Sabarna Roy Choudhury was a Zamindar family of Mughal Bengal. They controlled significant swathes of territory, including what would later become Kolkata, prior to the sale of zamindari rights in 1698 to the East India Company. Zamindari Establishment Legends Family tradition holds that one ascetic of Benaras—Kamdev Brahmachari, born Jia Ganguly and the only heir of Panchu Ganguly "Khan"—had Man Singh I among his disciples. Kamdev had not only taught him all the tricks of war but also provided tactical knowledge about quelling Pratapaditya of Bengal, a rebel vassal. In the meanwhile, Jia's son, Lakshmikanta Ganguly, who was deserted at his birth, had become the Chief Revenue Officer of Pratapaditya. Mansingh had him switch sides before subduing the rebellion c. 1613. In return, the zamindari rights of multiple parganas including but not limited to the three villages of Sutanuti, Govindapur and Dihi Kalikata were granted to him, who went on to adopt the surname of Roy Choudhury. The Gangulys are held to be the traditional patrons (and worshipers) of the Kalighat Kali and thus, the particular choice of lands. These territories were still owned by the Mughal emperor but the right to governance and tax-collection, a major part of which was to be remitted to the Mughal Court, was ceded away with. Historical accuracy Man Singh I had never waged any war against Pratapaditya and the background story about the receipt of grant appears to be fictional. The factual authenticity of Roy Chowdhurys' being the traditional patrons of the deity is disputed. Notwithstanding the unclear circumstances governing their rise to the elite strata, they were one of the first Brahmin families of would-be Calcutta. However, by then, Sutanuti was already a major wool-trading center where had flourished the Bysacks, Seths, and a group of Portuguese merchants. In Calcutta itself, Armenian traders had set foot and commanded significant influence. Relinquishment Around early March 1698, the East India Company (EIC) proposed that the Choudhury have them sub-rent Dihi Kalikata. The offer was rejected since Choudhury saw a chance of permanently losing the properties to a far-powerful client. This led the EIC to negotiate for the rent-rights at the Mughal quarters outright and one Nathaniel Walsh was dispatched to Prince Azim-ush-Shan, then-Viceroy of Bengal Subah. The negotiations proved successful. On 14 April, Walsh informed the Court about the Prince confirming an informal grant of Zamindari rights. Only around early July, the nishaan would