Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Rani Rashmoni on her birth anniversary on Sunday, hailing her as a towering figure of courage, compassion, and conviction. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Rani Rashmoni was a towering figure of courage, compassion and conviction. She is fondly remembered as a visionary leader and philanthropist. She built lasting institutions and had unwavering commitment to spirituality as well as for the upliftment of the poor. Tributes to her on her birth anniversary.”
Born on 28 September 1793 in ‘Kona’ village (present-day Nadia-North 24 Parganas border) in a Mahishya peasant family, Rani Rashmoni faced early hardships, including the loss of her mother at the age of seven. Married at eleven to Babu Rajchandra Das of a wealthy zamindar family in Janbazar, Kolkata, she had four daughters. After her husband’s death in 1836, Rashmoni took charge of the zamindari and finances, earning the respect and affection of the people through her management skills and charitable works.
Rani Rashmoni is renowned for her philanthropy and social contributions. She constructed the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple between 1847 and 1855, overseeing the purchase of a 30,000-acre plot and dedicating eight years and nine hundred thousand rupees to the project. She also funded the construction of ghats along the Ganges, roads for pilgrims, and contributed to institutions such as the National Library of India and Hindu College (now Presidency University).
Known for her courage, Rani Rashmoni stood up to British authorities on several occasions. She challenged taxes on fishing along the Ganges and defied restrictions on religious processions, successfully protecting local livelihoods and traditions. She also supported social reforms, including widow remarriage, and submitted a draft bill against polygamy to the East India Company.
