The Matharas
The history of Kalinga region underwent great change about the middle of the fourth century AD. after the South India campaign of Samudragupta. The political situation of the period contributed to the rise of a new ruling dynasty named Mathara. In ancient time the Mathara family enjoyed high political and social status and had matrimonial relations with several powerful ruling families of Kosala and South India.
The Mathara family under Vishakha Varman
(350 to 360 A.D)
About the middle of the fourth century, Vishakha Varman of the Mathara family succeeded in organising a small principality in Kalinga region with its headquarters at Sripura identified with the modern village Batiasripua near Paralakhemundi in Ganjam district. Vishakhavarman assumed the title Sri Maharaja and started his political career as a modest ruler of a petty territory. His territory was divided into a few Panchalis of which one was named Karosodaka. In the seventh year of his reign, Visakhavannan is known to have donated the village Tapoyoka located in that Panchali to five- Brahmanas. In the records of the early Ganga king we find the Karasodaka Panchali as a part of the Kalinga territory. But Visakhavarman did not assume the title "Lord of Kalinga" No record of Visakhavarman is found beyond his seventh regnal year. It appears that he established the new kingdom for his family towards the later part of his life and ruled only for about the decade from circa 350 to 360 A.D.
Umavarman
(360 A.D-395 A.D)
Maharaja Visakhavarman was succeeded by Umavarman who was very likely his son. Umavarman started his career as a modest ruler like his father with Sripura as the headquarters of his small principality. But, he was an ambitious ruler and taking opportunity of the political changes of his time, he began to extend his territory and power at the cost of the neighbouring territories. By his sixth regnal year he extended his kingdom up to the Svetaka region (modern Chikiti) and established a new headquarters at Sunagara. King Umavarman issued two of his copper plate grants-Baranga grant and Dhavalapeta grant from this headquarters donating the lands to the Brahmins.
By his ninth regnal year, his territory further extended to the south and comprised the modern Tekkali region. He shifted his headquarters from Sunagara to Vardhamanpur where form he issued his Tekkali copper plate grant. Thus, Umavarman extended his territory steadily and by his thirtieth regnal year his territory comprised the present Srikakulam district. By that time he declared himself as the "Lord of Kalinga" and transferred his capital from Vardhamanpura to Simhapura. It was from this new headquarters which he called Vijaya Simhapura that he issued his Vrihatproshtha grant in which he declared himself the "Lord of Kalinga." The territory of Kalinga had remained in obscurity after the Call of the Chedi rule in the first century A.D. and its historical tradition was revived by Maharaja Umavarman towards the end of the fourth century A.D. Thus Umavarman was the first great ruler of the Mathara dynasty and with him Kalinga entered into a long and vigorous political career and her influence was felt in the history of Eastern India and Deccan. Maharaja Umavarman ruled for about thirty five years and was succeeded by Sankarvarman in circa 395 A.D.
Sankarvarman
(395 A.D-400 A.D)
Sankarvarman was very probably a brother of Umavarman and his rule appears to be very short one. No copper plate grant issued by him has come to light as yet. It is known from the records of his son that Maharaja Sankaravarman married in the Vasishtha family which was a ruling family of the Devarastra region during the period after the South Indian campaign of Samudragupta. This matrimonial relation paved the way for extension of the Mathara kingdom over the middle Kalinga region. Maharaja Sankaravarman died about 400 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Maharja Saktivarman.
