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{{Short description|Indian Zamindar, philanthropist and reformer (1817 - 1871)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = [[Babu (title)|Babu]]
| name = Mathur Mohan Biswas
| image = Statue of Mathur Mohan Biswas.jpg
| landscape = 250pxl
| caption = Statue of Mathurmohan Biswas, [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]] complex, [[North 24 Parganas]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| birth_date = 1817
| birth_place = Bithari Village, [[North 24 Parganas]], [[British India]]
| death_date = 16 July 1871
| death_place = [[Kalighat]], [[Kolkata]], [[British India]]
| alma_mater = [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Hindu College]], [[Calcutta]]
| spouse = Karunamayee Devi (Death- 1831)<br /> Jagadamba Biswas
| children = Bhupal Chandra Biswas (Mother- Karunamayee), Dwarikanath, Trailokyanath, Thakurdas (Mother- Jagadamba)
| father = Jaynarayan Biswas
| family = [[Janbazar Raj]]
}}
[[Babu (title)|Babu]] '''Mathur Mohan Biswas''' or [[Babu (title)|Babu]] '''Mathuranath Biswas''' (1817 – 16 July 1871), also known as ''Sejobabu'', or simply, "''Mathur [[Babu (title)|Babu]]"'' was an Indian [[Zamindar]], businessman, [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]] and the third and youngest son-in-law of [[Rani Rashmoni]]. He was a devoted follower, disciple, attendant, and provider (rasaddar) of [[Shri Ramakrishna]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=শ্রীশ্রীরামকৃষ্ণকথামৃতে উল্লিখিত ব্যক্তিবৃন্দের পরিচয় |url=https://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/kathamrita/unicodekathamrita/63_a_people_1202_1276.html |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

== Birth and early life ==
Mathur Mohan Biswas was born in the year 1817 in the village of Bithari, located in [[Swarupnagar]], under the [[Basirhat subdivision]] of present-day [[North 24 Parganas district]], [[West Bengal]], then part of [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]]. He was born into a wealthy [[Mahishya]] family, who were the local [[Zamindars of Bengal|Zamindars]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=VivekaVani |date=2015-12-21 |title=Mathur Nath Biswas |url=https://vivekavani.com/h2/ |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=VivekaVani |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Senapati and Das |first=Uma and Dulal Krishna |title=মাহিষ্য রত্নাবলী জীবনী শতক |publisher=Tuhina Publications |year=2018 |isbn=9788194434641 |edition=2nd |location=[[Kolkata]] |publication-date=2020 |pages=163 to 164 |language=Bengali |trans-title=Mahishya Ratnavali Biographical Century}}</ref> Mathur Mohan was the youngest of five sons of Joynarayan Biswas. His ancestral home was originally in [[Sonabaria Union|Sonabaria]] village, in what is now [[Satkhira]], [[Bangladesh]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Dulal Krishna |title=বাংলার নবরত্ন |publisher=Tuhina Publications |year=2021 |edition=1st |location=[[Kolkata]] |publication-date=2022 |language=Bengali |trans-title=77 to 103}}</ref> He received his education at the [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Hindu College]] in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] (now Kolkata), one of the most prestigious educational institutions of that time.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

[[File:Hindu college calcutta1851.jpg|thumb|left|A photograph (1851) of The Hindu College of Calcutta]]
In 1827, Mathur Mohan Biswas married Karunamoyi, the third daughter of [[Rajchandra Das|Babu Rajchandra Das]] and [[Rani Rashmoni]]. As Rajchandra’s third son-in-law, he became affectionately known as "Sejobabu". However, after Karunamoyi’s death in 1831, Rani Rashmoni arranged for Mathur Mohan to marry her youngest daughter, Jagadamba, in 1833. Following this, [[Rani Rashmoni]] kept him in her household and entrusted him with managing the [[Janbazar Raj|Janbazar Raj’s]] administrative and financial affairs.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Compilation |first=A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phomEAAAQBAJ&dq=Mathur+mohan+biswas+Bithari&pg=PT430 |title=Companions and Followers of Ramakrishna |publisher=Advaita Ashrama (A Publication House of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math) |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Rani Rashmoni bhawan in Kolkata.jpg|thumb|House of the Marh Family at Janbazar]]
At one point, Rani Rashmoni filed a legal case against Mathur Mohan, accusing him of misappropriating estate funds. However, she later withdrew the case, moved by her maternal affection and recognizing the practical needs of managing the [[Zamindari of Purenw Estate|zamindari]] (estate). In the years that followed, Mathur Mohan proved himself to be exceptionally loyal and capable in all responsibilities entrusted to him.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Amiya P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=19HUeX3JygwC&dq=mathur+mohan+biswas+rani+rashmoni&pg=PT83 |title=Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: Sadhaka of Dakshineswar |date=2010-04-09 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-250-2 |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==

