Darbhanga Colony (formerly known as Darbhanga Castle or Lowther Estate) is a posh central neighborhood in
Prayagraj
Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benar ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. It was formerly owned by the royal family of
Darbhanga
Darbhanga is the fifth largest city and municipal corporation in the state of Bihar in India, and is considered an important city in North Bihar. It serves as the headquarters of the Darbhanga district and the Darbhanga division. Darbhanga ...
. It still houses the Lowther Castle in the colony. Darbhanga Colony played important a role in Independence movement of India as the Fourth and Eighth annual convention of Indian National Congress was held in here.
Location
With its central location in the city it as bordered by
Georgetown. Other locations in Prayagraj are at optimum distance from it such as the
Civil Lines
Civil Lines, historically known as White Town, were residential neighborhoods developed during the British Raj for senior civilian officers, such as the Divisional Commissioner and District Magistrate. These townships were established across the In ...
,
Colonelgunj,
Rambagh, etc.
Culture
Durga Puja celebrations organized by the Darbhanga Colony Puja Committee is one of the best organized events in Prayagraj attracting lakhs of devotees.
Darbhanga Castle
Darbhanga Castle (also known as Lowther Castle) was the residential building of the then
Maharaja of Darbhanga
The Darbhanga Raj, also known as Raj Darbhanga and the Khandwala dynasty, was a chieftaincy located within the Mughal province of Bihar which controlled territories, not all contiguous, that were part of the Mithila region, now divided between ...
, Maharaja
Lakshmeshwar Singh
Maharaja Sir Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the Zamindar and principal landowner of Darbhanga in the Mithila region, presently in the state of Bihar, India. His philanthropic works, admin ...
. He purchased a large property known as Lowther Castle and allowed Indian National Congress to hold its convention there. This property was renamed as Darbhanga Castle. Again, in the year 1892, the annual convention of Indian National Congress was held in Darbhanga Castle. The annual convention of Congress of 1892 was held on 28 December 1892 at the extensive grounds of Darbhanga Castle, now known as Darbhanga Colony.
[Indian Politics Since the Mutiny by Sir Chirravoori Yajneswara Chintamani] It was later donated to Government of India after independence and Darbhanga House was constructed.
References
Neighbourhoods in Prayagraj
{{Allahabad-geo-stub