Musa Munir Khan
The Ravenswood House, located in the picturesque hills of Nainital, holds a rich historical legacy. In the Great Uprising of 1857, amidst the backdrop of social and political upheaval, the Khanpur estate house – Ravenswood in Nainital- was confiscated, marking a pivotal chapter in its narrative.
Today, Ravenswood, a peaceful retreat in the beautiful hills of Nainital, serves as an ideal environment for spiritual growth and inner peace.
Ravenswood is located just above Rajpur village.
Although its beginnings are not rooted in Buddhism, this piece attempts to dwell on its transformation from a private estate to a prominent Buddhist monastery attracting practitioners and seekers from around the world. The Ravenswood house was originally established as a summer retreat by the erstwhile Khanpur estate family (Taluqdar) of Bulandshahr district in Uttar pradesh. The estate had land holding, Pargana shares in nearby districts including Meerut, Moradabad, Bulandshahr and Badaun.
Interestingly, the house located just above Ravenswood belonged to captain Henry Drummond (Bengal Sappers and Miners) who hailed from Roorkee, UP, and which was later purchased by Pigott’s family from Roorkee in 1884. He was also the maternal ancestor of Dave Atkinson the great grandson of Edwin Thomas Atkinson, who served in Bengal Presidency and the North-Western Provinces. Atkinson was a lawyer specialising in Indian law, and successively worked as a judge in a small cause court. He was commissioned to produce a Gazette of Northwestern India and also wrote several books.
The confiscation of Ravenswood House in 1858 was directly linked to the events surrounding the Indian Revolution of 1857, because the Khanpur estate family played a significant role in the great uprising and fought against the colonial power under the command of Nawab of Malagarh and laid down their lives.
This great uprising was a significant battle against the colonial rule, fueled by various grievances, including economic exploitation and cultural insensitivity. This great uprising of 1857 saw widespread violence and unrest across northern India, including Nainital.
After the great uprising of 1857 was crushed, the British empire sought to assert control and punish those were associated with the uprising. Many properties belonging to individuals deemed disloyal were confiscated. Ravenswood, being one of the significant property among many other properties owned by the Khanpur estate family which fell under scrutiny and hence got confiscated due to its association with anti-colonial power.
The confiscation of Ravenswood saw a significant change in the ownership and function of the property. Following its seizure, Ravenswood underwent a transformation as the British government adapted it for various administrative and other purposes. This event led to the larger reconfiguration of power and properties in India after the rebellion. Initially, after the confiscation, Ravenswood House was owned by major JHS Murray, who also served agent or owner Upper Bank of India in Nainital. Subsequently, it was acquired by the renowned JCT Phagwara, a leading manufacturer of textiles and filaments, which renamed it Sukh Niwas. Eventually, the house was sold to the third king of Bhutan Druk Gyalpo (a title that means “Dragon King” and refers to the Head of State of Bhutan) Jigme Dorji Wangchuk’s from Tibetan Mistress Ashi Phuntsho Choden and who took residence there, leading to its transformation from a private estate house into a Buddhist monastery in Nainital.
Today, the history of the erstwhile Ravenswood alias Sukh Niwas serves as a Buddhist monastery in Nainital. Its confiscation in 1858 symbolises the turbulent relationship between the British authorities and the local populace, as well as the broader impact of the great uprising of 1857 on colonial policies.
The confiscation of the Ravenswood House in 1858 is a significant chapter in Nainital’s history, highlighting the intersection of local and colonial narratives. Understanding this event sheds light on the larger socio-political dynamics of the time and the lasting implications for property, power, and identity in India.
(The author is a law student and a descendent of the Khanpur estate; views expressed are personal)
