Kaviraja Suryamall Misran (also spelled Suryamall Meesan; 1815–1868) was the Rajkavi (poet-historian) of Bundi kingdom. He was proficient in six languages including Dingal, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhraṃśa, and was a scholar of grammar, logic, history and politics. His important works include Vansh Bhaskar, Vir Satsai, Balwant Vilas and Chhandomayukh.
Biography
Early life and family
The great poet-historian of Rajasthan, Suryamall Misran was born in Harna village of Bundi district on 19 October 1815 AD (VS 1872). His father's name was Kaviraja Chandidan and his mother's name was Bhawani Bai. Suryamall Mishran's lineage can be traced back to poet Chandkoti, who was renowned for his mastery of six languages. He and his successors, including Bhan, who settled in Bundi, were all great poets. Among them, Kavi Badanji gained fame for his poetry in Pingal (Brij-Bhasha).
The family originally resided in the kingdom of Mewar. Bhan, an esteemed ancestor of Suryamall, held a respected position in the Chittorgarh darbar and would occasionally visit Rao Suryamal, the reigning ruler of Bundi. During one such visit, Rao bestowed great honor upon Bhan as his guest, and while on during a hunting expedition, Bhan and Rao Suryamal encountered two large bears, which Rao Suryamal skillfully dispatched with his katar. Impressed, Bhan immortalized the event in his poetry, evoking the appreciation of Rao Suryamal, who gifted him an elephant, a horse, and a substantial amount. Rao Suryamal persuaded Bhan to stay as his guest for several months. However, upon returning to Chittorgarh, Bhan narrated the tale of Suryamal's valor and generosity to Rana Ratan Singh, who, out of jealousy, asked him to leave his domain. Bhan then returned to Bundi, where he was warmly received and honored with a jagir in sasan and valuable presents. Later, Bhan's descendants made Bundi their permanent residence. Kaviraja Chandidan, the father of poet Suryamall Misran, was the tenth successor in line from Bhan.
Kaviraja Chandidan was a prolific scholar and poet of his time, skilled in Pingala, Dingala and Sanskrit. Vishnu Singh, the then Maharaja of Bundi, had conferred the fiefdom of a village in sasan, lakh pasav, and the title of Kaviraja to Chandi Dan. Chandi Dan composed three texts of utmost importance, namely Balavigraha, Saar Sagar, and Vanshabharan.
Education
Suryamal was endowed with sharp acumen and extraordinary memory since childhood. He acquired deep knowledge of many disciplines in his childhood. Having been educated by the leading scholars of his age, Suryamal Misran was well-versed in astronomy, religion, culture, astrology, philosophy, and several languages, in addition to possessing exceptional literary gifts. His deep inclination towards music is reflected by the fact that he usually carried a Veena with him.
He received education in Dingala, Sanskrit, philosophy, history, and poetics from various Gurus besides his own father. Swami Swarupdas, a Dadupanthi, gave him training in Yoga, Vedanta, Nyaya, and Vaiseshika literature. From Pandit Ashanand, he learned grammar, verses, poetry, astrology, Ashvadhak, and Chanakya Shastra. From Muhammad, he learned veena-playing and Persian from another mentor. From another Muslim teacher, he acquired knowledge about Islamic religion and culture and had read Persian histories like the Tarikh-i-Firishta and the Akbar-Nama by Abul-Fazl. Thus, Suryamal Misran received an educational, literary, and historical atmosphere right from the beginning, giving rise to a unique confluence of knowledge, wisdom, and valor. In his book Vansh-Bhaskar, Suryamall expresses his deep respect for these Gurus.
For one of his guru, a Muslim scholar named Mohammad, Suryamall writes:My Guru and Teacher Mohammad is an embodiment of virtue and is a staunch worshipper of Allah. It is from him that I have learnt the secrets of his religion.
— Vansh-Bhaskar
Career
Suryamall succeeded his father in the court in the office of Kaviraja in the reign of Maharao Raja Ram Singh. He wrote primarily in Dingal, though he also made occasional use of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Magadhi, Pingal and other dialects.