History of Beltola

Brief History of Beltola

Not much is known about the history of Beltola in ancient times. Mythical sources claimed that the word Beltola comes from the word Bilvapatra, which means leaves of Bael tree, used in religious ceremonies. It was said that in olden day’s large quantities of Bael tree leaves were sent to Kamakhya Temple to be used in rituals. It was from that time the place is called as Beltola.

The Ganesh Temple located in Ganeshguri, which comes under Beltola Mouza or estate, is also very ancient and not much is known about its origin. Some local sources stated that since Beltola was located in the entrance of the old city of Guwahati where the famous temple of Kamakhya is situated, the Ganesh deity at the Ganesh temple in Ganeshguri, serves as a gatekeeper. Therefore, the Ganesh temple may be as ancient as Kamakhya temple. This theory was inspired by the mythical story of Ganesha guarding the entrance of the house, while his mother Devi Parvati was bathing.

The Basithashram or Basistha Temple also comes under Beltola Mouza. Though the Basistha Temple was constructed by Ahom King Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha in the middle of eighteenth century, the Basisthashram or the ashram of Basistha dates back to mythical era and it was established by one of the Saptarishi, Rishi Basistha. It is said that Rishi Basistha performs religious ceremonies to worship Lord Shiva in the ashram. Early inhabitants of Beltola mainly consist of Garos, Karbis, Lalungs, Rabha and Kacharis while small numbers of Koch, Ahoms, Manipuris, Kalitas and Muslims later came and settled in Beltola. No records exist about any rulers of Beltola before Gaj Narayan of Koch dynasty. In 1613 CE, Parikshit Narayan, the ruler of Koch Hajo, was defeated by the Mughals. He was taken prisoner and was escorted to Delhi where he had an audience with Mughal Emperor Jahangir. On acknowledging Mughal Supremacy and on the agreement of annual tribute of four lakhs rupees, the Emperor returned his kingdom. While on his way back, Parikshit Narayan fell ill and died. On his death, the Mughals annexed his kingdom and set up Hajo as their headquarters in Assam. Bijit Narayan, the young son of Parikshit Narayan was set up as a tributary king of a small state, named after him, called Bijni. On the defeat of Parikshit Narayan, his two brothers Balinarayan and Gaj Narayan, fled to the Ahom Kingdom and sought refuge from Ahom King Swargadeo Pratap Singha. Swargadeo Pratap Singha had married the daughter of Parikshit Narayan, Mangaldohi, and later set up the Mangaldoi town on her respect. Owing to this matrimonial alliance, Swargadeo Pratap Singha granted refuge to these Koch princes. Meanwhile, the Mughal Governor demanded their extradition, which Swargadeo Pratap Singha refused. This and other causes of offence led the Mughal Governor to decide on the invasion of the Ahom Kingdom, leading to Ahom-Mughal conflict. The invading Mughal forces were defeated and driven back to their own territory. After this victory, in 1615 CE Swargadeo Pratap Singha installed Balinarayan as the tributary ruler of Darrang and renamed him as Dharmanarayan, while his brother Gaj Narayan was set up as a tributary ruler in Beltola. Gajnarayan was instructed to administer under the supervision of Borphukan, the Ahom viceroy of Lower Assam. Gaj Narayan and his descendents ruled Beltola as a Tributary Chiefs under the Ahom Sovereigns. Treasury records of late Ahom period showed that the rulers of Beltola used to pay 2500 rupees as annual tribute to the Ahom Government. After the decline of Ahom supremacy and the fall of Ahom Kingdom in Assam, Beltola comes under British rule. After occupation of the Ahom Kingdom, the British divided the erstwhile Ahom kingdom into Mouzas or revenue circle for the purpose of smooth administration. In each Mouza, one Mouzadar was appointed who was entrusted with the task of collecting taxes and administration. The British reduced the status of Beltola from Kingdom to Mouza and that of the ruler from King to Mouzadar, though certain terms were set up in favour of the royal family. Beltola Mouza was specially categorized as Raj Mouza or Principality. The rulers were allowed to retain the title of Raja in their names and the official post of the Mouzadar of Beltola was made hereditary and was reserved for the royal family of Beltola. After independence of India from British rule, the Government of India abolished Zamindari or system of land lords in 1956 CE, due to which the royal family of Beltola lost much of their lands. Then in 1974 CE, the Government of India abolished all the special privileges bestowed to former royal families of India. The royal family of Beltola was also affected by these changes and the rank of Beltola Mouza was demoted from Raj Mouza to that of general category Mouza. The official post of Mouzadar remained with the royal family and till now the post of Mouzadar was held hereditarily by them, though they do not have any power of administration except collecting land taxes for Government of Assam.