Maharja Saktivarman
(400 A.D-420 A.D)
Maharja Saktivarman was an ambitious and war like ruler and succeeded in unifying the Northern and Southern Kalinga. The vasishthas of the middle Kalinga region with whom the Matharas had matrimonial relation must have been a great help for Saktivarman in occupying South Kalinga. The occupation of South Kalinga signifies the fall of the Salankayana power in Vengi. The Ningondi grant of king Prabhanjanavarman reveals that Saktivarman, the son of Sankaravarman extended his territory from the Mahanadi to the river Krishna and ruled the far flung empire following the ancient laws. The Mathara kingdom extended up to Krishna at the cost of the Salankayanas. The Pallavas who were the allies of the Salankayanas were also at a state of decline by that time. Saktivannan very likely defeated the combined-forces of the Salankayanas and the Pallavas to extend his territory up to the banks of the river Krishna. Thus, Saktivarman built a strong empire on the foundation laid by Umavarman and heightened the prestige and powers of the Matharas. The political condition of India by the time of Saktivarman was being dominated by three imperial powers - the Matharas in the South, the Guptas in the North and the Vakatakas in Central India.
Maharaja Saktivarman transferred his capital from Simhapura to Pishtapura some time before his 13th regnal year when he issued his Ragolu copper plate grant from his new capital. This indicates that he conquered the Southern region before his 13th regnal year and he maintained the integrity of his empire as long as he ruled. Maharaja Saktivarman died in circa 420 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Anantasaktivarman.
Anantasaktivarman
(420 A.D-450 A.D)
The political history of South India underwent a change by that time owing to the rise of the Vishnukundin dynasty. Madhavavarman I who was the founder of this dynasty was a powerful and ambitious ruler and was very probably a contemporary of Anantasaktivarman. The Ipuru plates (of Madhavavarman-Il) reveal that he fought successful battles with his neighbours and performed eleven horse sacrifices and thousands of other sacrifices. The Vishnukundins had to fight for their rise and stability with the Pallavas in the south and Matharas in the north. King Madhavavarman fought with the Mathara king Anantasaktivarman and the Pallava king Simhavarman-II and defeated both the adversaries. After defeating Anantasaktivarman, he occupied the southern regions of the Mathara kingdom including south Kalinga. Anantasaktivarman issued his Andhavarman grant from the military camp at Vijayapura in his 14th regnal year. It appears that his wars with the Vishnukundins were continuing at the time of the issue of this grant and very probably he was compelled to leave Pishtapura by that time. His Sakunaka grant issued in his 28th regnal year was executed by his two high military officers- Commander in chief (Mahabaladhikrita), Sivabhojaka and the General (Dandarieta) Vaasudatta. This indicates that the military had unusual predominance in the sphere of civil administration during his rule. Anantasaktivarman could not maintain the integrity of the empire inherited from his father. After the loss of south Kalinga he had to shift his headquarters from Pishtapura to Simhapura and tried to consolidate his position in northern and middle Kalinga. He died circa 450 A.D. and was succeeded by Chandravarman who was very likely his son.
Chandravarman
(450 A.D-460 A.D)
Maharaja Chandravarman is known from the Bobbili and Komarti copper plate grants issued by him in his 4th and 6th regnal years respectively. His two grants do not reveal any political activity of this ruler. He bore the ephithets like Paramabhagavata and Parmadaivata and ruled from his capital Sirnhapura. Chandravarman probably had a premature death about 460 A.D. when he was succeeded by Prabhanjanavarman, another son of Saktivarman.
Prabhanjanavarman
(460 A.D-480 A.D)
It appears that after the death of Saktivarman there was a rift between his two sons Anantasaktivarman and Prabhajanavarman. This internal quarrel contributed to the weakness of the Mathara dynasty. The defeat of the Matharas when they were at the zenith of their power by newly organised Vishnukundins was probably due to their internal dissensions. It may be pointed out that Maharaja Prabhanjanavarman while referring to his predcessors in the Nirgondi grant ignores Anantasaktivarman and Chandravarman and declares himself as direct successor of Saktivarman, the son of Sankarvarman. This indicates the rift between the houses of Anantasaktivarman and Prabhanjanavarman. The Mathara power could not recover the loss of prestige and territory and they began to decline steadily. No doubt king Prabhanjanvarman attempted to recover South Kalinga and he assumed the title "Sakala Kalingadhipati". This epithet was not borne by the previous Mathara rulers and it indicates his temporary success against Vishnukundins. He died around 480A.D.
