Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : 204
Sex Ratio Rank : 89
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 237 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 385 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Water : Occurrence of High Arsenic in Ground Water, Flouride in
Challenges of the district : Our research
with local communities
Women and child trafficking is the major challenge
in the district which required serious attention from our government
officials. Child labour is also very rampant in the district. Children
suffer from various health problems if they are working in mills
or factories.
Labourers, women and children are exploited in the hilly region.
Brief About Munger District
Situated in 250-23’ N. and 860-26’ E.
It is the headquarter of MUNGER Commissionary.
The town is practically surrounded by the Ganga
on three sides, viz. south west and north and the Kharagpur hills
forming the eastern border. It is situated in the heart of the
district and its particular location has made portion of the town
a beauty spot. The situation was once considered to be strategic.
Munger has a beautiful townscape. Prior to the CENSUS OF INDIA-
1971, Monghyr was in vogue as its name.
Munger District is located in the southern part
of Bihar and its headquarter is located
on the southern bank of river Ganges.
The district is spread over 1419.7 Sq. km. accounting for 3.3%
of the area of Bihar
. It lies between 240 22 N to 250 30 N latitude
and 8530 E to 870 3 E longitude. From administrative
and development point of view,Munger is divided into three subdivisions
namely Munger,Kharagpur, and Tarapur. There are nine developmental
blocks namely Munger, Bariarpur, Jamalpur, Dharahara, Kharagpur,
Tetia Bambar,Tarapur Asarganj and Sangrampur. There are about
903 villages in the district. The Munger district on an average
is 30 to 65 mtrs above sea level. The average annual rainfall
is 1231 mm.
History
MUNGER – Historical Pointers
The territory included within the district of Munger (famously
Monghyr) formed pent of the Madhya-desa as “Midland” of the first
Aryan settlers. It has been identified with Mod-Giri a place mentioned
in the Mahabharata, which was the capital of a kingdom in Eastern
India near Vanga and Tamralipta. In the Digvijaya Parva of Mahabharata,
we find the mention of Moda-Giri, Which seems similar to Moda-Giri.
Digvijaya Parva suggests that it was a monarchical state during
early times. A passage in the Sabha-Parva describes Bhima’s conquest
in Eastern India and says that after defeating Karna, king of
Anga, he fought battle at Modagiri and killed its chief. It was
also known as Maudal after Maudgalya, a disciple of Buddha, who
converted a rich merchant of this place into Buddhism. Buchanan
says that it was the hermitage of Mudgala Muni and this tradition
of Mudgal Risi still persists. Munger is called “Modagiri” in
the Monghyr copperplate of Devapala. The derivation of the name
Munger (Monghyr) has found the subject of much speculation. Tradition
arcribes the foundation of the town to Chandragupta, after whom
it was called Guptagars a name which has been found inscribed
on a rock at Kastaharni Ghat at the north-western corner of the
present fort. It is insisted that Mudgalrisi lived there. Tradition
ascribes the composition of various suktar of the 10th Mavdala
of the Rigveda to Rishi Mudgal and his clan. However, General
Cunnigham had strong suspicicion when he connects this original
name with Mons as Mundas, who occupied this part before the advent
of the Aryans. Again Mr. C.E.A. oldham, ICS, a farmer collector
suggests the possibility of Munigiha, ie , the abode of the Muni,
without any specification which later corrupted to Mungir and
later became Munger.
At the dawn of history, the present site of
the town was apparently comprised within the Kingdom of Anga,
with the capital Champa near Bhagalpur. According to Pargiter,
Anga comprises the modern districts of Bhagalpur and Munger commissionary.
The Anga dominion at one time included Magadha and the Shanti-Parva
refers to an Anga king who sacrificed at Mount Vishnupada. In
the epic period Modagiri finds mention as a separate state. The
success of the Anga did not last long and about the middle of
the sixth century B.C. Bimlisara of Magadha is said to have killed
Brahmadatta, the last independent ruler of ancient Anga. Hence
the Anga became an integral part of the growing empire of Magadh.
As epigraphic evidence of the Gupta period suggests that Munger
was under the Guptas. To the reign of Buddhagupta (447-495 A.D)
belongs a copper plate of A.D. 488-9 originally found at Mandapura
in the district.
