Lakshminarayan of Bhurishrestha
Encyclopedia
Maharaja Lakshminarayan was the last ruler of Bhurishrestha. When he was the prince, he had defeated and humiliated Krishnaram Ray, the ruler of Bardhaman
in a battle. The latter was subsequently killed by a rebellious feudatory called Shobha Singh, who killed most of Krishnaram's family as well. However one of his grandsons Kirtichand Ray later rose into prominence and earned the favour of Murshid Quli Khan
. With the latter's active patronage he conspired to annex Bhurishrestha while Lakshminarayan was away from the capital. Lakshminarayan returned to fight valiantly against Kirtichand, but failed to maintain the sovereignty of the kingdom due to sabotage from within.
of the armed forces
. He was a great soldier and a skilled archer. When Krishnaram Ray infringed upon the territory of Bhurishrestha, he led the royal forces against him. He showed remarkable bravery in the battle and defeated Krishnaram Ray.
died. The Mughal empire was on the decline, the law and order situation in the province of Bengal was worsening under the governorship
of Ibrahim Khan. Taking advantage of the situation in the mid of 1695, Shobha Singh, the zamindar of Chetua-Borda revolted against the Mughal empire
and began to annex the neighbouring estates. He became so powerful, that he decided to attack Bardhaman
. Krishnaram, sensing danger, pleaded Lakshminarayan for help. But the latter, irritated with Krisharam's activities and allegiance to the Mughals
refused any kind of help and instead allowed Shobha Singh to pass through the Bhurishrestha territory and attack Burdwan. Krishnaram was killed in the conflict. Shobha Singh sacked Bardhaman
and took Krishnaram's family members as hostage
s.
After Murshid Quli Khan
became the Naib Nazim of Bengal
, he adopted a policy of expansion by which he planned to bring the independent Hindu
states like Bhurishrestha and Bishnupur under the standard of Islam
. Kirtichand Ray, the successor to Krishnaram's son Jagatram was close to Murshid Quli Khan
and he was entrusted with the conquest of Bhurishrestha. Kirtichand conspired with Rajvallabh, the younger brother of Sadashiva, the garhnayak of Pendo to overthrow the kingdom. Rajvallabh managed to get the diwan Radhavallabh Datta on his side with promises of promotions and other benefits. They were waiting for the opportune moment to wreck the kingdom with a sabotage
from within. Soon, Lakshminarayan made plan to perform puja at the Bargabhima temple at Tamluk
along with his wife. At that time Rajavallabh engineered a rumour that a band of Bargi
s were approaching Bhurishrestha and were joined by ferocious dacoits from Telengana. Lakshminarayan deployed his troops to Tamluk
leaving the capital under the command of Radhavallabh. In the meantime, Rajvallabh led the forces of Kritichand into the kingdom accompanied by the forces of the Mughal faujdar of Hooghly. After capturing the forts of Chhaunapur and Naskardanga, their combined troops surrounded Garh Bhavanipur. Bamacharan Paladhi, the kotwal held the fort for two days before being killed by a insider. His wife Veermati manned the defence after his death, before being martyred. Lakshminarayan returned with the troops and a heavy battle ensued. Kirtichand's forces had taken control of most of the fort and drove the advantage to victory. Lakshminarayan fled with the royal family to Chandrakona
.
bears the legacy of his rule.
Bardhaman Raj
The Bardhaman Raj was a zamindari estate that flourished from about 1657 to 1955, first under the Mughals and then under the British in the province of Bengal in India...
in a battle. The latter was subsequently killed by a rebellious feudatory called Shobha Singh, who killed most of Krishnaram's family as well. However one of his grandsons Kirtichand Ray later rose into prominence and earned the favour of Murshid Quli Khan
Murshid Quli Khan
Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal. In fact circumstances resulted in his being the first independent ruler of Bengal post the death of Emperor Aurangzeb...
. With the latter's active patronage he conspired to annex Bhurishrestha while Lakshminarayan was away from the capital. Lakshminarayan returned to fight valiantly against Kirtichand, but failed to maintain the sovereignty of the kingdom due to sabotage from within.
Early life
While he was a young prince he rose to the position of commander-in-chiefCommander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the armed forces
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
. He was a great soldier and a skilled archer. When Krishnaram Ray infringed upon the territory of Bhurishrestha, he led the royal forces against him. He showed remarkable bravery in the battle and defeated Krishnaram Ray.
