The resurgence of the famous Deb family of Sovabazar dates back not past the history. The 21st man of this Deb family lineage was Ram Charan Deb. It was the man mostly responsible in hauling the family to its epoch making prosperity. With his settling at the village Gobindapur (presently known as Fort William), the inception of a bond between a burgeoning city and a family started. Ram Charan Deb
mainly settled at this place to look after his business and to keep himself in touch with the English. For a brief spell, he took the charge of Dewan under the then Nawab of Cuttack. His sad and sudden demise compelled his widow with her five siblings to come back and settle permanently at village Gobindapur. The family was rehabilitated at Sutanuti village in 1757 while the English started constructing a fort at Gobindapur village. The youngest son of late Ram Charan Deb was the most promising one. He was an erudite and well versed in Parsi. His first appointment was as a Munshi to a European named Dereck. Later on he was engaged in the service of Lord Clive for teaching him Parsi. This acquaintance with Lord Clive was a godsend fortune for Naba Krishna, which helped him, rose to power and fame. With the advent of time, he became the good friend of Lord Clive and was appointed in the post Confidential Secretary to Lord Clive. He played a significant role in advising and mediating the English in matters with Moghuls, Nawabs and Rajas. The Moghuls also treated him with equal importance and decorated him with titles ‘Raja Bahadur’ and later also ‘Maharaja’. Raja Naba Krishna Deb adopted Raja Gopi Mohan Deb, his brother’s son as his son. Direct descendant of Raja Naba Krishna Deb was Raja Raj Krishna Deb. To know more, visit us at www.sovabazarrajbari.com