| Munger District
| Total Population : 1,137,797 |
| Total literate : 554,332 |
| Rural : 819,950 |
Urban : 317,847 |
| Male : 607,730 |
Female : 530,067 |
| Area : 1,419.7
Sq. km. |
Villages : 903 |
MP
: Loksabha
Monghyr
: MP
Yadav,
Shri Jay Prakash Narayan
CONSTITUENCY : Monghyr (Bihar )
PARTY : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
Present
Address
5, Ashoka Road
New Delhi - 110 001
Tel. (011) 23381073 / Fax. (011) 23354496
Permanent
Address
Vill. P.O. Barhat, Distt
Jamui (Bihar)
Tels. (06348) 261001, (0612)2203068
Fax (0612) 2203068
Brief
about District
Profile
:
Situated
in 250-23’ N. and 860-26’ E.
It is the headquarter of MUNGER Commissionary.
The town is practically surrounded by the Ganga
on three sides, viz. south west and north and the
Kharagpur hills forming the eastern border. It is
situated in the heart of the district and its particular
location has made portion of the town a beauty spot.
The situation was once considered to be strategic.
Munger has a beautiful townscape. Prior to the CENSUS
OF INDIA-
1971, Monghyr was in vogue as its name.
Munger
District is located in the southern part of
Bihar and its headquarter is located on
the southern bank of river Ganges.
The district is spread over 1419.7 Sq. km. accounting
for 3.3% of the area of Bihar
. It lies between 240 22 N to 250
30 N latitude and 850 30 E
to 870 3 E longitude. From administrative
and development point of view,Munger is divided into
three subdivisions namely Munger,Kharagpur, and Tarapur.
There are nine developmental blocks namely Munger,
Bariarpur, Jamalpur, Dharahara, Kharagpur, Tetia Bambar,Tarapur
Asarganj and Sangrampur. There are about 903 villages
in the district. The Munger district on an average
is 30 to 65 mtrs above sea level. The average annual
rainfall is 1231 mm.
History
MUNGER
– Historical Pointers The territory included within
the district of Munger (famously Monghyr) formed pent
of the Madhya-desa as “Midland” of the first Aryan
settlers. It has been identified with Mod-Giri a place
mentioned in the Mahabharata, which was the capital
of a kingdom in Eastern India near Vanga and Tamralipta.
In the Digvijaya Parva of Mahabharata, we find the
mention of Moda-Giri, Which seems similar to Moda-Giri.
Digvijaya Parva suggests that it was a monarchical
state during early times. A passage in the Sabha-Parva
describes Bhima’s conquest in Eastern India and says
that after defeating Karna, king of Anga, he fought
battle at Modagiri and killed its chief. It was also
known as Maudal after Maudgalya, a disciple of Buddha,
who converted a rich merchant of this place into Buddhism.
Buchanan says that it was the hermitage of Mudgala
Muni and this tradition of Mudgal Risi still persists.
Munger is called “Modagiri” in the Monghyr copperplate
of Devapala. The derivation of the name Munger (Monghyr)
has found the subject of much speculation. Tradition
arcribes the foundation of the town to Chandragupta,
after whom it was called Guptagars a name which has
been found inscribed on a rock at Kastaharni Ghat
at the north-western corner of the present fort. It
is insisted that Mudgalrisi lived there. Tradition
ascribes the composition of various suktar of the
10th Mavdala of the Rigveda to Rishi Mudgal and his
clan. However, General Cunnigham had strong suspicicion
when he connects this original name with Mons as Mundas,
who occupied this part before the advent of the Aryans.
Again Mr. C.E.A. oldham, ICS, a farmer collector suggests
the possibility of Munigiha, ie , the abode of the
Muni, without any specification which later corrupted
to Mungir and later became Munger.
At
the dawn of history, the present site of the town
was apparently comprised within the Kingdom of Anga,
with the capital Champa near Bhagalpur. According
to Pargiter, Anga comprises the modern districts of
Bhagalpur and Munger commissionary. The Anga dominion
at one time included Magadha and the Shanti-Parva
refers to an Anga king who sacrificed at Mount Vishnupada.
