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Krishna Bhatt Laxminath, composer of the Jagannath Prashasti (inscription) in JAGDISH TEMPLE.
Krishi Mandi, a grain market in the southern sector of Sabji Mandi, Udaipur, east of the hill called Machhala Magra.
Krishna (Krsna), Lord, one of the most widely revered and most popular of all Hindi gods; worshipped as the eighth incarnation (avatar) of the god VISHNU. Also a supreme god in his own right, Krishna became the focus of a large number of bhakti (devotional) cults. Over the centuries, these have produced a wealth of religious poetry, music and painting. The 16th century mystic poetess of Mewar, MIRA BAI became famous because of her devotion and passionate love songs to Krishna, whom she called her Master. In religious epics such as the Mahabharata, it is related how Krishna (literally 'black', or 'dark as a cloud') was born into the Yadava clan. The child was adored for his mischievous pranks; he also performed many miracles and slew demons. As a youth, he became renowned as a lover of young maidens, his favourite being Radha. He married the princess Rukmini and took other wives. A famous ancient statue of the god as a child (Nath), while being brought to Udaipur by Maharana RAJ SINGH I of Mewar (1653-1680) to save it from destruction by Emperor Aurangzeb, became stranded in the township of Nathdwara, which is now an important place of pilgrimage (see NATHDWARA'S STATUE OF KRISHNA). The stories of Krishna's life and adventures make excellent reading.
Krishna Kumari, Princess, (the Virgin Krishna); the 16-year-old daughter of Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828) who, at the time, needed an important political alliance. One method of gaining this was through marriage and the princess was young, beautiful, and available. Thus Krishna Kumari was engaged to Maharaja Bhim Singh of Jodhpur, capital of Marwar. However, with the sudden and untimely death of the Maharaja, she was then engaged to Maharaja Jagat Singh of the neighbouring and rival kingdom of Jaipur. In Jodhpur, Bhim Singh's younger brother, Man Singh became the ruler. At the time, Thakur Sawai Singh of Pokaran, a rebel chieftain of Marwar was taking shelter in Jaipur. He sent a taunting message to Maharaja Man Singh of Jodhpur, which ridiculed him, saying that the girl betrothed to the house of Marwar was being married to his rival, the Maharaja of Jaipur, which should be a matter of shame. Man Singh felt insulted and contacted Amir Khan of Asind, a Pathan mercenary and troublemaker (he had his own force and was available to anyone who would pay for his services. Ultimately, the British gave him Tonk State in a move to end his mercenary activities.) After bribing him with handsome armour, Man Singh sent him to Udaipur with a message that either the girl be married only to Man Singh, or be put to death. Amir Khan also threatened the Maharana that, if the proposal were not accepted, he himself would plunder Mewar.
Maharana Bhim Singh knew there was only one politically correct and politically safe solution: his daughter would have to die. Out of sheer frustration and under compulsion, Maharana Bhim Singh asked Daulat Singh of Karjali to kill Princess Krishna Kunwari with his dagger. Daulat Singh was so angered by this proposal that he rebuked the Maharana, saying that whoever gave such an inhuman order should have his tongue cut out. Seeing no other way, the Maharana then decided that the Princess must die by poison, and the foul deed was left to the women of the Maharana's rawala (harem). The brave little Princess quietly accepted her fate, that she must die to save her father's honour, and went to a private garden near the palace, to prepare herself with prayers. When one of the women handed her the fatal cup in the name of her father, the Princess bowed, offered another prayer for her father's life and prosperity, and drank the contents. Surprisingly, it had no effect. Another cup was prepared; she drank it; again her body rejected the poison. The sentence was attempted a third time, with the same result. It was if a magical charm protected the young virgin. Finally, a cup laced with a very powerful opiate (containing opium) was presented. Wanting this horror to be over, Krishna Kunwari accepted it with a smile, drank it, and fell into a deep sleep … from which she never woke. Politically relieved but personally grief-stricken, her father turned her apartment into a shrine, dedicating it to the memory of her courage. The delicately frescoed Krishna Mahal is now a memorial to the girl (photography not permitted) in Udaipur's City Palace, where respect can be paid to a brave little princess who became the victim of political circumstance.
Krishna Mahal (Vilas), City Palace, Udaipur; a memorial shrine dedicated to the tragic Princess KRISHNA KUMARI, the 16-year-old daughter of Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828). She chose forced suicide over marriage to save the dynasty. The room contains some of Mewar's best miniature paintings.
Krishna Singh. There were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bijolia (Paramara), and Deogarh (Choondawat). There was also Kunwar Krishna Singh, one of the seven sons of Maharana SANGRAM (SANGA) SINGH I (1509-1527), the others being BHOJRAJ, Parbat Singh, Karan Singh, RATAN SINGH (II), VIKRAMADITYA (II) and UDAI SINGH (II). Krishna Singh died during Sanga's lifetime.
Krishna Vilas: see KRISHNA MAHAL.
Krishna, Nathdwara statue of. See NATHDWARA'S STATUE OF KRISHNA.
Krishnawats of SALUMBAR, founded by Kunwar Krishna Singh; an offshoot of the Choondawat clan.
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