The Purnia Gazetteer, in its 1968 edition, mentions the planes and runways of Kursela Estate, stating, “There is a landing field in Kursela village from which some small aircraft are flown out. This aircraft is the private property of the Kursela estate and is in constant use.”
Kursela, formerly a village in Katihar district, Bihar, has been upgraded to a Nagar Panchayat. It is one of the 16 blocks of Katihar. The Village had transformed into the Kursela Estate about 150 years back under Raja Ayodhya Prasad Singh. The estate was known for its advancement. The rulers of the Kursela estate even traveled by airplane during an era dominated by bullock carts.
By winding back the wheels of time, Main Media embarked on a journey to Kursela Estate, seeking to unravel history’s tapestry. The new porch of the estate still carries traces of its days of landlordship. The descendants of Ayodhya Singh still reside in a magnificent mansion, built in New Deorhi (called Nayi Deorhi by locals) to keep the traditions of their ancestors alive.
Glimpses of the early days of Kursela State in the old gatehouse
At a few hundred metres distance from New Deorhi stands Old Deorhi of Kursela Estate. Old Deorhi (or Purani Deorhi in Hindi) is home to the memorial of the estate which features the main gate, the ancient Ram temple, and the tribute to Ayodhya Prasad Singh, the estate’s founder. Today, this area falls within ward number 4 of Kursela Nagar Panchayat, known as Thakurbari.
Old Deorhi sprawled across a six-acre courtyard, once the abode of Raja Ayodhya Prasad Singh, the founder of Kursela Estate. His sole heir, Rai Bahadur Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, had relocated from old Deorhi to new Deorhi. Upon his arrival at the new porch, he built residences in the old Deorhi area for the dedicated workers of Kursela Estate, where they continue to reside to this day.
In the Bihar District Gazetteer Purnia, published in 1968, historian P.C. Roy Chowdhury noted that Ayodhya Bazaar, the largest market in Kursela, was named after the founder of Kursela Estate. This bustling market was renowned for its trade in jute, tobacco, maize, fish, wheat, and rice, conducted on a large scale.
Mr. Chowdhury described the grandeur of the Kursela Estate mansion in his book, “The palatial building of the proprietor of the Kursela estate is situated on about 15 acres of land. it has its own electricity and an attractive garden.”
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He further highlighted the renowned hospitality of the estate, emphasizing their reputation for warmth and generosity. “There is a separatic guest house and the proprietor is well known for his hospitality,” he added.
The splendor of Kursela Estate shines through ‘Nayi Deorhi’
Today, the family of Pankaj Singh, the great-grandson of Ayodhya Singh, the founder of Kursela Estate, resides in new deorhi. His Grandfather Raghuvansh Prasad Singh had three sons: Awadhesh Kumar Singh, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, and Dinesh Kumar Singh. Most of their family members have relocated; some descendants of the estate migrated abroad, while others settled in larger cities across the country.
The luxurious mansion of new deorhi was built in 1950. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Advait Singh, a descendant of the founder of Kursela Estate. Advait, who represents the fifth generation of Ayodhya Prasad Singh’s lineage, presented a historical narrative of the estate’s origins. While talking to Main Media He recounted how in 1881, Jodhan Singh, who later renamed himself Ayodhya Singh at the urging of a revered saint, initiated the establishment of Kursela Estate,
Ayodhya Prasad Singh arrived in Kursela from Rupas near Patna in 1880, hailing from a prominent landlord family. Upon settling in Kursela, he amassed a vast estate spanning 32,000 acres of land. According to Advait Singh, Ayodhya Prasad Singh had his lineage going back to Maharana Pratap Singh. Allegedly, two of Maharana Pratap’s siblings signed a pact with the Mughal Emperor Akbar, securing the zamindari rights to Muzaffarpur and Rupas in return.
Advait Singh shared with ‘Main Media’ that Jodhan Singh, the son of Bhupa Singh, migrated to Kursela and initially procured land of 10,000 acres. Notably, a local sage suggested a name change from Jodhan Singh to Ayodhya, hence that marked his transformation from Jodhan Singh to Ayodhya Prasad Singh. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh was their progeny. Over time, the estate burgeoned from 30,000 to 50,000 acres, subject to British taxation.
Advait Singh further told us that the Kursela estate hosted prominent figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi. The construction of the grand hall witnessed the development of auxiliary structures, including a picturesque flower garden. Statues commemorating Ayodhya Prasad Singh, the revered Mahatma Gandhi, and the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, were erected on the estate grounds.
A bandstand was built approximately 100 meters before the mansion, where musicians would sit and play musical instruments for the royals of the mansion. Over time, many trees were planted in front of the bandstand, which have grown quite large. Among these trees stand Ashoka trees, which Advait Singh mentioned were gifted on the occasion of the mansion’s inauguration. The renowned litterateur Rabindranath Tagore, recipient of the Nobel Prize, was invited to the event but couldn’t attend. Instead, he sent Ashoka trees from Santiniketan as a thoughtful gift.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh: Kursela Estate’s most famous landlord
After Ayodhya Prasad Singh, his son Raghuvansh Prasad Singh accepted the role of the second zamindar of Kursela Estate. The estate flourished under his stewardship, reaching its pinnacle during his tenure. Although bestowed with the title of ‘Raja Bahadur’ by the British, he chose not to prefix “Raja” to his name.
