Bishnupur Guide

I personally feel that Dalmadal cannon is a great material proof of Bishnupur history. Not only it proves the defensive power of Malla kingdom but on the other hand it shows the uses of iron and highly developed mechanical skill and the presence of great artisans and fighters of that time. The cannon proves that even Malla kings were very inoffensive and virtuous but they were not careless to their people or helpless to save their territory.

Once upon a time at the end of the Seventh Century some pilgrims including a Royal family, the Queen and King, from Jaipur of Rajasthan (there are different opinion at this point because some historians disagreed that the place was Jaipur, according to their opinion the place was Jaynagar of Brindaban) were on their way to visit Sri Sri Jagannath of Shrikshetra. Unfortunately the Queen died on the way after giving birth to a child Son. The mystified King left the infant under a big tree with a Royal introduction letter and a Royal Sword named ‘Jaysankar’. Next morning a poor wood cutter widow found that child under the tree with the sword and letter. With great compassion she nourished and brought up the boy and named him Raghunath. But driven by poverty she handed over young Raghunath to a Tantra worshipper Panchanan Ghosal of ‘Laogram’ a small village of Kotulpur (Nine kilometer away from Bishnupur), who was also reputed as ‘Sadhak Thakur’. He appointed Raghunath as a caretaker of his house and pets.
One day Pachanan Ghosal got astonished when he found Raghunath, resting under a tree with two Snake (Naga and Nagaini) which were protecting him from the sunray with their hood. Raghunath was late to return home because the he was in a search to find out one of his lost cow and after that having rest under a tree. After some day it was raining heavily when Raghunath went to a river for fishing where he found a piece of Gold and a Stone-Manuscript trapped on his net. These Royal signs of Raghunath surprised Sadhak Thakhur so much. One night he heard a heavenly voice in his dream. The heavenly voice of a Goddess ordered Sadhak Thakur to worship Her regularly in dense forest and make some arrangements for Raghunath’s education. Later Raja Nrisinghadev the King of Pradumnapur (Pumumpur) invited Raghunath and Sadhak Thakur in a Brahman Feast. It was raining heavily when Raghunath was having his food and benevolently the Raja hold his own umbrella, over Raghunath. According to myth, if a Raja holds his umbrella over someone, the person also becomes a Raja. Inspired by all these bright signs, Panchanan Ghosal started teaching Raghunath the Royal educations, moralities and skills of warfare.

At the end of the Seven Century, probably 698 AD was the rising time of the Malla Dynasty, and after that they ruled thousand years in Bengal. But the Malla Dynasty lost their glory and power, when Maharaja Chaytannya Singh (1748-1800 AD) was ruling in Bengal. In 1766 the British subjugated the whole Malla Province. In 1787 Lord Cornwallis shaped a district including Mallavhum and Birvhum and after that, in a serious time of Chuar Revolution (1805 AD) a special constituency was formed, managed by Bankura as a headquarter, named ‘Jangal Mahal’. Later the Maharaja of Burdwan purchased the whole Bishnupur estate in auction-sale. The price was One Lack and Fifteen Thousand rupees only. Later at the time of ‘Ganganarayani Hangama’ which was a Santal Revolt, the ‘Jangal Mahal’ zone was dissolved again. In this serious, unstable, wavering period of time the Christian Missionaries stepped in Bankura. As usual their aim was to spread Christianity in the rural areas of Bengal. But we can’t deny their dedications and activities, what they have done for the people of Bankura by introducing their Educational system and Medical helps, by the side of introducing Railway to communicate easily with Kolkata.

A British worker Rev. J. J.Weitbrecht the first preacher who was posted in Bankura established a Church in Machantala of Bankura now it is a brunch office of 'Central Co-Operative Bank'. Later he founded 'Bankura Zila School' for the educational purpose. In the past days it was called 'Free School'. Later the Methodist Society established some schools in other places of Bankura like Onda, Bishnupur, Sarenga, Sonamukhi, Mejhia, and Chatna. In the year of 1880 Rev. J. R. Brodhead established 'Wesleyan Middle English School' in Bishnupur. He purchased a land in Bishnupur named 'Imali Biharbari' form the Zamindars for educational purpose. Some says the place was also named 'Buwanbari' for the vast majority of 'Buwan' plants. At present the place called Mission Danga.

The Bishnupur Church was established in the year of 1880. It was a mud built house and later in 1934 the brick built house was constructed. The Church is under the Bankura pastorate, under the able guidance and supervision of Diocese of Durgapur.

Bishnupur is one the religious land of India and famous for the Hindu temples established to worship Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. But if we try to find out why it was very difficult for the Missionaries to spread Christianity here? Then we must have to maintain the dormant historical truth that the accumulated agitation against the beastly propensity, suppression and outrageous offensive mentality of European Indigo-Planter was the main obstacle to understand and feel the glory and teachings of Jesus, for the people of rural areas in Bengal. Not only that, but the Christianity was a great barrier about the business policy of the Brahmans in India. I would like to concluding by saying that, we can’t bound Jesus in the Churches and in Christianity. The King of all Kings always should rule in the hearts of everyone and His glory must be spread by His chosen persons.