Nandapravanjanavarman
(480 A.D-498 A.D)
Nandapravanjanavarman succeeded Prabhanjanavarman. But his relation with the latter is not clearly known. He was the last Mathara king and during his time, the political status of the Matharas relapsed to that of the time of Visakhavarman and early years of king Urnavarman. King Nandapravanjanavarman made Vardhamanapura his headquarters which was the headquarters of king Urnavarman in his ninth regnal year. But in spite of the political decline Prabhanjhanavarman continued to bear the title "Sakala Kalingadhipati" which was assumed by his successor Nanda Pravanjanavarman. During the close of his reign the Eastern Gangas appeared in the Trikalinga territory and extended their power over the Kalinga region. Dantapura, the famous city of Kalinga was declared to be the capital of the Eastern Gangas. The Ganga era which was founded in 498 AD. heralded the political change signifying the rise of the Eastern Gangas and the fall of the Matharas.
Thus, the Matharas ruled for one hundred and fifty years. Politically independent of the Gupta suzerainty, the Mathara monarchs styled themselves as Maharajas, and Lords of Kalinga (Kalingadhipati). Their rule provided a sound administrative set-up to the Kalinga region. They divided their kingdom into such territorial units as Panchali, Bhoga and Vishava. Their inscriptions mention some territorial units, such as Mahendrabhoga, Dantayavagubhoga, Bhillingabhoga, Vishaya, Kalinga Vishaya and Varahavarttini Vishaya. Village was the lowest territorial unit. The Mathara king was assisted by a number of civil and military officials, such Amatya (minister), Kumara-Amatya (minister of royal blood), talavara (revenue offIcial), ueshaksapatla (record keeper), Mahapratihara (chamberlain), Ajna Bhogika (messenger), Dutata (spy), Mahavaladhikrita (head of the army), Mahadanda nayak (chief commander), Dandanayaka (commander) and Dandaneta (commander of a group). Culturally, the Matharas subscribed to the general trend of the time in north India. The Mathara period saw the development of such Brahmanical cults in Orissa as Bhagavata and Saiva. The Matharas patronised Sanskrit literature. The pre-Mathara period in Orissa had seen the dominance of the non-Brahmanical religions like Jainism and Buddhism. But in Mathara period the Brahmanical religion gradually began to assume a place of importance. During this period, the people of Kalinga were carrying on maritime trade with south-east Asian countries. Dantapur (modern Palur), the great city port, was situated in the territory of Matharas.
The Sailodbhavas
Towards the middle of the sixth century A.D. and more obviously at the advent of the seventh century A.D., the obscure political scene of Odisha became clear to some extent. In the political scenario of Odisha, the Sailodbhavas emerged as a mighty power extending their sway from the Mahanadi in the north to Mahendragiri in the south. They ruled over Kongoda Mandala, roughly comprising the undivided Ganjam and Puri districts. The centre of their political activities was Kongodavasaka which was, perhaps, on the bank of river Salia in the Ganjam district.
Sources
The Ekamra Purana, Kapila Samhita, Svarnadri Mahodaya and Hiuen Tsang's Si-yu-ki help a lot in constructing the history of the Sailodbhavas. The Sumandala plate, Kanasa copper plate grant, Soro charter, Chicacole plates, Khurda grant, Tekkali charter, Ganjam plates etc. form the inscriptional sources for the dynasty.