Commenting on this, Advait Singh told ‘Main Media’, “Raghuvansh Prasad Singh was conferred with the title of Raja Bahadur, yet he declined to embrace it. He would often remark, “I am not a king, nor do I comfort myself as one. A king’s duty is to ensure the happiness of all in his domain, a feat beyond our capabilities.'”
Why Raghuvansh was called ‘Danveer Rai Bahadur’
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is renowned for his philanthropic endeavors, earning him the title of Danveer Rai Bahadur, a benevolent landlord. Abhinay Rathod, in his account on IndianRajputs.com, delineates the lineage of the jagirdars of Kursela Estate. Rathod elucidates that Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, instead of adopting the title of Raja Bahadur, preferred to be addressed as Rai Bahadur. This preference underscored his humility despite his elevated status.
Abhinay Rathod also highlights Raghuvansh Prasad Singh’s pivotal role during Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan movement, where he magnanimously contributed 4,000 acres of land. Additionally, as an affiliate of the Congress party, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh extended his generosity by donating land to the party, notably facilitating the establishment of the Congress office, Gokul Ashramin Purnea.
Advait Singh highlighted that Raghuvansh Prasad Singh contributed significantly to the development of Purnia, exemplified by his generous donations of land for Purnia’s Kala Bhawan and the SBI headquarters. Notably, a statue of Raghuvansh Prasad Singh graces the Kala Bhavan premises, commemorating his enduring legacy. His initiatives extended beyond Purnia, with notable contributions such as establishing Kursela’s inaugural post office and primary health center.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, affectionately known as Rai Bahadur, demonstrated his commitment to education by founding the Ayodhya Prasad High School in Kursela, named in honor of his father. Moreover, he facilitated the growth of commerce in Kursela through the establishment of the expansive Ayodhya market, supported by land granted by the Kursela Estate. This market stands as a bustling hub of economic activity, while the Kursela Haat further enhances the estate’s significance as a commercial center.
In the annals of history, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh’s visionary leadership expanded the estate’s influence across Bihar and Bengal, earning him the revered title of ‘Danveer Rai Bahadur’ among the locals. This title, blending honorifics for philanthropy and valour, underscores his multifaceted contributions to society.
Anecdotes such as his compassionate act of halting a train to provide sustenance to its passengers further illuminate his altruistic spirit.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh’s enduring impact resonates through the tangible landmarks he established and the intangible legacy of his generosity and community service.
Estate’s contribution to the development of education and arts in Kursela
According to Raghuvansh Prasad’s grandson, Advait Singh, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has always been a staunch advocate of women’s empowerment, striving for equal rights and increased participation in education for women. He actualized his vision by establishing the Sampat Raj Devi Girls High School in Kursela. Additionally, his profound attachment to the arts is evidenced by his contribution to the Kala Bhavan of Purnia.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, blessed with three sons, notably saw in Awadhesh Kumar Singh a proclivity towards the arts. Awadhesh Kumar distinguished himself as a painter, earning recognition and a distinct identity through his artistic endeavors. P.C. Roy Chowdhury’s account in the Purnea Gazetteer of 1968 describes Awadhesh Kumar’s exhibition in Kursela Estate, highlighting his portraits, which garnered attention even from the President of India at the time, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
Jawaharlal Nehru installed paintings of Kursela Estate in Parliament House
Awadhesh Kumar Singh, as recounted by his grandson, Advait Singh, was a proficient painter whose talents were acknowledged by none other than Jawaharlal Nehru himself. Nehru’s close association with Awadhesh Singh’s father facilitated Nehru’s visits to Awadhesh’s exhibitions. Several of his artworks found a place of honor in the Parliament building, personally selected by Nehru.
In the Purnia Gazetteer, Roy Chowdhury detailed the significant establishments in Kursela, including the ‘Gandhi Ghar’ and the ‘Dhanrakshani Dispensary.’ Kursela boasted of educational institutions like the Higher Secondary School, community services like the Dhanrakshani Dispensary, three libraries, and an initiative to foster rural industries known as ‘Gandhi Ghar.’
Advait Singh said that the ‘Dhanrakshani Dispensary’ operated under the Dhanrakshani Public Trust, established to serve in the domains of education, healthcare, and the arts. Notably, various institutions such as Purnia’s Kala Bhavan, Purnia University, the State Bank headquarters, Kursela’s Sampat Raj Devi Girls’ High School, Ayodhya Prasad High School, and the Dhanrakshani Dispensary were all under the patronage of the Dhanrakshani Public Trust. The Trust derived its name from Dhanrakshani Rai, Bahadur Raghuvansh Prasad’s mother.
