Darbhanga's Last Queen Maharani Kamsundari Devi Honored with Grand 25,000-Person Feast
In a poignant tribute to a bygone era, the city of Darbhanga in Bihar witnessed a grand feast for over 25,000 people to honor the memory of Maharani Kamsundari Devi, the last queen of the illustrious Darbhanga Raj. The event, held on the final day of rituals following her passing on January 12, 2026, transformed the Kalyani Niwas complex into a hub of solemn celebration and remembrance.
A Feast Fit for Royalty
Long tables at Kalyani Niwas were laden with an array of traditional delicacies, creating a visual and culinary spectacle. The spread included generous servings of rice, dahl, and at least five types of vegetable dishes such as brinjal, aloo-mattar, and aloo-gobhi. Dessert offerings featured five varieties, including two types of rasgollahs—white and black—that drew particular praise from attendees.
Visitors helped themselves to the food before settling under sombre white pandals on neatly arranged chairs and sofas. Raj Kishore Jha, who traveled from Madhubani to attend, remarked, "The food was very good. The rasgollahs, too. I came to pay my respects to the Queen. Darbhanga Raj is still the pride of the region."
The End of an Era
Maharani Kamsundari Devi's death marked the conclusion of a significant chapter in Indian history. Born in 1932 in Mangrauli village of Madhubani, she married Maharaja Kameshwar Singh in 1943. As the third wife of the last ruler of Darbhanga Raj—one of the most prominent zamindari estates established during Mughal rule—she became the final queen of this historic dynasty.
The Maharaja, who passed away in 1962, had no children with any of his three wives. Following his death, Kamsundari Devi took charge of the Maharaja Kameshwar Singh Religious Trust, which oversees 108 temples across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. She also founded the Maharajadhiraj Kameshwar Singh Kalyani Foundation, known for organizing annual seminars with renowned scholars and maintaining a library in Darbhanga with over 15,000 books.
Dignitaries and Legacy
The final day of rituals attracted numerous dignitaries, including Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who highlighted the family's "great contribution to nation building," particularly in education. Other notable attendees included Darbhanga BJP MP Gopal Ji Thakur, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi, and former Bihar Congress president Madan Mohan Jha.
Greeting guests were Kumar Rajeshwar Singh and Kumar Kapileshwar Singh, grandsons of Maharaja Kameshwar Singh's brother. According to the Maharaja's will, they automatically become trustees of the family's religious trust following the queen's death. Kapileshwar Singh shared their vision: "We have to first get full details of the temples and the land attached to them. We will renovate some temples and develop religious and historical tourism around Darbhanga Raj temples and buildings, possibly collaborating with the state government."
Historical Significance of Darbhanga Raj
The nearly 500-year-old Darbhanga Raj traces its origins to the 16th century, founded by Mahesh Thakur of the Khandvala dynasty from present-day Jabalpur. At its peak, the estate spanned 6,200 square kilometers across united Bengal and parts of Nepal, collecting revenue from 4,495 villages.
Key historical contributions include:
- Donating 600 kg of gold to the Indian government during the 1962 war with China
- Hosting the Indian National Congress's historic convention in 1892 at Lowther Castle in Allahabad
- Establishing numerous educational institutions, including Lalit Narayan Mithila University and Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University
- Donating land for Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Darbhanga airport, and Patna University's Darbhanga House
Open Invitation and Traditional Customs
The feast at Kalyani Niwas was open to all, with invitations spread through microphones and social media. Ishnath Jha, a functionary with the religious trust, explained, "There are two types of invitations—a special one for close family and relatives from 40 villages, and another verbal one for everyone else." Of the 25,000 attendees, approximately 1,500 were close relatives and friends.
Raj Kishore Jha described the traditional feast customs: "As per our tradition, we first serve saag (of any leafy edible plants, including mustard). We also have over a dozen varieties of pickles, including those made of dry fruits." However, he noted one criticism: "The buffet system is not good in terms of hospitality."
Mahoday Jha, Darbhanga Raj's Kulpurohit from Jitwar village, reflected on changing traditions: "The family used to donate seven cows, seven calves, some goats and buffaloes, gold, silver and land plots to priests during the last rites of Maharajas until the death of Maharaja Kameshwar Singh. Now, it is just one cow, one goat... Silver utensils are the best we get now."
The grandeur of Darbhanga Raj remains visible in the high sandstone fort walls and royal structures in Darbhanga's Lalbagh area. The Darbhanga Fort, inspired by Fatehpur Sikri and spread over 85 acres, continues to house educational institutions, preserving the legacy of a dynasty that once shaped the region's cultural and historical landscape.