HIUEN TSIANG’S ACCOUNT :
However the first historical account of the district appears in
the Travels of HIUEN TSIANG, who visited this area towards the
close of the first half of the seventh century A.D. Hiuen Tsiang
observed “The country is regularly cultivated and rich in produce
flowers and fruit being abundant, the climate is agreeable and
manners of the people simple and honest. There are 10 Buddhist
monartries with about 4,000 priests and few Brahminical temples
occupied by various sectaries”. The pilgrim’s “I-lan-ha-po-fa-to”country
is identified as this area. He had to pass through thick forest
and strange mountains into the country of Hiranayaparvat. The
capital Hiranayaparvat, lay, on the southern bank of Ganga, and
closed to it stood mount Hiranya, which “belched masses of smoke
and vapour that obscured the light of the sun and the moon”. The
position of this hill is determined from its proximity to the
Ganga, to be Munger and though no smoke now comes from any peak,
the numerous hot springs in the hills point to famous volcanic
action. These hot spring are also mentioned in Hiuen Tsiang’s
Account. General Cunningham identified the hot springs being those
of Bhimbandh and its offshoots. Other authorities refer it as
Uren in present Lakhisarai District.
Unfortunately, there is a historical gap of
almost two centuries when we find its fresh mention in the Munger
copper plate of Devapala discovered at Munger about 1780. We learn
from this copper plate about Dharampala (c.770-810) who preceded
far beyond Kanauj in his military campaigns. It refers to a campaign
of Dharampala along the foot of the Himalayas. Tripartite struggle
between the Palas, Rashhtrakutas and Gurjar-Pratihars for subermacy
over Kanauj was a dominant factor in the history of northern India.
We find mention of Pala king Gopal, his son Dharampala & Devapala.
Munger prominence is also corroborated by the Nawlagarth inscriptions
of Begusarai. The Bhagalpur plate of Narayan pala, executed at
Munger, shows their policy of religious tolerance and there patronage
to the worshipers of Shiva & Sakti cults.
Till the advent of the Turkish rule in India.
Munger was under sway of the Karnataka dynasty of Mithila. However
Bakhiyar Khilji took possession of Territory any of Munger in
AD1225. Thus Munger in possession of the Khilji ruler Gyasuddin.
After a tussle and aftermath a peace treaty Munger came under
the control of Sultan of Bengal between 1301-1322, which is corroborated
by the Lakhisarai Inscription. Munger came under the possession
of Muhammad Bin Tugular who annexed Munger to Delhi for some time.
In 1342 the whole of north India witnessed the turmoil and Late
Spasmodic Illyas Shah of Bangal taking advantage of the opportunities
established his sway over Bihar. An interesting description of
the Bengal sultan still exists in Lakhisarai. Inscription bearing
a date corresponding to 1297 which mentions Rakmuddin Kalawao
(c1296-1302) and a Governor round Ferai Hitagim. During thus conflict
between the Tugulaqs of Delhi and Bangal Sultan some portions
of then Munger came under the possession of the Sharqils of Jaunpur.
Some inscriptions found in Munger speaks of
the conflict between the Jampur rules and the Bangal Sultan which
resulted in farmer’s defeat and finally resulted in peace. Here
we came across the name of prince Danyal who held the post of
Governor of Bihar. It was prince Danyal who had repaired the fortification
of Munger and built in 1497 the voult over the shrine of Shah
Nafah. This is also known by the insemination but up by Danyal
on the eastern wall of the Dargah just within the southern gate
of the fort.
Nasrat Shah succeeded Hussain Shah in Bengal
in 1590. His brother-in-law Makhdun Alam took possession of Munger
Fort and entrusted its responsibility to one of his general named
Kutub Khan who made Munger the head quarters of Bihar army of
the rulers of Gaur. Bahar in his memoir mention that when he invaded
Bihar, Munger was under the change of a prince. After the Battle
of ghagra, Babar sent envoys to Nusarat Shah later Kutub Khan
was defeated and killed by Shur Shah. In 1534 again a powerful
army in command of Ibrahim Khan moved out to Munger, The battles
took place in the narrow plains of Surajgarha in which Ibrahim
Khan was routed and slain and Sher Shah firmly placed himself
to Kingshlip. Thus during the Humayun-Sher Shah conflict Munger
pardoner strategic gamed. During the subsequent war between Sher
Shah and Humayun Munger was the seat of battle between, the Afghan
and the Empires in which Sher Shah captured Dilawar Khan son of
Daulat Khan Lodi. Mughal rule was substituted for Afghan rule.
