Pratapnarayan
Encyclopedia
Maharaja Pratapnarayan was the king of Bhurishrestha who patronized literature and art. His mostly peaceful reign was devoted towards the welfare of his subjects. Bhurishrestha once again flourished in arts & culture and trade & commerce.
and Bhavashankari
. His father died when he was just five years of age.
By the beginning of the 17th century, Saptagram had lost its importance and Hooghly emerged as the new centre of trade and commerce. The Portuguese traders based in Hooghly had become so much influential that they began to interfere in the external trade of Bhurishrestha. Pratapnarayan, however, didn't allow them trading rights within the kingdom.
During his reign, Lakshman Sinha, an ambitious Sadgop acquired the estate of Bhanjabhum in Medinipurbhukta. But his brother Shyam Sinha conspired with the Pathan
s, killed his brother and usurped the throne. At that time the grandsons of Lakshman Sinha, namely Chhattu Ray, Raghunath Ray and Durgadas Ray approached Pratapnarayan for help. They enrolled in the armed forces and by their dedication and hard work, rose to high ranks. Then with the help of the army, they recovered their estate from the tyrant Shyam Sinha.
According to his mother's last wishes, Pratapnarayan established the temple of Kashinath or Vishwanath (Shiva). Later he also established Bhuvaneshwari and Abhaya, both incarnations of Chandi and both according to Tantric traditions. According to Vaishnava tradition he established Gajalakshmi. Later he erected a two-storeyed temple in Rekh Deul style and housed the idols established by the royal family within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
He is also credited with starting the annual Durga Puja
in the kingdom.
and Meghaduta
. Ramdas Adak composed the epic Anadimangal. Pratapnarayan established a Sanskrit school at Krishnanagar near Khanakul
. Later it became a centre for the studies on Nyaya.
Early life
Pratapnarayan was the only child of RudranarayanRudranarayan
Maharaja Rudranarayan was the ruler of Bhurishrestha, who consolidated and expanded the kingdom and converted it into one of the most powerful Hindu kingdoms of the time...
and Bhavashankari
Bhavashankari
Maharani Bhavashankari was the ruler of Bhurishrestha Kingdom, who defeated the Pathan resurgence in Bengal and again established Hindu sovereignty. Bhavashankari in her reign brought power, prosperity and grandeur to Bhurishrestha .- Early life :...
. His father died when he was just five years of age.
Reign
Pratapnarayan's initial task was to unite the houses of Pendo and Dogachhia. These forts were under the command of two branches of the royal family. He acquired much of their estates and reduced some of their powers. Under a new agreement, they were required to pay a fourth of their income as revenue.By the beginning of the 17th century, Saptagram had lost its importance and Hooghly emerged as the new centre of trade and commerce. The Portuguese traders based in Hooghly had become so much influential that they began to interfere in the external trade of Bhurishrestha. Pratapnarayan, however, didn't allow them trading rights within the kingdom.
During his reign, Lakshman Sinha, an ambitious Sadgop acquired the estate of Bhanjabhum in Medinipurbhukta. But his brother Shyam Sinha conspired with the Pathan
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
s, killed his brother and usurped the throne. At that time the grandsons of Lakshman Sinha, namely Chhattu Ray, Raghunath Ray and Durgadas Ray approached Pratapnarayan for help. They enrolled in the armed forces and by their dedication and hard work, rose to high ranks. Then with the help of the army, they recovered their estate from the tyrant Shyam Sinha.
Welfare
He entrusted the daily worship of Rudreshwar (Shiva) with a Brahmin named Nigamananda Chakravarti, who was selected by the royal priest. An estate of 100 bighas were granted for the upkeep of the temple. Apart from this he granted numerous brahmottar estates to the Brahmins in the presents districts of Howrah, Hooghly and Burdwan.According to his mother's last wishes, Pratapnarayan established the temple of Kashinath or Vishwanath (Shiva). Later he also established Bhuvaneshwari and Abhaya, both incarnations of Chandi and both according to Tantric traditions. According to Vaishnava tradition he established Gajalakshmi. Later he erected a two-storeyed temple in Rekh Deul style and housed the idols established by the royal family within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
He is also credited with starting the annual Durga Puja
Durga Puja
Durga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
in the kingdom.
Arts and culture
Pratapnarayan was a patron of art and culture. Bharat Mallik, the 17th century grammarian and commentator used to adorn his court. He composed Ratnaprabha and Chandraprabha. His commentaries include those on Kalidas's RaghuvamsaRaghuvamsa
Raghuwamsa or Raghu race is a legendary lineage of warrior kings tracing its ancestry to the Hindu solar deity Surya. Kalidasa's famous work, Raghuvaṃśa depicts the legend of this race. The progenitor of the lineage was Raghu, son of the emperor Dileepa. Raghu was father of Aja, and thus...
and Meghaduta
Meghadūta
Meghadūta is a lyric poem written by Kālidāsa, considered to be one of the greatest Sanskrit poets.A short poem of 111 stanzas, it is one of Kālidāsa's most famous works...
. Ramdas Adak composed the epic Anadimangal. Pratapnarayan established a Sanskrit school at Krishnanagar near Khanakul
Khanakul
Khanakul I is an administrative division in Arambag subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Khanakul police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block is at Khanakul...
. Later it became a centre for the studies on Nyaya.