The founder of the Basu Dynasty of Mahipur is considered to be Dashrath Basu. It is believed that Dashrath Basu was invited to come to the Bengal area, by King Adisur. The available facts on King Adisur are disputed. Some believe that Adisur was like King Arther, more of a myth than reality. Some historians believe that King Adisur and King Jayanta are the same. Jayanta was King from 772-773 AD. Others believe that Dashrath Basu likely came to Bengal area during the rule of the Sen Dynasty that started in 1095 AD.
Given that Purandar Khan's presence can be reasonably dated to about 1493 AD and he was the 13th Decendent of Dashrath Basu, it would appear that if we assume the average life expectancy to be 50 years it is likely that Dashrath Basu came to Bengal at the behest of the Sen Dynasty.
Bengal was under the rule of the Palas before the Sen Dynasty and the Palas were strict Buddhists. If Dashrath Basu and the Brahmins were invited to re-establish Vedic control in Bengal, it is unlikely that this would happen under the rule of the Palas.
In view of the above we can perhaps reasonably conclude that birth of Dashrath Basu can be dated to between about 1035 - 1065AD. Depending whether he was 30-60 years old when he came and the earliest he could have come would be at the beginning of the new Dynasty 1095 AD.
In origin the Basu or "Vasu" in Bengali, Vasa in Sanskrit, may also be related to Srivastava, Sri-"vastava" of Northern India. It is evident from writings on the caves and rocks that Basus were living in a place called 'Sravasti'. Thus, vasus of that place were called "Srivasti. In north-west India.
In Ramayan we find two sons of Shri Ramachandra had two separate capitals Kushabati and Sravasti. Sravasti was situated in north-west region of Ayodhya. It is stated in Puranas that Sravastas constructed Sravastipuri in Gaur. Learned Durgadas Lahiri wrote that Gaur was situated in Ayodhya. There were five places known as "Gaur" in India including the one in Bengal. It is learnt from Mahabharat that Pura Basu and his next generations were rulers of Sravasti and were of Gautam Origin. The authority of Modern Eastern Studies, Nagendra Babu established with historical facts that Basus were known as 'Srivastava' before coming to Gour of Bengal.
It is believed that 5 Brahmins were invited to perform certain ceremonies. The King of Kannauj sent 5 Brahmins accompanied by 5 Kayasthas (Kshtriyas). These were as follows:
The Mythological Version of the Origin of the Basu Family is as Follows:
It is said that Lord Chittragupta was born from the body of Brahma. The 'Kayastha' tittle was given to Lord Chittragupta as he was born from body of Brahma. Thus Lord Chittragupta is the first person of Kayastha dynasty. For their excellence in all fields, Kayasthas were well-ahead of all others from the very beginning.
At one stage, the religious Head of Heaven was finding difficulty in performing his work due to problems created by some unwanted persons in properly executing religious rites. One day he could not control himself and narrated the entire episode to Lord Brahma. He requested Lord to remove the hurdles. Lord Brahma started searching his own soul. One handsome man came out of his body. He was named Chittragupta. He was asked to record all good / bad deeds of all creatures. He earned a permanent seat in the Court of Religion.
As he was born out of Brahma's body (in Sanskrit language 'body' is called 'Kaya'), he became famous by the name 'Kayastha'. Children born in his family are termed as 'Kayastha' by caste. They are divided in different groups and are spread all over the world.
Chittragupta had nine children viz., Srimadra, Nagra, Gour, Sribatsya, Mathura, Ahiphana, Sourasen, Saibasena and Ambashta. Eight grandsons of Chittragupta became ruler of eight places:
1.
Chittravirya
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Jambu Deep
2.
Chittrangada
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Plakshadeep
3.
Chittrasen
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Shalmaldeep
4.
Chittra
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Kushdeep
5.
Chittraratha
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Krounchadeep
6.
Chittradhwaja
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Shakadeep
7.
Sucharu
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Pushkardeep
8.
Charitra
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Pataldee
Chittravirya had two sons - Buddhi and Balahak. Buddhi married Sarmistha. They had nine sons. Their eldest son Dharmagna became king of India. King Dharmagna married Yati and Sati, two daughters of Kirtiman who was minister of King Bharat - son of Dusmantya and Shakuntala.
Yati had four sons - Matiman, Dasharathi, Aatikranta and Guhyak. Sati was mother of seven sons - Durbakya, Durbasha, Kuthu, Shasanka, Poulab, Satapraksha and Durdharsha. They went to the Gurukul (Teacher's House) for education. Matiman went to Soukalin's house, Dasharathi to Gautam's School, Aatikranta to Viswamitra, Guhyak and Durdharsha to Kashyap. Kuthu & Shasanka to the school of Bhardwaj, Poulak to Vasuki, Satapraksha to Mushal, Durbakya and Durbasha to Debdatta.
On completion of their education, children adopted the title of their teachers.
Matiman received the surname 'Ghosh' for his fame.
Dasharathi received the surname of 'Basu' for his wealth.
Aatikranta received the surname of 'Mittra' for his counselling skill.
Guhyak received the surname 'Guha' for his education in caves.
Darbakya had the surname 'Deb' for his religious instinct.
Durbasha had the surname 'Dutta' for his charity.
Kuthu had the surname 'Kar' as he was expert in collecting cess.
Shasanka had the surname 'Palit' as he loved to maintain good relations with people.
Poulak had the surname 'Sen' as he was a soldier.
Satprakash had the surname 'Singha' for his strength.
Durdharsha had the surname 'Das' for his service to people.
Generations after, in the family of Matiman, Makrand Ghosh was born. Similarly Dashratha Basu, Kalidas Mittra, Dashrath Guha, Purshottam Datta were born. They were settled in North-West region of Gour. King Adisur invited these five Kayasthas alongwith five Brahmins to Gour at the time of performing religious rites. They came to Bengal (Gour) and settled.
It is said that in Basu family, Emperor Yayati was born. He was sixth generation of Aatreya. Emperor Yayati had six sons - eldest one was named Jadu while the youngest one as Puru. In this Jadu dynasty Lord Srikrishna was born. In Puru's dynasty, Aajmir was born. Ninth generation of Aajmir's son was known as 'Punyaslok Basu'.
It is said that Nityananda the youngest son of Barahak (Chittragupta's son) went to Magadh and married one after another seventy two girls. Their children are known as Moulik. They were seventy two brothers viz., Hore, Swar, Har, Ban, Som, Sur, Pai, Aich, Dharuni, Shyam, Bhanja, Bindu, Bhuni, Chaki, Bal, Lodh, Chandra, Rudra, Lui, Sharma, Raj, Aditya, Bishnu, Nag, Khil, Pil, Dharma, Indra, Gupta, Pal, Bhadra, Rakshit, Ankur, Man, Ganda, Om, Nath, Rahul, Bandhu, Sani, Hres, Rana, Rama, Gut, Daha, Dana, Kham, Khom, Ghar, Ojha, Ash, Sana, Arnab, Bardhan, Ranga, Gunin, Kirti, Khema, Shakti, Bhut, Beed, Tej, Gan, Bas, Hema, Yash, Kumbha, Nandi, Seal, Brahma, Dhanu, Guna and Dam.
More About DASHRATH BASU:
Emigration: From Kanya Kubja or Kannauj (UP)
Immigration: Gaur
Settled: 1095, Invited by King Hemanta Sen
Children of DASHRATH BASU are: