta Corporation, Founder and President of Bengal National Chamber of Commerce (1909/1923), President of Industrial conference for three consecutive terms, Chairman of Improvement trust.A highly established Scholar and a pioneer in Shipping in India.
  • Gopi Mohan Roy, attended the Sixth Indian National Congress session (Calcutta, 1890). A street (Gopi Roy Lane) in Kolkata is named after him
  • Pankaj Roy - Indian cricketer and India test captain
  • Ambar Roy - Indian cricketer
  • Pranab Roy - Indian cricketer
  • Rai Bahadur Raja Gunendra Krishna Roy, prominent member of the Hindu Mahasabha and one of the founder member of the East Bengal Football Club in 1920.
  • Pulin Krishna Roy, eminent industrialist & businessman. Established various types of business in Kolkata including Cinema Houses, Real Estates & run multiple Tea Estates in Assam & North Bengal
  • Krishna Das Roy, secretary of East Bengal Club, former chairman of East Bengal River Steam Surveise, former chairman of United Industrial Bank and was attached with several charitable welfare organisations
  • Gopal Roy, India National Four Year(1961 to 1964) hard-court tennis champion

References

  1. ↑ Roy, Sita Nath. "Roy Bahadur". National Library.
  2. ↑ Gupta, edited by Uma Das (2011). Science and modern India an institutional history, c. 1784-1947. Delhi [etc.]: Pearson Longman. p. 859. ISBN 9788131753750.
  3. ↑ A social history of Indian football: striving to score
  4. ↑ Vidyasagar and the new national consciousness
  5. ↑ How India wrought for freedom

Further reading

  • Boria Majumdar, Kausik Bandyopadhyay: A social history of Indian football: striving to score Pg.96 ( ISBN 978-0-415-34835-5)
  • Santoshakumāra Adhikārī: Vidyasagar and the new national consciousness Vidyasagar Research Centre, 1990
  • Annie Besant: How India wrought for freedom: The Story of the National Congress Told from Official Records, Pg.120
  • Asok Mitra: "Towards Independence, 1940-1947: Memoirs of an Indian Civil Servant, Pg.70-71
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