In the annals of time, tracing back to the thirteenth century, the Kayastha and Khatri communities from northwest India began a migration, journeying to the provincial stronghold of Kara-Manikpur. Nestled on the banks of the Ganga, Kara-Manikpur was more than a mere settlement; it was a place of power and intrigue in medieval India, predating the foundation of Ilāhābās (Allahabad) by Emperor Akbar in 1583 CE. This city witnessed momentous events, such as the infamous assassination of Jalaluddin Khilji by his nephew Alauddin Khilji, who seized the throne of Delhi and declared himself the Sultan of Hindustan. This lineage of Kayastha families settled along the Ganga in KaraManikpur, carrying with them a legacy of governance, entrusted as ministers and officials to the Iqtādārs and Subedārs (provincial governors) of the time.
Among these early settlers was the family of Asharfi Lall, a Srivastava Kayastha zamindār whose forefathers were once powerful estate-holders, managing lands in and around Kara-Manikpur, Kaushambi, Shahzadpur, and Barahimpur (now in Pratapgarh District). These ancestral estates spanned both banks of the Ganga, today divided across Kaushambi and Pratapgarh districts. However, as time passed, the family’s dominion faced decline. Asharfi Lall’s grandfather, Lala Girdhari Lal, struggled to sustain these holdings, and despite his efforts, most of the land was lost. Nand Kishore, Asharfi Lall’s father, tried valiantly to reclaim the family’s legacy but could not fully restore their former influence.
Seeing a world of opportunity in the bustling city of Allahabad, then the capital of the Northwestern Provinces, Nand Kishore encouraged his son, Pearey Mohan, to relocate there. Born in 1861 in Kaushambi, Pearey Mohan grew up in a region where Muslim zamindars dominated, and his family was one of the few prominent Kayastha estate-holders remaining. From a young age, his charisma and sense of duty attracted the attention of the Muslim zamindars, who respectfully bestowed upon him the title “Asharfi Lall.” This title became his identity, one he carried with pride throughout his life.
Determined to reclaim his family’s lost prominence, Asharfi Lall established himself in Allahabad, aligning with the influential Khatri merchants. He found a mentor in Lala Ramcharan Das Tandon, raees, a wealthy Khatri banker and magnate of Allahabad who had amassed considerable wealth through indigo and cotton trade with the British.
Munshi Asharfi Lall, Esquire.
Bhagwat Prasad Srivastava (Raja Sahib)
The Tandons, treasurers of Allahabad Fort and its garrison, were among the most prominent Khatri families in India. In his work with Lala Ramcharan Das Tandon’s firm, Asharfi Lall mastered Persian and English, and his dedication made him an indispensable confidante and property manager of their firms. His skill and diligence led him to recover the family’s lost estates and even expand them, eventually establishing himself as a prominent banker. Acknowledged for his expertise and loyalty, he earned the title of “Munshi” from his mentor, a term that elevated him among the elites, while the British addressed him as Asharfi Lall, Esquire.
As Allahabad blossomed, Asharfi Lall contributed to its development, overseeing several public works sponsored by the Tandon family. His collaborations with Russian architect Korni brought architectural beauty to the city, with landmarks such as the Baradari of Balughat on the Yamuna banks, which was dedicated to Lala Manohardas Tandon by his descendants. Asharfi Lall’s deep connections extended beyond the Tandons, as he mingled with prominent figures in Allahabad’s history. His circle included Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon, Chaudhary Mahadeo Prasad (whose legacy continues in CMP College which is named after him), and Motilal Nehru, (also a legal advisor to Bachchaji’s firms, who corresponded with the Tandon family through Asharfi Lall).
Known for his grand gatherings, he held vibrant tea parties and cultural assemblies, with his final grand event marking India’s transition to a republic in January 1950. Attendees included freedom fighters and elders who had even witnessed the Great Uprising of 1857. Even in his success, Asharfi Lall remained rooted in humility. Although Lala Manmohan Das Tandon offered him a sprawling estate in Gangaganj of Allahabad, he chose to build his own home in Yahiyapur (present-day Malviya Nagar), alongside other esteemed Kayastha families. His residence stood close to the mansion of Chaudhary Naunihal Singh, another prominent Kayastha landholder.
After the passing of his first wife, a zamindar descendant from Muthiganj, he remarried Kishun Dei, also from a landholding family in Handia. Kishun Dei’s elder sister was married to Lala Munshiram Prasad, an influential lawyer whose mansion stood nearby. Progressive in thought, Asharfi Lall rejected the age-old practice of purdāh within his family, an unusual stance among elite Hindu families of the time. Embracing education, he ensured his children were well-versed in modern learning and values. Recognized for his leadership, he was selected as Secretary and Treasurer of the Agra Province Zamindari Association, headquartered at Allahabad’s Meston Hall (today’s CMP College Main Building). Under his guidance, the association played a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle and in shaping legislative policies in Uttar Pradesh.
His life of public service and enterprise came to a close on October 1, 1953, leaving a legacy deeply etched in Allahabad’s history.
Asharfi Lall was survived by two sons: Bhagwat Prasad Srivastava, fondly known as Raja Saheb, who managed the family estates and served as the Gram Panchayat head in Kaushambi for thirty-five years, and Govind Prasad Srivastava, who rose to the position of Inspector-General (Stamps & Registration) in the Board of Revenue, Allahabad.
Govind Prasad’s marriage to Gomti Srivastava from the Sohawal State (near Satna) further strengthened the family’s influence. Her family, deeply rooted in Indian jurisprudence, included her grandfather, Prime Minister (Dewan) of the princely state of Sohawal, and her father and uncle, both legal luminaries in Satna and Rewa. Her uncle, Maheshwari Prasad was the Advocate-General of Madhya Pradesh (then Vindhya Pradesh). Her maternal uncle, Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma, later rose to become Chief Justice of India, adding yet another esteemed name to the family’s lineage.
Govind Prasad Srivastava’s own sons, Niranjan Lal and Ravi Srivastava, continue the family’s legacy. Niranjan Lal practices law in Allahabad, while Ravi Srivastava has established himself in the United States. Niranjan Lal is married to Saloni Sinha, daughter from a family of Tāluqdārs and Mahālwārs of Sitapur. Her father was a Science Professor in Delhi College and she grew up in the vibrant Chandni Chowk of Delhi. Niranjan Lal has a daughter and son, Akshat Lal, an academic deeply invested in medieval history, who keeps the family’s historical legacy alive through his research on Allahabad’s rich past. Ravi Srivastava is married to Suparna Banerjee, a professor of English in Rewa who is from the family of great legal luminary, Pearey Lal Banerjee, the first Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh after Independence. Ravi Srivastava’s sons, Rajeev and Rahul Srivastava, carry forward the family’s values and integrity in their corporate endeavours.
Today, the family of Munshi Asharfi Lall flourishes within and beyond the bounds of Allahabad, but their roots remain firmly entrenched in the city’s soil. The indomitable spirit of Asharfi Lall, a visionary and a devoted son of Allahabad, left an indelible imprint on the city’s history— a testament to resilience, legacy, and an enduring commitment to community and culture. Through the annals of Allahabad’s heritage, Munshi Asharfi Lall’s name shines, immortalising a family that has contributed profoundly to the city’s history and vibrancy.
Govind Prasad Srivastava
