The history of the Simlapal royal dynasty and the Nand (Mahanti/Mahanty) lineage
The history of the Simlapal royal dynasty and the Nand (Mahanti/Mahanty) lineage:
The Simlapal royal dynasty was a prominent lineage of Utkal Brahmins who ruled the Simlapal region in West Bengal, with a notable legacy of devotion, governance, and cultural development. The rulers established their capital in Simlapal and were known for their religious festivals such as Dolajatra, Durga Puja, Radhanam Sankirtan, and the early morning Maha Mantra chanting, which fostered spiritual peace and purity among the people. They were also generous advocates of social welfare, providing food to the hungry, homes to the homeless, clothing to the destitute, and land to the landless.
The Mahapatra dynasty included kings who built roads, subdued bandits, constructed reservoirs for irrigation, and transformed the region into fertile agricultural land. Their reign is considered the golden age of Simlapal, although the full history is not entirely available due to the scarcity of records.
The Nand (Mahanti) lineage is historically significant in connection to Garh Panchakot, located in present-day Purulia district. It is said the Panchakot kings originally hailed from Dharangarh in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, migrating through various regions before settling in Kashipur. The sons of Adinath Nanda, Lal Nanda and Bhim Nanda, earned the title of Mahanti in recognition of their valor and leadership. Vestiges such as the Mahantis’ dam and other landmarks in Bansgarh stand as witnesses to their ancient heritage.
Both lineages deeply influenced the spiritual, social, and political fabric of their regions, maintaining traditions that blend religious devotion with strong governance and care for their people.
This summary combines the historical contributions of the Simlapal royal family and the Nand (Mahanti) lineage as known from the available historical records.
History.
Simlapal
Simlapal is an old town in the Bankura district of West Bengal. It was formerly the capital of the Mahapatra royal dynasty. It was known as "Garh" (meaning "fort"). In the past, many people referred to Simlapal as the capital of the Utkal Brahmins of Bankura. It is said that at one time, from the villages bordering Bankura and West Midnapore up to Kuilapal in Purulia, a vast estate was directly or indirectly under the rule of the Mahapatra kings of Simlapal.
Demographic Analysis
The people of this region are very hardworking, intelligent, patriotic, disciplined, and loyal. Simlapal consists of 7 gram panchayats (Bikramapur, Dubrajpur, Lakshmisagar, Machatoda, Mandalgram, Parsola, and Simlapal) and 191 villages. According to the 2001 census, the total population of Simlapal block was 127,429, of which 65,328 were male and 62,101 were female. The main occupation of the people here is agriculture. Simlapal has a glorious past along with a bright future.
History of Simlapal
In ancient times, this region of present-day Bengal had a higher population of tribal communities compared to other parts of Bengal. Tribes such as Mal, Bagdi, Bauri, Jele, Hari, Dom, Lohar, Majhi, and others lived here. According to local residents, the Santhal (Adivasi) community settled in this area much later than other tribes. The residents of this region had differences in food, clothing, religious practices, and other aspects, and there was almost no interaction between different tribes. Marriages outside one's own tribe were rare. They engaged in hunting, animal husbandry, and farming. The Utkal and Rarhi communities began the process of Aryanization in this region, which was based on division by qualities and occupations. The tribal social structure of this region also contributed significantly to the formation of this society. In the medieval period, this region was under Dandabhukti.
Simlapal Raj
In Indian history, the name of the Simlapal royal dynasty is written in golden letters. Among the 81 royal dynasties in India ruled by Brahmins, and among the 39 zamindaris in the Indian subcontinent ruled by Brahmins, the Simlapal dynasty and zamindari, ruled by Utkal Brahmin kings, hold a special place. The rulers were deeply religious, and their family deities were Krishna and Balaram. According to a special account, they were possibly descendants of Vaivasvata Manu. It is believed that at the end of Kali Yuga and the beginning of the next Satya Yuga, a pure, vegetarian, and devout person from this lineage will again ascend the throne, and Simlapal will become a righteous city.
History
During the reign of the Mughal kings in India (according to some, during the reign of the Lodhi kings in 1469), under the leadership of Nakur Tunga, a commander from the Utkal kingdom (Odisha), and his spiritual guide, Rajguru Shripati Mahapatra, the Utkal Brahmins migrated to present-day Bankura and West Midnapore in West Bengal. At that time, this region was known as Dandabhukti, which was mainly the area between the Dwarkeshwar and Subarnarekha rivers. At that time, this region (Utkal) was under the rule of the king of Odisha. There were dense forests in this area, and dacoits ruled the region. At that time, with the help of Nakur Tunga, Shripati Mahapatra became the king of this region and established the Mahapatra royal dynasty.
Sri Sripati Mahapatra is often called the Chandragupta of the Utkal Brahmins in Simlapal for his political acumen and foundational role in the region’s history. During the reign of the Mahapatra royal dynasty, Simlapal (Garh) was transformed into their capital, and under Mughal rule, the title of the Simlapal kings was changed from Mahapatra to Singh Chowdhury, reflecting Mughal administrative customs. "Singh" means powerful, and "Chowdhury" signifies the owner or leader of a community or "master of all four directions".