In the epic period Modagiri finds mention as a separate
state. The success of the Anga did not last long and
about the middle of the sixth century B.C. Bimlisara
of Magadha is said to have killed Brahmadatta, the
last independent ruler of ancient Anga. Hence the
Anga became an integral part of the growing empire
of Magadh. As epigraphic evidence of the Gupta period
suggests that Munger was under the Guptas. To the
reign of Buddhagupta (447-495 A.D) belongs a copper
plate of A.D. 488-9 originally found at Mandapura
in the district.
HIUEN
TSIANG’S ACCOUNT :
However
the first historical account of the district appears
in the Travels of HIUEN TSIANG, who visited this area
towards the close of the first half of the seventh
century A.D. Hiuen Tsiang observed “The country is
regularly cultivated and rich in produce flowers and
fruit being abundant, the climate is agreeable and
manners of the people simple and honest. There are
10 Buddhist monartries with about 4,000 priests and
few Brahminical temples occupied by various sectaries”.
The pilgrim’s “I-lan-ha-po-fa-to”country is identified
as this area. He had to pass through thick forest
and strange mountains into the country of Hiranayaparvat.
The capital Hiranayaparvat, lay, on the southern bank
of Ganga, and closed to it stood mount Hiranya, which
“belched masses of smoke and vapour that obscured
the light of the sun and the moon”. The position of
this hill is determined from its proximity to the
Ganga, to be Munger and though no smoke now comes
from any peak, the numerous hot springs in the hills
point to famous volcanic action. These hot spring
are also mentioned in Hiuen Tsiang’s Account. General
Cunningham identified the hot springs being those
of Bhimbandh and its offshoots. Other authorities
refer it as Uren in present Lakhisarai District.
Unfortunately,
there is a historical gap of almost two centuries
when we find its fresh mention in the Munger copper
plate of Devapala discovered at Munger about 1780.
We learn from this copper plate about Dharampala (c.770-810)
who preceded far beyond Kanauj in his military campaigns.
It refers to a campaign of Dharampala along the foot
of the Himalayas. Tripartite struggle between the
Palas, Rashhtrakutas and Gurjar-Pratihars for subermacy
over Kanauj was a dominant factor in the history of
northern India. We find mention of Pala king Gopal,
his son Dharampala & Devapala. Munger prominence is
also corroborated by the Nawlagarth inscriptions of
Begusarai. The Bhagalpur plate of Narayan pala, executed
at Munger, shows their policy of religious tolerance
and there patronage to the worshipers of Shiva & Sakti
cults.
Till
the advent of the Turkish rule in India. Munger was
under sway of the Karnataka dynasty of Mithila. However
Bakhiyar Khilji took possession of Territory any of
Munger in AD1225. Thus Munger in possession of the
Khilji ruler Gyasuddin. After a tussle and aftermath
a peace treaty Munger came under the control of Sultan
of Bengal between 1301-1322, which is corroborated
by the Lakhisarai Inscription. Munger came under the
possession of Muhammad Bin Tugular who annexed Munger
to Delhi for some time. In 1342 the whole of north
India witnessed the turmoil and Late Spasmodic Illyas
Shah of Bangal taking advantage of the opportunities
established his sway over Bihar. An interesting description
of the Bengal sultan still exists in Lakhisarai. Inscription
bearing a date corresponding to 1297 which mentions
Rakmuddin Kalawao (c1296-1302) and a Governor round
Ferai Hitagim. During thus conflict between the Tugulaqs
of Delhi and Bangal Sultan some portions of then Munger
came under the possession of the Sharqils of Jaunpur.
Some
inscriptions found in Munger speaks of the conflict
between the Jampur rules and the Bangal Sultan which
resulted in farmer’s defeat and finally resulted in
peace. Here we came across the name of prince Danyal
who held the post of Governor of Bihar. It was prince
Danyal who had repaired the fortification of Munger
and built in 1497 the voult over the shrine of Shah
Nafah. This is also known by the insemination but
up by Danyal on the eastern wall of the Dargah just
within the southern gate of the fort.
Nasrat
Shah succeeded Hussain Shah in Bengal in 1590. His
brother-in-law Makhdun Alam took possession of Munger
Fort and entrusted its responsibility to one of his
general named Kutub Khan who made Munger the head
quarters of Bihar army of the rulers of Gaur. Bahar
in his memoir mention that when he invaded Bihar,
Munger was under the change of a prince. After the
Battle of ghagra, Babar sent envoys to Nusarat Shah
later Kutub Khan was defeated and killed by Shur Shah.
