Nabakrishna Deb

Nabakrishna Deb
Born	1733
Died	1797 Kolkata
Known for	Aristocrat, Treachery

Nabakrishna Deb (better known as Raja Nabakrishna Deb, archaic spelling Nubkissen) (1733–1797), founder of the Shovabazar Raj family, was a prominent zamindar and close associate of Robert Clive. He was instrumental in the plot against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula and believed to be the greatest traitor of India, who sold his motherland to the British and enabling them to rule India for 200 years.

Nabakrishna Deb lost his father, Ramcharan Deb, early in life but his mother took care to ensure that he learnt Urdu and Persian initially and later Arabic and English. Deb was appointed Persian teacher of Warren Hastings in 1750. At one point of time he was munshi (clerk-cum-interpreter) of Governor Drake, advised the British on foreign relations and was a great supporter for the establishment of British power in India. He had carried out confidential work for the British East India Company, prior to and during the Battle of Palashi. After the death of Siraj ud-Daulah, Deb along with Mir Jafar, Amir Beg and Ramchand Roy earned eight crore rupees worth of treasures from the secret treasury.

He is known for the Durga Puja he organised in the newly constructed Shobhabazar Rajbari (king's palace) in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1757, as a patron of numerous performing artistes, and his philanthropy.

After his victory in the Battle of Palashi, in 1757, which laid the foundation for British rule in India, Lord Clive wanted a grand thanksgiving ceremony but the only church in Kolkata had been razed to the ground by Siraj ud-Daulah, during his attack a year earlier. When Deb came to know of Clive's desire, he advised, "Offer your thanks at the goddesses' feet at my Durga Puja.” “But I am a Christian," protested Clive.

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