During Akbar’s period when the great Bengal military revolts started.
Munger was for some time the headquarters of Akbar’s officers
in their expeditions against the rebels. It was in this year that
Raja Todarmal took possession of Munger and tried to deal with
three refractory powerful semi-independent Zamindars of Akbar’s
time viz. Raja Gajapati of Hajipur, Raja Puran Mal of Ghidhaur
and Raja Sangram Singh of Kharagpur. The last two belonged to
the district of Munger. Gajapati was totally ruined. After the
final occupation of Bihar, Raja Man Singh was appointed as the
Governor and on the basis of Akbarnama. It can be said that Raja
Man Singh succeeded well in his administration. Kharagpur at that
time was a great principality extending from the south of Munger
to the south of Bhagalpur and Santhal Paragans. Sangram Singh
remained loyal to the Mughal rule till Akbar’s death in 1605.
But the accession of Jahangir and the rebellion of Prince Khusru
led him to make a final attempt to recover his independence. He
collected his forces, which, according to Jhangir’s memoirs, consisted
of about four thousand horses and a large army of foot soldiers.
The Mughal army under Jahangir’s Kuli Khan Lala
Beg, Governor of Bihar, valiantly opposed him and a gun shot in
1606 killed Sangram Singh. Sangram Singh’s son succeeded in gaining
favour of Jahangir but had to wait till 1615 when, on his conversion
to Islam, he was allowed to return to Bihar. He known in history
as Rozafzun (ie. Daily growing in power). He remained faithful
to the Emperor and in 1628 when Jahangir died he was a commander
of 1500-foot soldiers and 700 horses. When Shahjahan became the
Emperor, Rozafzun entered into active Mughal services and accompanied
Mahabat Khan in his Kabul expedition. He was a brave soldier and
had to his credit his participation in the Siege of Parendah and
was promoted to the higher ranks and became the commander of 2000-foot
soldiers and 1000 horses.He died in 1635 and was succeeded by
his son Raja Bihruz who was also a great fighter and held the
rank of 700-foot soldier and 700 horses, under Shahjahan. He extended
his territory, got many grants specially the Chakla Midnapur,
in which he built a town and named it Kharagpur. A ruined palace
built by him is there; adjoining it is a three-domed mosque. There
is still a marble slab, which gives the date of building in 1656
A.D. But this brave Kharagpur ruler died in 1656. During the civil
(1657-58) amongst the sons of Shahjahan, Shah Shuja, the second
son of the Emperor was governor of Bengal. On hearing of the serious
illness of his father in 1657 he raised the standard of revolts
and claimed the throne. Though his capital was at Rajmahal, Munger
the centre from which he direct his preparations and here he returned
in 1658 after his defeat. In June 1658, Auranzeb made an attempt
to conciliate Shuja by granting him the province of Bihar in addition
to Bengal. Munger came into great prominence during this period
of the civil war. Prof. Quanungo writes that after the March of
Imperial Army Shuja wrote to Dara asking for the grant of Munger,
which formed the part of Dara’s province of Bihar. Dara was also
prepared to give away the Fort of Munger on the condition that
the present fortress was dismantled and Shuja’s son did not reside
there. We also get a reference of Murad’s letter in which the
designs of Dara to deprive Shuja of Munger has been hinted at.
