Raj Darbhanga - Indian Independence Movement

Indian Independence Movement

Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur was one of the founders of the Indian National Congress in 1885. Raj Darbhanga was one of the major donors to the party despite maintaining his proximity to the British Raj. Among his beneficiaries were stalwarts of the independence movement such as Dr Rajendra Prasad, Abul Kalam Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Mahatma Gandhi. During British rule, the Congress Party wanted to hold their annual convention in Allahabad but they were denied permission by the Government to use any public place for this purpose. The Maharaja of Darbhanga bought an area and allowed Congress to hold their annual convention there. The annual convention of Congress of 1892 was held on December 28 on the grounds of Lowther Castle, purchased by the then Maharaja of Darbhanga. The area was leased to the Indian National Congress by the Maharaja to thwart any attempts by British officials to deny the Indian National Congress a place to hold their annual conventions.