Historical Geography of Ancient Odisha

Context for OPSC Mains: Historical geography aims at the reconstruction of the geography of a region of a past period [1]. Ancient Odisha was known by various names such as Kalinga, Utkala, Odra, Tosali, Kongoda, and Kosala [1].

1. Kalinga

Kalinga occupied a prominent place among the political units of ancient Odisha.

Geographical Extent

• Traditional Boundaries: According to Puranic tradition, Kalinga extended up to the Gangetic valley in the north, the Godavari in the south, the Sea in the east, and the Amrakantaka hills in the west [2].
• Mahabharata Evidence: Sage Lomasa in the Vana Parva stated, "This is the country of the Kalingas where flows the river Vaitarani" [2].
• Foreign Accounts:
  • Megasthenes: Described the river Ganges as the eastern boundary [2].
  • Pliny: Divided Kalinga into three parts: Gangarides Calingae, Maceo Calingae, and Calingae [2].

Political Geography & Capitals

• Ashokan Period (261 B.C.): Ashoka divided Kalinga into two administrative divisions:
  1. Northern Division: Capital at Tosali [3].
  2. Southern Division: Capital at Samapa (Jaugada) [3].
• Kharavela's Era: The Hatigumpha Inscription describes Kharavela as Kalingadhipati. His capital was Kalinganagara (tentatively identified with Sisupalagarh near Bhubaneswar) [3, 4].
• Later Capitals:
  • Dantapura: An early capital, yet to be identified archaeologically [4].
  • Mukhalingam: Identified as the Kalinganagara of the Early Eastern Gangas [4].
  • Kataka (Cuttack): Became the capital under Chodaganga in roughly A.D. 1110 [4].

2. Utkala

The territory of Utkala is considered by some scholars to be older than Kalinga [5].

Origins and Extent

• Mythological Origin: Named after Utkala, son of Ila-Sudyumna (one of the ten sons of Manu) [5].
• Literary Mentions: Appears in the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Kalidasa's Raghuvamsam [5].
• Epigraphic Evidence: Mentioned in the Midnapur Plates of Somadatta and Adhabhara plates. During the Ganga and Pala dynasties, the name was applied to the whole territory of Odisha [5].
• Capital: The earliest capital was Viraja (identified with Jajpur) [5].

3. Odra

The modern name Odisha is derived from Odra, Udra, or Odraka [6].

Historical References

• Foreign Accounts:
  • Muslim Geographers (9th-10th Century): Referred to the region as Urshin or Ursfin [6].
  • Greek Writers: Referred to Oretes near Mount Malus (Malayagiri) [7].
  • Hiuen Tsang: Described Wu-cha (Odra) as a kingdom 7000 li in circuit [7].
• Key Sites: Hiuen Tsang mentioned Puspagiri (Pue-sie-poki-li), recently identified by scholars with the 'Diamond Triangle' monasteries: Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, and Lalitgiri [7].

4. Tosali

Tosali functioned as both a city and a territory. It was significantly associated with Lord Mahavira in Jain texts (Avasyaka Niryukti) [8].

Divisions

Based on copper plates (Soro, Patiakela, Midnapore), Tosali was divided into two parts, separated by the river Mahanadi [9]:

• Uttara Tosali (North): Comprised modern Midnapore, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore districts [9].
• Dakshina Tosali (South): Comprised modern Puri and parts of Cuttack/Ganjam districts [9].

5. Kongoda

Kongoda, meaning "Land of Honey" (from Tamil 'Kongu'), rose to eminence under the Sailodbhava dynasty [10].

Key Facts

• Location: Roughly the undivided Ganjam district; a Mandala state [10].
• Hiuen Tsang's Visit (638 A.D.): Described it as a hilly country bordering the Bay of Bengal with a powerful army [10, 11].
• Capital: Vijaya Kongodvasaka, identified with modern Bankada on the bank of river Salia [11].
• Political Status: Later became a Visaya (district) of Dakshina Tosali under the Bhauma-Karas [12].

6. Kosala

Referred to as Dakshina Kosala (South Kosala) to distinguish it from the northern Kosala of Ayodhya [12].

Geography and Rulers

• Extent: Modern districts of Bilaspur and Raipur (Chhatisgarh) and Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Bolangir (Odisha) [13].
• Dynasties: Ruled by the Somavamsis, Kalachuris, and later the Chauhans (who centered power in Sambalpur) [13, 14].
• Capitals:
  • Sripura: Early capital of Somavamsis [13].
  • Yajatinagara: Later capital after the annexation of Khinjali mandala [14].
  • Suvarnapura: (Sonepur) Established by Yajati II [14].

Conclusion

The territorial boundaries of Kalinga, Utkala, Odra, Tosali, Kongoda, and Kosala changed frequently. By the 15th century, poet Sarala Dasa used Udisa/Odisha as a synonym for Odrarastra. Under the Gajapatis (Kapilendradeva), the entire land became known as Odisha [15].

Exercise

1. Give an account on the historical geography of ancient Odisha.
2. Write a note on the boundary of Kalinga in ancient period.
3. Describe the area under Utkala in ancient times.
4. Discuss the topography of ancient Odra state.
5. Make an analysis on the political boundary of Tosali.
6. Highlight the territory under the Kangoda region.
7. Write a note on the topography of Kosala in ancient period.