Nazargunj

Nazargunj is an Indian princely state, originating in Purnea city, in the state of Bihar. Literally meaning 'a place worth seeing', Nazargunj was the dominant princely state in Purnea. As a result of geographical proximity, Nazargunj also included some land in Bengal. After Indian independence in 1947, the government took land from Indian princely states with promise of compensation.

The Raja of Nazargunj, Prithwi Chand Lall Choudhry, CBE, (born 1886) succeeded his father, the zamindar, Dharam Chand Lall Choudhry, in March 1899. He was privately educated under the supervision of Cambridge graduate Rev. A. H. Manning. During his minority, his estate was ably managed by a consortium of trustees, balancing growth and philanthropy. This was very much in line with Mahatma Gandhi's model of Trusteeship, as documented in Gandhian Economics. The Raja was a great admirer of Gandhi, both before and even more so after entertaining him in Purnea in 1929.

The Raja donated more than half the cost of construction of the Sowra bridge and also built schools and temples and contributed to the likes of the Lady Dufferin Hospital in Purnea.

Head of Purnea Polo Club, he was also an honorary magistrate on the Purnea Sudder independent bench and a volunteer in the Northern Bengal Mounted Rifles. The first Indian member of The Calcutta Rackets Club, he also supported other sports clubs.

The family was well known for horse-racing in Calcutta, Darjeeling (1911), and Lucknow (1928). Some of the prestigious races won by their horses included The Calcutta Derby (1959–60), The Oaks, The 1000 Guinneas and The Queen's Cup (Queen Elizabeth II). Other prizes were won for flower shows and dogs. The Raja gained lasting friendships with the other Indian princely states like Cooch Behar and Burdwan but was also popular with the Bhutanese Dorji clan, who were hereditary Prime Ministers.

One of his estate managers remembered the Raja as a man who spoke five languages, imported Russian horses, had a love for motor cars but more importantly was a liberal when it came to religion, allowing different faiths equal opportunities to practise whatever they believed in. A promoter of music, he retained Bismillah Khan (later known as Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahib) during the time of his eldest son's marriage (Kumar Vishnu Chand Lall, c. 1937) to play shehnai. It was at this time that the young Bismilah Khan was spotted by All India Radio and offered a contract. The Raja granted permission and encouraged him to take up the opportunity.

The Raja had three wives, the first of whom bore no children. The nominated Hindu male line, Kumar Vishnu Chand Lall of Nazargunj, was the eldest born and Kumar Bhubneswari Chand Lall the youngest son. Kumar Vishnu Chand Lall followed his father's interest in racing to become a Steward at The Royal Calcutta Turf Club. His son, Pradeep Chand Lall of Nazargunj, a professional tea taster and a keen shot, went one further at The Royal Calcutta Turf Club to become Senior Steward and Head of RWITC and presented the prestigious Indian Invitation Cup, but died shortly after in May 2007 of lung cancer.

The remaining Hindu male line of Nazargunj continues through three sons, Vikash Chand Lall (married to Ritu Chauhan), who is based in Washington, D.C., Pavan Chand Lall (married to Semira Khaleeli), who lives in Mumbai, and Siddarth Chand Lall (married to Olivia Freeland), who lives in London.

Peter Lall, son of Victor Chand Lall and Gertrude Lall, is also a keen shot and highly regarded in his community. He has two daughters, one of whom is also a keen shot and previously National champion.

Deepak Chand Lall (married to Deepa Chatrath), son of Kumar Bhubneswari Chand Lall, has two sons, Gaurav Lall and Viraaj Lall, who are based in New Jersey.

The estate was essentially abandoned due to political instability and economic decline under the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Laloo Prasad Yadav.

References

• "Bengal and Assam Behar and Orissa, Their History, People, Commerce", and Industrial Resources, compiled by Somerset Playne, Edited by Arnold Wright, The Foreign & Colonial Compiling and Publishing Co, 27 Pilgrim Street, London (1917).