Dewan House – Rampur

This family group is an interesting photograph. Saw it first time. The tree in the back ground is famous NEEM tree very very old and famous in Rampur as it had a kind of creep growth on it with high medicinal value. Just six inches of it boiled in water used to be medicine for so many ailments. Entire Rampur when in need of it, used to come to Dewan House, even though they were shouted upon by Thakur Baba, care taker of Dewan House who was not all the time so generous specially if you did not address him with respect.

Dewan House history will be incomplete without mention of Thakur Baba, Maharaj (Shyam Lall) and Achey Mian. They all served at least four generations at Dewan House.  Thakur Baba could scold even Papa, such was his place in the family. Only Dadi he used to address properly being ‘Malikan’ rest were all younger to him and by virtue of his seniority and Dada’s chief man no one dare misbehave with him. Otherwise very very affectionate, Rakesh specially was his favourite whom he addressed as Basanti Babu, as he was born on Basant Panchami and played maximum with him, Thakur Baba put up with all his activities like dirtying his clothes wetting them and so on but he was never angry, such was not the case with other kids.

He used to go to Kosi  river Ganges every day to take his bath walking miles and miles and used sand instead of soap to clean his body. He was very fond of money would lay bets and see to it that he wins irrespective of the consequences. He drank carosine oil and won the bet. Moradabad was 17 miles away from Rampur, Babu had an urgent letter to be delivered, he gave Thakur Baba train fare up and down, Thakur Baba pocketed this money and marchingly went and returned in the evening. Such were the stories. For  trimming the beard barber used to charge one paisa. He will get his beard trimmed and for months will not pay him. Each time barber came to collect he will hide inside DH and tell us to tell Barber “Thakur Baba ghar main nahin hain.” (Thakur Baba is not at home)

Bari Bhabhi  and Neelam Gege were the most trusted by him as he gave his kothri  keys to them only. On his death when kothri was opened he had all his salary savings of silver rupee coins and all imported Thans etc. material given to him by Rampur State, as uniform for his Safa which he saved and kept using same old one most of the time.  Bhabi/Neelam Gege got a dream that he as a snake was supervising his assets. Immediately all his last ceremonies, Daswan etc. were performed and his nephew who used to stay in Kathghar was called and handed over all his belongings.

More later
love
(Robi) Chacha/Mama

By Ravindra (Robi) Bahadur

Date: Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 5:57 PM

The building as you know is KHAS BAGH. Nawab had two palaces one in town, the other in the civil lines. Khas Bagh was built by French architect and had wonderful lay -out full of lavish green lawns and trees. It had Mardana Khana for Nawab Sh. as well as Zanana Khana for Begum Sh. wing A and B.

There were other buildings around Rampur where he used to go as per weather. One of them was Lakkha Bagh. One lakh mango trees were planted there and got the name Lakkha Bagh.

Novelties were displayed at the impressive entrance of the Khas Bagh Palace. I accompanied Papa and had a kind of tour. There was one red car also which used to rotate, blow horn lights on and off etc etc. As a child you will be so fascinated that you will keep watching and won’t move from there.

Nawabs were entitled to import, duty free so Nawab Raza Ali Khan had given standing orders as soon as there is any novelty of his interest it was to be shipped to him. When Buick car was introduced he had ordered one dozen cars. I saw in the girag. He enjoyed its test drive so much that he speeded to Nanital accordingly others followed. He was speeding so high that those accompanying him thought it was the end of their lives. Finally some one touched his feet begging him to bring the speed down. With these kinds of ‘harkats’ one can make out how challanging it must have been for people around him.

As and when desired by palace, Nawab’s car will report to Dewan House, Sarkar ne yaad farmaya hai. Papa will say aap Kunwar Lutfe Ali Khan ko pick up karnen mai tayyar hota hoon, just to gain time, in our Peepal Tola Mohalla the third person at times used to be Chaudhry Raghunath Prasad (father of Jai Kishan and Sri Kishan) with these three Nawab’s bridge table of four was completed.
They used to have royal banquets at the Khas Bagh Palace. For one Hindu Khana on Holi Papa was in-charge, he took me also. I had his instructions to touch Nawab’s feet if ever I came accross. Soon I saw Nawab Sh. coming for a round of inspection. Kiska hai, Papa answered, Sarkar aap ka he hai. Khana kha ke jana. When the banquet started it reminds me to-day of an Opera like atmosphere. Huge gathering service rotating with well uniformed bearers and food veg/non-veg was at its best. Even to-day If ever I meet old timer in Delhi and name of Rampur crops up, he has to talk to me kind of non-stop about the State, culture, hospitality and food.  Some retiered Commissioners high govt. officials even when they were transferrd out of Rampur used to seek invitation to his famous banquets, Bareilly Moradabad even Lucknow posted ones will turn up and will not miss.

One old Maison met me at the petrol station where both of us were getting our cars attended, strangers, we opend conversation, oh you are from Rampur.  and he started Nawab Rampur threw a dinner at Ashoka Hotel, he was Grand Master of Masonic Lodge, he just kept on, talking about the Rampur food. Also told me he was sent to Rampur by Pundit Je. in connection with … and told me Nawab was in and out a true patriotic Indian and was deadly against any unethical pratic but not his brother and son.

Most interesting was my experience with the Nawab Sh. when he also said khane ke baad, picture dekh ke jana. I think it was AWARA. In his Royal Theatre movie started after some time movie was stopped and he with the help of a stick pointed out screen as to where direction has gone wrong in the movie, movie was resumed as soon as movie was resumed his kids said Daddy I have not finished drinking my water, movie was stopped again by commanding ‘ROKO’. Oh those royal interruptions lights on and off with several Royal Intervals was no less than a picnic. An experience never again except in watching movies in Tehsils where Bhai Sh. was posted, chairs will go from the house according to the number of our family members and movie will not start until Tehsildar Sh.’s family is in seat. What nakhras and style of course befitting with those days.

I was up at four this morning and could write this up I think I am too late for my walk now, any how I will close here.
Love
Chacha