Govinda Manikya

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.

Govinda Manikya
Maharaja of Tripura
1st reign	1660–1661
Predecessor	Kalyan Manikya
Successor	Chhatra Manikya
2nd reign	1667–1676
Predecessor	Chhatra Manikya
Successor	Rama Manikya
Died	1676
Consort	Gunavati Mahadevi[1]
Issue	Rama Manikya Durga Thakur[2]
House	Manikya dynasty
Father	Kalyan Manikya
Mother	Saharavati[3]
Religion	Hinduism

Kingdom of Tripura
Part of History of Tripura
Kings of Tripura Maha Manikya c. 1400–1431 Dharma Manikya I 1431–1462 Ratna Manikya I 1462–1487 Pratap Manikya 1487 Vijaya Manikya I 1488 Mukut Manikya 1489 Dhanya Manikya 1490–1515 Dhwaja Manikya 1515–1520 Deva Manikya 1520–1530 Indra Manikya I 1530–1532 Vijaya Manikya II 1532–1563 Ananta Manikya 1563–1567 Udai Manikya 1567–1573 Joy Manikya I 1573–1577 Amar Manikya 1577–1585 Rajdhar Manikya I 1586–1600 Ishwar Manikya 1600 Yashodhar Manikya 1600–1623 Interregnum 1623–1626 Kalyan Manikya 1626–1660 Govinda Manikya 1660–1661 Chhatra Manikya 1661–1667 Govinda Manikya 1661–1673 Rama Manikya 1673–1685 Ratna Manikya II 1685–1693 Narendra Manikya 1693–1695 Ratna Manikya II 1695–1712 Mahendra Manikya 1712–1714 Dharma Manikya II 1714–1725 Jagat Manikya 1725–1729 Dharma Manikya II 1729 Mukunda Manikya 1729–1739 Joy Manikya II 1739–1744 Indra Manikya II 1744–1746 Vijaya Manikya III 1746–1748 Lakshman Manikya 1740s/1750s Interregnum 1750s–1760 Krishna Manikya 1760–1783 Rajdhar Manikya II 1785–1806 Rama Ganga Manikya 1806–1809 Durga Manikya 1809–1813 Rama Ganga Manikya 1813–1826 Kashi Chandra Manikya 1826–1829 Krishna Kishore Manikya 1829–1849 Ishan Chandra Manikya 1849–1862 Bir Chandra Manikya 1862–1896 Radha Kishore Manikya 1896–1909 Birendra Kishore Manikya 1909–1923 Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya 1947–1949 1949–1978 (titular) Kirit Pradyot Manikya 1978–present (titular)
Tripura monarchy data
Manikya dynasty (Royal family)
Agartala (Capital of the kingdom)
Ujjayanta Palace (Royal residence)
Neermahal (Royal residence)
Rajmala (Royal chronicle)
Tripura Buranji (Chronicle)
Chaturdasa Devata (Family deities)
Shamsher Gazi (Usurper)

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.

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.

References

1. Sharma, Suresh Kant; Sharma, Usha (2015). Discovery of North-East India. 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.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
4. Chib, Sukhdev Singh (1988). This beautiful India: Tripura. Ess Ess Publications. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-81-7000-039-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
5. Goswami (1989, pp. 122–23)
6. Chib (1988, p. 12)
7. Thakurta, S. N. Guha (1999). Tripura. National Book Trust, India. p. 13. ISBN 978-81-237-2542-0.