Udai Manikya

Udai Manikya I (died 1572), also known as Gopi Prasad, was the Maharaja of Tripura from 1567 to 1572. Though from a lowly background, he later rose to become one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom. Following the death of the previous monarch, his son-in-law, Udai took royal power himself, for a time supplanting the ruling dynasty with his own line.

Life Originally named Gopi Prasad, he was of humble origins. He began his career during the reign of Vijaya Manikya II, serving as a gomasta (rent-collector) in Dharmanagar, though was later driven out of this position after having climbed a tree belonging to a Brahmin. Thereafter, he was appointed as a cook in the royal kitchens, then a chowkidar, before ultimately rising to become Commander-in-Chief of the Tripura army. His influence further increased when Vijaya, wishing to ensure the ambitious officer's loyalty, married his own son to the latter's daughter, Ratnavati.

Upon the ascension of his son-in-law, Ananta Manikya, to the throne in 1563, Gopi Prasad expanded his already extensive power, keeping the new king completely under his control. Regardless, the latter subsequently claimed royal power and adopted the regnal name Udai Manikya, assuming the erstwhile ruling dynasty's cognomen.

Tradition states that Udai had 240 wives, several of whom, he had executed through being trampled by elephants or devoured by dogs on charges of infidelity. Udai himself was poisoned to death in 1572, after having ingested a pill of quicksilver supplied by a certain woman. He was succeeded by his son Joy Manikya I (r. 1573–1577).