Origin of the Sailodbhavas
The origin of the Sailodbhavas is shrouded in mystery. The Sailodbhava inscriptions state that once upon a time when anarchy prevailed over Kalinga, an aboriginal chief named Pulindasena worshipped Lord Brahma (Svayambhu) to save the country by providing it with a strong ruler. The Lord was pleased and created an able-bodied person named Sailodbhava, who became the founder of the dynasty. The name Sailodbhava literary means 'born out of rocks'. Coming to the historical analysis of the origin of the Sailodbhavas, scholars opine that Sailodhbavas were either a branch of the Ganga family or Saila dynasty of Madhya Pradesh. Both these opinions do not seem plausible. Pulindasena may be regarded as the chieftain of the Pulindas. The Pulindas may be identified with Kulindas of the Rock Edict XIII of Asoka who were a tribe of the Atavika Rajya which was a part of Kalinga and was not conquered by Asoka. Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita is a pointer in this direction because he associates the Pulindas with the Sailajas inhabiting the rocky region of Kalinga. Perhaps, Pulindasena was instrumental in helping Sailodbhava of the Sailaja tribe in establishing the dynasty after his name and the territory, over which its rulers ruled, was known as Kongoda mandala. Abhaya of the Sumandala plate, whose descendent was Dharmaraja, may be identified with Sailodbhava, the founder of the dynasty.
Dharmaraja I Ranabhita
(553-575 A. D.)
From the Sumandala charter dated Gupta era 250 (570 A.D.), it is known that Dharmaraja I other wise known as Ranabhita was the first known historical ruler of the Sailodbhaba dynasty. He was not an Independent ruler, rather, a feudatory under the Vigraha ruler Prithivivigraha of Kalinga. It is apparent that towards the close of sixth century A.D., the Vigrahas had become powerful and the Sailodbhavas acknowledged their suzerainty. Dharmaraja I was, perhaps, the devotee of Sun God as in the Sumandala Charter, it is mentioned that he devoted at the feet of thousand-rayed sun (Sahasrarasmi padabhakta).
Madhavaraja I Sainyabhita I
(575- 600 A. D.)
Madhavaraja succeeded Dharmaraja I to the throne of Kongoda. He was feudatory of the Vigrahas as is revealed from the Kanasa copper plate grant of Gupta era 280 (600 A.D.) wherein he has been described as a Mahasamanta under Lokavigraha. This fact has been corroborated in the Ganjam grant of his grandson Madhavaraja II. Thus, the two early rulers of this dynasty were not independent rulers rather they acknowledged the suzerainty of the Vigrahas of Kalinga.
Chharamparaja Ayasobhita I
(600-615 A.D.)
With Chharamparaja Ayasobhita I, a new phase began in the history of the Sailodbhavas. In the struggle between the Vigrahas and Mudgalas for supremacy over Tosali, Ayasobhita I fished in that troubled water and became independent of the Vigraha rule. From Eradanga Charter (555 A.D.) and the Soro Charter (580 A.D.), it is known that the Mudgala King Sambhuyasa became powerful over Tosali and wanted to subjugate Kalinga. His dream was shattered into pieces when he was defeated by Lokavigraha. About 603 A. D. Sambhuyasa avenged the defeat by driving out Lokavigraha from South Tosali. Immediately, after the assertion of his power over South Tosali, he was defeated by Prithvimaharaja, the King of Pistapura and thus, ended the Mudgala rule over Tosali.
At the advent of the seventh century A. D. Prithvimaharaja encountered the attack of Sasanka of Gauda from the north who occupied the Northen Tosali. At about the same time, Pulakesin II established his sway over Pistapura. At this juncture, Ayasobhita I asserted his independence over Kongoda. For the first time, he named his capital Vijaya Kangodavasaka. From the Khandipada Nuapali grant, it is known that he was an independent ruler and was assisted by a number of officers like Sri Samanta, Maha Samanta, Maharaja Rajanaka, Rajaputra, Dandanayaka, Kumaramatya, Uparika and Ayuktaka. The creation of new capital and different officers including feudatories clearly show that he was an independent and sovereign ruler. He was a devotee to Lord Siva (Hara) and patronised Saivism as is revealed from his Nuapali grant. Perhaps, towards the close of his reign or his success of Madhavaraja II, Kongoda came under the sway of Sasanka of Gauda.
Madhavaraja II Sainyabhita II
(615-665 A.D.)
