Cooch Behar (Princely State) Homepage with Pictures and Map : Rajput Provinces of India

This province does not belong to a Rajput Dynasty.

Dynasty

Narayan

State

West Bengal

Gun Salutes

13

Agency

Bengal States Agency

Area

3,414 Square Kilometers km²

Privy Purse

INR 850,000

Hindi Name

कूच बिहार

Also known as

Koch Bihar

Last Updated

15^th Jan, 2024

Wikipedia

Wikipedia link to Cooch Behar (Princely State) Koch Bihar

Present Head

Cooch Behar (Princely State) flag — Flag of Cooch Behar

NO KNOWN CLAIMANT

Genealogy

The state was founded about 1510 or 1515. The Maharaja maintains a military force of 9 cavalry, 176 infantry, and 4 guns, and is entitled to a salute of 13 guns (as of 1892). Rulers were...

Raja Haridas Mondal, ruler of an area near the Chikna Mountains, belonged to the Mech caste of the Haihoi dynasty, married 1^stly, Rani Jira, elder daughter of Bhuiyan Hajo, married at the same time, 2^ndly, Rani Hira, younger daughter of Bhuiyan Hajo, and had issue.
- Madan (by Rani Jira, eldest son), died about 1510 in battle.
- Maharaja Chandan Narayan (by Rani Jira) (qv)
- Raja Sisya Singha [Sishu] (by Rani Hira), Raikat [=family guardian], King of Baikunthapur, married and had issue, the later Prime Ministers of Cooch Behar and the Raikat Kings of Jalpaiguri.
  - Raja Monahar Dev, married and had issue.
    - Raja Manikoth Dev, married and had issue.
      - Raja Bhaba Dev, married and had issue.
        
        Raja Dharma Dev, married and had issue.
        
        Raja Darpa Dev, married and had issue.
        
        Several generations
        
        Raja Fanindra Dev Raikot, said to be the 20^th Raikat in succession and had provided good service in the Bhutan War. He died after 1891.
        
        Several generations
        
        Raja Prosanna Dev Raikot, last Raja of Baikunthapur in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal; married 1^stly (in Gandharba form), Rani Renchi Devi, a Lepcha by birth, married 2^ndly, Rani Asrumati Devi, died 5^th January 1954, and had issue, three sons and one daughter. He died 4^th December 1946.
        
        Kumar Rupendra Dev Raikot (by Rani Renchi Devi), he filed a suit on 7^th August 1947 for recovery of a large estate in Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal named Baikunthapur Raj; died after 1963.
        
        Kumar Shiva Prasad Dev (by Rani Renchi Devi)
        
        Kumar Deva Prasad Dev (by Rani Renchi Devi)
        
