Kedar Ray
Kedarnath Dev Ray (1561–1616 CE) was the Maharaja of Bikrampur, and among the most prominent of the Baro-Bhuyan in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent,
| Kedar Ray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1561 Bikrampur, Bengal, Indian subcontinent (present-day Bangladesh) |
| Died | 1616 |
| Issue |
|
| Father | Jadob Deb Ray |
Military Career
- ArakaneseMagh-Bikrampur Naval Battle
Arakanese Magh king Selim Shah sent 5,000 naval war ships to attack in coast of Bay of Bengal but Kedar Ray only have 1,000 war ships, still Kedar Ray gained a decisive victory in this battle more than 3,000 Arakani ships were destroyed and droved at Bay of Bengal. The mighty Bikrampur Kingdom was established.[1][2][3]
- Battle of Kalindi River
After a few years, King Akbar sent Manda Ray a general of Mughal Empire to destroy the Bikrampur Kingdom and dissolve it into Mughal Empire Manda Ray attacked in banks of Kalindi River. General Cavaldro destroyed the Mughal Empire in this battle. Many historians bielieve that the Kalindi River turned into red by blood of Mughal army.[4][2][3]
- Battle of Srinagar
The Mughals were extremely angry after their defeat, so Man Singh sent Kirmak Khan to fight with Kedar Ray. Kirmak Khan is a clever general of Mughal Empire, he knows Kedar Ray's cleverness and his Military techniques so instead of attacking on the direct Bikrampur Capital he attacked at small city of Srinagar. A massive fight started between Bikrampur and Mughal army on Srinagar. General Francisco, General Philip, General Cavaldro faught bravely in the battlefield which resulted huge defeat of Mughal army in Srinagar, Kirmak Khan was taken as prisoner and half of the army fled from the battlefield. Bikrampur army badly sieged the Mughal Camps and Cannons. Bikrampur Kingdom advanced towards north West Bengal and captured many territories.[2]
- Kalinga-Bikrampur War
When Isa Khan broke his friendship with Kedar Ray he sent 20,000 Bikrampur army to attack on Kalinga king Isha Khan, the battle turned as Bikrampur victory and Kalinga army retreated.[1]
- Last Bikrampur-Mughal War
Emperor Jahangir sent a letter to Kedar Ray, He wrote in that letter "Raja of Bikrampur Kedar Ray I'm sending a warning to you if you didn't surrender we will have to march towards bengal I'm sending a chain and a sword if you choose the chain you will work under Mughal Empire peacefully if you choose the sword you are ready to fight with us think so many times before choosing the sword i suggest you to choose the chain. ~Emperor Jahangir's letter to Kedar Ray. After reading the letter Kedar Ray was extremely angry on Jahangir and chose the Sword Maharaja Kedar Ray wrote "I'm not a coward that i will choose the chain and I'm choosing the sword send your entire strength I'm ready to fight."Kedar Ray's letter to Jahangir " When jahangir read the letter Jahangir became extremely angry on Kedar Ray and sent Man Singh with 300,000 Mughal Army,20,000 War Elephants,90,000 Cavalry and 15,000 gunners to march towards bengal. Kedar Ray is ready with his entire army 100,000 Army, 60,000 Cavalry, 9,000 War Elephants and 7,000 gunners. The battle was started Kedar Ray and his Great generals like, Philip, Cavaldro, Francisco fought bravely for 9 days but suddenly due to an unfortunate cannon shot hit Kedar Ray's body and he died on the battlefield. After this Bikrampur Kingdom got heavy casualties and the capital was sieged by Mughal Army. The mighty Bikrampur Kingdom has declined, still it's descendants live in India .[2][1][3]
References
- Sen, Dineshchandra (1988). The Ballads of Bengal. Mittal Publications.
- Ray, Aniruddha (1998). Adventurers, Landowners, and Rebels: Bengal C. 1575-c. 1715. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. ISBN 978-81-215-0743-1.
- Rahim, Muhammad Abdur (1963). Social and Cultural History of Bengal: 1576-1757. Pakistan Historical Society.
- Sen, Dineshchandra (1988). The Ballads of Bengal. Mittal Publications.