ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the emergence of Dumraon, the headquarters of the Dumraon Estate, one of the oldest zamindaris in Bihar, situated south of the river Ganga in the old Shahabad district as a prominent urban centre under the stewardship of Maharaja Radha Prasad Singh between the late 1860s and 1894 when he passed away. The British success opened the eyes of the zamindars and the Indian intelligentsia. The zamindars knew that armed opposition to the British rule in order to force them to accept their demands was futile. Radha Prasad Singh ensured that like all urban centres Dumraon became the torch-bearer of social reform. It shows that he was aware of the wave of social reform then blowing in the country. Modern urban centers showcase latest achievements of technology directly impinging upon the life of common man. Maharaja Radha Prasad Singh was keen that advances made by science and technology should be known to the residents of Dumraon.