A memorial statue of Mahatma Gandhi stands in the courtyard of Kursela Estate’s new deorhi, symbolizing his enduring legacy. Advait Singh shared the historical significance that after Mahatma Gandhi’s passing, his ashes were scattered wherever the northern channel of Ganga flowed, including Batesar, the very land of Kursela. He conjectured that the establishment of ‘Gandhi Ghar’ might have been a posthumous tribute to the revered leader’s memory.
Kursela Estate has been active in politics for years
The royal family of Kursela Estate has maintained a longstanding involvement in politics, with a deep-rooted affiliation with the Congress party. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, deeply influenced by Gandhian principles, fostered enduring ties with the Nehru family.
Dinesh Kumar Singh, the younger scion of the Singh lineage, carved a significant political career within the Congress ranks. Serving as a Congress MLA and minister in the Bihar government, he represented the Rupauli assembly seat with distinction, securing consecutive victories in 1980 and 1985, and holding sway over Rupauli’s political landscape for a decade.
His elder brother, Awadhesh Kumar Singh, scripted his name in history as the inaugural Lok Sabha MP from Katihar on a Congress ticket in 1957. His resounding victory, clinching the seat by a margin of 54,006 votes, marked a momentous triumph cut short tragically by his untimely demise at the age of 32. Subsequently, Bhola Nath Vishwas assumed the mantle of representation for Katihar within the Congress fold.
Akhilesh Kumar Singh, occupying the position of primacy within Kursela, commanded the reins of the Kursela panchayat uncontested throughout his tenure. Notably, Sanyogita Singh, spouse of Akhilesh’s son Pankaj Singh, ascended to the membership of the zila parishad from Kursela in 2000, signifying a familial continuum in political engagement. After a setback in the 2005 assembly elections from the Barari seat, Sanyogita Singh aligned herself with Bihar Pradesh Mahila Congress, underscoring an enduring commitment to political activism.
In the present landscape, Advait Singh, grandson of Akhilesh Kumar Singh is the division head of the Congress War Room.
The Airplane Era of the Kursela Estate
Kursela Estate is renowned for its aircraft. Its airstrip has been destroyed and repurposed into agricultural land a few decades back.
The Purnia Gazetteer, published in 1968, also documents the presence of aircraft and airstrips at Kursela Estate. The 1968 edition stated, “The village has got a landing ground for small planes maintained by the Kursela Estate. As the Kursela Estate has some private planes, the landing ground is in frequent use.”
A dedicated runway for aircraft was constructed not far from the estate’s new entrance. Advait Singh told us that Raghuvansh Prasad became the third Indian to purchase a private aircraft, with Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala being the first Indian to do so in 1910.
According to Advait Singh, the Kursela Estate owned 8 aircraft. The estate encompassed vast and remote areas, making travel time-consuming. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, being the sole son of his father, had the responsibility to oversee all the land. Consequently, he decided to purchase an aircraft. The Kursela airstrip was frequently used by visiting politicians in Katihar and nearby regions. Additionally, Raghuvansh Prasad’s three sons held pilot licenses.
Between 1940 and 1950, Raghuvansh Prasad ordered several aircraft from England, one of which now lies deteriorated in an old hangar near the Kursela market. Most of the aircraft have been dismantled, with many parts stolen over time.
“When the Ceiling Act came into effect, it was mandated that while individuals could own airplanes, private runways were not permitted. The government then indicated its intention to take over the airstrip. former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav proposed the establishment of a shepherd school on the land. Subsequently, the land was swiftly repurposed, resulting in the deterioration of the airstrip. This development rendered the aircraft unusable,” Advait said,
When questioned about why the descendants of the Kursela Estate did not preserve these aircraft, Advait mentioned that many people within the family associated with the estate possessed parts from the planes. Consequently, securing them in one location was not feasible. As time passed, the aircraft and hangars fell into disrepair.
“Kursela Estate’s heritage is its tradition”
Kursela stands at the juncture of the Ganges and Kosi rivers, drawing devotees from distant places who seek to cleanse themselves in its waters. The estate, with a history spanning 150 years, retains numerous remnants of its past. An annual highlight is the vibrant Durga Puja festival, where a longstanding tradition involves the sacrifice of goats in the courtyard. Additionally, the ancient Ram temple within the estate’s premises attracts a sizable congregation during Ram Navami.
In the coming years, the remnants of an aircraft housed in an aging hangar near Kursela Bazaar are expected to vanish, leaving behind uncertain traces of the estate’s aviation legacy. It remains to be seen how the descendants of the estate’s founder will safeguard and perpetuate Kursela’s rich history, particularly its association with airplanes.
Reflecting on the estate’s heritage, Advait Singh, a descendant of the founder Ayodhya Prasad Singh, emphasized that their heritage transcends mere land ownership. Instead, it encompasses the deep bonds forged between their ancestors and the local community, along with a legacy of progress and inclusivity. Singh underscores the responsibility to preserve and carry forward this heritage into the future.
(Translated from Hindi by Ayesha Atiq, MA Dev Comm student at JMI AJK MCRC)
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