Banwari Munshi
Babu Banwari Charan Munshi was an Indian Bengali landlord, philanthropist and businessman, who served as the Zamindar of Chougachi. He was widely admired for his gentle demeanor and his spirit of hospitality.
Life
Munshi was born in Kadirpara in 1848. He lost his father Babu Hari Charan Munshi at a very young age. From childhood, he displayed a strong sense of responsibility and practical knowledge, particularly in matters of land and property. After the partition of the joint taluq of the Kadirpara Munshis, he assumed the responsibility of caring for his siblings. In 1865, at the age of only seventeen, he left Kadirpara and settled permanently in Chougachi. In this village, his kinsman, Babu Achyut Charan Munshi, served as the Munshi of Mr. Hodgson, the local indigo planter, and later came into possession of vast landed property. Through the individual efforts of Banwari Munshi, the family was able to establish its control over extensive estates in Chougachi. During his tenure, 21 mouzas were incorporated into the estate, each consisting of 3 to 4 villages. He initiated collective farming on his own lands by engaging the local peasants. Because of his affable conduct and cordial nature, he became highly respected and popular among the local community. Guided by the principle “prosper through cultivation”, he personally organized the peasants of Chougachi village to work on his lands. He also attained notable success as an indigo trader, and his indigo factory later came to be known locally as the Kuthibari. His son, Babu Amulya Munshi, subsequently renamed the village of Chougachi as Kuthi Chougachi. His estate manager was Jasimuddin. During Munshi’s lifetime, no inhabitant of the village reportedly suffered from a shortage of food or clothing. Whenever he heard of anyone lacking garments, he instructed Jasimuddin to provide clothing from the estate. In order to promote education in the locality, he entrusted his eldest son, Babu Anukul Munshi with the responsibility of establishing a primary school on land adjacent to the family residence. However, the school did not remain in operation for long. Later, Amulya Munshi established the first ever school in his memory in the village of Chougachi. Munshi was the grandfather of the Indian commercial artist Annada Munsi and mother-of-pearl artist Manu Munsi. He played significant role for the early education of Annada Munsi.Munshi died on 24 June 1917 at the Chougachi Kachari Bari.