26 Facts About Gour Govinda

Govinda Fenchu, better known by his regnal title Gour Govinda and known by the sobriquet Shomudro Tonoy, was the 21st and final king of medieval Sylhet's Gour Kingdom.

Gour Govinda is described as a very conservative Hindu ruler whose reign started in 1260.

However, he is noted as one of the strongest rulers of medieval Sylhet, and during his reign, Gour was described to be "free of enemies" due to other states fearing Govinda.

Gour Govinda's father was Srinanda, the eldest son of Raja Jayananda who was the king of Brahmachal, or Southern Sylhet.

Gour Govinda migrated to Kamrup where he became a sannyasi of Kamakhya Temple, leaving behind his wife and son, Govinda.

Gour Govinda learnt a number of skills which he would use during his reign against his enemies such as archery and magic.

Gour Govinda studied alongside Hiravati and Achak Narayan, the orphaned children of a dead Jalpaiguri chief and his captive wife, brought to Kamrup by their nurse Mandavi and her son Jhantu.

Gour Govinda then changed his name from Govinda Fenchu to Gour Govinda, after his kingdom which he had earned.

Gour Govinda appointed Mona Rai as his chief minister, replacing Govardhan's former chief minister Madan Rai.

Gour Govinda then travelled to Rarh where he met up with a healer by the name of Chakrapani Dutta.

Not wanting to displease Gour Govinda, Dutta gave his youngest son, Mahipati, to live in the kingdom.

Gour Govinda made peace with King Ratan Manikya of Tripura, by gifting an elephant.

Gour Govinda did this as a plea for the King to return Brahmachal back to him from the feudal governor Jaidev Rai, to which the King accepted.

Gour Govinda built forts all over his kingdom and established many military training camps with Takerghat as his naval headquarters.

Gour Govinda's army was noted as Bengal's first army which practised the skillful art of archery.

Gour Govinda is famously known to have built a seven-storey brick tower in Penchagor which acted as his palace.

The palace which was used by the past chief ministers of Gour was given by Govinda to Mona Rai.

Gour Govinda demanded a ransom for the release of the Khasi king which was later paid.

Gour Govinda would carry on the tradition of using stones to guard the capital; from which the name of Shilhot came into existence.

Gour Govinda's kingdom bordered Bengal to the west which was ruled by the Muslim Balban dynasty.

The Muslim rule led to large numbers of Bengali Hindus to migrate to Gour Govinda, which was considered a Hindu stronghold.

Gour Govinda encouraged celebrations such as Vishnu-Sankranti, Shiva-Chaturdashi-Mahashtami, Janmashtami and Utthana-Ekadashi, in addition to holding a 45-day celebration in spring.

Brahmins from the Deccan, migrated to Gour and gained some authority, being favoured by Govinda for their orthodoxism.

Gour Govinda, in a fury for what he saw as sacrilege due to his Hindu beliefs, had the newborn, Gulzar Alam, killed, as well as having Burhanuddin's right hand cut off.

Gour Govinda's defeat was in the third battle by the joint force of Sultan's commander-in-chief Sikandar Khan Ghazi's army as well as Shah Jalal and his companions.

Gour Govinda then went to the shrine of Grivakali, where he left his aunt, Apurna, and his cousin Garuda and cousin-in-law Shanti in the care of the priest.