Tamluk Royal Family

Ruins of Tamluk Rajbari

The Tamluk Raj Parivar, also known as the Tamralipta Royal Family or Mayurdhwaja (Peacock) Dynasty, is a historical royal family from Tamluk in present-day West Bengal, India. Associated with the Mahishya caste, ^[1] some historians suggest Rajput origins, though the kings later identified as Mahishya. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Mythological roots and legends

Raja Mordhwaj: The Ancestral Founder of the Tamluk Royal Family

Popular stories say the dynasty's roots go way back to King Mordhwaj, a well-known character from the Mahabharata. Local legends connect the name Tamralipta to King Tamradhwaja—it means "The King with the Copper Flag" ^[5] —who belonged to the Mayura-Dhwaja, or Peacock, dynasty. The story goes that his abundant copper resources brought wealth to the area, which is how both the name Tamralipta and the title Raja Tamradhwaja came to be. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

According some mythological local stories said in Mahabharata era Tamluk king linked with the incident of Svayamvara (marriage ceremony) of Draupadi. ^[9]

Foreign relations and influence

Ancient Indian Maritime Trade Routes

• Relation with China - By the third century, Chinese influence began to extend into the Bengal littoral. The Southern Dynasty of Nanking claimed that the king of Tamralipta had been appointed by them and acknowledged their allegiance. Tamralipta appears to have been the main port of the kingdom of Tan-Mei, whose ruler sent letters to the Chinese court, acknowledging their vassal status. ^[10]
• Relation with Arakan kingdom - The reigning monarch of the erstwhile Kingdom of Arakan, Ananda Chandra's inscription states that his principality had diplomatic and matrimonial ties with the Kingdom of Tamralipta of Southern Bengal. Ananda Chandra, a scion of the Chandra Dynasty of Arakan married Dhenda, the daughter of King Manodhira of Tamralipta. Dhenda has been described as "Stri Ratna". ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Role in freedom movement

The Royal family role in shaping the Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar in 1942 further solidifies its historical significance. Many important meetings of the Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar took place within the grandeur of the Rajbari's building. ^{[14] [15] [16]}

After downfall of the Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar, the British police subjected the Royal family to severe brutality. Now the Tamluk Rajbari is officially recognized as a heritage site by the state government, preserving its rich history and contribution to India's freedom movement. ^[17]

Conflict with East India Company and lost the glory

Zamindar Ananda Narayan Roy with William Dent (Tamluk)

Rani Santoshpriya leaving her share to her adopted son, Ananda Narayan Roy. Subsequently, Raja Sundar Narayan Roy obtained a decree against Rani Krishnapriya. The Government paiks were resisted and seriously injured while executing the decree, the British government confiscated the Rani’s share and placed it in kids possession from 1781 to 1794. In 1789, Rani Krishna Priya died, and in 1795 the whole zamindari was permanently settled with Ananda Narayan Rai. A conflict had erupted with Rani Krishna Priya by 1781. Raja Ananda Narayan was forced to concede to the British and Tamluk was turned into a small zamindary. ^[19]