The lost glory of the Sailodbhava dynasty was restored and firmly established by Madhavaraja II Sainyabhita II, the son and successor of Charamparaja. He ruled over Kongoda Mandala under different circumstances at least for fifty years as feudatory and independent ruler exhibiting his diplomatic genius. In his Ganjarn grant dated 620 AD., he has been described as the Mahasamanta of Sasanka. In the Khurda Charter of Madhavaraja, he is described as the Lord of entire Kalinga. This shows that around 626 A.D., with the fall of Sasanka, Madhvaraja II asserted his Independence and grabbed entire Kalinga assuming the title Sakala Kalingadhipati. The Gangas, who had been driven away from Kalinga by Sasanka, now gained momentum and with the help of the Western Chalukyas reasserted their sway over Kalinga. This fact has been asserted from the Chicacole plates of the Ganga ruler Indravarman III. At this juncture, Madhavaraja II thought it prudent to acknowledge the suzerainty of the Gangas which has been corroborated by the subsequent Charters. After the issue of Khurda Charter, he never, mentions himself as the 'Lord ot Kalinga'.
Right from 628 A.D. Madhavaraja “became conspicuously famous as Madhavavarman, revealed from the Buguda and Purusottampur Charters. Further, his kingdom was known as Kongoda mandala. In the struggle for mastery over South India between Harsavardhan and Pulakeshin II, Madhavavarman remained silent and maintained his independent status as a buffer state. With the death of Pulakesin II in 642 AD., Harsavardhan conquered Kongoda and Madhavavarman had no alternative but to accept the suzerainty of Harsa. Again, with the demise of Harsavardhan in 647 A.D. Madhavavarman became the independent sovereign of Kongoda mandala. After fiftieth regnal year i.e. C-665 AD. nothing is known about him. The way Madhavaraja II tackled the turbulent situation encompassing Kongoda testifies his genius as a shrewd diplomat. He not only saved the nascent Sailodbhava kingdom from the wrath of the great rulers like Sasanka, Pulakesin II and Harsa but also became successful in maintaining the sovereignty and strength of the empire.
Madhyamaraja I Ayasobhita II
(665-695 A.D.)
Madhavaraja was succeeded by Madhyamaraja I Ayasobhita II. According to his Parikuda Charter, he was a mystic with the ability to communicate with departed souls. He was so strong that he could easily run while standing on the shoulders of his soldiers. He was a patron of Brahmanism, as evidenced by the grant of a village in Katakabhukti Visaya to twelve Brahmanas in the aforementioned charter. Additionally, he performed Vedic sacrifices such as Asvamedha and Vajapeya. He died in C – 695CE after a thirty-year reign of glory.
Dharmaraja II Srimanabhita
(C-695-725 A.D.)
With the passing away of Ayasovita II, a war of succession took place between his two sons- Dharmaraja II and Madhavaraja. Madhavaraja, the younger son of Ayasobhita II usurped the throne of Kongoda violating the law of primogeniture and tried to drive away Dharmaraja from the Kingdom. However, Dharmaraja in retrospect secured the support of some powerful officers and feudatories and defeated his younger brother, Madhavaraja. The latter left Kongoda and formed an alliance with Tivaradeva, the ruler of South Kosala who wished to help Madhava for extending his sway to Kongoda. However, contrary to his expectation, of the combined army Tivaradeva and Madhavaraja was defeated by Dharmaraja. After that, Dharmaraja II firmly established his authority over Kongoda. It is known that he was a great builder of towns as revealed from his Banapur, Puri, Rampur, Nivina, Chandesvara and Kondeddle charters.
The Kama Nalinakshapura grant of Ganga King Samantavarman, mentions a high road named Dharmaraja Kalingamarga which was perhaps, built by Dharmaraja II. Dharmaraja II was a saintly king. He had love and adoration for religion and philosophy. He performed the Vedic sacrifices and patronised Brahmin scholars. He was famous for his religious toleration. It is known from his Banpur grant that his queen Kalyanadevi granted lands in favour of a Jaina monk Prabodha Chandra. This shows her religious catholicity.
