Sheherwali Jains

TIQD#23 - Sheherwali Jains of Murshidabad

#incredibleindia #theindianquest #sheherwali #jain #community #murshidabad #jagatseth #plassey #1757battle #bankers #bengal

Annals of History speaks that the Battle of Plassey in 1757 changed the entire course of Indian history and a person named Jagat Seth played the main catalyst. Lord Clive defeated the Nawab and Murshidabad and Bengal went to East India Company but an entire community of Jain settlers who were bankers by profession continued to live in the place. They adapted the local Bengali Hindu culture, food, textile and overall lifestyle maintaining their roots and religion. This synthesis led to an unique culture which was distinct from Marwaris. Sheherwali Jains went to become very wealthy lenders through Hundi business and financed even Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, Nawabs, English and French. They hired European architects and built European styled palaces in Murshidabad which are still standing today. Their vegetarian cuisine is one of the most unique in India.