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Book on the History of Patna: a Review
By Satya
May 29, 2008 |
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I would
like to introduce your readers to a book on
Patna –the capital of Bihar. The book - Stepping
into Modernity: Patna in the 19th Century -
Surendra Gopal, Khuda Baksh O.P.Library, Patna,
2008, Bihar, India, Price Rs. 175 - traces the
social and cultural history of Patna.
It deals with the factors relating to the
development of the modern city of Patna,
characteristics of its inhabitants and their
intellectual pursuits through various
professions, their modes of recreations and
trade and commerce flourishing in the city with
the advent of the British rule in India.
The reluctance of the Englishmen to live with
the local inhabitants in the congested and
unhygienic old city led to the development of
the modern Patna. Around race course, now Gandhi
Maidan, European settlements were established
and administrative offices were built. With the
transfer of power from the Company to the Crown
after the revolt of 1857, the government
activities increased resulting in the
establishment of various offices. New rules and
regulations were promulgated giving rise to a
new class of professionals, like doctors,
engineers, lawyers and administrators
well-versed in English language and trained in
the newly established general and technical
educational institutions. Thus, started the
period of modernity.
Patna retained the characteristics of a
cosmopolitan city. The Hindus, Muslims and
Europeans lived amicably. However, the Europeans
showed their arrogance now and then. The amity
between the Hindus and Muslims was marred by the
competition for the loaves and fishes of office.
Due to its geographical location, Patna became
the center of commercial and trading activities.
The opium trade was monopolized by the
Europeans. Maroofganj, Kurnalgunj and Babooagunj
were three important markets. There were
twenty-four bankers in the city who traded in
local and imported goods. The book provides an
interesting account of the issuance of a tax
notice to a Patna merchant, Mahiliram Knoria, in
the amount of Rs. 407 annas 15 on an income of
Rs. 13,054 in 1871, which he paid. Though local
industries languished due to import of cheap
foreign goods, there was a demand for handicraft
products which the Europeans wanted to send to
their native land as souvenirs.
The book details the literary and educational
activities of the residents of Patna. The
residents of Bihar welcomed new ideas and joined
both the Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj and helped
in the establishment of a branch of the
Theosophical Society of India.
Both the Hindus and Muslims enriched the Urdu
literature. The first novel in Urdu ,
Soorat-ul-khayal by Shad Azimabadi was published
in Patna in 1876. Similarly, Nawab Imdad Imam
Asar did a pioneering work in Urdu on western
philosophy and philosophers. The Bengali
literature, too, flourished. Dinbandhu Mitra’s
Nila-Darpan depicted the exploitation of the
laborers by the indigo planters. It aroused the
consciousness of the elites and exposed the dark
face of the British rule.
The establishment of the famous the Khuda Baksh
Oriental Public Library in 1891 added to the
intellectual status of the city. The library is
a depository of rare books and manuscripts of
the Mughal era. It attracts scholars and
visitors from throughout the world.
The literary and intellectual activities of the
city were expressed through the publication of a
number of newspapers and journals. The Bihar
Bandhu was the first Hindi journal started in
1872.
The English journalism got a boost through the
efforts of Sachchidanand Sinha who with his
friend Mahesh Narayan founded the Behar Times in
1894. He also edited a monthly magazine, the
Hindustan Review, which was regarded as one of
the best monthlies in India.
Patna developed a new style of painting known as
Patna School of Painting or Patna Qalam. Ivory
and mica paintings of Patna earned wide
reputation. Calligrapher Munshi Jawahar Lal
earned one gold coin for each page.
The book, Patna – Stepping into Modernity: Patna
in the 19th Century - is the revised version of
its earlier edition. Prof. Gopal- a successful
professional historian and a permanent resident
of Patna- has consulted public and private
papers in Bengali, Urdu, Hindi and English
languages to trace the emergence of the city
into modernity-politically, socially and
culturally. He has succeeded in his task
admirably well. It is evident from the fact that
the book has gone to a second edition- a rare
feat for a book on the history of a city. The
author has presented the social and cultural
history of the city in a lucid and highly
readable language avoiding historical jargons.
The book is useful for both the general readers
and scholars. It is a must for understanding the
history of Bihar as well as of India as events
in India revolved around Bihar. The printing and
get-up of the book are eye-catching.
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Comments: |
The
comments by Satya is, indeed, a very
brief but vivid depiction of the
past glory of Patna that was.
To many of us, the transition and
development of the area around
Gandhi Maidan, would have been only
a matter of conjecture without the
effort of Dr. Surendra Gopal.
Living in Canada for the last 4
decades, our nostalgic memories of
the grand old Patna, is sustained by
such authentic documentations as
depicted by the commentaries of
Satya.
I may also suggest that Dr. Gopal
should extend his writing to include
the historical background of the
transfer of power from Munger, the
capitol of the Mogul Governor, to
Patna.
Our heartiest congratulations to Dr.
Surendra Gopal for enlightening us
of our heritage. - Dr. Batu K.
Dutt, North Vancouver, Canada - May
31, 2008
Is
this book available in all book
stores, or some special stores only?
I hope it has a lot of pictures in
it.
I was born in Arrah (now called
Bhojpur), but I have been living in
the USA for last twenty five years.
I go back to India to meet my family
at least every two years. In fact I
will be in Patna in July 2008 for a
family marriage.
I wish to promote Bihar on an active
basis now that it is slowly emerging
out of the ruts it was in for the
last few years under shameless
corrupt politicians -- even now, not
all, but there are at least some
selfless politicians who have a
vision for a bright future of
Bihar!! - Ranjit Varma, USA -
June 4, 2008
The
book does not have a single picture.
The book can be available from the
Khuda Baksh O.P. Library, Muradpur
Patna . Thanks. - Satya - June 6, 2008 |
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