Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Sources
- 3. Anantavaraman Vajrahasta V
- 4. Devendravarman Rajarajadeva
- 5. Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
- 6. Kamarnava, Raghava, Rajaraja II & Anangabhimadeva II
- 7. Anangabhimadeva III
- 8. Narasimhadeva I (Konarka Sun Temple)
- 9. The Later Gangas and Decline
- 10. Extent of the Empire & Conclusion
The rise of the Imperial Gangas is a remarkable event in the history of Odisha. The period of Ganga rule is considered as an era of vigorous imperial wars and conquests, hectic political activities, sound administration and great cultural attainments. In fact, the Gangas as a rulling dynasty appeared in the Odishan history towards the end of the fifth century A.D. and in the eleventh century A.D., they emerged as a paramount power. The Gangas not only succeeded in building a vast empire but their well organised administrative set up, unparalleled architectural splendours like Sri Jagannath temple at Puri and Sun temple at Konarka made their name immortal in the annals of medieval Odishan history.
The Gangas
The reign of the Gangas, popularly known as the Eastern Gangas, forms a splendid era in the medieval Odishan history. They struggled hard for a long period from 498 A.D. to 940 A.D. for their survival and during this phase, they passed through many vicissitudes. This was followed by four hundred years of glorious rule, a period from 1038 A.D. to 1435 A.D.
Sources
It is very difficult to find out the sources of the Ganga dynasty. However, as a tribe they can be traced back to fourth century B.C. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, mentions a tribe, named Gangaridai, which inhabited on the bank of the Ganges. In the first century AD., Pliny refers to their southward movement and settlement on the bank of the river Vamsadhara. The Draksaram temple inscription, Kenduli plate, Korni copper plate, Nagari plate, Kendupatana plate, Jagannath temple inscription, Chinna Badamu plates, Ronaki inscription, Kanchipuram inscription, Kapilasa inscription, Kamarnava copper plate (Choudwar) etc. form the main inscriptional scources of the imperial Gangas. Among literary works, very important are the Madala Panji, Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, Tarikh-i-Firoze Shahi, Ramacharita and Kalingattuparani etc. which throw considerable light on the career and achievements of the Ganga kings.
Political History
The Ganga imperialism brought political stabilisation to Odisha in the medieval age. The competent rulers of this dynasty like Chodagangadeva, Anangabhimadeva III and Narasimhadeva I were great warriors and men of exceptional ability who succeeded in keeping their vast kingdoms independent when the Hindu kingdoms, one after another, were falling victims to Muslim aggression.
Anantavaraman Vajrahasta V
(C-1038-1070 A.D.)
With the accession of Anantavarman Vajrahasta V in 1038 A.D., the Gangas got freed from the clutches of the Somavamsi kings. As the first independent Ganga king, he used titles like 'Maharaja, Maharajadhiraja, Paramamahesvara, Paramabhattaraka and Trikalingadhipati'. His title 'Trikalingadhipati' clearly indicates that he brought Utkala, Kongoda and Kalinga under his control. He followed the policy of matrimonial alliance for strengthening his empire. His marriage with Vinaya Mahadevi, the Kalachuri princess made his position stable in the Southern India and prompted him to deal with the Somavamsis.
Devendravarman Rajarajadeva (1070-1077 A.D.)
Vajrahasta V was succeeded by his son Devendra Varman Rajarajadeva in 1070 AD. Being pressed by the Somavamsis of Utkala and the Chalukyas of Vengi, Rajarajadeva was determined to follow a vigorous policy. He carried on his arms far as Vengi, defeated Kulottungachoda alias Rajendrachoda II, who gave the hand of his daughter Rajasundari to Rajarajadeva. From Dirghasi inscription, it is known that Vanapati, the Brahmin minister and commander of Rajaraja inflicted crushing defeat upon the rulers of Vengi, Utkala, Khimidi, Gidrisingi, Kosala and Chola.
Anantavarman Chodagangadeva (1077-1147 A.D.)
Anantavarman Chodagangadeva was a prominent king of the Ganga dynasty. The initial phase of his reign was critical because of his infancy. But as the king grew up to adulthood, he proved his ability as a ruler and ruling over Odisha for a long period of seventy years. In fact, he founded the Gangas dynasty in the Odishan soil, which ruled till 1435 AD.
