In the mid seventeenth century one Kamadev Maitra served as tehsildar to the Puthia Raj family. Kamadev's second son Raghunandan was selected by the Raja to be his agent at the court of NawabMurshid Quli Khan, the overlord of all Bengal. When the Nawab moved his court from Dhaka to what became known as Murshidabad he took Raghunandan with him and appointed him his Dewan or minister. The Nawab proceeded to confiscate the estates of zamindars who failed to conform to his new regulations, and a number of such estates were acquired by Ramjivan, the elder brother of his Dewan Raghunandan. In due course Ramjivan was given the title of Raja and set up his headquarters in Natore. His estate was generally referred to as the "Rajshahi Zamindari". The estate had an area of nearly 13,000 square miles and included not only much of North Bengal but also large parts of the areas later comprising the administrative districts of Murshidabad, Nadia, Jessore, Birbhum and Burdwan. To rule this extensive Zamindari and collect revenue properly, he divided all Zamindaris into three centers. These were Sherpur in Bogra district, Baranagar in Murshidabad district and Natore. Baranagar was located half a mile north of Azimnagar railway station by the administrative advantages. Rarely Raghunandan had to go to Nawab Darbar, so he stayed at Baranagar most of the time. Staying at Baranagar helped him to maintain the royal duty of Natore. The first palace or Rajbari at Natore was built by Raja Ramjivan. The palace was surrounded by two sets of moats which are still extant. After the division of the estate a separate palace was built for the junior branch of the dynasty. Many of the original buildings were destroyed by the earthquake of 1897 and subsequently rebuilt or replaced. Ramjivan's Dewan Doyaram was granted landed estates and the title of Ray Raiyan by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan in recognition of his service in apprehending a recalcitrant zamindar named Sitaram Roy. In due course Doyaram established his own dynasty the Dighapatia Raj with its own palace Dighapatia Palace. Raja Ramjivan was succeeded by his adopted son Ramkanta. After Raja Ramkanta's early death the Natore estate was ably managed by his widow, known as Rani Bhabani, who became famous for her good works. In 1797, following the death of Rani Bhabani's adopted son Raja Ramkrishna, the Natore estate was divided between his two sons Bishwanath and Sibnath, and thenceforth both a Senior and a Junior royal house remained in existence until the abolition of all zamindar estates in 1950.
Timeline
1670 Kamadev Maitra became Tahsildar of Raja Naranarayan of Puthia. 1695 Kamadev's son Raghunandan was appointed Vakeel for Raja Darpanarayan of Puthia at the court of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan in Dhaka. 1702 Nawab Murshid Quli Khan shifted his court from Dhaka to Murshidabad. Raghunandan was appointed his Dewan, based at Baranagar, Murshidabad. 1706 Raghunandan's elder brother Ramjivan started to acquire estates confiscated by the Nawab. 1710 Ramjivan, as Raja of the Rajshahi Zamindari, settled in Natore and built his palace. 1710 The orphan Dayaram was appointed Dewan of Raja Ramjivan. 1714 Dayaram was granted the title of Ray Raiyan by the Nawab. 1714 Death of Ramjivan's only son, Kalu Kumar. Ramjivan adopted Ramkanta. 1725 Death of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. 1730 Death of Raja Ramjivan, accession of Raja Ramkanta with Dayaram Ray as Dewan. 1748 Death of Raja Ramkanta. His widow Rani Bhavani became effective regent. 1750 Ramkrishna, adopted by Rani Bhavani, became Raja of Natore. 1750 Dayaram Ray became the first Raja of Dighapatia. 1760 Rani Bhavani became famous for her benevolent works. 1770 Great Bengal famine. Rani Bhavani expended huge amounts on relief. 1774 East India Company seized part of the Raja's estate. 1780 Rani Bhavani retired to Baranagar, leaving Raja Ramkrishna in charge at Natore. 1793 East India Company abolished Nizamat: powers of Rajas restricted, taxation increased 1797 Death of Raja Ramkrishna. Natore Raj divided into Senior and Junior branches. Accession of Raja Bishwanath, Raja Sibnath. 1814 Accession of senior Raja Govinda Chandra. 1818 Accession of junior Raja Anandanath. 1836 Accession of senior Raja Govindanath. 1850 Junior Raja Anandanath made Raja Bahadur, C.S.I. by Government of India. 1866 Accession of junior Raja Chandranath. 1868 Accession of senior Raja Jagadindranath. 1870 Junior Raja Chandranath made Raja Bahadur, C.S.I., worked in colonial government. 1875 Accession of junior Raja Jogendranath. 1897 Many rajbari buildings ruined by earthquake. 1902 Accession of junior Raja Birendranath. 1925 Accession of senior Raja Jagindranath. 1947 Partition of India. Natore royal families abandoned their property in East Pakistan. 1950 Abolition of princely estates in Pakistan. Sources: A Short History of Natore Raj, District Gazetteer, Doctoral Thesis by S.M. Rabiul Karim