Reign
Lakshminarayan ascended the throne of Bhurishrestha some time between 1690 and 1695, after NaranarayanNaranarayan
Naranarayan is a Sanskrit term meaning the combination of the human and the supreme being, here Vishnu. In Sanskrit, nara means human being and narayan means Narayana, another name for Vishnu...
died. The Mughal empire was on the decline, the law and order situation in the province of Bengal was worsening under the governorship
Subahdar
Subahdar was one of the designations of a governor of a Subah during the Mughal era of India who was alternately designated as Sahib-i-Subah or Nazim. The word, Subahdar is of Persian origin...
of Ibrahim Khan. Taking advantage of the situation in the mid of 1695, Shobha Singh, the zamindar of Chetua-Borda revolted against the Mughal empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and began to annex the neighbouring estates. He became so powerful, that he decided to attack Bardhaman
Bardhaman Raj
The Bardhaman Raj was a zamindari estate that flourished from about 1657 to 1955, first under the Mughals and then under the British in the province of Bengal in India...
. Krishnaram, sensing danger, pleaded Lakshminarayan for help. But the latter, irritated with Krisharam's activities and allegiance to the Mughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
refused any kind of help and instead allowed Shobha Singh to pass through the Bhurishrestha territory and attack Burdwan. Krishnaram was killed in the conflict. Shobha Singh sacked Bardhaman
Bardhaman Raj
The Bardhaman Raj was a zamindari estate that flourished from about 1657 to 1955, first under the Mughals and then under the British in the province of Bengal in India...
and took Krishnaram's family members as hostage
Hostage
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by a captor. The original definition meant that this was handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war...
s.
After Murshid Quli Khan
Murshid Quli Khan
Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal. In fact circumstances resulted in his being the first independent ruler of Bengal post the death of Emperor Aurangzeb...
became the Naib Nazim of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, he adopted a policy of expansion by which he planned to bring the independent Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
states like Bhurishrestha and Bishnupur under the standard of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Kirtichand Ray, the successor to Krishnaram's son Jagatram was close to Murshid Quli Khan
Murshid Quli Khan
Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal. In fact circumstances resulted in his being the first independent ruler of Bengal post the death of Emperor Aurangzeb...
and he was entrusted with the conquest of Bhurishrestha. Kirtichand conspired with Rajvallabh, the younger brother of Sadashiva, the garhnayak of Pendo to overthrow the kingdom. Rajvallabh managed to get the diwan Radhavallabh Datta on his side with promises of promotions and other benefits. They were waiting for the opportune moment to wreck the kingdom with a sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
from within. Soon, Lakshminarayan made plan to perform puja at the Bargabhima temple at Tamluk
Tamluk
Tamluk is the district headquarters of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. Though there is some controversy, scholars have generally agreed that present day Tamluk is the site of the ancient city variously known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti...
along with his wife. At that time Rajavallabh engineered a rumour that a band of Bargi
Bargi
Bargis indulged in large scale plundering of the countryside dominated western part of Bengal for about ten years . Bargi invasions took place almost as an annual event.- Etymology :...
s were approaching Bhurishrestha and were joined by ferocious dacoits from Telengana. Lakshminarayan deployed his troops to Tamluk
Tamluk
Tamluk is the district headquarters of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. Though there is some controversy, scholars have generally agreed that present day Tamluk is the site of the ancient city variously known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti...
leaving the capital under the command of Radhavallabh. In the meantime, Rajvallabh led the forces of Kritichand into the kingdom accompanied by the forces of the Mughal faujdar of Hooghly. After capturing the forts of Chhaunapur and Naskardanga, their combined troops surrounded Garh Bhavanipur. Bamacharan Paladhi, the kotwal held the fort for two days before being killed by a insider. His wife Veermati manned the defence after his death, before being martyred. Lakshminarayan returned with the troops and a heavy battle ensued. Kirtichand's forces had taken control of most of the fort and drove the advantage to victory. Lakshminarayan fled with the royal family to Chandrakona
Chandrakona
Chandrakona is a town with a municipality in the Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is a small town. This town is located between Ghatal and Garhbeta. The king – Chandraketu was the founder of the kingdom of Chandrakona. In Ain-E-Akbari it was...
.
Welfare
Lakshminarayan like his father was a patron of art and culture. In 1705, he erected the temple of Gopinath Jiu in Garh Bhavanipur. He granted the village of Bally to the royal priest Ram Kishor. The village of Lakshminarayanpur in HowrahHowrah District
Howrah district is a district of the West Bengal state in eastern India. It has thousands of years of rich heritage in the form of the great Bengali kingdom of Bhurshut. The district is named after its headquarters, the city of Howrah.-Geography:...
bears the legacy of his rule.