Bishnupur (Mallabhum) is renowned for its terracotta temples, arts, and crafts. It was founded by Raghunath Malla (Adi Malla) around 695 CE. Under the Malla rulers, a unique culture of Vaishnavism, Hindustani classical music (the Bishnupur gharana), and Baluchari silk weaving flourished. The timeline below highlights major events, reigns, battles, and cultural developments in Bishnupur’s history.
The Malla Dynasty Begins
694–710 CE
Adi Malla (Raghunath Malla) reigns as the first known Malla king of Mallabhum. His rule marks the establishment of the Mallabhum kingdom (Mallabda era 102 = 695 CE).
Capital Moves to Bishnupur
994 CE
King Jagat Malla (19th Malla king) shifts the capital from Pradyumnapur to Bishnupur (then called Vishnupur). He also introduces goddess Mrinmoyee worship to the town.
Conversion to Vaishnavism
c. 1590s CE
King Bir Hambir (r. 1565–1620) meets Vaishnava guru Srinivasa Acharya and converts to Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He makes Lord Madanmohan (Krishna) the tutelary deity of Bishnupur.
Battle of Mundamala Ghat
1575 CE
Bir Hambir defeats the Pathan general Daud Khan Karrani. He is said to have offered a garland of skulls to goddess Mrinmoyee after this victory, earning him the title Bir, meaning heroic.
Rasmancha is Commissioned
1600 CE
Bir Hambir commissions the Rasmancha, a large stepped temple to shelter and display Radha-Krishna idols during Vaishnava festivals.
The Great Cannon
1601 CE
Under Bir Hambir’s patronage, the great iron cannon Dal Madal is cast by artisan Jagannath Karmakar.
Shyam Rai Temple
1626–1656 CE
King Raghunath Singha Dev rules and constructs the Pancha-ratna Shyam Rai temple in Bishnupur in 1643.
Bir Singha Dev's Reign
1656–1682 CE
King Bir Singha Dev builds several temples, including the Keshab temple in Jorbangla (1655). His queen Siromoni Devi also patronizes temples.
Queen Siromoni's Temples
1665 CE
Queen Siromoni Devi builds the Madan Gopal and Murali Mohan temples in Bishnupur.
Madan Mohan Temple
1694 CE
King Durjan Singha Dev constructs the Madan Mohan Temple (ek-ratna style) in honor of Lord Krishna.
Pancha-ratna Jor Mandir
1726 CE
King Gopal Singha Dev I (r. 1712–1748) builds the Pancha-ratna Jor Mandir (a pair of joined two-roof temples).
More Temples Built
1729–1737 CE
King Krishna Singha builds the Radha-Gobind temple in 1729, and his mother Queen Churamoni builds Radha-Madhab in 1737.
Maratha Raids
1742 CE
Maratha raids (Bargi invasions) reach Bishnupur. Local legend credits the temple deity Madanmohan with scaring off the Bargi forces.
Last Ruler with Authority
1758 CE
King Chaitanya Singha Dev (r. 1748–1801) builds the Radha-Shyam Pancha-ratna temple. He is the last Malla ruler with actual authority in Mallabhum.
British Rule Begins
1760 CE
British Permanent Settlement: Mallabhum’s autonomous kingdom status effectively ends and it is reorganized as a zamindari under British East India Company rule.
The Great Bengal Famine
1770–1771 CE
The Great Bengal famine devastates the region. Bishnupur suffers extreme depopulation: about one-third of the population dies.
Chuar Rebellions
1788–1809 CE
Displaced locals rebel against Company rule. Local leader Madhav Singha Dev (a Malla prince) leads the resistance.
Municipality is Established
1863 CE
Bishnupur town is formally constituted as a municipality.
Baluchari Revival
Early 20th century
The traditional Baluchari sari weaving is revived in Bishnupur by weavers like Subho Thakur and Akshay Kumar Das.
End of Malla Monarchy
29 Dec 1947 CE
The princely authority of Bishnupur formally ends with India’s independence. The royal family is merged into the state of West Bengal.
Bankura District Museum
1951 CE
The Acharya Jogesh Chandra Purakriti Bhawan is established in Bishnupur to preserve the area’s archaeological and cultural heritage.
UNESCO Tentative List
1998 CE
The Archaeological Survey of India submits the “Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal” for UNESCO World Heritage status.
A Continuing Cultural Center
Late 20th–21st centuries
Bishnupur continues to celebrate its legacy with festivals dedicated to its music and art. Terracotta art (e.g. Bankura horse crafts), Baluchari sarees, and temple restoration projects keep the Malla legacy alive.