Extent of Beltola Mouza

During the Ahom reign, the kingdom of Beltola extends from the borders of the kingdom of Rani in the west, while in the east it extends to the borders of the kingdom of Mayong and Dimorua. The places named as Rajgarh and Hatigarh in present-day Guwahati city, were the borders between Ahom ruled Guwahati city and the kingdom of Beltola. After the fall of Ahom kingdom and the British occupation of Assam, Beltola lost its status as a kingdom and converted into a Mouza or revenue circle. Under British rule, the size of the Beltola Mouza was much reduced. Presently Beltola Mouza consists of several places of Modern day Guwahati city. Centrally located from Beltola haat or Beltola Bazaar, the Mouza or estate covers the area of Narengi, Birkuchi, Hengrabari, Panjabari, Hatigaon, Bhetapara, Maidam gaon, Rukminigaon, Khanapara, Kahilipara, Ganeshguri and Basistha Mandir. It was said that the Royal residence of the Beltola royal family was in Rukminigaon, while the place where the royal elephants were kept and trained was Hatigaon, literally meaning village of elephants (in Assamese Hati means elephant; gaon means village). Maidam gaon was said to be the place of cremation of the royal family members. The old name of Khanapara was Kainapara. Kaina is a Khasi word, which means elephant, while Para in Khasi language means human settlements or colony. It was said that the ruler of Beltola used to capture elephants and was indulge in the profitable business of selling elephants. It can be assumed that the Khasi people living in that region were indulged in the capturing elephants for the rulers of Beltola, due to which the name Kainapara or later Khanapara came into existence. Birkuchi name comes from the combination of two words, Bir means heroes and Kuchi means camp. It was said that the Koch army of Chilarai use to camp there for some time and thus the place got its name.

Koch rulers of Beltola

Raja Gandharva Narayan Dev witnessed the climax of Ahom-Mughal conflict. When he was still a prince, he joined the Ahom forces led by Lachit Borphukan against the invading Mughal forces led by Raja Ram Singh I of Amber and participated in the famous Battle of Saraighat, in which the Ahoms won a decisive victory against the Mughals. After this victory, Lachit Borphukan, after obtaining permission from Ahom king Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha, installed Gandharva Narayan as the king of Beltola.

Raja Lambodar Narayan Dev witnessed the fall of Ahom supremacy and the decline of Ahom Kingdom in Assam. The British, after driving the Burmese invaders out of Assam, became the new masters of Brahmaputra valley. In October, 1826 CE, Raja Lombodar Narayan Dev signed an ordinance with the British East India Company, acknowledging their supremacy. Raja Lambodar Narayan Dev married a Manipuri Princess, who was accompanied by a caravan of Manipuri people. These Manipuri people were settled in Beltola, and their settlement was known as Manipuri Basti (not to be confused with Manipuri Basti of present-day Guwahati City. Both places are different). As time passes by, these Manipuri people left Beltola and migrated to other places

Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev succeeded Raja Lambodar Narayan Dev as the new ruler of Beltola. It was during his reign, the British reduced the status of Beltola from Kingdom to that of a Mouza or revenue circle. The status of the ruler was reduced to that of an official post of Mouzadar, one who collects revenue and administers the Mouza. Yet, some of the terms and conditions were framed in favour of Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev. Beltola Mouza was listed specially in the category of Raj Mouza. The rulers of Beltola were allowed to retain the title of Raja in their names and the official post of Mouzadar would be held hereditarily by the royal family of Beltola. Still communication letters between Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev and the British officials suggested that the Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev was not happy with the treatment meted out by British towards him. Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev married Padmavati Devi alias Padumi. She was the daughter of the king of Mayong. The couple had three sons, Amrit Narayan Dev, Chandra Narayan Dev and Lakshmi Narayan Dev. Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev died in 1863 CE.

Raja Amrit Narayan Dev was the elder son of Raja Lokpal Narayan Dev and succeeded his father as the ruler of Beltola. He married Rani Lambeswari Devi, who was a princess of the neighbouring kingdom of Dimorua. The couple was childless. During his reign, due to some irregularity in the payment of revenue by him, the British Government officially reduced the size of the Beltola Mouza.

Raja Chandra Narayan Dev succeeded his elder brother, Raja Amrit Narayan Dev as the ruler of Beltola. Raja Chandra Narayan Dev was not only an efficient ruler but also a shrewd businessman. His business of selling elephants earned him lot of profits. For business purpose he had to visit Calcutta frequently. Therefore, for his convenience in staying there, he constructed a mansion, which was known as Beltola House. He was also active in social activities and in the act of charity. The 1897 Assam earthquake rocked Assam and its neighbouring regions causing massive loss of lives and property. Raja Chandra Narayan Dev extended aid and relief to the earthquake victims and helped them in getting back to their normal lives. In recognition to his valuable services to the earthquake victims, the British Government of India, officially invited him to Delhi for the occasion of King Edward VII coronation as Emperor of India and was awarded a silver medal and a certificate. Raja Chandra Narayan Dev had two wives, Ahalya Devi and Giribala Devi, who begotted him two sons and a daughter. Ahalya Devi was the mother of the elder son Rajendra Narayan Dev and a daughter Labanyaprabha Devi, who was later married into the family of Zamindar or Landlord of Rupsi in Dhubri district in Assam. Giribala Devi was the mother of Pabindra Narayan Dev, the second son of Raja Chandra Narayan Dev. Raja Chandra Narayan Dev arranged western education facilities for his sons at Calcutta. Unfortunately, the promising ruler died in 1910 CE, leaving his both sons at minor age.

Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev succeeded his father Raja Chandra Narayan Dev as the new ruler of Beltola. When his father died, Rajendra Narayan Dev was only 10 years of age. Therefore, after approval from Rani Ahalya Devi, the British Government appointed Rai Saheb Chidananda Choudhury to look after the administration of Beltola Mouza till Rajendra Narayan Dev attains adulthood. After completing his college education at Calcutta, Rajendra Narayan Dev joined the newly established Earl Law College at Guwahati, founded by Gyanadaviram Barua, son of noted Assamese writer Gunaviram Burua and maternal grandfather of famous actress of Hindi cinematic world Sharmila Tagore. After completing his law education, as a lawyer, he joined Guwahati High Court and was also associated with Calcutta High Court. In 1923 CE, he was formally bestowed with the responsibilities of Beltola Mouza and became its new ruler as Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev. He married Rani Lakshmipriya Devi, who hailed from a prominent Phukan family of Jorhat. Her father’s name was Gadadhar Phukan and noted Assamese poet, writer and social worker, Nilomoni Phukan was her uncle. Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev was associated with many social activities and because of his qualifications as a lawyer, the British Government granted him magisterial power to settle disputes and impart justice to the people of Beltola Mouza. Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev and his brother Pabindra Narayan Dev were members of the football Club, known as Guwahati Town Club and both were known as good football players. In 1933 CE, tragedy strucked the royal family, when Pabindra Narayan Dev committed suicide, after killing his wife and his child, at the royal residence of Beltola. After this tragic incident, Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev abandoned the royal residence considering it as inauspicious. Earlier Pabindra Narayan Dev had borrowed a large sum of money as debt from one of his friend putting the royal residence as security, to guarantee the return of amount. After his death, his friend obtained the permission from British Government and put the royal residence and its articles on lease to get his money back. The royal residence got destroyed in the process. In 1937 CE, while on a hunting excursion Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev got hit by bullet accidentally and succumb to his wounds, leaving his wife Rani Lakshmipriya Devi and his three minor children, two sons and one daughter.

Rani Lakshmipriya Devi took up the administration of Beltola Mouza in 1937 CE after her husband Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev died suddenly in an accident on a hunting excursion. Since their children, two sons and one daughter were in their minor age, the queen undertook to look after the administration of Beltola Mouza. Due to her efficiency in handling the administration, Rani Lakshmipriya Devi became very popular among the people of Beltola. She actively participated in the welfare programs of the people and performs charity in various religious ceremonies. She took utmost care for the educations of her children. Her elder son Kumar Jatindra Narayan Dev, after completion of his college education, was sent to Colorado School of Mines in United States of America. Her second son, Dwijendra Narayan Dev was also a prominent film producer and director. After India’s independence in 1947, the power of administration of Beltola Mouza was transferred to the Government of Assam. In 1956 CE, the Government of India abolished the Zamindari or the system of landlords. Due to which the royal family of Beltola lost much of their lands, which were distributed to the landless peasants. In 1974 CE, the Government of India abolished all the special privileges bestowed to former royal families of India. The royal family of Beltola was also affected by these changes and the rank of Beltola Mouza was demoted from Raj Mouza to that of general category Mouza.

In spite of the loss of power and privileges, Rani Lakshmipriya Devi continued her social welfare programs for the common people. She also raised her voice for the indigenous tribal people of Beltola Mouza, when the local tribal population faced the threat for their existence due to the settlement of large number of people from different parts of Assam in Beltola, as the city of Guwahati expands into Beltola Mouza. She also worked to protect the rights of indigenous tribal people in the historical Beltola Haat or Beltola Bazaar, when some outside business community tried to expel them. It was partly because of her effort that the historical Beltola Haat or Beltola Bazaar still retains the indigenous character of being a meeting point for the people from hills and plains. Rani Lakshmipriya died in 1991, at the age of 80 years. Her daughther Madhuri Choudhury wrote several books on her life and several others on the history of Beltola. The royal family of Beltola still holds the official post of Mouzadar of Beltola Mouza though they do not have any power of administration except collecting land taxes for Government of Assam.

Beltola after India’s independence

After India’s independence from British rule, Guwahati became the prominent city of Assam, but the Beltola Mouza was still not a part of Guwahati city. Beltola and Guwahati were separate places at that time. In 1973 CE, Sarat Chandra Singha, the then Chief Minister of Assam, decided to shift the capital of Assam from Shillong. A small village named Dispur in Beltola Mouza was selected temporarily as the Capital of Assam. After this decision, all the important government offices were shifted to Dispur. People from different parts of Assam came and settled in and around Dispur, quickly converting a rural area, into a thickly populated region. As the year progressed, the city of Guwahati expanded, and Dispur and Beltola became a part of Greater Guwahati city. Dispur became a permanent seat of the Government of Assam and remained as the Capital. Today Beltola and Guwahati are no longer considered as separate places, but rather part of the same city.