Ambubachi Mela 2025 - Kamakhya Temple Guwahati

Rani Lakshmipriya Devi (wife of Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev): Fruits and vegetable market in Historic Beltola Bazaar Rani Lakshmipriya Devi took up the administration of Beltola Mouza in 1937 CE after her husband Raja Rajendra Narayan Dev died suddenly in an accident on a hunting excursion. Since their children, two sons and one daughter were in their minor age, the queen undertook to look after the administration of Beltola Mouza. Due to her efficiency in handling the administration, Rani Lakshmipriya Devi became very popular among the people of Beltola. She actively participated in the welfare programs of the people and performs charity in various religious ceremonies.[17] She took utmost care for the educations of her children. Her elder son Kumar Jatindra Narayan Dev, after completion of his college education, was sent to Colorado School of Mines in United States of America. Her second son, Dwijendra Narayan Dev was also a prominent film producer and director.[18] After India's independence in 1947, the power of administration of Beltola Mouza was transferred to the Government of Assam. In 1956 CE, the Government of India abolished the Zamindari or the system of landlords. Due to which the royal family of Beltola lost much of their lands, which were distributed to the landless peasants.[19] In 1974 CE, the Government of India abolished all the special privileges bestowed to former royal families of India. The royal family of Beltola was also affected by these changes and the rank of Beltola Mouza was demoted from Raj Mouza to that of general category Mouza. Women from various indigenous ethnic communities engaged in business in Historical Beltola Haat or Beltola Bazaar In spite of the loss of power and privileges, Rani Lakshmipriya Devi continued her social welfare programs for the common people. She also raised her voice for the indigenous Assamese communities of Beltola Mouza, when the population of the local indigenous communities faced the threat for their existence due to the settlement of large number of people from different parts of Assam in Beltola, as the city of Guwahati expands into Beltola Mouza. She also worked to protect the rights of indigenous communities in the historical Beltola Haat or Beltola Bazaar, when some outside business community tried to expel them. It was partly because of her effort that the historical Beltola Haat or Beltola Bazaar still retains the indigenous character of being a meeting point for the people from hills and plains.[21] Rani Lakshmipriya died in 1991, at the age of 80 years.[22] Her daughter Madhuri Choudhury wrote several books on her life and several others on the history of Beltola. The royal family of Beltola still holds the official post of Mouzadar of Beltola Mouza though they do not have any power of administration except collecting land taxes for Government of Assam.