Notable Members of this family

• RANI KRISHNAPRIYA, the Queen of Tamluk, a province in present-day Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. Known for their free-spirited nature, the people of Medinipur strongly resisted colonial rule during British occupation. Queen Krishnapriya demonstrated exceptional courage by leading a revolt against the East India Company to defend her kingdom (1781). Despite her efforts, she was ultimately defeated and deposed by the British forces. Her resistance became a symbol of inspiration for countless others in the region, contributing to the broader movement for India's freedom from British rule. ^{[20] [21]}
• RAJA SURENDRA NARAYAN ROY, the 60th ruler of the Tamluk royal family and a prominent freedom fighter of India's struggle for independence. He actively participated in the resistance against the partition of Bengal (1905), enduring persecution by the British authorities. A dedicated and principled leader, he was instrumental in the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, notably offering a portion of the Tamluk Rajbari to support the Salt Satyagrahis, which led to the rise of leaders like Sushil Dhara, Satish Samant, and Ajay Mukherjee. He was arrested by the British on 15th May, 1930, for his involvement in the Salt Satyagraha, but public outcry led to his release on May 22, reflecting his widespread popularity. In 1938, he hosted a meeting for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, even sacrificing his cherished Khosarang mango orchard for the event. Throughout his life, Raja Surendra Narayan Roy supported freedom fighters both financially and in other capacities, earning immense respect for his dedication to India's independence. ^[22]
• RAJA DHIRENDRA NARAYAN ROY,son of Raja Surendra Narayan, a notable figure of India's freedom struggle.He actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement in the 1930s and was arrested multiple times for his anti-British activities. While studying medicine at the National Medical School, he continued his activism and played a key role in organizing a public meeting for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1936, leading to another arrest. Upon his father's death in 1942, Dhirendra Narayan Roy became the king of Tamrolipta but prioritized India's independence over his royal duties. After independence, he focused on medical service and community welfare, dedicating himself to humanitarian efforts while avoiding political involvement. He was also a life member and officer of the World Doctors Association. ^[23]

Temple

• BARGABHIMA TEMPLE - Maharaja Tamradhwaj (Mayur Dynasty/Tamralipta Dynasty) established the Bargabhima Temple (among 51 Shakta Pithas) around 1150 year back. ^{[24] [25] [26]}

  

  Bargabhima Temple (Saktipith)

• Jishnu Hari Temple - The Jishnu Hari Temple in Tamluk, according to the local legends that this is a significant religious site which was established by the first king of this dynasty. ^[27]

Jishnu Narayan murti

• 
  Jishnu Hari
• 
  Jishnu Hari temple
• 
  Temple front view

Jishnu Hari (Krishna murti)

References

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7. "History | Purba Medinipur | India" . Retrieved 2025-01-03.
8. The Modern Review. Prabasi Press Private, Limited. 1984. p. 215.
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12. Braginsky, Vladimir (2014-03-18). Classical Civilizations of South-East Asia. Routledge. p. 379. ISBN   978-1-136-84879-7.
13. Braginsky, Vladimir (2014-03-18). Classical Civilizations of South-East Asia. Routledge. p. 382. ISBN   978-1-136-84879-7.
14. "Independence Day Story: স্বদেশী আন্দোলনের অন্যতম পীঠস্থান তমলুক রাজবাড়ী". bengali.news18.com (in Bengali). 2021-08-15. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
15. চট্টোপাধ্যায়, শর্মিষ্ঠা (2023-04-10). "তমলুক রাজবাড়ি চত্বরে পা পড়েছিল নেতাজির, ৮৫ তম বর্ষপূর্তিতে আন্তর্জাতিক আলোচনা সভার আয়োজন". Eisamay Online (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-11.
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17. "Tamluk Rajbari".
18. "File:Capture image 2025-03-20 235809.png - Wikipedia". commons.wikimedia.org. 2025-03-20. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
19. O’malley .l. S. S. (1911). Bengal District Gazetteers Midnapore. p. 242. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
20. of India, Govt. "Krishnapriya, Queen of Tamluk". INDIAN CULTURE.
21. Kolkata, PIB. "Senior Journos Recall the Contributions of the Unsung Lady Freedom Fighters as a Part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' Celebration". Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Kolkata.
22. Kumar, Sujatak (April 18, 2024). "Raja Surendra Narayan Roy". Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (Digital District Repository Detail).
23. Kumar, Sujatak (July 11, 2024). "Raja Dhirendra Narayan Roy". Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ( Digital District Repository Detail).
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26. Rasheed, Abdur (1907). The Travellers' Companion: Containing a Brief Description of Places of Pilgrimage and Important Towns in India. Superintendent government printing. p. 240.
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28. "File:Capture image 2025-03-18 224003.png - Wikipedia". commons.wikimedia.org. 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2025-03-18.