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{{Short description|Bengali aristocratic family}} | |||
{{infobox family | {{infobox family | ||
| name = Pal<br />পাল | | name = Pal<br />পাল | ||
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| founder = Kalidas Pal | | founder = Kalidas Pal | ||
| final ruler = Ramjivan Pal | | final ruler = Ramjivan Pal | ||
| founded = 12th century | |||
| founded = | |||
| early_forms = Pala | | early_forms = Pala | ||
| deposition = | | deposition = | ||
| cadet branches = Chowdhurys of Bahadurpur | | cadet branches = Chowdhurys of Bahadurpur | ||
| region = [[Panchakhanda]] | | region = [[Panchakhanda]] | ||
| origin = | | origin = [[Sylhet Division]] | ||
| members = | | members = | ||
| otherfamilies = | | otherfamilies = | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Pal family''' ({{ | The '''Pal family''' ({{langx|bn|পাল বংশ}}; also spelt '''Pala''') are a [[Bengali people|Bengali]] aristocratic family who historically held lands in what is now [[Sylhet region|Sylhet]], [[Bangladesh]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
| float = right | | float = right | ||
| width = 270px | | width = 270px | ||
| image1 = [https://52banglatv.com/files/uploads/2018/06/pic-3-1.jpg Front view of the Pal palace]<br />The Pal palace (locally known as the "Palbari") is located near the municipal town of Beanibazar and is presently in a dilapidated condition.<ref name=News>{{cite news|last=খালেদ|first=শিমুল|date=2018-06-06|script-title=bn:পাল রাজার প্রাসাদে|url=https://52banglatv.com/2018/06/658/#prettyPhoto|work=52 Bangla TV|language=bn|access-date=2020-03-23}}</ref> | | image1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20221107130437/https://52banglatv.com/files/uploads/2018/06/pic-3-1.jpg Front view of the Pal palace] | ||
| image2 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20221107124831/https://52banglatv.com/files/uploads/2018/06/pic-1-1.jpg Side view] <br/> The Pal palace (locally known as the "Palbari") is located near the municipal town of Beanibazar and is presently in a dilapidated condition.<ref name=News>{{cite news|last=খালেদ|first=শিমুল|date=2018-06-06|script-title=bn:পাল রাজার প্রাসাদে|url=https://52banglatv.com/2018/06/658/#prettyPhoto|work=52 Bangla TV|language=bn|access-date=2020-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630124520/https://52banglatv.com/2018/06/658/#prettyPhoto|archive-date=2022-06-30}}</ref> | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Bengal Zamindars series}} | {{Bengal Zamindars series}} | ||
Among the most ancient | Among the most ancient families in their region, the Pals trace their descent from a branch of the imperial [[Pala Empire|Pala dynasty]] of [[Bengal]], claiming a '[[Raja]] Mahipala' as their ancestor, though it is not known which of the Pala kings of this name is being referred to. The Pals became established in Sylhet by one [[Kumar]] Kalidas Pal in the 12th century [[Gregorian calendar|CE]]. Kalidas, who may have migrated due to the disintegration of the Pala Empire, acquired land in [[Panchakhanda]] (in what is now [[Beanibazar Upazila|Beanibazar sub-district]]),<ref>{{cite book|last=Barua|first=Bharati|title=Glimpses into Religion in Kamarupa during the Reign of Kumara Bhaskaravarman : A study on Contemporary Evidences|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DDVuAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Panchakhanda+pargana+within+Beanibazar+thana+of+Sylhet+now+in+Bangladesh%22&dq=%22Panchakhanda+pargana+within+Beanibazar+thana+of+Sylhet+now+in+Bangladesh%22|series=Proceedings of North East India History Association|year=1991|publisher=North East India History Association|page=129}}</ref> with the estate becoming hereditary among his descendants.<ref name=Choudhury144>{{cite wikisource|title=Srihattar Itibritta: Uttarrangsho|wslink=পাতা:শ্রীহট্টের_ইতিবৃত্ত_-_উত্তরাংশ.pdf/১|last=Choudhury|first=Achyut Charan|authorlink=Achyut Charan Choudhury|pages=144–45|year=1917|publisher=Kotha|edition=first|location=Kolkata|wslanguage=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=পাল রাজবংশের উত্তরাধিকার|last=Husam|first=Samshad|pages=13–14|year=2021|publisher=Utso Prokashon|location=Dhaka|language=bn}}</ref> The Pals initially ruled their territory as feudal monarchs, styling themselves with the royal title ''[[Raja]]''.