Gourikanto Sen or Gouri Shankar Sen[1] (1580–1667) was a pre-colonial businessman from Bengal. There is a Bengali proverb about him "Lage Taka Dibe Gouri Sen" (lit. 'If you need, Gouri Sen will give money').[2]
Early life
editGouri Sen was born in Bali, Hooghly district in 1580, the son of merchant Nandaram Sen of the goldsmith community. However, in the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh's book 'Bangladesh Sansiktrik Samkhyamala-9: Pravad-Pravachan', it is mentioned that Harekrishna Muralidhar Sen was Gouri's father.[3] In 1550, Gauri Sen's ancestor Purandar Sen settled in Bali of Hooghly district from Saptagram.[4]
Career
editInitially, Gouri Sen worked as an accountant in Bandel Church. After 1632 his employment ceased.[4] Gouri Sen came to Kolkata to do business and settled in the city.[1] According to Subalchandra Mitra, along with business partner Vaishnav Charan Seth, he won a shipload of zinc at an auction that had sunk. Gouri Sen found silver under the zinc she bought at the auction which was being smuggled.[3] Vaishnava Charan Seth gives his share of silver to Gouri and he becomes a millionaire by selling the ship's silver.[1]
Death
editGouri Sen died in 1667.[3]
Legacy
editGouri Sen helped people who were in danger due to arrears of taxes or debts with money. Gouri Sen used to save those who went to jail for debt from lying there and waiting to die by paying off their debts. He used to help those seeking help with money. He took the responsibility of marrying off the daughters of those who could not marry their own daughters due to lack of money. He is famous for his nature. There is a proverb about him in Bengali.[3]
Historicity
editAccording to A. K. M Mahbubul Haque, Associate Professor of Bengali Department at Jagannath University, Gouri Sen is not a real person but a metaphorical character created by people to bring out different aspects of the society. Mohammad Salim, Professor of History Department of Jagannath University, compares Gouri Sen with Mullah Nasreddin, saying that his existance is disputed.[3]
Descendants
editGouri Sen had two children.[4] A group of families living in Ahiritola, Kolkata are known to be descendants of Gouri Sen. They did the business of changing banknotes. But with time they changed their profession.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Dey, Sudip (2 February 2022). "লাগে টাকা, দেবে...' কে এই গৌরী সেন?". Aaj Tak (in Bengali). Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "প্রবাদ-প্রবচন". Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 28 December 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Sadek, Jahid (4 February 2020). "'লাগে টাকা দেবে গৌরী সেন'- কে এই গৌরী সেন?". Rising BD (in Bengali). Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b c "লাগে টাকা দেবেন তিনি, প্রবাদের এই গৌরী সেন আসলে কে?". The Wall (in Bengali). 16 January 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Ghosh, Pinakpani (3 May 2022). "Gauri Sen: লাগে টাকা দেবে গৌরী সেন, প্রবাদপুরুষের বংশধর ব্যবসা করেন ছেঁড়া-ফাটা টাকার". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Retrieved 3 November 2022.