        Kumari Prativa Devi [Mrs. Prativa Bose] (by Rani Asrumati Devi)
- Maharaja Viswa Singh [Vishu] (by Rani Hira) (see below)
Maharaja CHANDAN NARAYAN, 1^st Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1510/1523, expanded the territory greatly. He died sp 1523.
Maharaja VISWA SINGHA, 2^nd Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1523/1554 (abdicated), born 1501, shifted the capital from Chikna in the mountains to Hingulabas on the plains, married many times, and had issue, 19 sons. He died after 1554.
- Raja Nri Singha, King of Panga.
- Raja Shukladhaj [Chilarai], King of Assam, appointed the army commander conquering Assam in 1562, he was granted a portion of the new territories, which included East Assam, married Rani Chandraprabha, niece of Pratap Roy, and had issue. He died 1571.
  - Raja Raghudev Narayan, Raja of Darrang, married and had issue (see Darrang).
- Maharaja Nar Narayan (qv)
- Maharajkumar Kamal Narayan [Gosai Kamal]
Maharaja NAR NARAYAN, 3^rd Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1554/1587, captured Manipur and Tripura, adding them to his Kingdom, married (amongst others), Rani Bhanumati, daughter of Pratap Roy, Buiyan of Pandu, and had issue. He died 1587.
- Maharaja Lakshmi Narayan (qv)
- Rani Kshama Devi, married 23^rd December 1596, Mirza Raja MAN SINGH I of Jaipur, and had issue. She committed sati 1614.
Maharaja LAKSHMI NARAYAN, 4^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1587/1621, married and had issue. He died 1621.
- Maharajkumar Braja Narayan, died vp.
- Maharajkumar Bhim Narayan, died vp.
- Maharajkumar Vil Narayan
- Maharaja Bira Narayan (by the Senior Queen) (qv)
- Maharajkumar Gosai Mahi Narayan, Najir Dev, married and had issue. He died 1666.
  - Kumar Shri Jagat Narayan, married and had issue. He died after 1682.
    - Kumar Shri Viswa Narayan
    - Maharaja Rup Narayan (qv)
  - Kumar Shri Yajna Narayan, married and had issue. He died after 1682.
    - Kumar Shri Shanta Narayan, Najir Dev.
    - Kumar Shri Satya Narayan, appointed as the Dewan (financial minister), married and had issue.
      - Kumar Shri Deena Narayan, adopted by Maharaja Upendra Narayan, but rebelled and died before being able to succeed.
  - Kumar Shri Chandra Narayan
  - Kumar Shri Darpa Narayan, died 1665/1666.
Maharaja BIRA NARAYAN, 5^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1621/1626, he was first to open schools in his kingdom, married and had issue. He died 1626.
- Maharaja Pran Narayan (qv)
- Maharani Rupamati Devi, married (as his first wife), Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Paramabhattaraka Sri Sri Pratapamalla Vijayarajye Nepala, Raja of Kathmandu in Nepal. She died before 1649.
- [?Maharani Ananta Priya Devi, married (as his third wife), Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Paramabhattaraka Sri Sri Pratapamalla Vijayarajye Nepala, Raja of Kathmandu in Nepal.]
Maharaja PRAN NARAYAN, 6^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1626/1665, invaded Ghoraghat, the center of Mughal power in Banga (Bengal). In 1661 he captured Dhaka, capital of Banga, but was forced to capitulate, a peace treaty being signed in 1664, married and had issue, three sons. He died 1665.
- Maharajkumar Vishnu Narayan (eldest son), married and had issue. He died vp.
  - Kumar Shri Man Narayan, married and had issue.
    - Maharaja Mahendra Narayan (qv)