The Mahapatra kings (based in Simlapal and Velaidiha) were renowned for building roads, subduing bandits, constructing large and medium-sized reservoirs, and transforming Simlapal into a fertile agricultural region. They also built many temples in the area, leaving a lasting cultural and spiritual legacy.
The kings of Simlapal introduced festivals such as Dolajatra, Durga Puja, Chachar Utsav, and Radhanam Sankirtan. With the early morning sweet chanting of the maha-mantra (Prabhati), they elevated the peace and purity of the hearts of the people in the region to a special level. Moreover, these kings selflessly provided food to the hungry, homes to the homeless, clothes to the unclothed, and land to the landless.
Due to limited records, the complete history of the Mahapatra dynasty kings is not fully known today. However, by observing the histories of Utkal and Bengal, the reign of the Mahapatra kings can be called the golden age of Simlapal.
After the fall of the king Mukund Dev of Odisha, this area came under the Nawab of Bengal, and later for some time under the Marathas, then again under the Nawab of Bengal. Later during British rule, in 1854, the region came under the Lieutenant Governor of Bihar. Subsequently, in October 1879, Simlapal, Velaidiha, along with Supur, Ambikanagar, Raipur, Shyamsundarpur, and Phulkushma, were separated from the Manbhum district and merged with Mallabhum. In 1881, it was fully included in Bankura, becoming part of present-day West Bengal. Additionally, the western part of the then Chatna police station was separated from Manbhum and included in Bankura in 1872.
It is noteworthy that according to some members of the Simlapal royal family, their descendants originally came from the village of Birramchandrapur (Shasan), located about 23 kilometers from the Jagannath temple of Odisha.
Located about 20 kilometers from the Jagannath Temple is the Sakshi Gopal Temple. In this temple resides Bhagwan Sakshi Gopal. The statue of Sakshi Gopal is approximately 5 feet high, made from black stone, and beside it is a 4-foot tall statue of Radha. Additionally, there is an eight-armed statue of Sri Lakshmi Narayan. Near the Sakshi Gopal market, there is a pond called Chandan Puskirini, and in the middle of the pond, a temple stands submerged in water. Every year, the Chandan Yatra, celebrating the victory idol of Sakshi Gopal, is held at Chandan Pokur, considered the main festival here. Millions of pilgrims come during this time to have darshan of Shri Radha’s lotus feet.
Several villages lie nearby, including Shasan village, the favorite residence of the Utkal Brahmins, and Puri Raja. These beautiful and well-planned villages were settled by the Utkal Brahmins and even today most of these villages remain predominantly Brahmin. These villages carry Brahmin titles such as Nand, Mishra Mahapatra, Satpathi, Panda, Pati, Satpati, Rath, among others.
Birramchandrapur is about three kilometers away. It is a picturesque village with houses on both sides of the road and coconut trees lining the streets. Coconut trees form the economic backbone of the areas around Sakshi Gopal Temple. Besides Mahapatra, the villagers include Brahmins bearing titles like Satpathi, Mishra, Nand, Das, Rath, and Shadrangi. The village comprises four tolas, each with roughly 60 to 65 houses, and a total population of about 700 to 800. Most villagers are currently employed.
There are many coconut trees whose produce provides income. While some rice cultivation exists, it is not extensive. The village is 100% Brahmin. Towards the village’s end is a Durga mandap adjacent to a small perennial stream. Nearby are an eight-pillared structure and a small old temple. Worshiped here is the goddess Maninag Durga. Inside the temple is the eight-armed statue of Gopinath Ji, along with a Radha statue. Durga Puja is celebrated here with great enthusiasm, starting on Ashwin month’s Pratipada and ending on Vijayadashami, lasting about sixteen days.
Next to the temple is a chariot used annually to carry Mother Moni Durga from house to house for offerings. Additionally, the Sheetal Sasthi and Champak festivals are celebrated here with great fanfare, including fireworks during Sheetal Sasthi. This is today’s Birramchandrapur village.
The history of the Garh Panchakot rulers:
The Panchakot Kingdom, It is said, originally the rulers were kings of Dharangarh in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. From there, they moved through Jhalda, Para, Garh Panchakot, Maharaj Nagar (1750), Rambani, Keshargarh (1794), and finally to Kashipur in Purulia. In 1832, Panchakot king Jagjivan Singh Deo (Garud Narayan) moved his capital from Keshargarh by the Hur River to Kashipur on the banks of the Dwarakeshwar River. This was their seventh and last capital.
The Garh Panchakot area, now in Purulia district, is where Adinath Nanda’s sons Lal Nanda and Bhim Nanda were awarded the title “Mahanti” for their valor and bravery. Approximately 90 kilometers from Garh Panchakot is Bansgarh. Both Bansgarh and its Mahantis’ dam (Maiti Baandh) and several other relics remain today as witnesses to this ancient history.
This article is respectfully dedicated to the revered and humble Thakur Didi (Divine Lata Mani), daughter of the Simlapal king, her entire family, and all the people of Simlapal.
