When Maharani Kamsundari Devi passed away quietly on January 12 at Kalyani Niwas in Darbhanga, a chapter of Indian history slipped into memory. She was not a ruler in the conventional sense, nor a public
figure who sought attention. Yet her death has reopened conversations around one of India’s most powerful princely estates, the Darbhanga Raj, a family whose wealth once rivalled nations and whose generosity shaped universities, industries and even India’s wartime resilience. For decades, the Darbhanga royal family symbolised authority without excess and philanthropy without publicity. Their residences dotted India’s most important cities, each known simply as Darbhanga House. From Kolkata to Delhi, from Patna to Varanasi, their presence was unmistakable yet understated. Today, with the passing of the last Maharani, questions linger. What remains of a dynasty that once donated 600 kilograms of gold to the nation and owned assets valued at thousands of crores?
Who were the Darbhanga royals and how did their power begin?
The Darbhanga Raj traces its origins to the 16th century, when Mahesh Thakur was appointed administrator of Tirhut during the Mughal period. Over time, the family emerged as the leading zamindars of Mithila, laying the foundations of what later became the Khandwala dynasty. Under British rule, Darbhanga grew into Bihar’s largest zamindari estate, wielding immense economic and cultural influence. At its peak, the estate governed thousands of villages, collected revenues across vast tracts of land, and functioned almost like a parallel administration. British records often described the Maharajas of Darbhanga as kingmakers in eastern India, respected for both their loyalty to the Crown and their deep connection to local society.
What made Maharajadhiraja Kameshwar Singh one of India’s richest men?
The estate reached its zenith under Maharajadhiraja Sir Kameshwar Singh, widely regarded as the richest zamindar in India during the British Raj. By the time of his death in 1962, the family’s wealth was estimated at around Rs 2,000 crore, a figure that would translate into nearly Rs 4 lakh crore today, according to an India Today report. His assets included 14 major companies, vast agricultural lands, palaces, bungalows in India and abroad, stock market investments and jewellery worth billions. Yet, despite such staggering wealth, Kameshwar Singh was better known for institution building than personal extravagance. A member of the Constituent Assembly and later the Rajya Sabha, he believed wealth carried public responsibility.
Why did the Darbhanga family donate 600 kg of gold during the 1962 war?
One of the most extraordinary chapters in the family’s history unfolded during the 1962 India–China war. As India struggled with military setbacks and economic pressure, the Darbhanga estate responded without hesitation. Fifteen maunds, roughly 600 kilograms of gold, were donated to the Government of India. The contribution did not end there. The family also donated three aircraft and around 90 acres of land for the construction of an airport. That land later became the foundation of Darbhanga Airport. At a time of national uncertainty, the gesture stood as a rare example of princely patriotism without conditions or publicity.
How did the Darbhanga Raj shape India’s universities and industries?
Education was the quiet cornerstone of the Darbhanga legacy. The royal family funded and supported institutions across the country. Lalit Narayan Mithila University stands within the royal complex itself. Anand Bagh Palace was donated to establish Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University. Substantial grants flowed to Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, University of Calcutta and Patna University. The family also established Darbhanga Medical College, strengthening healthcare in north Bihar. Industrially, the estate supported sugar mills in Sakri, Lohat, Raiyam and Hasanpur, a spinning mill in Pandaul, Ashok Paper Mill in Hayaghat and Rameshwar Jute Mill in Samastipur. Even early aviation services in India had links to Darbhanga’s investments, a detail often forgotten in mainstream histories.
Who was Maharani Kamsundari Devi beyond the title?
Born on October 22, 1932, in Mangrauni village of Madhubani district, Maharani Kamsundari Devi entered the Darbhanga household at the age of eight. Widowed in 1962 after the death of Maharajadhiraja Kameshwar Singh, she lived in widowhood for 64 years. Despite belonging to one of India’s wealthiest families, she chose a life of restraint. She remained largely away from public life, focusing on religious, educational and social causes. Those who knew her recall her simplicity, discipline and deep sense of duty towards the estate’s legacy. Power, for her, was never performative. It was custodial.
What palaces and landmarks still carry the Darbhanga name?
From Darbhanga House in Delhi and Kolkata to the iconic Darbhanga Ghat in Varanasi, the family’s architectural footprint remains visible. These structures were never just residences. They were cultural hubs, hosting scholars, freedom fighters and artists. The private crematorium at the Madhmeshwar Temple premises, where Maharani Kamsundari Devi’s last rites were performed, stands as another reminder of the family’s distinct traditions, preserved quietly even as political systems changed.
How much of the Darbhanga wealth survives today?
There is no definitive figure. What is known is sobering. Of the vast estate valued at Rs 2,000 crore in 1962, less than 2 percent is believed to remain today. Years of alleged mismanagement by trustees and prolonged legal disputes steadily eroded the fortune. Jewellery, landholdings and investments were sold off or fragmented. What survived were institutions, not riches. In many ways, the Darbhanga story mirrors the fate of several princely families after the abolition of zamindari, wealth fading while legacy lingers.
Who is the heir, and why does succession remain disputed?
Maharajadhiraja Kameshwar Singh married three times but had no children. After his death, Maharani Kamsundari Devi appointed her elder daughter’s son, Kumar Kapileshwar, as a trustee of the estate. He is currently recognised as the heir, though disputes continue over the trust structure created by the last Maharaja. The legal complexities surrounding the estate have kept succession in limbo for decades, ensuring that Darbhanga’s story remains unfinished even today.
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