Lakshminarayan of Bhurishrestha
| Lakshminarayan | |
|---|---|
| Maharaja of Bhurishrestha | |
| Reign | 169? - 1712 |
| Predecessor | Naranarayan |
| Spouse | Himadrija |
| Father | Naranarayan |
| Mother | Amritakala |
Maharaja Lakshminarayan (Bengali: মহারাজা লক্ষ্মীনারায়ণ) was the last ruler of Bhurishrestha. When he was the prince, he had defeated and humiliated Krishnaram Ray, the ruler of Bardhaman in a battle. The latter was subsequently killed by a rebellious feudatory called Shobha Singh, who killed most of Krishnaram's family as well. However one of his grandsons Kirtichand Ray later rose into prominence and earned the favour of Murshid Quli Khan. With the latter's active patronage he conspired to annex Bhurishrestha while Lakshminarayan was away from the capital. Lakshminarayan returned to fight valiantly against Kirtichand, but failed to maintain the sovereignty of the kingdom due to sabotage from within.
While he was a young prince he rose to the position of commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He was a great soldier and a skilled archer. When Krishnaram Ray infringed upon the territory of Bhurishrestha, he led the royal forces against him. He showed remarkable bravery in the battle and defeated Krishnaram Ray.
Lakshminarayan ascended the throne of Bhurishrestha some time between 1690 and 1695, after Naranarayan died. The Mughal empire was on the decline, the law and order situation in the province of Bengal was worsening under the governorship of Ibrahim Khan. Taking advantage of the situation in the mid of 1695, Shobha Singh, the zamindar of Chetua-Borda revolted against the Mughal empire and began to annex the neighbouring estates. He became so powerful, that he decided to attack Bardhaman. Krishnaram, sensing danger, pleaded Lakshminarayan for help. But the latter, irritated with Krisharam's activities and allegiance to the Mughals refused any kind of help and instead allowed Shobha Singh to pass through the Bhurishrestha territory and attack Burdwan. Krishnaram was killed in the conflict. Shobha Singh sacked Bardhaman and took Krishnaram's family members as hostages.
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