Shuja took shelter at Munger to face the Imperialists. In course
of this conflict Dara was compelled to send urgent letters to
his son to make peace with his uncle. As a result of this treaty
of 1685 Munger was added to Shuja’s viceroyalty but he was not
allowed to reside there. In 1659 Daud Khan took charge of the
province of Bihar. Mir. Jumla and Prince Muhammad pursued Shuja
up to Munger. Shuja was forced by the treachery of Raja Bihruz
Khan of Kharagpur and Khaza Kamal of Birbhum to abandon Munger
in 1659. It was in this connection that Raja Bihruz was made In
charge of the whole area of Munger. We also find a mention of
a Aevastative famine during the reign of the Governor, Ibrahim
Khan which continued from 1670-72. The Dutch traveller, De Graafe,
who travelled from Munger to Patna in November 1670 gives a graphic
picture of the horrible sccnes. Marshall also mentions very interesting
details about Munger. He inspected Shah Suja place built on the
west side of the Fort. He describes it, “as a very large house
where the king (Suja) lived, walled next to the river, for about
one and half Kos with bricks and stones, with a wall fifteen yards
high”. He entered the first gate but was stopped at the other
within which he saw two elephants carved in stone and very large
and handsomely”. The inside palace was so strictly guarded that
two Dutch men De Graafe and Oasterhoff were imprisoned for their
antiquarian interest as they were taken as spies. They were released
after seven weeks of imprisonment in November , 1670 by paying
a fine of one thousand rupees to the Nawab of Patna. Marshall
found a great garden and, at the south end, he saw several thatched
and many tombs and mosques.
He further writes “the town stands upon an ascent,
the river bank by it being 8 or 10 yards high, the brick wall
by the river side at the south end of Munger was about 5 yards
high and 20 yards long with a little tower at each end and each
wall is a fortification to place the gun on it. Towards the close
of the 18th Century we find that Munger was merely station of
“Power Magazine” established there….” For most vivid lightning
often about Munger attracted by the iron ore which abounds in
the neighboring hills and if it fell upon the magazine, the while
Fort could certainly be destroyed by the explosion”. We find mention
in the travel account of R.Heber in his book “Narrative of Journey
Through the Upper Province of India (1827)” that Munger was noted
for its good climate and Warren Hastings also speaks of the delightful
change of atmosphere from that of Bengal. Heber further wrote
“Munger presents an imposing appeardance…. The Fort is now dismantled.
Its gates, its battlements etc. are all of Asiatic architecture
and very much similar to the Khitairagorod of Moscow.” Miss Emily
Eden was also much struck by the inland tables and boxes and expressed
surprise on such curious workmanship (Miss Eden-Up the Country
quoted in Munger Gazetteer 1960). The remark of Miss Eden is also
attested in the writing of Fanny Parkes who wrote “Among the articles
manufactured here the black vases for flowers turned into while
wood and lacquered whilst in the Lathe with scaling wax are pretty”.
Joseph Hooker also speaks highly of Munger, “By far the prettiest
town, Munger was celebrated for its iton manufacture, especially
of muskets, in which respect it is the Burmingham of Bengal”.
When we come down to the early Mughal period
we get a few references to the district in the famous book “Ain-I-Akbari”
prepared by Abul Fazl. According to it Sarkar Munger consisted
of 31 mahals or Parganas, paying a revenue of 10,96,25 981 dams
(40 dams equal to One Akbar Shahi rupee). It is also mentioned
that Sarkar Munger furnished 2150 horses and 50,000 foot soldiers.
Raja Man Singh who is said to have reconqucred Bengal and Orissa
had for some time Munger as his residenoc.During the reign of
Aurangzed we find mention of Munger inconnection with the death
and burial at Munger of the poet Mulla Mohammad Saiyed, who wrote
under the nom-de-plume of Ashraf. The poet Ashraf stood in high
favour with prince Azim-Us-Shah, Aurangzeb’s grand son, who happened
to be the Governor of Bihar. The poet Ashraf had also been for
a long time the teacher of Zebunissa Begum, Aurangzeb’s daughter
who was herself a poetcss of rupute. It 1704 while on his way
from Bengal to Mecca, the poet died at Munger where his tomb is
still pointed out. Nicholas Graafe, a Dutch physician who visited
in the beginning of the century was struck with admiration at
the sight of its white wall, towers and minarets. But by 1745
when Mustafa Khan, a rebellious General of Alivardi Khan advanced
against it in his march northwards the fort was a ruinous fortification
which the Governor and his little garrison tried to put up some
Defence but failed miserably.
The besieger got upon the wall and scized the
fort though the leader was killed by a stone that fell upon him.
Mustafa Khan, however, following the custom of those days, had
music played to celebrate his success, he also took some guns
and ammunition from the fort and after a halt for a few days marched
off towards Patna. During the period of the disintegration of
Mughal Empire Munger had to witness new changes. Bihar came to
be joined to the Suba of Bengal, which had practically become
independent of Delhi. Alivardi, who was the Fauzdar of Rajmahal
had now become the District Governor of Munger. Munger was politically
and strategically so important that it did not escape even the
Maratha expendition. The second Maratha invasion under Raghujee
Bhonsla occurred in 1743.
