Moynagarh Raj
The Bahubalindra Dynasty or the Moyna Raj Family is an ancient royal lineage based in the present-day Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, belonging to the Mahishya caste. This royal family ruled the Jalauti Dandapat as feudal vassal lords under the Gajapati Emperor Harichandan Mukundadeva.
History
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.
Rise as an independent Kingdom
After Govardhan got the control of Moyanagarh, he stopped paying tribute to the Harichandan 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 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, making him an independent ruler with control over Moynagarh and its surroundings by 1562. 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.
Reconstruction of Moynagarh fort
As an 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.
Consolidation
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, Birkul 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. 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.
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. 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, the siege lasted for almost three days, during the reign of Raja Jagadananda Bahubalindra, but still the walls couldn't be breached, at the end a truce was reached between the troops of Warren Hastings and the Raja.
Notable members
KALINDIRAM 'SAMANTA: He was a Samanta serving under the Eastern Ganga dynasty. A Mahishya by caste, 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. GOBARDHANANDA BAHUBALINDRA: He was the sixth generation descendant of Kalindiram. Born as Gobardhan Samanta, he received the honorary title of "Bahubalindra" 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 Raja of Moynagarh.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. JAGADANANDA BAHUBALINDRA:' He was the Raja of Moynagarh, during the time coinciding with the advent of the rule of the East India Company. The Governor General of India had demanded excess taxes as a tribute from the king. Which he refused to give. As a result, Warren Hastings had sent a battalion of troops in 20th February, 1773. After a siege of three days, the troops had to retreat and return to Calcutta.