Rani Rashmoni of JanBazar, Kolkata was a pillar of strength in the mid-nineteenth

century, amidst the male dominated society. Born in 28th Sept. 1793, the Bengali year

being 1211. At the tender age of 11, Rashmoni was married to Babu Rajchandra Das

of JanBazar. When she gained maturity and came to live with her in- laws and

husband, the greatest possible tragedy happened to her. Her husband passed away

leaving her all alone. Though initially thunder struck, Rashmoni was quick to recover

from the shock and took charge of the family business and drove away the vultures

hovering around. With thehelp of her son-in-law Mathur babu, who was married to

her third and youngest daughter, Karunamoyi, she not only expanded the business

but also became a champion for the people. The responsibility of administration the

zamindari and commerce after her husband's bereavement brought out her

management traits and inbuilt supervisory skills. The Rani was an autonomist in her viewpoint

and stood by what she measured reasonable and just. Her daring performance and

confrontations with the British in India had grown to be family stories in her time.Rani

Rashmoni also had to her glory copious generous workings and other offerings to humanity.

The manufacture of a street from Subarnarekha river to Pari for pilgrims, Babughat, Ahirtola

Ghat and Nimtola Ghat for the every day bathers in the Ganges, and the considerable charity

to the then majestic Library (now National Library) and Hindu College (now Presidency

College) are a small number of occurrence of her generosity. A celestial exposure led her to

establish the renowned temple compoundon the banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar in the

North 24 Parganas. She set up a new bathing ghat on the Hoogli and called it Babu ghat after

her late husband She took a bold step to help the fishermen thriving on Hoogli waters, whose

livelihood were hampered by the speeding British steamers. Rashmoni blocked the river traffic

by iron chains and did not remove it until her demands were met. However, her greatest

contribution was the founding of the Dakkhinshwar Kali temple. She patronized Shri

Ramkrishna Paramhangsha as the guardian of the Dakkhineshwar temple. She held high the

aspects of Hinduism which was the result of her spiritual attitude. Her outstanding social

work, philanthropic nature were notable aspects behind a great soul for which people started

calling her Rani or the queen. Rani Rashmoni passed away on 19th February; 1861.As in the

precedent, the enormous achievements of her life will carry on motivating many a generation

to approach. The Department of Posts is glad to pass out a postage stamp to memorialize

the bicentennial of this memorable persona.