A Study of the Loans of the Princely State of Cooch Behar, 1863-1911 Tapas Debnath 1 and Dr. Tahiti Sarkar 2 1 Research Scholar, Department of History, University of North Bengal 2 Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of North Bengal Abstract: This article focuses on the loans of the Cooch Behar State especially the loans of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. Cooch Behar became a protected State of the British in 1773. In the initial years of the British connection, Cooch Behar had some debts. After that, there was an increase in the savings of the State from 1864-1883. But the transfer of administration of the Cooch Behar State to Maharaja Nripendra Narayan in 1883 once again faced a shortfall in the State budget. The enormous development activities and personal expenses of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan created this situation. During his reign and afterward, the princely State of Cooch Behar was largely dependent on loans for the smooth running of the State. The British Government was very anxious to collect the debts from Cooch Behar. They wanted to control and reduce the personal expenditure of the Maharaja indirectly for the effective payment of the debts of the Cooch Behar State and the Maharaja. Maharaja Nripendra Narayan didn't control it entirely. After the death of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan, and apathy was seen in the attitude of the British Government to approve the large loan application of the Cooch Behar State from the British treasury. Keywords: Cooch Behar, Loan, Debt, Nripendra Narayan The British connection with Cooch Behar has established in 1773. 1 The question, whether Cooch Behar was a native State or part of British Indian arose in 1873. In India, some native States enjoyed almost full internal sovereignty and others could not even enjoy internal independence. 2 The native State of Cooch Behar became a protected State to the British subjected to payment of half of its annual revenue to the Rangpur treasury. 3 The precise amount of gratitude was fixed in 1780 by the collector of Rangpur at Sikka Rs. 62,722 which was equivalent to Company's Rs. 67,700. 4 The Cooch Behar State had a political relationship with the Government of India through the Government of Bengal in council. The ruling prince was entitled to full jurisdiction. 5 But there was always an influence of the British Government in the internal matters. The State of Cooch Behar was under indirect British rule. 6 There was an indirect influence of the British on the administration of Cooch Behar in the matter of loans or debts of Cooch Behar. Debts Before Nripendra: Some data is available on the debts of Cooch Behar in the initial years of the British connection. Dhairjendra Narayan (1765-1770 & 1775-1783) faced indebtedness. He had a debt of 50,000 French Arcot coins when died. 7 Table-1 The annual budget of Cooch Behar State for the years 1774-75, 1777-78, & 1779-80 were as follows:- Year Income (In Narayani Coins) Expenditure (In Narayani Coins) Debt 1181 B.S.* or 1774-75 A.D. 1,98,763 1,97,831 70,383