https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Rani_RashmoniRani Rashmoni - Revision history2026-09-07T13:46:47ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rani_Rashmoni&diff=142979&oldid=previmported>ChandlerMinh at 10:29, 28 August 20212021-08-28T10:29:08Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Indian Zamindar and philanthropist (1793-1861)}}<br />
{{For|the film|Rani Rasmani (film)}}<br />
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| honorific_prefix = [[Rani]]<br />
| name = Rashmoni Das<br />
| image = File:Kolkata Rani Rashmoni statue.jpg<br />
| caption = Rani Rashmoni statue at the [[Esplanade, Kolkata]]<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1793|09|28}}<br />
| birth_place = Kona village, in present-day Halisahar, North 24 Parganas, [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]<br />
| death_date ={{Death date and age|df=yes|1861|02|19|1793|09|28}}<br />
| death_place = Kolkata, India<br />
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]<br />
| other_names = Rani Rashmoni, ''Lokmata''<br />
| known_for = Founder of [[Dakshineshwar Kali Temple]], Kolkata<br />
| occupation = [[Social activist]], [[Businessperson]], [[Zamindar]]<br />
| spouse = Babu Rajachandra Das (Marh)<br />
| children = Padmamoni Das, Kumari Chowdhury, Karunamoyee Biswas, Jagadamba Biswas.<ref>Roy, Nirmal Kumar, "Rani Rashmonir Jibanvritanta" (Life History of Rani Rashmoni), Udbodhan, 1, Udbodhan Lane, Bagbazar, Kolkata - 700 003. {{ISBN|81-8040-345-9}}. pp. 196-232<br />
</ref><br />
| relatives = <br />
| signature = <br />
}}<br />
'''Rashmoni Das''' popularly known as '''Rani Rashmoni''' (28 September 1793 – 19 February 1861) was an Indian businesswoman, [[Zamindar]], [[philanthropist]] and the founder of the [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]], [[Kolkata]] and remained closely associated with Sri [[Ramakrishna]] Paramhansa after she appointed him as the priest of the temple. Her other construction works include the construction of a road from [[Subarnarekha River]] to [[Puri]] for the pilgrims, [[Babughat]] (also known as Babu Rajchandra Das Ghat), Ahiritola Ghat and [[Nimtala ghat]] for the everyday bathers at the [[Ganges]]. She also offered considerable charity to the Imperial Library (now the [[National Library of India]]), the Hindu College (now [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency University]]).<ref>[http://www.dakshineswarkalitemple.org/rashmoni.html Rashmoni Devi] ''[[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]]'' website.</ref><br />
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Presently, the Lokmata Rani Rashmoni Mission is situated at [[Nimpith, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal]], 743338, India.<ref>[http://wbenvironment.nic.in/html/ngo.htm NGO's working with Environment Department] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131220103/http://wbenvironment.nic.in/html/ngo.htm |date=31 January 2009}} Environment Department, ''Government of [[West Bengal]]''.</ref><br />
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==Biography==<br />
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Rashmoni was born on 28 September 1793. Her father, Harekrishna Das, lived in Kona village, in present-day [[Halisahar, North 24 Parganas]]. Her mother Rampriya devi died when she was just seven years old. She was married to Babu Rajachandra Das (Marh) of [[Janbazar, Kolkata]], a member of a wealthy ''zamindar'' family, when she was eleven years old. They had four daughters.<br />
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[[File:Kolkatatemple.jpg|right|400px|thumb|[[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]], built by Rani Rashmoni in 1855]]<br />
After her husband's death in 1836, Rashmoni assumed responsibility of the zamindari and finances.<br />
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The ''Rani'' had clashes with the [[British Raj|British in India]]. By blocking the shipping trade on a part of the [[Ganges]] she compelled the British to abolish the tax imposed on fishing in the river, which threatened the livelihood of fishermen. When [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] processions were stopped by the British on the charge that they disturbed the peace, she defied the orders. The British withdrew the penalty imposed on her.<br />
