Karnagarh

According to Binoy Ghosh, the kings of Karnagarh ruled over a zamindari that included Midnapore and the surrounding areas. The dynasty that ruled over Karnagarh included Raja Lakshman Singh (1568-1661), Raja Shyam Singh (1661-1668), Raja Chhotu Roy (1668), Raja Raghunath Roy (1671-1693), Raja Ram Singh (1693-1711), Raja Jaswant Singh (1711-1749), Raja Ajit Singh (1749) and Rani Shiromani (1756-1812). The kings of Karnagarh belonged to the Sadgop community and had a close link with the rulers of Narajole. The last king of Karnagarh, Raja Ajit Singh died childless. His property went into the hands of his two queens, Rani Bhabani and Rani Shiromani. During the Chuar rebellion, the leader of the Chuars, Gobardhan Dikpati, occupied the palace. Both the queens met the king of Narajole, Raja Trilochan Khan. The latter provided them shelter and promised to recover their property. Rani Bhabani died in 1161 Bangabda (1754 AD) and Rani Shiromani handed over the entire property to Anandalal of the Narajole family even before she died in 1219 Bangabda (1812 AD). However, it must be noted that the British rulers were suspicious that Rani Shiromani had links with those involved in the Chuar Rebellion and for that she had to suffer considerably at their hands.[1]

There, however, are other sources that say that the Chuar Rebellion took place as a series of insurrections by people who lived off the jungles and a sort of primitive agriculture in the old Manbhum, Bankura and Midnapore districts between 1771 and 1809, generally under dispossessed zamindars that included Rani Shiromani of Karnagarh.[2][3]

According to the 2011 Census of India, Karnagar had a total population of 2,812, of which 1,392 (50%) were males and 1,420 (50%) were females. There were 387 persons in the age range of 0–6 years. The total number of literate persons in Karnagar was 1,257 (51.84% of the population over 6 years).[6]

.*For language details see Salboni (community development block)#Language and religion

Karnagarh fort consisted of about 100 bighas of land, stretching for about 4 miles, that was surrounded by the Parang River. It was about 4 miles north of Midnapore. The inside of the fort was divided into two parts, the andar mahal for the royal family and the sadar mahal for others. The temples of Dandesvara and Mahamaya, the ruling deities of Karnagarh, were located to the south of the fort. Now, hardly anything, other than memory, remains.[1] The Karnagarh family had two other forts nearby – at Abasgarh and Jamdargarh.[1]

David J. McCutchion mentions the Dandesvara temple as having a pirha larger than the main temple, measuring 13’ 6” square + 25’ square, built of laterite having stucco decoration.[7]

The 60’ high Anadilinga Dandesvara and the Devi Bhagabati Mahamaya temples are the main attractions at Karnagarh. Both these temples were built by Karna Keshari of the Keshari/ Somavamsi dynasty of Odisha in the 10th century. A big fair is held on the Poush Sankranti day (mid-January).[8]

“Both temples have been painted pink and the magic of black stone is lost. However, the surrounding walls are still in black and the ambience magical.” [3]

Both the Dandesvara and Mahamaya temples are state protected monuments.[9]

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  Dandesvara and Mahamaya temples
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  Dandesvara temple
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  Mahamaya temple
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  Jogmaya temple

The pictures are a part of Wiki Explores Paschim Medinipur programme, an initiative by West Bengal Wikimedians User Group