In 1534 again a powerful army in command of Ibrahim
Khan moved out to Munger, The battles took place in
the narrow plains of Surajgarha in which Ibrahim Khan
was routed and slain and Sher Shah firmly placed himself
to Kingshlip. Thus during the Humayun-Sher Shah conflict
Munger pardoner strategic gamed. During the subsequent
war between Sher Shah and Humayun Munger was the seat
of battle between, the Afghan and the Empires in which
Sher Shah captured Dilawar Khan son of Daulat Khan
Lodi. Mughal rule was substituted for Afghan rule.
During Akbar’s period when the great Bengal military
revolts started. Munger was for some time the headquarters
of Akbar’s officers in their expeditions against the
rebels. It was in this year that Raja Todarmal took
possession of Munger and tried to deal with three
refractory powerful semi-independent Zamindars of
Akbar’s time viz. Raja Gajapati of Hajipur, Raja Puran
Mal of Ghidhaur and Raja Sangram Singh of Kharagpur.
The last two belonged to the district of Munger. Gajapati
was totally ruined. After the final occupation of
Bihar, Raja Man Singh was appointed as the Governor
and on the basis of Akbarnama. It can be said that
Raja Man Singh succeeded well in his administration.
Kharagpur at that time was a great principality extending
from the south of Munger to the south of Bhagalpur
and Santhal Paragans. Sangram Singh remained loyal
to the Mughal rule till Akbar’s death in 1605. But
the accession of Jahangir and the rebellion of Prince
Khusru led him to make a final attempt to recover
his independence. He collected his forces, which,
according to Jhangir’s memoirs, consisted of about
four thousand horses and a large army of foot soldiers.
The
Mughal army under Jahangir’s Kuli Khan Lala Beg, Governor
of Bihar, valiantly opposed him and a gun shot in
1606 killed Sangram Singh. Sangram Singh’s son succeeded
in gaining favour of Jahangir but had to wait till
1615 when, on his conversion to Islam, he was allowed
to return to Bihar. He known in history as Rozafzun
(ie. Daily growing in power). He remained faithful
to the Emperor and in 1628 when Jahangir died he was
a commander of 1500-foot soldiers and 700 horses.
When Shahjahan became the Emperor, Rozafzun entered
into active Mughal services and accompanied Mahabat
Khan in his Kabul expedition. He was a brave soldier
and had to his credit his participation in the Siege
of Parendah and was promoted to the higher ranks and
became the commander of 2000-foot soldiers and 1000
horses.He died in 1635 and was succeeded by his son
Raja Bihruz who was also a great fighter and held
the rank of 700-foot soldier and 700 horses, under
Shahjahan. He extended his territory, got many grants
specially the Chakla Midnapur, in which he built a
town and named it Kharagpur. A ruined palace built
by him is there; adjoining it is a three-domed mosque.
There is still a marble slab, which gives the date
of building in 1656 A.D. But this brave Kharagpur
ruler died in 1656. During the civil (1657-58) amongst
the sons of Shahjahan, Shah Shuja, the second son
of the Emperor was governor of Bengal. On hearing
of the serious illness of his father in 1657 he raised
the standard of revolts and claimed the throne. Though
his capital was at Rajmahal, Munger the centre from
which he direct his preparations and here he returned
in 1658 after his defeat. In June 1658, Auranzeb made
an attempt to conciliate Shuja by granting him the
province of Bihar in addition to Bengal. Munger came
into great prominence during this period of the civil
war. Prof. Quanungo writes that after the March of
Imperial Army Shuja wrote to Dara asking for the grant
of Munger, which formed the part of Dara’s province
of Bihar. Dara was also prepared to give away the
Fort of Munger on the condition that the present fortress
was dismantled and Shuja’s son did not reside there.
We also get a reference of Murad’s letter in which
the designs of Dara to deprive Shuja of Munger has
been hinted at. Shuja took shelter at Munger to face
the Imperialists. In course of this conflict Dara
was compelled to send urgent letters to his son to
make peace with his uncle. As a result of this treaty
of 1685 Munger was added to Shuja’s viceroyalty but
he was not allowed to reside there. In 1659 Daud Khan
took charge of the province of Bihar. Mir. Jumla and
Prince Muhammad pursued Shuja up to Munger. Shuja
was forced by the treachery of Raja Bihruz Khan of
Kharagpur and Khaza Kamal of Birbhum to abandon Munger
in 1659. It was in this connection that Raja Bihruz
was made In charge of the whole area of Munger. We
also find a mention of a Aevastative famine during
the reign of the Governor, Ibrahim Khan which continued
from 1670-72. The Dutch traveller, De Graafe, who
travelled from Munger to Patna in November 1670 gives
a graphic picture of the horrible sccnes. Marshall
also mentions very interesting details about Munger.