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The ''Rani'' also had to her credit numerous charitable works and other contributions to society. She oversaw the construction of a road from [[Subarnarekha River|Subarnarekha]] river to [[Puri]] for pilgrims. She funded the construction of [[ghats]] such as Babughat (in memory of her husband), Ahiritola Ghat and Nimtala Ghat for the daily bathers in the Ganges. Rahmoni donated to the then Imperial Library (now the [[National Library of India]]) and Hindu College (now [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency University]]). [[Dwarkanath Tagore|Prince Dwarkanath Tagore]] had mortgaged a part of his [[Zamindari]] in now South 24 Parganas (part of present-day Santoshpur and adjoining areas) to Rashmoni for his passage to England. This part of land which was then a part of the Sunderbans was marshy and almost uninhabitable except for some families of thugs who found the area convenient to stay and venture out for plunders in far away places mounted on stilts. Rashmoni persuaded these families and helped them to build up fisheries in the surrounding water bodies that later turned into large, rich bheris. They gradually gave up their 'profession' of plundering and transformed into a community of fishermen.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nandi |first1=Amrit Kumar |title=Bratyajaner Rani Rashmoni |date=2017 |publisher=Kamalini Prakashan |location=Kolkata |url=https://readbengalibooks.com/index.php/bratyajaner-rani-rashmoni.html?limit=100}}</ref><br />
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Though having such a great spiritual nature, the society then had discriminated her. Being born in Chasi-Kaibartta family and being a middle-caste Shudra origin,<ref>{{cite book |last=Nicholas|first=Ralph W |title=Fruits of Worship: Practical Religion in Bengal |publisher=Orient Longman Ltd |year=2003 |isbn=978-8180280061|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLI7nyI2UVYC&pg=PA53e |page=53}}</ref> no Brahmin was ready to be the priest in her temple.<br />
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[[Janbazar#Rani Rashmoni’s house|Rani Rashmoni's House]] at Janbazar was venue of traditional [[Durga Puja]] celebration each autumn. This included traditional pomp, including all-night ''[[Jatra (Bengal)|jatras]]'' (folk theatre), rather than by entertainment for the Englishmen with whom she carried on a running feud. After her death in 1861, her sons-in-law took to celebrating Durga Puja in their respective premises.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dutta Dey |first1=Deblina |title=জানবাজারের ঐতিহাসিক রানি রাসমনির বাড়ির পুজো, এই পুজোয় সামিল হতেন রামকৃষ্ণ পরমহংসদেব |url=https://bangla.asianetnews.com/kolkata/janbazar-rani-rashmoni-family-durga-puja-2019-pxarz0 |work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |date=4 September 2019 |language=bn}}</ref><br />
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==In popular culture==<br />
[[File:Rani Rashmoni 1994 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|Rani Rashmoni on a 1994 stamp of India]]<br />
[[File:Rashmoni Shrine Dakshineswar.JPG|thumb|Shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni within the precincts of [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]]]]<br />
Rani Rashmoni has also been subject of a biographical film in [[Bengali language]], titled ''[[Rani Rasmani (film)]]'' (1955), directed by Kaliprasad Ghosh, and wherein lead played by famous theatre personality and actress [[Molina Devi]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0215115|Rani Rashmoni}}</ref><br />
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[[Zee Bangla]] features a daily soap depicting the life of the illustrious Rani, ''[[Karunamoyee Rani Rashmoni]]'', which premiered on 24 July 2017 and is telecasted daily.<ref name = "Official page of Karunamoyee Rani Rashmoni">{{Cite web|url=https://www.zee5.com/tvshows/details/rani-rashmoni/0-6-627|title=Official page of Karunamoyee Rani Rashmoni|website=www.zee5.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/rani-rashmoni-beats-popular-shows-on-tv-rules-the-trp-chart/articleshow/63362152.cms|title=Rani Rashmoni beats popular shows on TV; rules the TRP chart|website= timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref><br />
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==Monuments==<br />
*An avenue in [[Esplanade, Kolkata]] is named after her as ''Rani Rashmoni Avenue'', where her statue is also located.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ganguly |first1=Biswarup |title=Rani Rashmoni Avenue - Esplanade - Kolkata |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rani_Rashmoni_Avenue_-_Esplanade_-_Kolkata_2015-02-07_2134.JPG |date=7 February 2015}}</ref><br />
*A road is named after her as ''Rani Rashmoni Road'' near her ancestral house at [[Janbazar]], Kolkata.<br />
*A road is named after her as ''Rani Rashmoni Road'' at [[Dakshineshwar]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20130629121409/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-22/kolkata/31382275_1_skywalk-dakshineswar-traffic-congestion Skywalk to adorn Dakshineswar soon | Kolkata News – Times of India]. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (22 April 2012). Retrieved on 2018-11-30.</ref><br />
