| Raghunath Singha Dev | |
|---|---|
 Terracotta work on the Pancha Ratna temple dedicated to Shyamrai (Krishna) built by Raghunath Singha Dev in Bishnupur in 1643 | |
| 51st king of the Mallabhum | |
| Reign | 1626–1656 CE. |
| Predecessor | Dhari Hambir Malla Dev |
| Successor | Bir Singha Dev |
| Father | Hambir Malla Dev |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Raghunath Malla Dev, also known as Raghunath Singha Dev, was the fifty-first king of the Mallabhum (now in the Indian state of West Bengal). He ruled from 1626 to 1656 CE. [1] [2] [3]
Because Kalaram, son of Dhari Hambir Malla Dev, was unfit to become a king due to his physical inability, his mother, who was Dhari Hambir's wife, enthroned her husband's young brother Raghunath Malla Dev, who later got the title of Singha. [1]
During his regime a very friendly relationship with the Mughals meant that Bishnupur operated as a free and separate state. Public works that were completed during his reign include five sayars (large size ponds) and temples such as Jor Bangla, Shyam Rai, Kalachand and stone Chariot were built. [1]
The king's family got the title of Singha as an honour due to the strength of Raghunath. [1]
Bishnupur Jor-Bangla temple, built 1655 by King Raghunath Singha Dev. It is richly ornamented with terracotta carvings. The roof has the classic chala style of Bengal architecture. [4] [5]
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The Pancha Ratna temple (five towers) was built by King Raghunath Singha in 1643. It stands on a low square plinth and consists of an ambulatory pathway with a porch opened by three arches on the four sides of the temple. The central sikhara is octagonal, while the other four are square. The walls are richly decorated with terracotta carvings featuring aspects of Lord Krishna's life. [5]
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| Pancha Ratna Temple (Deity Shyam Ray (Krishna)) | One of the five Shikhars of Pancha Ratna Temple | Terracotta work on Pancha Ratna Temple |
This is another temple of laterite stone, built by Raghunath Singha Dev in 1622. It is a deul type of temple and the earliest temple of Lord Siva at Bishnupur. It is square in plan, its height is 10.7 m, and each side is 6.9 m. Its original sikhara was ekratna and have rekh deul style. An octagonal tower later replaced it. This monument is declared to be of national importance under the ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains act 1958. [6]
Built in 1643 by king Raghunath, Shyam Rai temple has the most intricate sculptural details amongst all the Bishnupuur temples. Shyam Rai Temple is an example of the Pancha Ratna (meaning five gems) architecture. The gems in this temple are the four small towers and one main tower that build the Temple. The architecture of this Temple is unique in its own way and is one of the highest prioritized monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). [7]
The Kalachand temple built in 1656 by King Raghunath Singha in ekratna style (one tower) with laterite stone. [8]
Bishnupur is a city and a municipality and now it is District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is known for its terracotta temples built by the Malla rulers, historic Radha Krishna temples built during 1600–1800 CE and the Baluchari sarees.
Chandrakona is a town and a municipality in the Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district in the state of West Bengal, India. The city is located between Ghatal and Garhbeta. Chandraketu was the founder of the kingdom of Chandrakona. In the Ain-E-Akbari, the 16th century Mughal document, it was mentioned as ‘Mana’.
The Bishnupur gharana is a form of singing that follows the dhrupad tradition of Hindustani music, one of the two forms of Indian classical music.
History of Bankura district refers to the history of the present Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Mallabhum was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur, primarily in the present Bankura district in Indian state of West Bengal.
Culture of Bankura district refers to the culture of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Hambir Malla Dev was the forty-ninth king of Mallabhum. He ruled from 1565 to 1620 AD.
The Rasmancha is a historical temple located at Bishnupur, Bankura district, West Bengal, India. It was commissioned by Mallabhum king Hambir Malla Dev in 1600 CE. Length and breadth of this temple is 24.5 meter and the height is 12.5 meter. The base of the temple is made of laterite stone and upper part is made with bricks.
Jay Malla, also known as Joy Malla & Jai Malla, was the son of Adi Malla, the founder of the Mallabhum.
Kalipada Singha Thakur was the last King of Malla dynasty of Bishnupur. He became King of Mallabhum in the year 1930 C.E.
Dhari Malla also known as Ban or Bira Malla was the forty-eight king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1554 to 1565 CE.
Dhari Hambir Malla Dev, also known as Dhari Hambeera was the fiftieth king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1620 to 1626 CE.
Raghunath Singha Dev II was the fifty-fourth king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1702 to 1712.
Durjan Singha Dev was the fifty-third king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1682 to 1702.
Bir Singha Dev, also known as Beera Singha was the fifty-second king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1656 to 1682 CE.
Gopal Singha Dev II was the fifty-eighth king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1809 to 1876 CE.
Madhav Singha Dev(also known as Madhab Singha Deba) was the fifty-seventh king of Mallabhum. He ruled from 1801 to 1809 CE.
Bengal temple architecture is about temple styles developed and used in Bengal, particularly the chala, ratna and dalan temples.
Radh Bengal is a region in West Bengal also known as the Temple Town. This region consists of arrays of temples in varying sizes and devoted to different gods and goddess but the common thread unifying this group is that the temples are constructed in terracotta. The region consists of following districts Birbhum, Bankura, Burdwan, Purulia and parts of Murshidabad. The construction style originated in 16th century and lasted till the 19th century. This period is also referred as a golden age of temple in West Bengal. Reason for development of this construction technique was the rich red laterite soil of the region and lack of construction worthy stone. The skill of creating daily objects from like vessels, pottery, seal and toys evolved into a construction technique in the time of need. These temples are baked terracotta panels or bricks. This particular style spread outside the present day West Bengal as well, to Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam and Tripura.
Shyam Ray Temple is a Krishna temple in Bishnupur town of Medinipur division in Indian state of West Bengal. In this temple, the Hindu God Krishna is worshiped in the form of Shyam; along with Shyam, the murti of Radhika (Radha) is also worshipped. According to the foundation plaque found in the temple, the temple was founded in 1643 by King Raghunath Singha of Mallabhum. The Temple is built in the Pancha-ratna temple architecture, which belongs to the ratna style developed in medieval Bengal.