He inspected Shah Suja place built on the west side
of the Fort. He describes it, “as a very large house
where the king (Suja) lived, walled next to the river,
for about one and half Kos with bricks and stones,
with a wall fifteen yards high”. He entered the first
gate but was stopped at the other within which he
saw two elephants carved in stone and very large and
handsomely”. The inside palace was so strictly guarded
that two Dutch men De Graafe and Oasterhoff were imprisoned
for their antiquarian interest as they were taken
as spies. They were released after seven weeks of
imprisonment in November , 1670 by paying a fine of
one thousand rupees to the Nawab of Patna. Marshall
found a great garden and, at the south end, he saw
several thatched and many tombs and mosques.
He further writes “the town stands upon an ascent,
the river bank by it being 8 or 10 yards high, the
brick wall by the river side at the south end of Munger
was about 5 yards high and 20 yards long with a little
tower at each end and each wall is a fortification
to place the gun on it. Towards the close of the 18th
Century we find that Munger was merely station of
“Power Magazine” established there….” For most vivid
lightning often about Munger attracted by the iron
ore which abounds in the neighboring hills and if
it fell upon the magazine, the while Fort could certainly
be destroyed by the explosion”. We find mention in
the travel account of R.Heber in his book “Narrative
of Journey Through the Upper Province of India (1827)”
that Munger was noted for its good climate and Warren
Hastings also speaks of the delightful change of atmosphere
from that of Bengal. Heber further wrote “Munger presents
an imposing appeardance…. The Fort is now dismantled.
Its gates, its battlements etc. are all of Asiatic
architecture and very much similar to the Khitairagorod
of Moscow.” Miss Emily Eden was also much struck by
the inland tables and boxes and expressed surprise
on such curious workmanship (Miss Eden-Up the Country
quoted in Munger Gazetteer 1960). The remark of Miss
Eden is also attested in the writing of Fanny Parkes
who wrote “Among the articles manufactured here the
black vases for flowers turned into while wood and
lacquered whilst in the Lathe with scaling wax are
pretty”. Joseph Hooker also speaks highly of Munger,
“By far the prettiest town, Munger was celebrated
for its iton manufacture, especially of muskets, in
which respect it is the Burmingham of Bengal”.
When we come down to the early Mughal period
we get a few references to the district in the famous
book “Ain-I-Akbari” prepared by Abul Fazl. According
to it Sarkar Munger consisted of 31 mahals or Parganas,
paying a revenue of 10,96,25 981 dams (40 dams equal
to One Akbar Shahi rupee). It is also mentioned that
Sarkar Munger furnished 2150 horses and 50,000 foot
soldiers. Raja Man Singh who is said to have reconqucred
Bengal and Orissa had for some time Munger as his
residenoc.During the reign of Aurangzed we find mention
of Munger inconnection with the death and burial at
Munger of the poet Mulla Mohammad Saiyed, who wrote
under the nom-de-plume of Ashraf. The poet Ashraf
stood in high favour with prince Azim-Us-Shah, Aurangzeb’s
grand son, who happened to be the Governor of Bihar.
The poet Ashraf had also been for a long time the
teacher of Zebunissa Begum, Aurangzeb’s daughter who
was herself a poetcss of rupute. It 1704 while on
his way from Bengal to Mecca, the poet died at Munger
where his tomb is still pointed out. Nicholas Graafe,
a Dutch physician who visited in the beginning of
the century was struck with admiration at the sight
of its white wall, towers and minarets. But by 1745
when Mustafa Khan, a rebellious General of Alivardi
Khan advanced against it in his march northwards the
fort was a ruinous fortification which the Governor
and his little garrison tried to put up some Defence
but failed miserably.
The besieger got upon the wall and scized the
fort though the leader was killed by a stone that
fell upon him. Mustafa Khan, however, following the
custom of those days, had music played to celebrate
his success, he also took some guns and ammunition
from the fort and after a halt for a few days marched
off towards Patna. During the period of the disintegration
of Mughal Empire Munger had to witness new changes.
