Rani Rashmoni

Besides, she also led many of the resistances against the encroaching British administration and their presence in all walks of colonial society in the Bengal province.

[2] Presently, the Lokmata Rani Rashmoni Mission is situated at Nimpith, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, 743338, India.

[3] Rashmoni was born on 28 September 1793 at 'Kona' village, Kumarhatta-Kanchanpalli (present-day Nadia-North 24 Parganas border) in a Mahishya peasant family of Harekrishna Das.

[4][5][6] Her father had learned as much as he could in his youth, so by his old days he could read the Krittivasi Ramayan and the Kashidasi Mahabharata, and even knew a little about market calculations.

She was married to Babu Rajachandra Das (Marh) of Janbazar, Kolkata, a member of a wealthy Mahishya zamindar family, when she was eleven years old.

By blocking the shipping trade on a part of the Ganges she compelled the British to abolish the tax imposed on fishing in the river, which threatened the livelihood of fishermen.

Rashmoni persuaded these families and helped them to build up fisheries in the surrounding water bodies that later turned into large, rich bheris.

[10] Profoundly affected by a dream to build a temple of Goddess Kali, Rani looked for and purchased a 30,000-acre plot in the village of Dakhineswar.

[12][13][14][15][16] Rani Rashmoni's House at Janbazar was venue of traditional Durga Puja celebration each autumn.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple , built by Rani Rashmoni in 1855
Rani Rashmoni on a 1994 stamp of India
Shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni within the precincts of Dakshineswar Kali Temple