Mukunda Manikya | |
---|---|
Maharaja of Tripura | |
Reign | 1729–1739 |
Predecessor | Dharma Manikya II |
Successor | Joy Manikya II |
Born | Chandramani Thakur |
Died | 1739 |
Wives [1] |
|
issue [1] |
|
House | Manikya dynasty |
Father | Rama Manikya |
Religion | Hinduism |
Mukunda Manikya (d. 1739) was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1729 to 1739.
Originally named Chandramani Thakur, he was the youngest of the four surviving sons of Maharaja Rama Manikya. [2] [3] Each of his elder brothers had successively ruled Tripura;[ citation needed ] under Ratna II's rule, Chandramani had been sent as a hostage to the Mughal viceregal court at Murshidabad, while during the reigns of Mahendra and Dharma II, he was appointed Barathakur and Yuvraj respectively. [4] [note 1]
When he succeeded Dharma in 1729, Chandramani assumed the regnal name Mukunda Manikya. [6] He proved to be a pious monarch, donating lands to Brahmins and Kshatriyas. [7] He attempted to maintain cordial relations with the Mughals, sending his son Panch Cowrie Thakur as a hostage [8] and informing on a plot to kill the Mughal Faujdar at Udaipur by his cousin Rudramani. [9]
However, in 1739, he was overthrown by the Mughals due to failing to provide Tripura's annual tribute of five elephants. [10] Udaipur was raided and Mukunda, alongside his sons Bhadramani, Krishnamoni and nephew Gangadhar, were arrested. Unable to bear this humiliation, he poisoned himself, with his queen performing sati in his funeral pyre. He was succeeded by Rudramani (afterward known as Joy Manikya II), who was chosen over Mukunda's sons after he drove the Mughals out of Udaipur. [9]
The Manikya dynasty was the ruling house of the Twipra Kingdom and later the princely Tripura State, what is now the Indian state of Tripura. Ruling since the early 15th century, the dynasty at its height controlled a large swathe of the north-east of the Indian subcontinent. After coming under British influence, in 1761 they transitioned from feudal monarchs into rulers of a princely state, though the Manikyas maintain control of the region until 1949, when it ascended in union with India.
Dharma Manikya II was the king of Tripura Kingdom from 1713 to 1725 and again in 1729, although his power was greatly diminished in 1732 with the rise to power of Jagat Manikya with the aid of the Nawab of Bengal, Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan.
Tripura State, also known as Hill Tipperah, was a princely state in India during the period of the British Raj and for some two years after the departure of the British. Its rulers belonged to the Manikya dynasty and until August 1947 the state was in a subsidiary alliance, from which it was released by the Indian Independence Act 1947. The state acceded to the newly independent Indian Union on 13 August 1947, and subsequently merged into the Indian Union in October 1949.
Ratna Manikya I, also known as Ratna Fa, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1462 to the late 1480s. Though he had gained the throne by overthrowing his predecessor, Ratna's reign was notable for the peace and prosperity it had entailed in the region. He extensively reformed and modernised the government and closely allied it with neighbouring Bengal, resulting in a lasting cultural influence in Tripura.
Dharma Manikya I, also known as Dangar Fa, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1431 to 1462. His reign was notable for its territorial expansions as well as for his religious and cultural contributions.
Yashodhar Manikya, also known as Jashodhar Manikya, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1600 to 1618. His reign is considered to be the nadir of the kingdom's history, with the temporary overthrowing of the monarchy and the region's incorporation into the Mughal Empire.
Kalyan Manikya was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1626 to 1660. Reigning in the aftermath of an occupation by the Mughal Empire, Kalyan did much to restore the kingdom, though it remained in a continuous state of war with the Mughals.
Chhatra Manikya was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1661 to 1667.
Govinda Manikya was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1660 to 1661 and again from 1667 to 1676. Though viewed as a capable and successful ruler, Govinda's reign was interrupted by his temporary overthrow and usurpation by his younger brother.
Rama Manikya, also called Ram Manikya or Ramdev Manikya, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1676 to 1685.
Vijaya Manikya II, also spelt Vijay or Bijoy, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1532 to 1563. Succeeding to the throne at a young age, Vijaya proved himself to be a formidable military leader, initiating a series of conquests into several surrounding kingdoms, including the powerful Bengal Sultanate. During Vijaya's reign, the might and influence of Tripura reached its zenith, leading to him being viewed as one of its greatest monarchs.
Mahendra Manikya was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1712 to 1714.
Narendra Manikya was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1693 to 1695.
Ratna Manikya II was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1685 to 1693 and again from 1695 to 1712.
Rajdhar Manikya I, also spelt Rajadhara Manikya, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1586 to 1600. Formerly a warrior-prince who fought with distinction during his father's reign, upon his own ascension to the throne, Rajdhar showed little interest in such matters, instead becoming occupied with religious pursuits. The decline of Tripura is thought to have begun during his reign.
Udai Manikya I, also known as Gopi Prasad, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1567 to 1572. Though from a lowly background, he later rose to become one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom. Following the death of the previous monarch, his son-in-law, Udai took royal power himself, for a time supplanting the ruling dynasty with his own line.
Amar Manikya was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1577 to 1586.
Joy Manikya II was the Maharaja of Tripura during the mid-18th-century. He originally gained the throne through popular approval for his military hostility to the Mughal Empire. However, Joy spent much of his reign warring against various relations to maintain his grip on it, in particular with his cousin Indra Manikya II.
Indra Manikya II was the Maharaja of Tripura during the mid-18th-century. His reign was spent struggling for control of the kingdom with his relative Joy Manikya II.
Udai Manikya II was the Maharaja of Tripura briefly during the mid-18th-century, having laid claim to the throne during a power struggle between his relatives Joy Manikya II and Indra Manikya II.