[[File:Beauty of Dakshineshwar Kali temple.jpg|thumb|[[Dakshineswar Kali temple]].]]
On 31 May 1855, after [[Rani Rashmoni]] established the Bhavatarini Kali Temple at [[Dakshineswar]], it was Mathur Mohan Biswas, despite being educated in English and well-versed in Western rationality, who, with deep foresight, realism, and inner vision, recognized the spiritual greatness of [[Sri Ramakrishna]]. It was Mathur who appointed Sri Ramakrishna as the priest of the Bhavatarini Temple, and he went on to support all of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual practices with sincere devotion and commitment. For nearly eighteen years, Mathur served [[Ramakrishna|Sri Ramakrishna]] with unmatched dedication. With the approval of [[Rani Rashmoni]], Mathur took care of Sri Ramakrishna’s food, clothing, shelter, personal security, and pilgrimage arrangements. His faith and devotion to Sri Ramakrishna were unwavering. Through logical reasoning and personal experiences, he became fully convinced of [[Ramakrishna|Sri Ramakrishna]]'s divine incarnation, eventually surrendering himself at the feet of the Master, recognizing in him a true renunciate, free from all desire for lust and gold.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nair |first=P. Thankappan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o40cAAAAMAAJ&q=mathur+mohan+biswas+rani+rashmoni |title=A History of Calcutta's Streets |date=1987 |publisher=Firma KLM |pages=569 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Veṅkaṭēśvararāvu |first=Nārla |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R7ouAAAAMAAJ&q=mathur+mohan+biswas+rani+rashmoni |title=Man and His World: Further Extracts from the Notebooks of a Humanist |date=1984 |publisher=Scientific Services |pages=83 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Dakshineshwar Kali temple.jpg|thumb|Dakshineswar Kali temple]]
On one occasion at [[Dakshineswar]], Mathur had a divine vision of both [[Shiva]] and [[Kali]] simultaneously manifesting through Sri Ramakrishna's body. From that moment onward, he accepted the Master as his all-in-all, depending on him in every matter, both spiritual and worldly.<ref name=":2" />

''Mathur once said:''
{{Quote|text="আমার স্ত্রী, সন্তান, সম্পত্তি এবং পদমর্যাদা সবকিছুই অবাস্তব।একমাত্র শ্রীরামকৃষ্ণই বাস্তব।"
(Eng translation- "My wife, children, property, and status—none of these are real.
Only Sri Ramakrishna is real.")|author=Mathurmohan Biswas}}
During the period when [[Sri Ramakrishna]] was engaged in spiritual pracitces at [[Dakshineswar]], Mathurmohan Biswas provided financial and logistical assistance. Sources describe Biswas as an important supporter in facilitating Ramakrishna's activities.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jnanadananda |first=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mnx7DwAAQBAJ&dq=Mathur+Mohan+Biswas&pg=PT36 |title=Sri Ramakrishna - The All Encompassing Supreme Lord |date=2018-11-23 |publisher=Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad |isbn=978-93-88512-02-2 |language=en}}</ref>

During one phase of his sadhana, [[Ramakrishna|Sri Ramakrishna]] prayed to the Divine Mother Jagadamba, saying:—"মা,আমাকে শুকনো সাধু করিস নি,রসেবসে রাখিস।" (“Mother, do not make me a dry ascetic. Keep me immersed in divine rasa." Because Mathur Mohan took full responsibility for all the care and support during Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual practices, the Master himself recognized Mathur Mohan as the chief provider (rasaddar) in the divine play (lila) of Jagadamba (Maa Kali of Dakshineswar).<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Annapurna temple built by Rani Rashmoni's youngest daughter.jpg|thumb|[[Annapurna Temple, Titagarh]].]]
He, along with his wife Jagadamba and eldest son Dwarikanath, also helped to establish the [[Annapurna Temple, Titagarh|Annapurna Temple]] in [[Titagarh]], modelled after the [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Nabanita |date=2022-05-27 |title=Annapurna Temple: A Daughter’s Saga |url=https://eastindiastory.com/annapurna-temple-a-daughters-saga/ |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=East India Story |language=en-US}}</ref>

