Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/32

 into many parganas, and made new fiscal arrangements with the Zemindars; and Krishna Chandra managed to make a settlement with the authorities in the name of his eldest son, Shib Chandra, to whom he transferred by a written deed all his estates. This happened in 1780; and after this he retired to a beautiful house built on the River Alakananda, situated two miles from Krishnagar. Here he passed his days in preparation for death, which visited him in 1782 at the age of seventy-three.

Krishna Chandra had two wives. The first bore him five sons, whose names were Shib Chandra, Bhairab Chandra, Hara Chandra, Mahesh Chandra and Ishan Chandra; and the second, one son, Sambhu Chandra. This young man had by his disobedience incurred the displeasure of his father; and on Shib Chandra’s succeeding to the ancestral Zemindari, left the palace with his mother and settled at a place called Haradhan, where his descendants still live.

Krishna Chandra was able, persevering, and of firm resolution. His life was full of trouble, and dangers beset him on every side; but he was never daunted. Besides, having great presence of mind, he was equal to every occasion, however trying; and his misfortunes, however great, never prevented his enjoying the company of his favourite counsellors and friends. He was a Vikramaditya in appreciating and rewarding merit. His court was crowded with men of learning, poets, musicians, and great wits, who always found favour with him. The Raja made a regular allowance to them, and they often received from him free grants of land. The jewel of his court was Bharat Chandra, the model poet. This man was born in 1712 at a village in the Burdwan district; and after receiving a liberal education in Sanskrit and Persian, he travelled in many parts of India, and afterwards