Decline of the Sailodbhavas
Dharmaraja II was succeeded by his son Madhyamaraja II as is known from Tekkali Charter of Madhyamaraja III, the last known ruler of the dynasty. Madhyamaraja II was a young ruler and brave warrior. Perhaps, after his death, Sailodbhavas were driven away from Kongoda by the Bhaumakaras of Tosali around 736 A.D. Allaparaja, who succeeded Madhyamaraja, was sheltered by the Gangas of Kalinga. He ruled over Tekkali region as a feudatory of the Gangas. He was succeeded by grandson Madhyamaraja III, because his own Tailapa met premature death. After Madhyamaraja II, no information is gathered regarding the Sailodbhavas. Whatever the fact may be, the Sailodbhavas ruled over Kongoda nearly about 200 years. During their period, Brahmanism arose as a great religion over Kongoda. The dynasty faced great upheavals from external enemies and withstood those aggressions. At last, the Bhauma-Karas brought ecllipse to the Sailodbhava dynasty.
Conclusion
To conclude it can be said that the Sailodbhava rule cannot be considered to be of much importance from the political point of view. They were feudatories, ruling over a small territory and asserted their independence at opportune moments. Their historical significance lies in the fact that from them onwards we get a regular dynastic history of Odisha. The Sailodbhava period was a period of creativity in Odishan art and architecture. A number of Saiva temples like Parsurameswar, Bharteswar, Laxmaneswar, Satrughnesvar, svarnajaleswar etc. can be assigned to Sailodbhava period.
The early Eastern Gangas
The Gangas of Kalinga are known in history as the Eastern Gangas in analogy of the Gangas of Mysore who are known as the Western Gangas. According to the tradition recorded in the early copper-plate grants of Chodaganga, the Eastern Gangas of Kalinga were a branch of the ruling Western Ganga family of Mysore.
Kamarnava the founder of the Eastern Ganga dynasty is said to have migrated to Kalinga with his four brothers from Kolahalapura in Gangabadivishaya (of Mysore) leaving his ancestral kingdom to his paternal uncle. He came to the Mahendragiri where he worshipped Gokarneswara Siva and then occupied the Kalinga country after defeating the Savara Chief named Baladitya, It is not possible to say how far the tradition is based on history.
Indravarman I
(537 A.D.)
The first historical ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty known from reliable record is Indravarman I whose Jirjingi copperplate grant was issued in the Ganga year 39, i.e., 537 A.D. He is known to be a powerful ruler having a large number of vassal chiefs under him and his capital was located at Dantapura. Indravarman is identified with king Adhiraja Indra who mounting on his elephant Supratika defeated the Vishnukundin king Indrabhattaraka who fought on his elephant Kumuda. King lndravarman was also the lord of Trikalinga. He was the first great ruler of the Ganga dynasty and started the Ganga era the initial year of which is 498 A.D. This is very likely the year in which he occupied the Ganga throne.
Samantavarman
(562 A.D)
The next king in the line was Samantavarman who issued his grant in the year 64 (562 A.D) from Saumyavana which was called the abode of the goddess of Victory. Like his predecessor Samantvarman assumed the title or Trikalingadhipati.
Hastivarman
(577 A.D.)
Samantvarman was succeeded by king Hastivarman sometime before the year 79 (577 A.D.). This king is known to have fought many battles and he claims to have crushed a mighty confederacy of his enemies. He did not call himself the Lord of Trikalinga but declared himself as the Lord of all Kalingas (Sakala Kalinga). From his time onward till the time of Vajrahasta V (who came to the throne in 1038 AD.) no Ganga ruler called himself Trikalingadhipati. Hastivarman was also known as Rajasimha alias Ranabhita. He was a devotee of Narayana and his Narsimhapali charter (year 79) registers grant of six halas of land along with four shrines (niresana) and a free fooding establishment in honour of god Narayan, the Lord of Seven worlds who sleeps on seven oceans and for whose pleasure seven Sama songs are being sung. Hastivarman transferred his capital from Dantapura to Kalinganagara on the River Vamsadhara.
