Page:The Musnud of Murshidabad (1704 - 1904).djvu/354

[ 220 ] an affair of stupendous proportions. In 1871 the title of Maharani was conferred upon her and the title of Maharajah was to be conferred upon her successor. The Imperial Order of the Crown of India was conferred upon Maharani Surnomoi in 1878. On the 25th Aug-ust 1897, she expired on the banks of the Bhagirathee at her residence at Saidabad, whither she had been removed from Cossimbazar. Her cremation which was attended by sorrowing- crowds drawn from all classes, took place amidst sighs and lamentations. On that memorable day every one thought that he had suffered a personal bereavement.

The heir-at-lawheiress-at-law [sic] was her mother-in-law, Rani Horosundari, but preferring her life of retirement, she executed a release in favor of her husband's sister Gooind Sundari's son, Babu Manindra Chandra Nandi, who assumed the title of Maharajah, which received Government recognition in May, 1898. On his assumption of the charge of the Raj, the late Maha- rani's able Manager, Rai Srinath Pal Bahadur, left service.

Maharajah Manindra Chandra Nandi was returned by the Zemindars of Bengal to represent them in the Bengal Council. Of unostentatious habits and genial temperament, kindly disposed towards his numerous relatives, mixing freely with his subordinates, accepting hospitality at the humblest cottage, generously prone to do acts of benevolence, extending his co-operation and support to popular movements, Maharajah