Balaji Maratha entered into Bihar and advancing
through Tekari, Gaya, Manpur, Bihar and Munger. It is also mentioned
that during the 4th Maratha invasion in 1744 Raghuji passed through
the hills of Kharagpur. When British force was pursuing Jean Law,
the French adventurer and partisan of siraj-ud-duala, who was
flying northwards after the Battle of Plassey, Major Coote reached
Munger late at night on 20th July, 1757 and requisitioned a number
of boats which the Governor of Munger supplied. But Munger Fort
was in such a good condition that he was not allowed to enter
the Fort and when he approached the walls he found that garrison
was ready to fire. Coote wisely resumed his march without any
attempt to enter the Fort. Nearly three years after in the spring
of 1760 the army of Emperor Shah Alam marched out of the District
when he was being pursued by Major Caillaud and miran. The Emperor
had been defeated by Caillaud and Miran at sirpur on the 22nd
February, 1760. This time Johan Stables, who had succeeded Caillaud
was given charge of Munger. It was he who directed to attack the
Kharagpur Raja who had openly defied the authority of the new
Nawab, Kasim Ali Khan.
The modern history of Munger came again into
Prominence in 1762 when Kasim Ali Khan made it his capital instead
of Murshidbad in Bengal. The new Nawab removed his treasure, his
elephants and horses and even the gold and silver decorations
of the Imam Bara from his old capital. He favored General Gurghin
(Gregory) Khan, an Armenian of Ispahan, re-organized the army
and had it drilled and equipped after English model. He also established
and arsenal for the manufacture of fire-arms and it is from this
time that Munger can trace back its importance for the manufacture
of guns. Even today that glorious tradition is being carried on
by hundreds of families who specialize in the manufacture of guns.
Two days a week he sat in a public hall of audience and personally
dispensed justice. He listened Patiently to the complaints and
grievances of everyone and gave his impartial order. The Nawab,
indeed, was a terror both to his enemies and to wring doors. He
also honored learning and the learned and welcomed scholars and
savants to his court and he surely earned the respect and admiration
of both friends and foes alike. Unfortunately, however, destiny
did not help him and Mir Kasim Ali soon came into confrontation
with the English.
MIR KASIM AND HIS CONFICT WITH THE ENGLISH:
The first quarrel appears to have been caused by the tactless
conduct of Mr. Ellis, who was in incharge of an English factory
at patna. Mr. Ellis had received a vague report that two English
deserters were concealed at Munger. A long dispute followed and
it was finally compromised by Mr. Ironsides, the Town Major of
Calcutta , who conducted the search of the Fort with the due permission
of the Nawab. No deserters were found inside the Fort, the only
European in the place being an old French invalid. In April, 1762
Warren Hastings was sent from Calcutta to arrange the terms between
the Nawab and Mr.Ellis. The Nawab received him well but Ellis
refused to meet Warren Hastings and stayed in his house at Singhia,
15 miles away from Munger. Beside this personal rancor, serious
trade disputes arose between the Nawab and East India Company.
The East India Company had been enjoying exemption frm heavy duty
transit levied on inland trade. After the battle of Blassey the
European servants of the Company began to trade extensivdy on
their own account and to claim a similar exemption for all goods
passing under company’s flag and covered by Dastak or certificate
signed by the Governor or any agent of the factory. Great abuses
followed when the English in some cases lent their names to Indians
for a consideration and the latter used the same Dastak over and
over again or even began forging them.
Warren Hastings in 1762 says that every boat
he met on the river bore the company’s flag and became aware of
the oppression of the people by the Gumashtas and the Company’s
servant. Mir Kasim bitterly complained that his source of revenue
had been taken away from him and that his authority was completely
disregarded. Eventually in Octuber, 1762, Mr. Vansittart, the
Governor left Calcutta in order to try and conclude a settlement
between the two parties. He found the Nawab of Munger smarting
under the injuries and insults he had received. But at length
it was agreed that servants of the company should be allowed to
carry on the inland private trade, on payment of a fixed duty
of 9% on all goods- a rate much below that paid by the other merchants.
