Bansberia was one of the main villages of ancient Saptagram, one of the main ports of ancient India and commercial complex in the area. The practice of imparting education reached its height in the 15th Century, when in every interior corner was a “Chatuspathi” (an ashram- based educational centre). Raja Rameshwar Roy of erstwhile Bansabati (now Bansberia) organized some Brahmin families to establ
ish a Chatuspathi in the 16th Century. In 1679, when the Ananta Basudeva Temple was established and inaugurated, he invited Pandit Ramsaran Tarkabagish from Kashi (Banaras) and made him his family priest and Sabha Pandit , gave him a plot of land to build a Chatuspathi. The Hanseshwari temple and the Ananta Basudeva Temple are famous here. The Basudeva Temple was constructed in the traditional Ekaratna style with curved cornices and an octagonal tower. This family has engaged in imparting education to the society generation after generation. The 5th Generation came under limelight when Late Mr Nagendra Nath Chattopadhyay took a leading role to popularize the “Brahma Samaj”. He had a close relationship with Maharshi Debendra Nath Tagore and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The 82 year old Pandit Ramprasad Tarka Panchanan , a member of this Guru Family, had the distinction to be appointed as the first Principal of the first Sanskrit College at Banaras in 1791. But as the English strengthened their foothold over India, Ashram shiksha was abolished during the Renaissance of Bengal; the Education-for-All Movement gained momentum. This institution also introduced Bengali medium teaching for the first time in Bansberia; earlier, it used to be in Sanskrit. The Guru-Shishya Parampara( Teacher-Disciple tradition) denotes a succession of knowledge from teachers to students in Indian tradition, culture and religion. It is the tradition of spiritual relationship and mentoring, through which knowledge was transmitted from the Guru (teacher) to the Shishya (disciple). Such knowledge, be it Vedic, agamic, architectural, musical or spiritual, is imparted through developing a close relationship between the teacher and the student. It depends on the genuineness of the Guru. The portrayal of respect, commitment, devotion and obedience by the student is the best way for subtle or advanced knowledge to be conveyed. Eventually, the student masters the knowledge the Guru embodies. Reference: History of Bansberia by Bijay Ch. Karmakar