- Maharaja Mod Narayan (qv)
- Maharaja Vasudeo Narayan (qv)
Maharaja MOD NARAYAN [Madan Narayan], 7^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1665/1680, completed the construction of Jalpesh temple. In 1665 he helped Raja Ram Singh, army commander of the Delhi sultanate and king of Amber, with 5 thousand soldiers in the war against king of Assam. He died sp 1680.
Maharaja VASUDEO NARAYAN [Basudev Narayan], 8^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1680/1682. He died sp 1682.
Maharaja MAHENDRA NARAYAN, 9^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1682/1693, born c1677. He died sp 1693.
Maharaja RUP NARAYAN, 10^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1693/1714, shifted his capital, later called Behar, from Atharokotha to Guriahati Gram on the eastern bank of river Torsha, married and had issue. He died 1714.
- Maharaja Upendra Narayan (qv)
- Maharajkumar Kharga Narayan, 2^nd Dewan Deo, married and had issue.
  - Maharaja Dhairjendra Narayan (qv)
  - Maharaja Rajendra Narayan (qv)
  - Kumar Shri Ram Narayan, 3^rd Dewan Deo, married and had issue.
    - Kumar Shri Bijendra Narayan (qv)
  - Kumar Shri Surendra Narayan, married and had issue.
    - Kumar Shri Nagendra Narayan
    - Kumar Shri Jibendra Narayan
- Maharajkumar Vidya Narayan, died vp.
- Maharajkumar Narendra Narayan, died vp.
Maharaja UPENDRA NARAYAN, 11^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1714/1763, he adopted Kumar Shri Deena Narayan, son of Dewan Satya Narayan, conferring upon him all authority to run the state administration, married 2^ndly, Rani Lalbai, and had issue. He died 1763.
- Maharaja Debendra Narayan (by 2^nd wife) (qv)
Maharaja DEBENDRA NARAYAN, 12^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1764/1765, born 1759, during his rule, the administration of the state totally broke down, with Bhutan invading the Kingdom and demanding tribute from the Maharaja. He died 12^th August 1765.
Maharaja DHAIRJENDRA NARAYAN, 13^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1765/1770 and 1775/1783, during this reign many regions came under the rule of the Butanese, eventually being imprisoned by them in 1770, married 6 wives, including, Maharani Kamteswari Devi, and had issue. He died 1783.
- Maharaja Dharendra Narayan (qv)
- Maharaja Harendra Narayan (qv)
Maharaja RAJENDRA NARAYAN, 14^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1770/1772, Maharaja in name only, married in 1772, and died five days later of a fever. He died sp 1772.
Maharaja DHARENDRA NARAYAN, 15^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1772/1775, during his rule, the British helped drive out the Bhutanese, restoring peace in the country. He died sp 1775.
Maharaja HARENDRA NARAYAN, 16^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1783/1840, born 1769?, granted ruling powers in 1799, married (amongst others), the daughters of Jadunath Ishore and Padmanath Karjee, and had issue. He died 1840 on pilgrimage in Benares.
- Maharaja Shivendra Narayan (qv)
- Maharajkumar Brajendra Narayan, married and had issue.
  - Maharaja Narendra Narayan [Chandra Narayan](qv)
- Maharajkumar Meghendra Narayan, born 1796.
- Maharajkumar Mahendra Narayan
- Maharajkumar Nilendra Narayan
- Maharajkumar Yogendra Narayan
  - Kumar Bhabendra Narayan
    - Kumar Girindra Narayan
      - Kumar Jogendra Narayan
      - Kumar Dwijendra Narayan
        