*The Department of Post of Government of India issued a postage stamp to memorialize the bicentennial of Rani Rashmoni in 1993<ref>{{cite web |title=Birth Bicentenary of Rani Rashmoni ::: 1992-1995 » Commemorative Stamps » Stamps |url=http://www.indianphilatelics.com/stamps/commemorative-stamps/1992-1995/item/10726-birth-bicentenary-of-rani-rashmoni-click-for-stamp-information.html |website=www.indianphilatelics.com |publisher=Thakkar Numismatic & Art Foundation}}</ref><br />
*A Ferry Ghat known as Rani Rashmoni Ghat has been built for ferry services in Barrackpore, West Bengal and in Hooghly, West Bengal (just after the Hooghly District Correctional Home)<br />
*One of the 5 Fast Patrol Vessels of Indian Coast Guard has been named after Rani Rashmoni. It was commissioned in June 2018 and will be based in Visakhapatnam (indigenously built by Hindustan Shipyard).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarma |first1=Ch R. S. |title=Rani Rashmoni inducted into Indian Coast Guard |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/rani-rashmoni-inducted-into-indian-coast-guard/article24193315.ece |work=@businessline |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==Further reading==<br />
* [[Sri-Sri-Ramakrisna-kathamrta|Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita]] [http://www.hinduism.fsnet.co.uk/namoma/kathamritam/ Chapter 3 – The Kali Temple]<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Gupta|first=Pradyot|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/rani-rasamani/oclc/23577900|title=Rāṇī Rāsamaṇi.|date=1964|publisher=Cakrabarttī|location=Kalikātā|oclc=23577900}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Bandopadhyay|first=Sudhindra Kumar|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/yugasadhika-ranirasamani/oclc/30759520|title=Yugasādhikā Rāṇīrāsamaṇī.|date=1964|publisher=Pratimā Pustaka|location=Kalikātā|oclc=30759520}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Annapūrṇā Debī|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/rani-rasamani/oclc/21004139|title=Rānī Rāsamaṇī.|date=1967|publisher=Palāśī|location=Kalakātā|oclc=21004139}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Ghosha|first=Amarendrakumāra|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/janabajarera-ranima/oclc/23577889|title=Jānabājārera Rāṇīmā.|date=1967|language=Bengali|oclc=23577889}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Sena|first=Baṅkima Candra|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/lokamata-rani-rasamani/oclc/33601843|title=Lokamātā Rāṇī Rāsamaṇī.|date=1973|publisher=Prakāśa Bhabana]' prāptishāna: Prabhāta Kāryyālaẏa|location=Kalikātā|oclc=33601843}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Ghosha|first=Gaurāṅgaprasāda|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/rajesvari-rasamani/oclc/22184928|title=Rajeśvarī Rāsamaṇi|date=1988|publisher=Yogamāẏā Prakāśanī|location=Kalakātā|language=Bengali|oclc=22184928}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Caṭṭopādhyāẏa|first=Nityarañjana|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/cirabhasvara-rani-rasamani-o-rasaddara-mathurera-jibani-abalambane-racita/oclc/19013021|title=Cirabhāsvara: Rāṇī Rāsamaṇi o rasaddāra Mathurera jībanī abalambane racita|last2=Biśvāsa|first2=Mathurānātha|date=1986|publisher=Baiśākhī Prakāśanī : Paribeśaka Basu Buka Siṇḍikeṭa|location=Kalīkātā|language=Bengali|oclc=19013021}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Dāśa|first=Amalendu Kumāra|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/rani-rasamani-o-tamra-jibanadarsana/oclc/889007063|title=Rāṇī Rāsamaṇi o tām̐ra jībanadarśana|date=2013|isbn=978-984-404-364-0|oclc=889007063}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=জানা|first=প্রবীর|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/lokamata-rani-rasamani/oclc/769743671|title=লোকমাতা রাণী রাসমণি|date=2013|publisher=ভৈরব গ্রন্থালয়|location=কলকাতা|oclc=769743671}}<br />
* {{Cite book|last=Dāsa|first=Dulālakr̥shṇa|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/yugajanani-rani-rasamani-samkshipta-jibani/oclc/883180169|title=Yugajananī Rāni Rāsamaṇi: saṃkshipta jībanī|date=2014|publisher=Ekuśa Śataka : Prāptisthāna, Bāṇībitāna|location=Kalakātā|oclc=883180169}}</ref><br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
{{Commons category|Rani Rashmoni}}<br />
* [http://www.bangalinet.com/greatmen_ranirashmoni.htm Great Indian – Rani Rashmoni]<br />
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{{authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rashmoni}}<br />
[[Category:1793 births]]<br />
[[Category:1861 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women philanthropists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian philanthropists]]<br />
[[Category:Shaktas]]<br />
[[Category:Ramakrishna]]<br />
[[Category:Founders of Indian schools and colleges]]<br />
[[Category:Bengali zamindars]]<br />
[[Category:18th-century Indian women]]<br />
[[Category:19th-century Indian businesspeople]]<br />
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]</div>imported>ChandlerMinh