Indravarman II
(589 AD.)
He was succeeded by his son Indravarman II who ruled at least up to the year 91 (589 AD.) the date of issue of his ParJakimedi plates.
Indravarman III
(626 AD.)
The next king was Indravarman III who came to the throne sometime before the year 128 (626 AD.). He was the son of Danarnava about whom we do not know much. Indravarman III issued his first Chicacole grant in 626 A.D. On the occasion of a lunar eclipse on the full moon day of Margasira. His second Chicacole grant was issued in the year 138 (636 A.D.) on the occasion of Ratha saptami in the month of Magha indicating that Sun worship was popular in the kingdom of Gangas. In this charter he claims to have acquired proficiency in various sciences and arts. His last record the Tekkli grant is dated in the year 154.
Devendravarman-I
(681 AD.)
The earliest record of the next known king Devendravarman-I is dated in the year 183 (681 AD.). Devendravarman was the son of Gunarnava about whom nothing is known from any record. King Devendravarman was a devout Saiva and in the year 184 he had Mantra-diksha from Patanga Sivacharya who was learned in Vedas and Vedangas, Itihasa and Puranas. He also patronised Brahmachari Pill and his sister Pillika Svamini, who were well versed in Vedas and Vedangas.
Anantavarman I
(702 AD.)
He was succeeded by his son Anantavarman I who came to the throne sometime before the year 204 (702 AD.), the date of his Dharmilingeswar grant which was issued on the occasion of the marriage of a girl of the royal family.
Devendravarman
(752 AD.)
After, Anantavarman-I his two sons Nandavarman and Devendravarman-II became kings of Kalinga one after the other. Nandavarman came to the throne sometime before the year 221 and Devendravarman-II sometime before the year 251. Devendravarman-II's last known date is the year 254 (752 AD.) after which we do not find any record of the family for about half a century.
Anantavarrnan II
The next important ruler of the family is Anantavarman II the son of Rajendravarman I. No grant of Rajendravarman I has come to light and as such he remains in obscurity like Danarnava and Gunarnava the fathers of Indravarman III and Devendravarman I respectively. Anantavarman II issued the Almanda grant in the year 304 (802 A.D.) on the occasion of a solar eclipse when a tank was consecrated and made open to public. He was succeeded sometime before the year 306 by his brother Devendravarman III, another son of Rajendravarman I. The last known date of this king is the year 310 when he donated the village Niyina free of all taxes to a Brahmin poet who was the son of the doorkeeper of his palace.
Anantavarman III
He was succeeded by his son Anantavarman III and after him two of his sons Rajendravarman II and Devendravarman IV became kings one after the other. One Chicacole grant of king Devendravarman IV is dated in the year 351 (849 AD.) and another Chicacole grant of his son Satyavarman is also dated in the same year 351.
Other rulers of Eastern Gangas
Devendravarman was succeeded by his son Satyavarman who claims to have acquired supremacy over the whole of Kalinga by the edge of his sword. After Satyavarrnan his brother Anantavarman IV (another son of Devendravarman IV) came to the throne. He is known from his Tekkali grant dated in the year 358 (865 A.D.). He was popularly called Vajrahasta I. The next Ganga king was Maharaja Bhupendra-varman alias Narasimha, two of whose sons Anantvannan V and Devendravarman V ruled one after the other. The Chipurupalli grant of Anantavarman V is dated in the year 383 (881 A.D.). In this charter Anantavarman is given the epithet Maharajadhiraja and he is also called Sri Vajrahastadeva. He was succeeded by his brother Devendravarman V sometime before the year 397 (895 AD.) the date of issue of the Chidivalasa grant. From the above discussion we find the following genealogy of the first group of the Eastern Ganga kings of Kalinga.