<ref name=Choudhury144/> Around the 13th century CE (7th century [[Bengali calendars|BS]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banglatext.com/bangla-date-converter.html|last=Islam|first=Jahedul|title=Bangla Date Converter|website=BanglaText|publisher=BanglaText|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref> the Pal palace and the large ''dighi'' (reservoir) it sits beside were constructed by Kalidas's great-grandson, Varanasi Pal.<ref name=News/><ref>{{cite wikisource|title=প্রতিভা|wslink=পাতা:প্রতিভা_(বর্ষ_৪)_-_অবিনাশচন্দ্র_মজুমদার.pdf/১৩৭|last=মজুমদার|first=অবিনাশচন্দ্র|page=129|year=1914|publisher=ঢাকা সাহিত্য পরিষৎ|location=Dhaka|wslanguage=bn}}</ref> However, three generations later, during the reign of Ramjivan Pal, the kingdom lost its independence, coming under the suzerainty of the [[Bengal Sultanate|Muslim rulers of Bengal]].<ref name=Choudhury144/><ref>{{harvtxt|Choudhury|1917|p=385}}</ref> | ||
In spite of this reduction in status, the family enjoyed considerable renown and success as private landowners. Under Pal governance, their territory (previously scarcely inhabited) was significantly developed and cultivated, allowing the migration of groups such as the [[Mahimal]]s (who were led by their two [[Sardar]]s Raghai and Basai) into the area.{{NoteTag|Mahimals subsequently maintained a presence in the region into modern times.<ref name=Choudhury144/>}} Successive members of the family became notable for their construction of ''dighi'' as well as their religious contributions, both through support of [[Brahman]]s as well as construction.<ref name=Choudhury144/> One younger son, Pratap Chandra Pal, converted to [[Islam]] under the name "Prachanda Khan" and established his own separate territory, with his heirs becoming prominent landowners themselves | In spite of this reduction in status, the family enjoyed considerable renown and success as private landowners. Under Pal governance, their territory (previously scarcely inhabited) was significantly developed and cultivated, allowing the migration of groups such as the [[Mahimal]]s (who were led by their two [[Sardar]]s Raghai and Basai) into the area.{{NoteTag|Mahimals subsequently maintained a presence in the region into modern times.<ref name=Choudhury144/>}} Successive members of the family became notable for their construction of ''dighi'' as well as their religious contributions, both through support of [[Brahman]]s as well as construction.<ref name=Choudhury144/> One younger son, Pratap Chandra Pal, converted to [[Islam]] under the name "Prachanda Khan" and established his [[Baghprachanda Khan|own separate territory]], with his heirs becoming prominent landowners themselves; among his descendants are the Muslim Chowdhurys of Kala and Bahadurpur, also in Beanibazar.<ref name=ali>{{cite book|last=Ali|first=Syed Murtaza|authorlink=Syed Murtaza Ali|title=আমাদের কালের কথা|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExFXAAAAMAAJ|year=1968|publisher=Baighara|page=27|language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{harvtxt|Choudhury|1917|p=174}}</ref> | ||
{{ | The general preeminence of the Pal line is displayed in a proverb recorded by the historian [[Achyut Charan Choudhury]]:<ref name=Choudhury173>{{harvtxt|Choudhury|1917|p=173}}</ref> | ||
{{blockquote|পাল, প্রচণ্ড, জাংদার। | |||
এই তিন মিরাশদার।<br /><br />''Pal, Prôchôṇḍô, Jangdar.<br />Ei tin mirashdar''}} | এই তিন মিরাশদার।<br /><br />''Pal, Prôchôṇḍô, Jangdar.<br />Ei tin mirashdar''}} | ||
Translated, this means "Pal, Prachanda, Jangdar. These are the three ''mirashdars''." Thus, making reference to the Pals, the descendants of Prachanda Khan and the unrelated Jangdar clan, the proverb states that there were no other ''mirashdars''{{NoteTag|''Mirashdar'' is a term referring to a landowner who pays taxes directly to the government.<ref>{{cite book|last=Laskar|first=Nitish Ranjan|title=Mahishya Das of Cachar and their Social Background|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NjRuAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Mirashdar,+he+being+a+land+holder+in+his+own+right+and+paying+revenue+direct+to+the+Govt%22&dq=%22Mirashdar,+he+being+a+land+holder+in+his+own+right+and+paying+revenue+direct+to+the+Govt%22|series=Proceedings of North East India History Association|year=1985|publisher=North East India History Association|page=456}}</ref>}} beyond these families in the locality.