        Kumar Swapan Narayan
        
        Kumar Supriya Narayan
      - Kumar Debendra Narayan
    - Kumar Prafulla Narayan
Maharaja SHIVENDRA NARAYAN, 17^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1840/1847, born 1796, he adopted Kumar Shri Karindra Narayan, son of Kumar Shri Shambhu Narayan of Balarampur, who was then eight years old, dying in 1845, he adopted his nephew, married the daughter of Bajradhar Karjee of Chapgur Gram and daughter of ex-Jowar Brajendra Narayan Chowdhury [Rajmatas Kamteswari and Brindeswari Devi]. He died sp 1847 in Benares.
Maharaja NARENDRA NARAYAN, 18^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1847/1863, born 1841, adopted by his uncle, granted full ruling powers in 1860, banned the practise of sati, married (amongst others), Maharani Mishimayi Devi, and had issue. He died 6^th August 1863.
- Maharajkumar Jatindra Narayan
- Col. HH Maharaja Sir Nripendra Narayan (by Maharani Nishimayi Devi) (qv)
- Maharajkumari Anandamoyee
Col. HH Maharaja Sir NRIPENDRA NARAYAN G.C.I.E., 19^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1863/1911, born 4^th October 1862, he succeeded to the gadi on 6^th August 1863, educated in the Wards Institute at Benares then under the guardianship of Mr. H. St. J. Kneller, in the Bankipur College, Patna, and next, he was admitted to Presidency College to study Law till 1881, he was presented with a medal and sword in 1877 at the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, on the occasion of the Proclamation of Her Most Gracious Majesty as Empress of India; formally installed on the gadi on 8^th November 1883, the titles of Maharaja Bhup Bahadur were recognised as hereditary by the Government of India in 1885; he was appointed Honorary Major in the British Army also in 1885; he was invested with the Insignia of Grand Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen Empress herself in 1887; he was made Honorary Aide-de-camp to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonelin the British Army; he established the India Club at Calcutta in 1882, founded Nripendra Narayan Hall at Jalpaiguri in 1883, and established the "Anandamayi Dharmasala" (almshouse) in 1889; married in March 1878, HH Maharani Suniti Devi, born 1864, died 1932, daughter of Maharishi Keshub Chandra Sen, invested with the Imperial Order of the Crown of India in 1887, and had issue, four sons and three daughters. He died 18^th September 1911.
- HH Maharaja Rajendra II Narayan Bhup Bahadur [Prince Rajey] (see below)
- HH Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur [Prince Jit] (see below)
- Lt.Col. Maharajkumar Shri Victor Nitendra Narayan, born 21^st May 1888, Godson of Queen Victoria; married Rani Nirupama Devi, a distant cousin, and had issue, two sons. He died 1937.
  - Rajkumar Gautam Narayan, married 1952, Patricia Joan Quinn, and had issue, two daughters. He died 1970.
    - Kumari Victoria Pia Narayan, born 21^st March 1954 in Calcutta, married 15^th March 1984, Michael John Anderson, born 29^th July 1949, and has issue, one son and one daughter. (Australia)
      - Tana Victoria Narayan Anderson, born 21^st December 1985.
      - Nicholas Peter Narayan Anderson, born 28^th January 1990.
    - Kumari Deepa Elizabeth Narayan, born 2^nd December 1956 in Calcutta .
  - Rajkumar Nidhendra Narayan, died young.
- Lt.Col. Maharajkumar Shri Hitendra Narayan [Prince Hitty], born 1^st July 1890 at Cooch Behar, played First-Class cricket for Somerset. He died 7^th December 1920 at Darjeeling.
- Maharaj Kumari Sukriti Devi [Princess Girlie], born 1884, married 28^th November, 1899 (sep'd.), Jyotsanath Ghosal, C.I.E. [cr.1918], Zamindar of Belgaum, and had issue. She died 1958.
  - Archie Ghosal
  - Romas Ghosal
- Maharaj Kumari Pratibha Devi [Princess Pretty], born 22^nd November 1891 in Calcutta, married 21^st February 1912 in Calcutta, (div. 1921), Lionel Henry Mander, born 14^th February 1888, died 27^th February 1946, son of Samuel Theodore Mander, and his wife, Flora Paint. She died sp 23^rd July 1923 in Calcutta.
- Maharaj Kumari Sudhira Devi [Princess Baby], born 1894, married 25^th February 1914 at Woodlands, Alan Jocelyn Mander, born 28^th January 1891, died 21^st December 1967, son of Samuel Theodore Mander, and his wife, Flora Paint, and had issue. She died 1968.
  - Pamela Geeta (Ghita) Mander, born 8^th July 1920 in London, died 27^th June 1965.
