DEVELOPMENT AND DEGRADATION IN THE COOCH BEHAR STATE DURING MAHARAJA NRIPENDRA NARAYAN RULE, 1863-1911

The Cooch Behar State was a small princely State of undivided Bengal during British rule. We know the State became a tributary State of the British East India Company in 1773 A.D. From this time the British ideology introduced in all aspects of the State by the Cooch Behar Maharajas. During the period of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan, who was known the modernizer of the Cooch Behar State, the British ideology had touched the highest stage of modernity during his time. During his time State introduced the First scientific land revenue management, Budget System and other developmental works. This had portrayed him as the modern Maharaja of the State or light side of the State. But this new land revenue management had sharp impact on the State environment and ecology and land-based society. This could portray him as destroyer of State environment and society.