Bihar came to be joined to the Suba of Bengal, which
had practically become independent of Delhi. Alivardi,
who was the Fauzdar of Rajmahal had now become the
District Governor of Munger. Munger was politically
and strategically so important that it did not escape
even the Maratha expendition. The second Maratha invasion
under Raghujee Bhonsla occurred in 1743.
Balaji Maratha entered into Bihar and advancing
through Tekari, Gaya, Manpur, Bihar and Munger. It
is also mentioned that during the 4th Maratha invasion
in 1744 Raghuji passed through the hills of Kharagpur.
When British force was pursuing Jean Law, the French
adventurer and partisan of siraj-ud-duala, who was
flying northwards after the Battle of Plassey, Major
Coote reached Munger late at night on 20th July, 1757
and requisitioned a number of boats which the Governor
of Munger supplied. But Munger Fort was in such a
good condition that he was not allowed to enter the
Fort and when he approached the walls he found that
garrison was ready to fire. Coote wisely resumed his
march without any attempt to enter the Fort. Nearly
three years after in the spring of 1760 the army of
Emperor Shah Alam marched out of the District when
he was being pursued by Major Caillaud and miran.
The Emperor had been defeated by Caillaud and Miran
at sirpur on the 22nd February, 1760. This time Johan
Stables, who had succeeded Caillaud was given charge
of Munger. It was he who directed to attack the Kharagpur
Raja who had openly defied the authority of the new
Nawab, Kasim Ali Khan.
The modern history of Munger came again into
Prominence in 1762 when Kasim Ali Khan made it his
capital instead of Murshidbad in Bengal. The new Nawab
removed his treasure, his elephants and horses and
even the gold and silver decorations of the Imam Bara
from his old capital. He favored General Gurghin (Gregory)
Khan, an Armenian of Ispahan, re-organized the army
and had it drilled and equipped after English model.
He also established and arsenal for the manufacture
of fire-arms and it is from this time that Munger
can trace back its importance for the manufacture
of guns. Even today that glorious tradition is being
carried on by hundreds of families who specialize
in the manufacture of guns. Two days a week he sat
in a public hall of audience and personally dispensed
justice. He listened Patiently to the complaints and
grievances of everyone and gave his impartial order.
The Nawab, indeed, was a terror both to his enemies
and to wring doors. He also honored learning and the
learned and welcomed scholars and savants to his court
and he surely earned the respect and admiration of
both friends and foes alike. Unfortunately, however,
destiny did not help him and Mir Kasim Ali soon came
into confrontation with the English.
MIR KASIM AND HIS CONFICT
WITH THE ENGLISH:
The first quarrel appears to have been caused by the
tactless conduct of Mr. Ellis, who was in incharge
of an English factory at patna. Mr. Ellis had received
a vague report that two English deserters were concealed
at Munger. A long dispute followed and it was finally
compromised by Mr. Ironsides, the Town Major of Calcutta
, who conducted the search of the Fort with the due
permission of the Nawab. No deserters were found inside
the Fort, the only European in the place being an
old French invalid. In April, 1762 Warren Hastings
was sent from Calcutta to arrange the terms between
the Nawab and Mr.Ellis. The Nawab received him well
but Ellis refused to meet Warren Hastings and stayed
in his house at Singhia, 15 miles away from Munger.
Beside this personal rancor, serious trade disputes
arose between the Nawab and East India Company. The
East India Company had been enjoying exemption frm
heavy duty transit levied on inland trade. After the
battle of Blassey the European servants of the Company
began to trade extensivdy on their own account and
to claim a similar exemption for all goods passing
under company’s flag and covered by Dastak or certificate
signed by the Governor or any agent of the factory.
Great abuses followed when the English in some cases
lent their names to Indians for a consideration and
the latter used the same Dastak over and over again
or even began forging them.
Warren Hastings in 1762 says that every boat
he met on the river bore the company’s flag and became
aware of the oppression of the people by the Gumashtas
and the Company’s servant. Mir Kasim bitterly complained
that his source of revenue had been taken away from
him and that his authority was completely disregarded.
Eventually in Octuber, 1762, Mr. Vansittart, the Governor
left Calcutta in order to try and conclude a settlement
between the two parties. He found the Nawab of Munger
smarting under the injuries and insults he had received.
