Raj Darbhanga - Public Works

Public Works

• The Raj Darbhanga, during the period of Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur, spent over £300,000 for relief and charity work during the Bihar famine of 1873–74. The measures taken for meeting the challenges arising out of the famine was considered to be a model for governance at that time.
• Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur got schools, dispensaries, and other facilities constructed and maintained them out of his own funds for the benefit of the public. The dispensary at Darbhanga cost £3400, a huge sum at the time.
• Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur initiated constriuction of iron bridges constructed on all rivers in the Raj.
• Raj Darbhanga donated 52 bighas of land for the creation and use of the Muzaffarpur Judgeship.
• Raj Darbhanga had several lakes and ponds dug in the region to provide irrigation for farmers and thus help prevent famines.
• The first railway line in north Bihar, between Darbhanga and Bajitpur on the banks of the Ganges opposite Barh, was built in 1874 at the prompting of the Maharaja Lakshmishwar Singh.
• Over 1,500 km of roads were constructed by the early part of the 19th century by Raj Darbhanga. Of this over 300 km was metalled road. This resulted in the expansion of trade as well as greater markets for agricultural produce in the region.
• Many dharamshalas (charitable lodging houses) were constructed such as Ram Mandir and Rani Kotha in Varanasi.
• Homes for destitute people were constructed.
• Kharagpur Lake, a large reservoir, was built on the Man river in Munger District.
• Raj Darbhanga was a pioneer of cross-breeding cattle to improve milk production. A superior milking cow breed called Hansi was introduced by Raj Darbhanga. The cow was a cross between local cows and the Jersey breed.