The dastak also remained with a new provision that it should also
be countersigned by the nawab’s collector. Mir Kasim agreed to
these terms but, of course, very unwillingly. Sair-ul-Mutakharin
gives a detailed account of the visit of Vansittart. The Nawab
advanced six miles to meet vansittart and arrange for his residence
in the house which Gurghin Khan had crected on hill of Sitakund
(Pir Pahar).
Vansittart returned to Calcutta in January 1763
after a week long stay at Munger but he was sorry to find that
the agreement concluded with the Nawab has been repudiated. The
Nawab, however, had honestly sent the copies of the Governor’s
agreement to all of his officrs for its immediate implementation.
The result was that English goods then in transit, were stopped
and duty caimed upon them. The English council reacted sharply
and wanted that the English dastak should pass free of duty. The
Nawab on the other hand protested at this breach of faith and
passed orders abolishing all transit duty and thereby, throwing
open the whole inland trade free from any custom duty. The English
regarded this as an act of hostility and preparations for war
began but English decided first to send a deputation headed by
Messrs. Amyatt and Hay to arrange fresh tersm with the Nawab.Mr.
Ellis was also informed of this development and was warned not
to commit any act lof aggression even if the mission failed and
Amyatt and Hay were well out of the Nawab’s power.
The members of the mission reached Munger on
the 14th may, 1763 and opened up negotiations, but it was soon
found that they were undocked. The Nawab who was offended at the
rough and over bearing manner in which he was addressed by the
English linguist and refused to speak to him. At subsequent interviews
also the Nawab tried to avenge the English insult and refused
to come to any terms. The Envoys were kept under strict supervision
and when some of the party wished to ride out from Munger they
found their way barred by the Nawab’s soldiers with lighted matches
ready to fire. Just at this tenses moment English cargo boats
for Calcutta were detained at Munger and 500 Muskets intended
for the factory at Patna were found out hidden under the cargo.
The Nawab, naturally, became suspicious of the English move which
might have been to seize the fort and the city at Patna. He wanted
, therefore, a thorough check-up by his own troops otherwise he
would declare war. In the mean time he permitted Mr. Amyatt and
others of the party to leave for Calcutta, but detained Mr. Hay
and Mr. Gulson as hostages for the safety lof his officers who
had been arrested by the English.
As regardes the final rupture between the English
and Bengal Nawab it was precipitated by the action of Mr. Ellis
who believed that war was in any case inevitable, and seized the
city of Patna on hearing the news that the detachment was advancing
from Munger to reinforce the Nawab’s garrison. The Nawab also
retaliated promptly, reinforcements were hurried up and the Fort
quickly recaptured. This news of the success gave Kasim Ali the
keenest delight. Even though it was mid-night, he immediately
ordered music to strike and awakened the whole town of Munger.
At day-break the doors of the public halls were thrown open and
every one hastened to offer him congratulations. He , now, proclaimed
the outbreak of war and directed his officers to put the English
to sword wherever they were found. In pursuance lof this general
order Mr. Amayat was killed at Murshidabad and the factory at
Cossim (Kasim) Bazar was stormed. The survivorsw surrendered and
were sent to Munger to join their unfortunate companions from
patna.
The British force under Major Adams quickly
advanced against the nawab and defeated his troops at Suti. On
Hearing of his defeat, he sent his Begums and children to the
fort at Rohtas and set out himself accompanied by Gurgin khan
to join his army that was now concentrated on the banks of the
Udhua Nullah near Rajmahal. Before leaving Munger, however, he
pur to death a number of his prisoners including Raja Ram Narayan,
till lately Deputy Governor of Bihar, who was thrown down into
the river below the fort with a pitcher filled with sand bound
to his neck. Gurgin Khan not satisfied with this butchery also
urged the Nawab to kill his English prisoners but this the Nawab
refused to do. Jagat set Mahtab Rai and Sarup Chand, two rich
bankers of Murshidabad who had been brought from that place by
Mir Kasim Ali as they were believed to favour the British cause
also appears to have escaped. Though as the tradition says they
were also drowned at the same time. This story is, however, contradicted
by the author of Sair-UI-Mutakharin who says that they were hacked
to pieces at Barth. The exact location of the tower of castle
of Munger from where Jagat Seth and others were thrown down has
not yet been located.
