Bahubalindra Royal Family

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Moyna Raj Family
Moynagarh stamp 2025-05-21 224830.png
Current region Medinipur district, West Bengal
FounderGovardhanananda Bahubalindra

The Bahubalindra Dynasty or the Moyna Raj Family is an ancient royal lineage based in the present-day Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, identifying with the Mahishya caste. [1] [2] This royal family ruled the Jalauti Dandapat (the Gajapati Empire was divided into many Dandapats) as feudal vassal lords under the Gajapati Emperor Harichandan Mukundadeva. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

History

During the reign of Utkal King Gajapati Kapilendra Deva in 1467, Kalindiram Samanta one of the king's prominent generals was appointed as the Samanta of Balisitagarh, located near Keleghai River. One descendant of Kalindiram, Govardhan Samanta was appointed as Samanta Raja under the Gajapati ruler Mukundadeva. When a pirate Sridhar Hui's activities worsened with the support of foreign traders, King Mukundadeva sent Govardhan. Tasked with confronting and defeating the tyrannical pirate, Govardhana's successful campaign led the Gajapati King to established him as the feudal King of Moynagarh. [3] [6]

Rise as an independent Kingdom

After Govardhan got the control of Moyanagarh, he stopped paying tribute to the Mukunda deva, which led to an attack on Moynagarh by the King and his soldiers. Despite being outnumbered, Gobardhanan fought valiantly but was captured in the end. In a surprising turn of events, Gobardhanan managed to control a maddened elephant in the court of the Gajapati King which no other warrior seemed to be capable off. This act of bravery, combined with his melodious voice, reached Gajapati Raja Mukundadeva's ears. Disguised, the king visited Gobardhan in prison, mesmerized by his songs. Impressed by his bravery and character, the king freed Gobardhan and gave him the title of Bahubalindra (the one with extreme strength), making him an independent ruler with control over Moynagarh and it's surroundings by 1562. [7] [8] Consequently, after the advent of the Mughal Empire, in Bengal, the dynasty was recognised by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir as an independent royal family of Bengal. [1]

Reconstruction of Moynagarh fort

Moynagarh Fort Moynagarh Map 2025-05-21 191749.png
Moynagarh Fort
Destroyed fort Destroyed palace2025-05-21 225120.png
Destroyed fort

As an independent king of Moynagarh, Govardhanananda Bahubalindra took significant steps to protect his kingdom and fort from foreign invasions. To fortify his fort and kingdom, he constructed two square moats, Kalidaha and Makardaha, and filled the Makardaha moat with crocodiles to prevent enemy forces from reaching the fort. Additionally, he connected the surrounding bamboo groves in a way that rendered enemy arrows ineffective. These strategic moves ensured the fort's security and its invincibility, especially during Bargis raids and other subsequent invasions. [9]

Consolidation

After the establishment of the new stronghold of Moynagarh by Raja Gobardhanananda, the new Kingdom had to wage wars with numerous neighbouring Kingdoms such as the Tamluk Raj and Kajlagarh Raj which it managed to win and thus evolved into a formidable force in the Medinipur region. It also resisted multiple invasions at times by different Sultans of Bengal. [3] The Royal family also provided incentive to their caste fellows, many Mahishya families to settle across their Kingdom. Their historical resettlement today makes up the current inhabitants of Moyna. [2]

Conflict with the East India Company

Temple Bahubalindra's temple 2025-05-21 191512.png
Temple

During the Mughal rule, the Bahubalindra Kings ruled on their initial independent mandate. Due to a conflict with the East India Company, they first lost their sovereignty. During Mughal Emperor Jahangir's reign, the then King, Parmananda was honored with a royal insignia and a panja (royal seal). The Royal Family later faced challenges from the British East India Company under the instructions of the Governor General Warren Hastings, which attacked the fort in response to the family's refusal to pay taxes. However British company failed to capture the King due to the fort's secret chamber, which was unreachable, though the British looted the treasures of the fort. [10]

Notable members

Genealogy

[7]
Sl no.Name of the kingTimeline (AD)
1.Kalindiram Samanta ( Samanta of Gajapati Emperor Kapilendra deva and the ruler of Jalauti Dandapat/ He is the ruler of Balisitagarh)1434-1467
2.Dharanidhar Samanta
3.Baishnav Charan Samanta
4.Chaitanya Charan Samanta
5.Nandiram Samanta
6.Govardhananda Samanta / Govardhananda Bahubalindra (Mukundadeva declared him as the first independent King of Moynagarh)1561-1607
7.Paramananda Bahubalindra1607-1672
8.Madhavananda Bahubalindra1672-1719
9.Gokulananda Bahubalindra1719-1742
10.Kripananda Bahubalindra1742-1770
11.Jagadananda Bahubalindra1770-1783
12.Brajananda Bahubalindra1783-1793
13.Anandananda Bahubalindra1793-1822
14.Radhashyamananda Bahubalindra (He broke the one child policy of the royal family, he had four sons: Purnanada Bahubalindra, Yadavananda Bahubalindra, Sacchidananda Bahubalindra and Premananda Bahubalindra)1822-1833
15.Purnananda Bahubalindra1833
16.Herembananda Bahubalindra
Bahubalindra royals Bahubalindra fam8ily tree 2025-05-21 224635.png
Bahubalindra royals

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Senapati and Das, Uma and Dulal Krishna (2018). মাহিষ্য রত্নাবলী জীবনী শতক[Mahishya Ratnavali Biographical Century] (in Bengali) (2nd ed.). Kolkata: Tuhina Publications (published 2020). pp. 72 to 73. ISBN   9788194434641.
  2. 1 2 Das, Bishnupada (1996). Some Aspects of Socio-economic Changes in South Western Frontier Bengal Since Introduction of Neo-Vaiṣṇavism. Firma KLM Private Limited. p. 23. ISBN   978-81-7102-049-2.
  3. 1 2 3 Medinīpura, itihāsa o saṃskr̥tira bibartana (in Bengali). Sāhityaloka. 1989. p. 199.
  4. ↑ Das, Bishnupada (1996). Some Aspects of Socio-economic Changes in South Western Frontier Bengal Since Introduction of Neo-Vaiṣṇavism. Firma KLM Private Limited. pp. 157, 225. ISBN   978-81-7102-049-2.
  5. ↑ Bhaumick, Manoranjan (2001). History, Culture, and Antiquities of Tāmralipta. Punthi Pustak. p. 168. ISBN   978-81-86791-27-1.
  6. 1 2 3 "Welcome to Midnapore.in-Royal Families of Midnapore". www.midnapore.in. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Jānā, Surendranātha (1971). Br̥hattara Maẏanāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Yajñesvara Lāibrerī. p. 42.
  8. ↑ Jānā, Surendranātha (1971). Br̥hattara Maẏanāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Yajñesvara Lāibrerī. p. 41.
  9. ↑ "Purba Medinipur Tourism: ময়নাগড়ের দুর্গে প্রবেশ করতে পারেনি ইংরেজরা, যাবেন নাকি পুজোর ছুটিতে!". bengali.news18.com (in Bengali). 29 August 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Bangla, Nwes 18 (29 August 2022). "Purba Medinipur Tourism: ময়নাগড়ের দুর্গে প্রবেশ করতে পারেনি ইংরেজরা, যাবেন নাকি পুজোর ছুটিতে!". bengali.news18.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ "When Bengal's royals descended at ITC Sonar with Hilsa recipes". Get Bengal. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
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