Family History
The origin is traced back in the 10th Century CE, when Adisura brought five Brahmins to Bengal. Vedagarba was one of them and is regarded as the first in the genealogy of the Sabarna Roy Choudhury Family.
Panchanan Gangopadhyay (Panchu Saktikhan) of the family acquired the Khan title from the Mughal Emperor Humayun in the fifteenth century, for his bravery as a cavalry in charge of Pathan soldiers. Around the middle of that century he constructed a palace at a place which came to be known as Haveli Sahar or Halisahar. It was from Halisahar that the family spread far and wide, including, to Uttarpara, Birati, Barisha and Kheput.
Lakhsmikanta Gangopadhyay (Majumdar), (the son of the family founder Jia Gangopadhyay later known as Saint Kamadeva Brahmachari) was given jagirdari of a vast tract of land by Raja Man Singh, in 1608. Along with the Jaigir he was given the title of 'Ray' and 'Choudhury' which later became the surname of his descendants. He was the first social reformer of Bengal. It is said that he constructed many temples at Halisahar, and the original centres of habitation of the family at Goghat and Amatia. The construction of the pilgrim path from Halisahar to Barisha is also credited to him.
A family organisation Sabarna Roy Choudhury Paribar Parishad today preserves the history, culture and traditions of this family. Sabarna Sangrahashala, the exclusive family museum at Barisha is a unique endeavor to preserve the family history and heritage and is engaged in research and publication.
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