The Ganga years found in the respective charters of these kings are mentioned bellow against each of them :
- 1. Indravarman I- 39
- 2. Sartlantavarman- 64
- 3. Hastivarman (also called Rajasimha and Ranabhita) 79, 80
- 4. Indravarman II (Rajasimha) 87, 91
- 5. Danarnava
- 6. lndravarrnan II (son of No. 5)- 128, 137, 138, 154
- 7. Gunarnava
- 8. Devendravarman I (son of No. 7)- 183, 184, 192, 195
- 9. Anantavarman I (son of No. 8)- 204
- 10. Nandavarman (son of No. 9)- 221
- 11. Devendravarman II (son of No. 9)- 254
- 12. Rajendravarman I
- 13. Anantavarman II (son of No. 12)- 304
- 14. Devandravarman III (son of No. 12)- 306, 308, 310
- l5. Anatavarman III (son of No. 14)- 313, 314
- 16. Rajendrvarman II (son of No 15)- 342
- 17. Devendravarman IV (son of No. 16)- 351
- 18. Satyavarman (son of No.17)- 351
- 19. Anantavarman IV also called Vajri of Vajrahasta I (son of No.17)- 358
- 20. Bhupendravarman (Marasimha)
- 21. Anantavarman V also called Vajrabasta II (son of No. 20)- 383
- 22. Devendravarman V (son of No. 20)- 397
The account of the second group of the Eastern Ganga kings is found from the charters issued by Vajrahasta V. Altogether seven copper plate grants of this king have come to Iight and these grants present identical genealogy of this group of Ganga kings with number or reigning years of each of them.
The genealogy is given below:
- 1. Gunarnaharnava
- 2. Vajrasta III (son of No. 1)- 44 years
- 3. Gundarna I (son of No. 2)- 3 years
- 4. Kamarnava I (son of No.2)- 35 years
- 5. Vinayaditya (son of No.2)- 3 years
- 6. Vajrahasta IV also called Aniyankabhima (Anangabhima l)- 35 years
- 7. Kamarnava II (son of No. 6)- 1/2 year
- 8. Gundarna II (son of No.6)- 3 years
- 9. Madhukamarnva (son of No. 6)- 19 years
- 10. Vajrahasia V (was crowned in S.E. 960) (son of No.7)
All these Ganga kings ruled over a narrowly circumscribed region which they called Kalinga. They were hemmed by the Eastern Chalukyas in the south and by the Sailodbhavas in the north. About the middle of the eighth century A.D. king Harshadeva of Kamarupa claimed victory over them. At the beginning of the 9th century A.D. the Pratihara king Nagabhata overran Kalinga and Andhra. About the middle of the 9th century the Eastern Gangas were for sometime under the Bhauma Karas and the Eastern Chalukyas claim supremacy over Kalinga in the second half or that century. In the later part of the 10th century A.D. the Eastern Gangas were for sometime under the supremacy of the Somavamsis and lndraratha was the governor of Kalinga before he was crowned king at Yayatinagara about 1000 A.D. The Somavamsi supremacy over the Eastern Gangas was brought to an end by Vajrahasta V who came to the throne of Kalinga in 1038 A.D. and made that territory independent and powerful. Not with standing various fluctuations of their fortunes the Eastern Gangas continued to rule over Kalinga with firmness and they stalled an era of their own which continued to be used in their official charters for more than 500 years. Vajrahasta V discontinued the Ganga era and started the use of Saka era which was followed by all later Ganga kings.
Conclusion
Thus, political condition of Odisha underwent a great change during this period. The Matharas ruled for one hundred and fifty years. Politically independent of the Gupta suzerainty, the Mathara monarchs styled themselves as Maharajas, and Lords of Kalinga (Kalingadhipati). Their rule provided a sound administrative set-up to the Kalinga region. The Sailodbhavas ruled over Kongoda nearly about 200 years. During their period, Brahmanism arose as a great religion over Kongoda. The dynasty faced great upheavals from external enemies and withstood those aggressions. On the other hand, the early Eastern Gangas ruled for more than five hundred years. At last, the Bhauma-Karas brought an end to the Sailodbhava dynasty.
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