Krishnachandra Roy

Family

Krishnachandra was born into a Brahmin family, the son of Raghuram Roy. During the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, his grandfather Parasuram Banarjee earned the name "roy roy" for his service, which was later shortened to form the new family name, Roy. He was the father of three sons, Hari Prasad, Amar Chandra, and Brajabinode Roy. Through Brajabinode's fifth son, Ram Kant Roy, he is the great grandfather of Ram Mohan Roy.

Educational Contributions

Revival of Sanskrit Learning

Krishnachandra Roy's reign was marked by a significant revival of Sanskrit learning, mirroring the dedication of historical figures like King Vikramaditya and Laxman Sena in fostering intellectual environments. His court was adorned with Navaratna, the nine jewels of scholars and poets, enriching Bengal's cultural and intellectual landscape. Roy's initiatives included establishing Sanskrit schools throughout Nadia, offering financial support and stipends for foreign Sanskrit scholars​.

Patronage of Literature and the Arts

Support for Poets and Writers

The court of Krishnachandra Roy served as a crucial platform for the flourishing of literary talent. Among his court poets was Bharatchandra, who composed "Annadamangal" at Krishnachandra's behest. This period also saw the emergence of other literary and scholarly figures, further evidencing Krishnachandra's role in promoting the arts.

Development of Music

With the decline of the Mughal Empire, Krishnachandra played a pivotal role in providing refuge to musicians, including Ramprasad Sen, whom he encouraged to compose Shyamasangit. His support was instrumental in preserving and enriching the musical heritage of Bengal during a time of political and social upheaval.

Religious and Public Welfare Initiatives

Introduction of Jagaddhatri Puja and Temple Construction

Krishnachandra Roy's religious contributions were profound, including the establishment of a Shiv temple in Shivnibash and the introduction of the Jagaddhatri Puja in Bengal. His initiatives in religious practices and temple construction reflect his deep commitment to fostering spiritual and communal well-being​​.

Promotion of Craftsmanship and Local Industry

The relocation of skilled potters from Natore to Krishnanagar under Krishnachandra's encouragement led to the development of a vibrant local craft industry, showcasing his vision for economic as well as cultural development.

Reign of Krishnachandra

During his reign, Krishnachandra was highly influential on Hindu practices, for which reason Raja Rajballabh Sen of Bikrampur sought the assistance of his pandits in supporting the overturning of the prohibition on widow remarriage after his own daughter was widowed young. Krishnachandra strongly opposed the measure. To illustrate his feelings, legend relates, he had the visitors served the meat of a buffalo calf. Offended, they rejected the food on their honor as orthodox Hindus, and when challenged indicated that though it was not explicitly prohibited it was not practice nor custom. Krishnachandra's courtiers pointed out that they had taken umbrage at being presented something not forbidden but against custom, but that they expected Krishnachandra to accept their own unorthodox proposal. With the opposition of Krishnachandra, Rajballabh failed to achieve the change he sought.

Another legend connected to Krishnachandra involved the conflict between his diwan, Raghunandan, and Manikchandra, then diwan of Burdwan but in future to become raja himself. After Raghunandan and Manikchandra quarreled, Manikchandra accused the other man of theft and had sufficient power to order and see to his execution. In Land and Local Kingship in Eighteenth-Century Bengal, John McLane speculates that the root of the disagreement may have been Manikchandra's well-known resentment of Krishnachandra's patronage of the poet Bharatchandra, who had insulted the Burdwan raj family in a poem in retaliation for their depriving him of his own family estate.

Krishnachandra is also legendarily associated with the popularization of the worship of the Hindu goddess Jagaddhatri. According to the story, Krishnachandra had been imprisoned by Muslims, causing him to miss the celebration of Durga Puja. Durga appeared to him in the form of Jagaddhatri and ordered him to worship her in one month, which he did, commissioning a sculptor to create a statue of the goddess. Eminent Shakta poet of that era, Sadhak Ramprasad Sen became well known for his devotional songs, eventually becoming the court poet of Raja Krishnachandra.

During his reign, Krishnachandra was on friendly terms with the British and especially Robert Clive. This relationship served him well in the 1760s when Bengal Nawab Mir Qasim ordered Krishnachandra's execution, for Clive not only overruled it but gifted Krishnachandra five cannons, the title maharaja, and governance as zamindar of the area of Krishnanagar.