Mahendra Manikya (d. 1714) was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1712 to 1714.

Mahendra Manikya
Maharaja of Tripura
Reign1712–1714
PredecessorRatna Manikya II
SuccessorDharma Manikya II
BornGhanashyam Thakur
Died1714
HouseManikya dynasty
FatherRama Manikya
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)

Background

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Originally named Ghanashyam Thakur, he was born the second son of Maharaja Rama Manikya.[1] His elder brother was Ratna Manikya II who,[2] after having been previously overthrown by a cousin, was restored to the throne by the Mughals in 1695. However, in return Ghanashyam was temporarily sent to the Mughal court as a hostage.[3] At some point, he was awarded the title of Barathakur by his brother.[4][note 1]

In 1712, Ghanashyam launched a conspiracy against his brother, having gained the assistance of Murad Beg, an influential member of the royal court. The latter was sent to Dhaka, where he recruited some itinerant forces as well as the assistance of Muhammad Sapi, a local high-ranking officer.[6] Ratna Manikya was forcibly removed from power and Ghanashyam claimed the throne, assuming the regnal name Mahendra Manikya. He had his predecessor first confined to the palace apartments and then killed soon after, with two of the latter's prominent officers also being beheaded.[7][8]

Reign

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Though little is known about his reign, with the Rajmala only describing him as being an "impious ruler", Mahendra appears to have enacted some reforms to the administration. His brothers Durjoy Singh and Chandramani were named Yuvraj and Barathakur respectively.[8] He also attempted to strengthen ties with the neighbouring Ahom kingdom, located in what is present-day Assam. Assamese envoys, already present in Tripura at the time of his ascension,[8] were formerly received at court, with Mahendra sending his own representative, Aribhima Narayana, back with them to Rangpur. Subsequently, a series of warm correspondence, embassies and gifts were dispatched between Mahendra and the Ahom king, Rudra Singha.[7]

However, in August 1714, soon after a third embassy to Tripura was sent, Rudra Singha died, with his successor Siva Singha having little interest in continuing his father's habits. By the time these envoys had arrived in Tripura, in January 1715, Mahendra too had died, having reigned for only 14 months.[7] He was succeeded by his Yuvraj, Durjoy Singh, who took the name Dharma Manikya II.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ A recently-created post which meant "principal prince".[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Saigal, Omesh (1978). Tripura. Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 38.
  2. ^ Rahman, Syed Amanur; Verma, Balraj (2006). The Beautiful India - Tripura. Reference Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-81-8405-026-4.
  3. ^ Dutta, Jyotish Chandra (1984). An Introduction to the History of Tripura: From Monarchy to Democracy. Book Home. p. 15.
  4. ^ Sharma, Suresh Kant; Sharma, Usha (2015). Discovery of North-East India: Tripura. Vol. 11. Mittal Publications. p. 60. ISBN 978-81-8324-045-1.
  5. ^ Saha, Sudhanshu Bikash (1986). Tribes of Tripura: A Historical Survey. Agartala: Rupali Book House. p. 63.
  6. ^ Sarma, Ramani Mohan (1987). Political History of Tripura. Calcutta: Puthipatra. p. 119.
  7. ^ a b c Acharjee, Jahar (2006). ""Tripura Buranji" A Diplomatic Mission between Assam and Tripura". Bulletin of the Assam State Museum, Gauhati. 17. Assam State Museum.: 30.
  8. ^ a b c Sarma (1987, p. 120)