Phani Mukut Rai

Phani Mukut Rai is mythological Nagvanshi king. According to Nagvanshi tradition, he was first Nagvanshi king and founder of Nagvanshi dynasty in 1st Century CE.[1][2][3] However there is no historical evidence to prove Phani Mukut Rai as a historical personality. There are only legend and historian don't consider it as authentic.[4]

Phani Mukut Rai
Raja
1st Nagvanshi king
Reignc. 64 - 162 CE
PredecessorMadra Munda
SuccessorMukut Rai
IssueMukut Rai
DynastyNagvanshi
FatherPundrika Naga
MotherParvati
ReligionHinduism

Early life

According to Nag Vanshavali, Phani Mukut Rai was son of Pundrik Naga a Naga and Parvati, a Brahmin girl from Varanasi. Pundrika Naga the son of Takshaka settled in Varanasi after Janamejaya the Kuru king expelled Naga from Taxila. He married a Bramin girl. They traveled to Puri for pilgrimage. During pilgrimage, his wife wish to know his secret. Then Pundrika Naga turned into a cobra, told his secret and plung into pond. His wife Parvati committed Sati after giving birth to a child. A Brahmin name Janardan found the child when he was crying and one cobra snake was giving shed to that child. That cobra was Pundrika Naga protecting his child. Pundrika Naga told his story to Brahmin. Brahmin named the child Phani Mukut Rai as he was protected by hood of Cobra. Brahmin was holding Sun idol which became tutelary deity of Nagvanshi as suggested by Pundrika Naga. Brahmin was Raj purohit of Raja Madra Munda. The child was adopted by Raja Madra Munda, the parha chief of Sutiambe village. Madra Munda brought up the Phani Mukut Rai with his own son Mukut Rai.[5] However the story is mostly considered a myth and a story of Brahminacal origin of dynasty invented in later period.[6][7]

Chieftaincy

According to Nagvanshi tradition, Phani Mukut Rai was elected as Raja by Parha chief and other Raja due to his qualities around 64 AD and He ruled for 98 years. His capital was at Sutiambe which is now located in Ranchi district. During his reign he defeated Rakshel of Korambe and invaders from Kendujhar with the help of king of Panchet. His rule was extended to Badin of Kharsawan, Ramgarh, Gola, Tori and Gharwe. He built sun temple in Suitabe. He invited Panda from Puri and established idols in thakurbadi. He established brahmin by giving them village of Sornda and Mahugaon. During his reign several people came from different parts of country. Srivastav Kasthya, Pande Bhao Rai were his diwan. He succeeded by his son Mukut Rai.[5]

There is no historical evidence to prove Phani Mukut Rai as a historical personality. There are only legend and historian don't consider it as authentic.[8][9]

Personal life

He married the daughter of Govanshi Raja of Panchet.[10][5]

References
  1. "The Nagbanshis And The Cheros". archive.org. 1969.
  2. "Ancient capital to open for visitors - Caves & temples at Sutiambe to offer peek into history". telegraphindia. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  3. "Eye on Nagvanshi remains - Culture department dreams of another Hampi at Gumla heritage site". telegraphindia. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  4. Vir Bharat Talwar (2008). झारखंड के अदिवासियों के बीच: एक एक्टीविस्ट के नोट्स. Bhartiya Jnanpith. p. 82. ISBN 978-8126315673.
  5. Jharkhand Encyclopedia Hulgulanon Ki Partidhwaniyan-1. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  6. Asoka Kumar Sen (2017). Indigeneity, Landscape and History: Adivasi Self-fashioning in India. Taylor & Francis. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-351-61186-2.
  7. "Navratangarh: Lost Kingdom of the Nagvanshis". livehistoryindia. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  8. Vir Bharat Talwar (2008). झारखंड के अदिवासियों के बीच: एक एक्टीविस्ट के नोट्स. Bhartiya Jnanpith. p. 82. ISBN 978-8126315673.
  9. Sanjay Singh (19 January 2021). PSC JHARKHAND LOK SEVA AYOG SAMANYA ADHYAYAN. Prabhat Prakashan. pp. 5–9. ISBN 978-9353228651.
  10. "Shardiya Navratri 2019: बेहद खास होता है रांची में नवरात्र, जानें कहां-कैसी हो रही तैयारी". jagran. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
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