Govinda Manikya

Govinda Manikya
Maharaja of Tripura
1st reign1660–1661
PredecessorKalyan Manikya
SuccessorChhatra Manikya
2nd reign1667–1676
PredecessorChhatra Manikya
SuccessorRama Manikya
Died1676
ConsortGunavati Mahadevi[1]
IssueRama Manikya
Durga Thakur[2]
HouseManikya dynasty
FatherKalyan Manikya
MotherSaharavati[3]
ReligionHinduism
Kingdom of Tripura
Part of History of Tripura
Maha Manikyac. 1400–1431
Dharma Manikya I1431–1462
Ratna Manikya I1462–1487
Pratap Manikya1487
Vijaya Manikya I1488
Mukut Manikya1489
Dhanya Manikya1490–1515
Dhwaja Manikya1515–1520
Deva Manikya1520–1530
Indra Manikya I1530–1532
Vijaya Manikya II1532–1563
Ananta Manikya1563–1567
Udai Manikya I1567–1573
Joy Manikya I1573–1577
Amar Manikya1577–1585
Rajdhar Manikya I1586–1600
Ishwar Manikya1600
Yashodhar Manikya1600–1623
Interregnum1623–1626
Kalyan Manikya1626–1660
Govinda Manikya1660–1661
Chhatra Manikya1661–1667
Govinda Manikya1661–1673
Rama Manikya1673–1685
Ratna Manikya II1685–1693
Narendra Manikya1693–1695
Ratna Manikya II1695–1712
Mahendra Manikya1712–1714
Dharma Manikya II1714–1725
Jagat Manikya1725–1729
Dharma Manikya II1729
Mukunda Manikya1729–1739
Joy Manikya IIc. 1739–1744
Indra Manikya IIc. 1744–1746
Udai Manikya IIc. 1744
Joy Manikya II1746
Vijaya Manikya III1746–1748
Lakshman Manikya1740s/1750s
Interregnum1750s–1760
Krishna Manikya1760–1783
Rajdhar Manikya II1785–1806
Rama Ganga Manikya1806–1809
Durga Manikya1809–1813
Rama Ganga Manikya1813–1826
Kashi Chandra Manikya1826–1829
Krishna Kishore Manikya1829–1849
Ishan Chandra Manikya1849–1862
Bir Chandra Manikya1862–1896
Birendra Kishore Manikya1909–1923
Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya1923–1947
Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya1947–1949
1949–1978 (titular)
Kirit Pradyot Manikya1978–present (titular)
Tripura monarchy data
Manikya dynasty (Royal family)
Agartala (Capital of the kingdom)
Ujjayanta Palace (Royal residence)
Pushbanta Palace (Royal residence)
Neermahal (Royal residence)
Rajmala (Royal chronicle)
Tripura Buranji (Chronicle)
Chaturdasa Devata (Family deities)

Govinda Manikya (d. 1676) 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.

Life

The eldest son of Maharaja Kalyan Manikya, Govinda succeeded upon the latter's death in 1660. However, he was overthrown within a year of his ascension by his brother, Chhatra Manikya, who claimed the throne with the aid of the Mughal Empire, forcing Govinda into exile.[4]

Govinda fled into the Chittagong Hill Tracts where, according to the Rajmala, he developed a friendship with Shah Shuja, the similarly exiled brother of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. However, chronological data indicates that a meeting between the two princes is impossible.[5] Govinda later took refuge in Arakan, whose ruler aided him in recovering Tripura in 1667. Accounts are contradictory regarding whether Govinda had Chhatra killed at this point, or if the latter had already died previously.[6]

To placate the Mughals, at whose behest his brother had become ruler, Govinda agreed to send five elephants annually as tribute to the emperor.[6] Govinda generally maintained good relations with the empire, with Tripura being able to enjoy a de facto independent status.[7] He is viewed as having been an able administrator, as well as a patron of the arts and learning.[6] During his reign, the third section of the Rajmala was completed and the Brihannaradiya Purana was translated into Bengali.[citation needed]

Govinda died in 1676 and was succeeded by his son Rama Manikya. Centuries later, he was immortalised by his depictions in the plays of Rabindranath Tagore, Visharjan and Rajarshi.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Sharma, Suresh Kant; Sharma, Usha (2015). Discovery of North-East India. Vol. II. Mittal Publications. p. XI. ISBN 978-81-8324-045-1.
  2. ^ Durlabhendra; Sukheshwar; Baneshwar (1999). Sri Rajmala. Translated by Kailāsa Candra Siṃha; N.C. Nath. Agartala: Tribal Research Institute, Govt. of Tripura. p. 163.
  3. ^ Goswami, D.N. (1989). The Episode of Shuja Mosque- A historical review (PDF). Proceedings of North East India History Association: Tenth session. North East India History Association. p. 122. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  4. ^ Chib, Sukhdev Singh (1988). This beautiful India: Tripura. Ess Ess Publications. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-81-7000-039-6.
  5. ^ Goswami (1989, pp. 122–23)
  6. ^ a b c Chib (1988, p. 12)
  7. ^ Thakurta, S. N. Guha (1999). Tripura. National Book Trust, India. p. 13. ISBN 978-81-237-2542-0.