Before the Nawab could join his army at Udhua
Nullah he heard of a second decisive defeat that he had sustained
and thereafter returned to Munger. He stayed there only for two
or three days and marched to Patna with his prisoners like Mr.
Hay, Mr. Ellis and some others. On the way Mr. Kasim halted on
the bank of Rahua Nullah, a small stream near Lakhisarai. It was
here that Gurgin Khan met his death and was cut down by some of
his own troopers who were demanding arrears of their pay. A scene
of wild confusion followed. Makar, another Armenian General, fired
off some guns, the thought that the English were upon them and
fled in terror, Mir Kasim himself flying on an elephant. There
was great confusion in the army because of this false alarm but
Mir Kasim marched on the next day to Patna.
In the meantime the British army moved on rapidly
towards Munger and at this time Munger was placed under the command
of Arab Ali Khan, who was a creature of Gurgin Khan. On the first
of October 1763 the main body of the army arrived on batteries
that had been thrown up and were immediately opened. For two days
heavy fire was maintained but in the evening the Governor capitulated
and surrendered himself and his garrison. The English at once
set to work to repair the breaches and improve the defences.
The Fort was left under the command of Captain
John White who was further directed to raise locally another battalion
of sepoys. This news of the capture of Munger infuriated the Nawab
who as soon as he heard of it gave order that his English prisoners
at Patna should be put to death. This order was carried out by
the infamous Samru and is known in history, as the ‘Massacre of
Patna’.
There years later in 1766 there was a mutiny
of the European officers of Bengal army because of the reduction
of “bhatta” which was an extra monthly sum to cover the increased
expenses when the soldiers were on active military duty. After
the battle of Plassey Mir Jafar Khan had granted an extra-allowance,
called “double bhatta” which had continued during the role of
Mir Kasim also. But the Directors of the companies now passed
order that this allowance should be abolished except for the grant
of half-bhatta to the troops stationed at Patna and Munger. This
curtailment was bitterly resented by the army officers and on
the first of May, 1766 a memorandum to this effect was signed
by officers of the first brigade stationed at Munger under Sir
Robert Fletcher who transmitted it to Lord Clive at Murshidabad.
Clive lost no time and proceeded to Munger in
person by forced marches and in the mean time sent forward some
officers to deal with the situation as well as they could. When
arrived at Munger late at night on the 12th May, the army heard
too much of drums beating and going further to Robert Fletcher’s
quarter they found the European regiment drinking, singing and
beating drums. Next morning two of them went to Kharagpur and
returned with two battalions to Munger. But we learn that on 14th
the European battalion broke out in open mutiny and Captain Smith
seized the saluting batteries which were situated upon hillock.
The hillock was known as Karn Choura hill. Captain Smith gained
possession of the hill and was successful in suppressing the rebellion.
In short, Munger was recaptured by the prompt and brave action
of Caption Smith and sir Robert Fletcher.
Clive hadd already reached Munger and he held
a parade of troops. He explained the circumstances under which
the “bhatta” had been withdrawn and he further applauded the loyal
conduct of the sepoys and condemned the conspiracy of some officers.
They were further threatened that the ring leaders would get the
severest penalties under Martial Law. After his address, the brigade
gave their hearty cheers and marched off quietly to the barracks
and the lines. Thus, the rebellion of the British officers at
Munger was successfully suppressed. For some time John Maccabe
was a Deputy Commissioner, Government of Munger before 1789.
The subsequent history of the district is uneventful
with the extension of the British dominions, the town of Munger
ceased to be an important frontier post. There was no arsenal,
no regular garrison was kept up and no attempt was made to bring
the fortification up-to-date. Munger, however, was still important
for its fine situation and salubrious air and was used as a sanatorium
for the British troops. So great a resort that it was the journey
up the Ganga followed by a stay was regarded of as healthy as
a sea voyage. We find that a trip to Munger was prescribed for
the wife of Warren Hastings when she was in ill health and in
1781 when Warren Hastings was on his way to meet Chait Singh at
Banaras he left his wife here for the benefit of her health. But
during the early part of the 19th century Munger was degraded
to a lunatic asylum for sepoys where there was also a depot for
army clothing and it became an invalid station for British soldiers.