But at length it was agreed that servants of the company
should be allowed to carry on the inland private trade,
on payment of a fixed duty of 9% on all goods- a rate
much below that paid by the other merchants. The dastak
also remained with a new provision that it should
also be countersigned by the nawab’s collector. Mir
Kasim agreed to these terms but, of course, very unwillingly.
Sair-ul-Mutakharin gives a detailed account of the
visit of Vansittart. The Nawab advanced six miles
to meet vansittart and arrange for his residence in
the house which Gurghin Khan had crected on hill of
Sitakund (Pir Pahar).
Vansittart returned to Calcutta in January 1763
after a week long stay at Munger but he was sorry
to find that the agreement concluded with the Nawab
has been repudiated. The Nawab, however, had honestly
sent the copies of the Governor’s agreement to all
of his officrs for its immediate implementation. The
result was that English goods then in transit, were
stopped and duty caimed upon them. The English council
reacted sharply and wanted that the English dastak
should pass free of duty. The Nawab on the other hand
protested at this breach of faith and passed orders
abolishing all transit duty and thereby, throwing
open the whole inland trade free from any custom duty.
The English regarded this as an act of hostility and
preparations for war began but English decided first
to send a deputation headed by Messrs. Amyatt and
Hay to arrange fresh tersm with the Nawab.Mr. Ellis
was also informed of this development and was warned
not to commit any act lof aggression even if the mission
failed and Amyatt and Hay were well out of the Nawab’s
power.
The members of the mission reached Munger on
the 14th may, 1763 and opened up negotiations, but
it was soon found that they were undocked. The Nawab
who was offended at the rough and over bearing manner
in which he was addressed by the English linguist
and refused to speak to him. At subsequent interviews
also the Nawab tried to avenge the English insult
and refused to come to any terms. The Envoys were
kept under strict supervision and when some of the
party wished to ride out from Munger they found their
way barred by the Nawab’s soldiers with lighted matches
ready to fire. Just at this tenses moment English
cargo boats for Calcutta were detained at Munger and
500 Muskets intended for the factory at Patna were
found out hidden under the cargo. The Nawab, naturally,
became suspicious of the English move which might
have been to seize the fort and the city at Patna.
He wanted , therefore, a thorough check-up by his
own troops otherwise he would declare war. In the
mean time he permitted Mr. Amyatt and others of the
party to leave for Calcutta, but detained Mr. Hay
and Mr. Gulson as hostages for the safety lof his
officers who had been arrested by the English.
As regardes the final rupture between the English
and Bengal Nawab it was precipitated by the action
of Mr. Ellis who believed that war was in any case
inevitable, and seized the city of Patna on hearing
the news that the detachment was advancing from Munger
to reinforce the Nawab’s garrison. The Nawab also
retaliated promptly, reinforcements were hurried up
and the Fort quickly recaptured. This news of the
success gave Kasim Ali the keenest delight. Even though
it was mid-night, he immediately ordered music to
strike and awakened the whole town of Munger. At day-break
the doors of the public halls were thrown open and
every one hastened to offer him congratulations. He
, now, proclaimed the outbreak of war and directed
his officers to put the English to sword wherever
they were found. In pursuance lof this general order
Mr. Amayat was killed at Murshidabad and the factory
at Cossim (Kasim) Bazar was stormed. The survivorsw
surrendered and were sent to Munger to join their
unfortunate companions from patna.
The British force under Major Adams quickly
advanced against the nawab and defeated his troops
at Suti. On Hearing of his defeat, he sent his Begums
and children to the fort at Rohtas and set out himself
accompanied by Gurgin khan to join his army that was
now concentrated on the banks of the Udhua Nullah
near Rajmahal. Before leaving Munger, however, he
pur to death a number of his prisoners including Raja
Ram Narayan, till lately Deputy Governor of Bihar,
who was thrown down into the river below the fort
with a pitcher filled with sand bound to his neck.
Gurgin Khan not satisfied with this butchery also
urged the Nawab to kill his English prisoners but
this the Nawab refused to do. Jagat set Mahtab Rai
and Sarup Chand, two rich bankers of Murshidabad who
had been brought from that place by Mir Kasim Ali
as they were believed to favour the British cause
also appears to have escaped. Though as the tradition
says they were also drowned at the same time. This
story is, however, contradicted by the author of Sair-UI-Mutakharin
who says that they were hacked to pieces at Barth.