Swami [[Gambhirananda]] has mentioned about Mathuranath Biswas in his famous book ''"Sri Ramakrishna-Bhaktamalika" -''
{{Quote|text="মথুর বাবু ধনী অথচ উচ্চ প্রকৃতি সম্পন্ন, বিষয়ী হইলেও ভক্ত, হঠকারী হইয়াও বুদ্ধিমান, ক্রোধপরায়ণ হইলেও ধৈর্যশীল এবং ধীর প্রতিজ্ঞ ছিলেন। তিনি ইংরেজিবিদ্যাভিজ্ঞ ও তার্কিক, কিন্তু কেহ কোন কথা বুঝাইয়া দিতে পারিলে, উহা বুঝিয়াও বুঝিবে না — এমন স্বভাব সম্পন্ন ছিলেন না। তিনি ঈশ্বর বিশ্বাসী ও পরমভক্ত ছিলেন। (Eng translation - "Mathur Babu was wealthy yet possessed a noble character. Though involved in worldly matters, he was a true devotee. Despite being quick-tempered, he was patient and steadfast. He was well-versed in English education and logic, but he was not the kind of person who, when someone explained something, would refuse to understand. He was a firm believer in God and a devoted follower.")}}

== Death ==
Mathur Mohan Biswas died on 16 July 1871 (1st Shravan, 1278 Bengali calendar) at 5 PM in [[Kalighat]], Kolkata, at the age of 54.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmRMAQAAIAAJ&q=%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A8+%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8+%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE |title=Saptāhika bartamāna |date=June 2005 |publisher=Bartamāna Pribheṭa Limiṭeḍa |pages=15 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Saradananda |first1=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uaJOEAAAQBAJ&dq=Mathur+Mohan+Biswas&pg=PT534 |title=Sri Ramakrishna The Great Master |last2=Jagadananda |first2=Swami |date=2021-11-16 |publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math |language=en}}</ref>

At the time of Mathur’s passing, Sri Ramakrishna was in deep samadhi (spiritual trance) for several hours, praying for Mathur’s successful spiritual journey. Remarkably, immediately after Mathur’s death, Sri Ramakrishna’s samadhi was broken, and he commented:
{{Quote|text="শ্রীশ্রীজগদম্বার সখীগণ মথুরকে সাদরে দিব্যরথে উঠালেন — তার তেজ শ্রীশ্রীদেবীলোকে গেল।" (Eng translation- "The divine companions of Sri Sri Jagadamba respectfully received Mathur onto the celestial chariot — his spirit ascended to the abode of the Divine Mother.")}}

== Descendants ==
His descendants have split into two families. The Biswases of 18 Rani Rashmoni road and the Hazras of 13 Rani Rashmoni road. Both the branches separately organize their own [[Durga Puja]], which is attended by many people across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goswami |first=Tarun |date=2022-09-13 |title=Tradition intact: Durga Puja at Rani Rashmoni's house to enter its 232nd year |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/tradition-intact-durga-puja-at-rani-rashmonis-house-to-enter-its-232nd-year-492770 |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Durga puja at the Rani's mansion.jpg|thumb|Durga puja at the Janbazar Raj Palace]]

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:1817 births]]
[[Category:1871 deaths]]
[[Category:Bengali Hindus]]
[[Category:19th-century Bengali people]]
[[Category:19th-century philanthropists]]
[[Category:Bengali zamindars]]
[[Category:Ramakrishna]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:Indian social workers]]
[[Category:Hindu revivalists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Presidency University, Kolkata alumni]]
[[Category:Social workers from West Bengal]]
[[Category:People from South 24 Parganas district]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Indian philanthropists]]
[[Category:People from North 24 Parganas district]]
[[Category:People from Basirhat subdivision]]
[[Category:People from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian philanthropists]]

Mathurmohan Biswas - Revision history

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