<ref name=Choudhury173/> | Translated, this means "Pal, Prachanda, Jangdar. These are the three ''mirashdars''." Thus, making reference to the Pals, the [[Baghprachanda Khan#History|descendants of Prachanda Khan]] and the unrelated [[Dakshin Shahbazpur Union#History|Jangdar clan]], the proverb states that there were no other ''mirashdars''{{NoteTag|''Mirashdar'' is a term referring to a landowner who pays taxes directly to the government.<ref>{{cite book|last=Laskar|first=Nitish Ranjan|title=Mahishya Das of Cachar and their Social Background|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NjRuAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Mirashdar,+he+being+a+land+holder+in+his+own+right+and+paying+revenue+direct+to+the+Govt%22&dq=%22Mirashdar,+he+being+a+land+holder+in+his+own+right+and+paying+revenue+direct+to+the+Govt%22|series=Proceedings of North East India History Association|year=1985|publisher=North East India History Association|page=456}}</ref>}} beyond these families in the locality.<ref name=Choudhury173/> | ||
The influence of the Pals continued into the [[British Raj|British era]], with [[Munshi]] Hari Krishna Pal serving as [[Dewan]] to the [[District magistrate|District Collector]] of Sylhet. Krishnatay Dewanji, his younger brother, was the first individual in Sylhet to be awarded the title ''[[Rai Bahadur]]'' by the ruling government.<ref name=Choudhury144/><ref>{{harvtxt|Husam|2021|pp=15, 18}}</ref> The latter's son, Krishna Kishore Pal Chowdhury, founded the ''Bihani Bazar'' (Morning Market), from which the town of Beanibazar (now expanded into the [[Beanibazar Upazila|sub-district]]) derives its name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beanibazar.sylhet.gov.bd/site/page/330bf992-0757-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/বিয়ানীবাজার%20উপজেলার%20পটভূমি|script-title=bn:উপজেলার পটভূমি|website=Beanibazar Upazila|publisher=Bangladesh National Portal|language=bn|date=2020-01-13|access-date=2020-01-14}}</ref> | |||
Other subsequent family members include activists Surath Pal Chowdury, his wife Arpana Pal Chowdhury and her sister Ashita Pal Chowdhury, who were involved in the [[Nankar Rebellion]] of 1949.<ref>{{harvtxt|Husam|2021|p=18}}</ref> Among the Bahadurpur branch were Najmul Islam Chowdhury and Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, elected [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]'s of [[Assam Legislature|Assam Provincial Legislature]] in 1923 and 1937 respectively,<ref>{{harvtxt|Husam|2021|p=40}}</ref><ref>{{harvtxt|Husam|2021|p=46}}</ref> the brothers [[C. M. Shafi Sami]] ([[Foreign Secretary (Bangladesh)|Bangladesh Foreign Secretary]]; 1999–2001) and [[AB Bank]] Chief Executive Officer C.M. Qais Sami,<ref>{{harvtxt|Husam|2021|pp=57–59}}</ref> and [[Abdul Mumit Chowdhury]] ([[Election Commissioner of Bangladesh|Bangladesh Election Commissioner]]; 1978–1986).<ref>{{harvtxt|Husam|2021|pp=65–66}}</ref> [[Syed Mujtaba Ali]] and his brother [[Syed Murtaza Ali]], both writers, were maternal descendants of the family.<ref name=ali/> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 63: | Line 68: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pal Family}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Pal Family}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Medieval Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:Asian noble families]] | [[Category:Asian noble families]] | ||
[[Category:Bengali families]] | [[Category:Bengali families]] | ||
[[Category:Bangladeshi families]] | [[Category:Bangladeshi families]] | ||
[[Category:People from Beanibazar Upazila]] | [[Category:People from Beanibazar Upazila]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:47, 13 March 2026
| Pal পাল | |
|---|---|
| Parent house | Pala dynasty |
| Current region | Panchakhanda |
| Earlier spellings | Pala |
| Etymology | "Protector" (Sanskrit)[1] |
| Place of origin | Sylhet Division |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Founder | Kalidas Pal |
| Final ruler | Ramjivan Pal |
| Titles | |
| Estate(s) | Palbari, Beanibazar |
| Cadet branches | Chowdhurys of Bahadurpur |
The Pal family (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; also spelt Pala) are a Bengali aristocratic family who historically held lands in what is now Sylhet, Bangladesh.