The exact location of the tower of castle of Munger
from where Jagat Seth and others were thrown down
has not yet been located.
Before the Nawab could join his army at Udhua
Nullah he heard of a second decisive defeat that he
had sustained and thereafter returned to Munger. He
stayed there only for two or three days and marched
to Patna with his prisoners like Mr. Hay, Mr. Ellis
and some others. On the way Mr. Kasim halted on the
bank of Rahua Nullah, a small stream near Lakhisarai.
It was here that Gurgin Khan met his death and was
cut down by some of his own troopers who were demanding
arrears of their pay. A scene of wild confusion followed.
Makar, another Armenian General, fired off some guns,
the thought that the English were upon them and fled
in terror, Mir Kasim himself flying on an elephant.
There was great confusion in the army because of this
false alarm but Mir Kasim marched on the next day
to Patna.
In the meantime the British army moved on rapidly
towards Munger and at this time Munger was placed
under the command of Arab Ali Khan, who was a creature
of Gurgin Khan. On the first of October 1763 the main
body of the army arrived on batteries that had been
thrown up and were immediately opened. For two days
heavy fire was maintained but in the evening the Governor
capitulated and surrendered himself and his garrison.
The English at once set to work to repair the breaches
and improve the defences.
The Fort was left under the command of Captain
John White who was further directed to raise locally
another battalion of sepoys. This news of the capture
of Munger infuriated the Nawab who as soon as he heard
of it gave order that his English prisoners at Patna
should be put to death. This order was carried out
by the infamous Samru and is known in history, as
the ‘Massacre of Patna’.
There years later in 1766 there was a mutiny
of the European officers of Bengal army because of
the reduction of “bhatta” which was an extra monthly
sum to cover the increased expenses when the soldiers
were on active military duty. After the battle of
Plassey Mir Jafar Khan had granted an extra-allowance,
called “double bhatta” which had continued during
the role of Mir Kasim also. But the Directors of the
companies now passed order that this allowance should
be abolished except for the grant of half-bhatta to
the troops stationed at Patna and Munger. This curtailment
was bitterly resented by the army officers and on
the first of May, 1766 a memorandum to this effect
was signed by officers of the first brigade stationed
at Munger under Sir Robert Fletcher who transmitted
it to Lord Clive at Murshidabad.
Clive lost no time and proceeded to Munger in
person by forced marches and in the mean time sent
forward some officers to deal with the situation as
well as they could. When arrived at Munger late at
night on the 12th May, the army heard too much of
drums beating and going further to Robert Fletcher’s
quarter they found the European regiment drinking,
singing and beating drums. Next morning two of them
went to Kharagpur and returned with two battalions
to Munger. But we learn that on 14th the European
battalion broke out in open mutiny and Captain Smith
seized the saluting batteries which were situated
upon hillock. The hillock was known as Karn Choura
hill. Captain Smith gained possession of the hill
and was successful in suppressing the rebellion. In
short, Munger was recaptured by the prompt and brave
action of Caption Smith and sir Robert Fletcher.
Clive hadd already reached Munger and he held
a parade of troops. He explained the circumstances
under which the “bhatta” had been withdrawn and he
further applauded the loyal conduct of the sepoys
and condemned the conspiracy of some officers. They
were further threatened that the ring leaders would
get the severest penalties under Martial Law. After
his address, the brigade gave their hearty cheers
and marched off quietly to the barracks and the lines.
Thus, the rebellion of the British officers at Munger
was successfully suppressed. For some time John Maccabe
was a Deputy Commissioner, Government of Munger before
1789.
The subsequent history of the district is uneventful
with the extension of the British dominions, the town
of Munger ceased to be an important frontier post.
There was no arsenal, no regular garrison was kept
up and no attempt was made to bring the fortification
up-to-date. Munger, however, was still important for
its fine situation and salubrious air and was used
as a sanatorium for the British troops. So great a
resort that it was the journey up the Ganga followed
by a stay was regarded of as healthy as a sea voyage.
We find that a trip to Munger was prescribed for the
wife of Warren Hastings when she was in ill health
and in 1781 when Warren Hastings was on his way to
meet Chait Singh at Banaras he left his wife here
for the benefit of her health. But during the early
part of the 19th century Munger was degraded to a
lunatic asylum for sepoys where there was also a depot
for army clothing and it became an invalid station
for British soldiers.
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