He was the son of Udai Manikya, who had supplanted Tripura's previous ruling dynasty and adopted its cognomen in 1567.
[2] However, his rule was only nominal as the powerful general Ranagan Narayan, who was the husband of his paternal aunt,[3] held actual control of the kingdom, using Joy as a puppet-monarch.
[4][5] Narayan eventually grew jealous of the popularity enjoyed by Amaradeva, a prince of the former royal family.
When Joy demanded an explanation for Narayan's death, Amaradeva dispatched his troops against the king, who attempted to flee before being overtaken and also beheaded.
[7] Amaradeva subsequently took power under the name Amar Manikya, thus restoring the throne to the original ruling dynasty.