Maharaja Nabakrishna Deb , founder of the Shovabazar Raj family, was a prominent Raja and close confidante/ally of Robert Clive. He was the key figure in the plot against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula although some believed him to be a traitor of India, who sold his motherland to the British and enabling them to rule India.
Early life
Raja Nabakrishna Deb lost his father, Ramcharan Deb, early in life but his mother took care to ensure that he learnt Urdu and Persian initially and later Arabic and English. Deb was appointed Persian teacher of Warren Hastings in 1750. At one point of time he was munshi of Governor Drake, advised the British on foreign relations and was a great supporter for the establishment of British power in India. He started his life as a Munshi for Lakshmikanta Dhar or Noku Dhar,the famous banker and businessman of Kolkata, from where he was recommended to Robert Clive when the latter was looking for an able clerk-cum-interpreter. He had carried out confidential work for the British East India Company, prior to and during the Battle of Palashi. After the death of Siraj ud-Daulah, Deb along with Mir Jafar, Amir Beg and Ramchand Roy earned eight crore rupees worth of treasures from the secret treasury.
He is also famous for the Durga Puja he organised in his newly constructed grand Shobhabazar Rajbari in Kolkata in 1757, as a patron of numerous performing artistes, and his philanthropy. The puja in the magnificent palace continues even today. After his victory in the Battle of Palashi, in 1757, which laid the foundation for British rule in India, Lord Clive wanted a grand thanksgiving ceremony but the only church in Kolkata had been razed to the ground by Siraj ud-Daulah, during his attack a year earlier. When Deb came to know of Clive's desire, he advised, "Offer your thanks at the goddesses' feet at my Durga Puja." "But I am a Christian," protested Clive. "That can be managed," smiled the wily Deb. Lord Clive drove in his carriage all the way from his residence in what was then known as New Town of Kolkata to Shovabazar in the Old Town, for the Durga Puja. Thereafter, it came to be known as the "Company Puja". Raja Nabakrisna Deb set a pattern for the puja which became a fashion and a status symbol among the upcoming merchant class of Kolkata. The number of Englishmen attending the family Durga Puja became an index of prestige. Religious scruples fell by the wayside. The Englishmen attending the dance-parties, dined on beef and ham from Wilson's Hotel, and drank to their heart's contentment. While barowari pujas subsequently took over in a big way, the Durga Pujas of the old zemindar and Royal families in and around Kolkata still attract crowds. Shovabazar Rajbari organised the 250th Durga Puja in 2006.
Later life
With Lord Clive backing him, Deb earned the title of Maharaja Bahadur in 1766. The position offered him some administrative powers also. Later he became a political banyan of the British East India Company. When Warren Hastings took over as governor in 1772, he became even more powerful. In 1776, he earned the talukdari of Sutanati. It is beyond reasonable doubt that along with Mir Jafar, Jagat Sheth, Omichund and Krishna Chandra Roy, Ram Chandra Roy, Ali Beg; Nabakrishna Deb also played a crucial role in turning India to a British colony, instrumental in the plot against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula. He created a sensation in those days by spending Rs. 1 million for the sraddha of his mother, feeding the poor, honouring the learned, and doing everything on a grand scale. He constructed the 50 km road from Behala to Kulpi in what was then jungle territory. He organised a conference of learned men in his Rajbari and patronised many musicians. Harekrishna Dirghangi, Nitai Baisnab and other kabials enjoyed his hospitality. He donated to different causes irrespective of religious denominations. He gave money to start the Calcutta Madrasa, donated land for St.John's Church and earned a reputation as a philanthropist.
Family
He left behind two sons, one adopted and the other his own begetting. His adopted son, Gopi Mohun Deb was famous for his musical taste. His natural born son was Rajkrishna Deb. He had one grandson on the adopted side – Radhakanta Deb. His natural born son was father of eight distinguished sons, prominent among whom were Kali Krishna Deb, Kamal Krishna Deb and Narendra Krishna Deb. All of them, and some others belonging to subsequent generations in the family, have roads named after them in Kolkata.
Historical Palace Shobhabazar Rajbari
Raja Nabakrishna Deb founder of the Shobhabazar Rajbari, started life modestly but soon amassed considerable wealth in his service to the British, in particular by his role in assisting to topple Siraj ud-Daulah. During his lifetime Raja Nabakrishna Deb built two palaces. The palace at 33 Raja Nabakrishna Street, on the northern side of the road, was the one first constructed by him, subsequently given over by him to his adopted son Gopimohan. He built the palace at 36 Raja Nabakrishna Street when a son was born to him later in life and left it to his natural son, Raja Rajkrishna and his descendants.