History[edit | edit source]
 Front view of the Pal palace | |
| Side view The Pal palace (locally known as the "Palbari") is located near the municipal town of Beanibazar and is presently in a dilapidated condition.[2] |
Template:Bengal Zamindars series
Among the most ancient families in their region, the Pals trace their descent from a branch of the imperial Pala dynasty of Bengal, claiming a 'Raja Mahipala' as their ancestor, though it is not known which of the Pala kings of this name is being referred to. The Pals became established in Sylhet by one Kumar Kalidas Pal in the 12th century CE. Kalidas, who may have migrated due to the disintegration of the Pala Empire, acquired land in Panchakhanda (in what is now Beanibazar sub-district),[3] with the estate becoming hereditary among his descendants.[4][5] The Pals initially ruled their territory as feudal monarchs, styling themselves with the royal title Raja.[4] Around the 13th century CE (7th century BS),[6] the Pal palace and the large dighi (reservoir) it sits beside were constructed by Kalidas's great-grandson, Varanasi Pal.[2][7] However, three generations later, during the reign of Ramjivan Pal, the kingdom lost its independence, coming under the suzerainty of the Muslim rulers of Bengal.[4][8]
In spite of this reduction in status, the family enjoyed considerable renown and success as private landowners. Under Pal governance, their territory (previously scarcely inhabited) was significantly developed and cultivated, allowing the migration of groups such as the Mahimals (who were led by their two Sardars Raghai and Basai) into the area.[note 1] Successive members of the family became notable for their construction of dighi as well as their religious contributions, both through support of Brahmans as well as construction.[4] One younger son, Pratap Chandra Pal, converted to Islam under the name "Prachanda Khan" and established his own separate territory, with his heirs becoming prominent landowners themselves; among his descendants are the Muslim Chowdhurys of Kala and Bahadurpur, also in Beanibazar.[9][10]
The general preeminence of the Pal line is displayed in a proverb recorded by the historian Achyut Charan Choudhury:[11]
পাল, প্রচণ্ড, জাংদার। এই তিন মিরাশদার।
Pal, Prôchôṇḍô, Jangdar.
Ei tin mirashdar
Translated, this means "Pal, Prachanda, Jangdar. These are the three mirashdars." Thus, making reference to the Pals, the descendants of Prachanda Khan and the unrelated Jangdar clan, the proverb states that there were no other mirashdars[note 2] beyond these families in the locality.[11]
The influence of the Pals continued into the British era, with Munshi Hari Krishna Pal serving as Dewan to the District Collector of Sylhet. Krishnatay Dewanji, his younger brother, was the first individual in Sylhet to be awarded the title Rai Bahadur by the ruling government.[4][13] The latter's son, Krishna Kishore Pal Chowdhury, founded the Bihani Bazar (Morning Market), from which the town of Beanibazar (now expanded into the sub-district) derives its name.[14]
Other subsequent family members include activists Surath Pal Chowdury, his wife Arpana Pal Chowdhury and her sister Ashita Pal Chowdhury, who were involved in the Nankar Rebellion of 1949.[15] Among the Bahadurpur branch were Najmul Islam Chowdhury and Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, elected MLA's of Assam Provincial Legislature in 1923 and 1937 respectively,[16][17] the brothers C. M. Shafi Sami (Bangladesh Foreign Secretary; 1999–2001) and AB Bank Chief Executive Officer C.M. Qais Sami,[18] and Abdul Mumit Chowdhury (Bangladesh Election Commissioner; 1978–1986).[19] Syed Mujtaba Ali and his brother Syed Murtaza Ali, both writers, were maternal descendants of the family.[9]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Nidhanpur copperplate inscription, Panchakhanda
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Moor, Edward (1834). Oriental Fragments. Cornhill, London: Smith, Elder and Co. p. 139.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 খালেদ, শিমুল (2018-06-06). পাল রাজার প্রাসাদে. 52 Bangla TV (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
- ↑ Barua, Bharati (1991). Glimpses into Religion in Kamarupa during the Reign of Kumara Bhaskaravarman : A study on Contemporary Evidences. Proceedings of North East India History Association. North East India History Association. p. 129.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Choudhury, Achyut Charan (1917). (in Bengali) (first ed.). Kolkata: Kotha. pp. 144–45 – via Wikisource.
- ↑ Husam, Samshad (2021). পাল রাজবংশের উত্তরাধিকার (in Bengali). Dhaka: Utso Prokashon. pp. 13–14.
- ↑ Islam, Jahedul. "Bangla Date Converter". BanglaText. BanglaText. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ↑ মজুমদার, অবিনাশচন্দ্র (1914). (in Bengali). Dhaka: ঢাকা সাহিত্য পরিষৎ. p. 129 – via Wikisource.
- ↑ Choudhury (1917, p. 385)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ali, Syed Murtaza (1968). আমাদের কালের কথা (in Bengali). Baighara. p. 27.
- ↑ Choudhury (1917, p. 174)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Choudhury (1917, p. 173)
- ↑ Laskar, Nitish Ranjan (1985). Mahishya Das of Cachar and their Social Background. Proceedings of North East India History Association. North East India History Association. p. 456.
- ↑ Husam (2021, pp. 15, 18)
- ↑ উপজেলার পটভূমি. Beanibazar Upazila (in Bengali). Bangladesh National Portal. 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ↑ Husam (2021, p. 18)
- ↑ Husam (2021, p. 40)
- ↑ Husam (2021, p. 46)
- ↑ Husam (2021, pp. 57–59)
- ↑ Husam (2021, pp. 65–66)