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Bahubalindra Royal Family

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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]

Moyna Raj Family
Current regionMedinipur district, West Bengal
FounderGovardhanananda Bahubalindra

History

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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.[6][7]

Rise as an independent Kingdom

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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 a 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.[8][9] 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

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Moynagarh Fort
Destroyed fort

As a 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.[10]

Consolidation

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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.[6] 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

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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.[11]

Notable members

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  • KALINDIRAM SAMANTA: He was a military chief serving under the Eastern Ganga dynasty. A Mahishya by caste,[7] he governed Sabang dandapat from his Fort, Balisitagarh. His efficiency as a Governor and prominency as a military leader was noticed by the Eastern Ganga Emperor Narasimha Deva, who promoted him to the rank of Senapati or the Chief military officer.[1]
  • GOBARDHANANDA BAHUBALINDRA: He was the sixth generation descendant of Kalindiram. Born as Gobardhan Samanta, he he received the honourary title of "Bahubalindra" (one with extreme strength) and "Ananda" from the Utkala king as a token of gratitude for his successful campaign against a pirate lord named Sridhar Hui who refused to pay yearly tributes to the Utkal King. After the first completion of his campaign, he became the first independent King of Moynagarh.[1][7]
  • PARAMANANDA BAHUBALINDRA: He succeeded his father Raja Gobardhanananda to the throne of Moynagarh. He was a benevolent and a kind ruler. He solidified the dynasty's control over the newly gained villages. He was called to the Mughal capital of Agra and was formally recognised by Emperor Jahangir.[12][13]

Genealogy

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[13]
Sl no. Name of the king Timeline (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 Bahubalindra 1607-1672
8. Madhavananda Bahubalindra 1672-1719
9. Gokulananda Bahubalindra 1719-1742
10. Kripananda Bahubalindra 1742-1770
11. Jagadananda Bahubalindra 1770-1783
12. Brajananda Bahubalindra 1783-1793
13. Anandananda Bahubalindra 1793-1822
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 Bahubalindra 1833
16. Herembananda Bahubalindra
Bahubalindra royals


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  • Rash Temple Moynagarh
    Rash Temple Moynagarh
  • Poramati Chittra
    Poramati Chittra
  • Shyam Shundar Jiu (Their family deity)
    Shyam Shundar Jiu (Their family deity)
  • Radha Krishna Temple
    Radha Krishna Temple
  • Stamp of Moynagarh
    Stamp of Moynagarh
  • Royal Palace
    Royal Palace
  • Lokeshwar shiva temple
    Lokeshwar shiva temple

References

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  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b 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. ^ 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. ^ a b Medinīpura, itihāsa o saṃskr̥tira bibartana (in Bengali). Sāhityaloka. 1989. p. 199.
  7. ^ a b c "Welcome to Midnapore.in-Royal Families of Midnapore". www.midnapore.in. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  8. ^ Jānā, Surendranātha (1971). Br̥hattara Maẏanāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Yajñesvara Lāibrerī. p. 42.
  9. ^ Jānā, Surendranātha (1971). Br̥hattara Maẏanāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Yajñesvara Lāibrerī. p. 41.
  10. ^ "Purba Medinipur Tourism: ময়নাগড়ের দুর্গে প্রবেশ করতে পারেনি ইংরেজরা, যাবেন নাকি পুজোর ছুটিতে!". bengali.news18.com (in Bengali). 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  11. ^ Bangla, Nwes 18 (2022-08-29). "Purba Medinipur Tourism: ময়নাগড়ের দুর্গে প্রবেশ করতে পারেনি ইংরেজরা, যাবেন নাকি পুজোর ছুটিতে!". bengali.news18.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "When Bengal's royals descended at ITC Sonar with Hilsa recipes". Get Bengal. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  13. ^ a b Jānā, Surendranātha (1971). Br̥hattara Maẏanāra itibr̥tta (in Bengali). Yajñesvara Lāibrerī. p. 42.
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