  - Derek Anjum Mander, born 1928, married 1^stly, Edwina, married 2^ndly, and had issue.
  - Monisha Vida Garbo Mander, born 1934, married 1952, George Leslie John Garnham, and had issue.
HH Maharaja RAJENDRA II NARAYAN Bhup Bahadur, 20^th Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1911/1913, born 11^th April 1882 in Calcutta, educated at Mayo College in Ajmer in 1893, then sent to England in 1894 for further studies, gained entry to Oxford College in 1900, he died unmarried 1^st September 1913 in London, and was buried in Cooch Behar.
HH Maharaja JITENDRA NARAYAN Bhup Bahadur, 21^st Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1913/1922, born 20^th December 1886 at Cooch Behar Palace, educated privately under a British home tutor, admitted to Itan School in 1900, then admitted to Edinburgh University, married 25^th August 1913 in London, HH Maharani Indira Devi, born 1892, died 1968, daughter of HH Maharaja Gaekwad Sir Sayajirao III Khanderao Gaekwad Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia of Baroda, and his second wife, HH Maharani Gajra Bai, and had issue. He died 20^th December 1922.
- Lt.Col. (Hon) HH Maharajah Sir Jaggadipendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur (see below)
- Maharaj Kumar Indrajitendra Narayan, born 1918 in Poona, educated at Mayo College, Ajmer, married Rani Kamala Devi, born 1920, died 198x, daughter of Raja Saheb Meharban-I-Dostan Sri Raja Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipati Suryarao Bahadur Garu, Maharaja of Pithapuram, and his wife, Sri Rani Chinnamamba Devi, and had issue. He died 1951 in Darjeeling.
  - HH Maharaja Virajendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur (adopted by HH Maharaja Sir JAGADDIPENDRA NARAYAN Bhup Bahadur, see below)
  - Maharani Uttara Devi, born 1942, married 1963, HH Maharao Brijraj Singhji of Kotah.
- Maharajkumari Ila Devi, born 1914, married Maharajkumar Ramendra Kishore Dev Varma of Tripura, and had issue. She died 1945.
- HH Maharani Gayatri Devi, born 23^rd May 1919 in London, educated at Shantiniketan, Laussane, Switzerland, London School of Secretaries, Brilliantmont and Monkey Club London; President of the All India Badminton Association, and Rajasthan State Swatantra Party, Vice-President of the All India Lawn Tennis Association and All India Swatantra Party, Director Rambagh Palace Hotel, Jaipur, and Gee Stud Farm Pvt Ltd., Chairman of the Governing Council of Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls Public School, Jaipur, Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh Benevolent Trust, Jaipur, the Maharani Gayatri Soldier's Welfare Fund, Jaipur; the Sawai Ram Singh Shilp Kala Mandir, Jaipur; M/s Jaipur Durries Pvt Ltd, Jalpur and Rajasthan State Tourist Development Corporation, Jaipur; Member of the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th Lok Sabha, author of: "A Princess Remembers" and "A Government's Gateway", interests include photography, Fine Arts and Museums, married (as his third wife), 9^th May 1940, HH Saramad-i-Rajahai Hindustan Raj Rajendra Shri Maharajadhiraj Sir Sawai Man Singhji II Bahadur of Jaipur, and had issue. She died 29^th July 2009 at the Satokben Durlabh Memorial Hospital in Jaipur and was cremated the following day in Jaipur.
- HH Maharani Menaka Devi, born 1920, married 1942, HH Maharaja Sir Yeshwantrao Sadashivrao [Bhau Sahib] Puar of Dewas-Junior, and had issue. She died 2011.
Lt.-Col. Hon. HH Maharaja Sir JAGADDIPENDRA NARAYAN Bhup Bahadur, 22^nd Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1922/1970, born 15^th December 1915 at Cooch Behar Palace, educated at Harrow 1927/1929 and Trinity Hall, Cambridge 1929/1934, K.C.I.E. [cr.1945], 7^th Light Cavalry Indian Army, served in World War II, granted full ruling powers on 6^th April 1936, married 1^stly, about 1950 (div.), Nancy Valentine, born St. Albans, Long Island, an Hollywood actress, married 2^ndly, Maharani Gina (née Egan). He died spm 11^th April 1970 in Calcutta. Maharani Gina Narayan passed away on 14^th January 2013 at Peurto Banu, Marbella Spain. They adopted Virajendra Narayan, son of Maharaj Kumar Indrajitendra Narayan.
HH Maharaja VIRAJENDRA NARAYAN Bhup Bahadur, 23^rd Maharaja of Cooch Behar 1970/1992, born 1944, married 1^stly, Reena, married 2^ndly, Anna, married 3^rdly, Surekha Guring. He died sp in 1992.