Rani Rashmoni was born of a poor agriculturist family of Village Kona, 24 Parganas (North), West Bengal on 26th September, 1793. At a young age she was married into a wealthy zamindar family of Calcutta. The onus of managing the zamindari and business after her husband’s death brought out her leadership qualities and inherent managerial skills.
Even as the prestige of the zamindari grew, Rani Rashmoni, being very pious from child-hood, continued to lead an extremely religious and austere life. A divine revelation led her to found the famous temple complex on the banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar in 24 Parganas (North). The patronage she gave to Gadadhar encouraged his spiritual awakening to become Sri Ramakrishna in later life and inspire the Great Indian Renaissance movement:
The Rani was a nationalist in her outlook and stood by what she considered fair and just. Her heroic deeds and confrontations with the British in India had become household stories in her time. By ingeniously blocking the trade and commerce on a part of the Ganges, she compelled the British to abolish the tax imposed on fishing in the river which threatened the sole livelihood of poor fishermen. When the Puja processions were stopped by the British on the plea that they disturbed the peace, the Rani came forward in open defiance of the orders and the British had to withdraw the penalty imposed on her in the face of a public upsurge in her support.
Rani Rashmoni also had to her credit numerous charitable works and other contributions to society. The construction of a road from Subarnarekha river to Puri for pilgrims, Babughat, Ahirtola Ghat and Nimtola Ghat for the daily bathers in the Ganges, and the substantial contributions to the then Imperial Library (now National Library) and Hindu College (now Presidency College) are a few instances of her benevolence.
Rani Rashmoni passed away on 19th February, 1861. As in the past, the great achievements of her life will continue to inspire many a generation to come. The Department of Posts is happy to bring out a postage stamp to commemorate the Bicentenary of this illustrious personality.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India