History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c38.34.3

v2.c38.34.3

Iḥtishām Khān was replaced a year later by Khān-i-Daurān, who came from Allahabad in September 1660. Iḥtishām attempted to take with him as prisoners, for default of revenue, the brothers of Rājā Nilakantha Deva, Gopināth, the brother of Bharat Paṭṭanāyaka and the chief officer of Rājā Mukunda Deva. The *Faujdār* of Cuttack secured the release of Gopināth Paṭṭanāyaka by himself signing a bond for Rs. 14,000 to Iḥtishām Khān. All other captives were released on similar conditions. During the reign of Shāh Jahān Purushottama was succeeded by Narasimha in 1630 and by Gaṅgādhara in 1655. Within a year Gaṅgādhara was succeeded by Balabhadra. These dates are given slightly differently by Hunter based on the vernacular account of Bhavānīcharan Bandopādhyāya. According to this account Purushottama was slain in battle and ruled from 1607 to 1628. He was succeeded by Narasimha, who ruled from 1628 to 1653. Gaṅgādhara ruled from 1653 to 1654.¹ During the period of anarchy there appears to have been a change of rulers in the nominal chieftainship of Orissa. According to Stirling Balabhadra ruled for thirty-nine years² but Hunter assigns only eight years to him.³ According to the Muraqāt-i-Hassan Narasimha was slain by Muta'qād Khan during his attack on Khurda. His nephew Gaṅgādhara was made Rājā. But Balabhadra, the elder brother of Narasimha, became Rājā of Khurda after killing Gaṅgādhara.