History of Hooghly River and its Impact on Villages

The Shifting of the Hooghly River

• The Hooghly River (also known as the Ganga) flowed by Mahinagar and neighboring villages around 200 years ago.
• The river's shifting of its bed had a devastating impact on the health and prosperity of these villages.
• The disturbance of the drainage system led to epidemics, which forced a large section of the population to migrate to other places.

The Bose Family and the Cultural Upheaval

• One branch of the Bose family, direct descendants of Purandar Khan, moved to the neighboring village of Kodalia.
• During the early 19th century, there was a remarkable cultural upheaval in the region, which continued until the end of the century.
• Purandar Khan initiated a reform movement, inviting over 100,000 Kayasthas to his village to adopt a new code.
• 'Khan's Pukur' was excavated to supply pure drinking water to the assembly.

The Scholars and the Cultural Awakening

• Scholars in the region were learned in ancient Indian lore, but not obscurantists.
• They were interested in the revival of indigenous culture and the assimilation of Western science and thought.
• The Brahmo Samaj, a progressive movement, focused on cultural awakening and Western education.

The Dutts and the British Rule

• The Dutts were a prominent family in Calcutta during the early days of British rule.
• They adapted to the new political order and played a role in the neo-aristocracy.
• Kashi Nath Dutt, a well-educated man, moved to Baranagore and built a palatial house.

The Brahmo Samaj and Western Culture

• The Brahmo Samaj was influenced by Western science and thought from its inception.
• Raja Ram Mohon Roy championed Western culture and education, influencing Thomas Babington Macaulay's famous Minute on Education.
• The Samaj's cultural awakening was not confined to itself, but also influenced other progressive sections of society.

Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar

• Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was a great social reformer, philanthropist, and advocate of Western science and culture.
• He was brought up as an orthodox Pundit but became a protagonist of modern Bengali prose.
• He boldly advocated the remarriage of Hindu widows, basing his arguments on ancient scriptures.

The Emergence of a New Type

• Out of the conflict between the old and the new, a new type of Indian emerged, which stood for progress and synthesis of Eastern and Western culture.
• This type refused to break away from Hindu society or emulate the West entirely, as exemplified by Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.

This quiz is about the historical shift of the Hooghly River and its effect on the health and prosperity of surrounding villages in Bengal. It discusses how the change in the river's course affected the drainage of the countryside.