Conquests and empire building
In the early years of his succession to power, Chodagangadeva had to face Chola threat. This war took place around 1093-94 AD. Chodagangadeva lost the southern part of Kalinga which was occupied by the Cholas. However, Chodagangadeva never lost his heart. As a result the Cholas marched to Kalinga and fought with Chodagangadeva who defeated them and occupied Vengi. This led the expansion of the Ganga dynasty upto Vengi in the Western direction.
Subjugation of Utkala
The weakness of the Somavamsis of Utkala brought the attention of Chodagandadeva to subjugate it. He defeated the king of Utkala whose name appears as Karnadeva in the Ramacharita of Sandhyakaranandi. The year of occupation of Odisha by Chodagangadeva might have taken place around 1110 A. D.
Relation with the Palas of Bengal
Chodagangadeva next looked towards Bengal. He defeated the weak ruler of Dandakabhukti and brought under his control its capital city Aramya. By these extensive conquests, Chodagangadeva became the master of a vast kingdom stretching from the river Ganges in the north to that of Godavari in the south.
Other achievements
Though Kalinganagara was the capital of his empire, but he made Sarangagarah (near Baranga in Cuttack district) another political head-quarter of the empire. He also built several strong forts at Jajpur Kataka, Amaravati Kataka, Choudwar Kataka, etc. Chodagangadeva was a great patron of literature and learning. Satananda composed Bhasvati during his age. His construction of the temple of Jagannath at Puri was a landmark in the religious history of Odisha.
Kamarnava (1147-1156 A.D.)
Kamarnava ascended the throne after the death of his father. His rule for a decade was mostly devoted to the fight against the Kalachuris. He performed the Tulabharam ceremony by which he weighed himself against gold which he distributed among the Brahmins.
Raghava (1156-1170 A.D.)
Raghava succeeded Kamarnava. One of his inscriptions describes about Jayadeva, a reputed poet of Odisha for his eternal creation Gitagovinda. His reign was comparatively peaceful and tranquile.
Rajaraja II (1170-1190 A.D.)
Next Rajaraja II succeeded Raghava. With him the lost glory of the imperial Gangas revived. He recovered the lost territory extending from Simhachalam to Godavari. The great poet Jayadeva also flourished during the reign of Rajaraja II.
Anangabhimadeva II
(1190-1198 A.D)
Anangabhimadeva II's reign witnessed vigorous activities in the building of many Saivite temples. His brother-in-law, Svapnesvaradeva constructed the famous Meghesvara temple at Bhubaneswar. He undertook massive works of public welfare like building of roads and digging of wells.
Rajaraja III (1198-1211 A.D.)
Anangabhimadeva II was succeeded by his son Rajaraja III. His reign witnessed the increasing desire of the Muslims to invade this land. Under the instruction of Bakhtyar Khilji, Muhammad Sheran and Ahmad Sheran had advanced to occupy Jajnagar (Jajpur in Odisha).
Anangabhimadeva III
(1211-1238 A.D.)
Anangabhimadeva-III came to power at a time when the Muslim rule in Bengal had threatened the security of the Ganga kingdom. On the contrary, the Chatesvara inscription refers to the defeat of the Muslim governor at the hands of Vishnu, the Brahmin minister of Anangabhimadeva. He saved Odisha from the Muslim menace.
Conquest of the Sambalpur-Sonepur-Bolangir tract
The greatest achievement of Anangabhimadeva III as a conqueror was his victory over the Kalachuris. This victory pushed the limit of the Ganga Empire covering a large chunk of area comprising Sonepur-Bolangir-Sambalpur tract around 1220 A.D. He gave his daughter Chandrika in marriage to the valiant Kalachuri prince Paramadrideva.
Transfer of Capital and Builder
Anangabhimadeva III transferred his capital from Kalinganagar to Abhinava Varanasi Kataka (Cuttack) on the bank of river Mahanadi. He proclaimed himself as the Rauta or deputy of Lord Jagannath in 1216 AD. This expression led to the origin of the practice of Chhera Pahara. He undertook a land settlement with the help of two revenue ministers like Damodar Badapanda and Isana Pattanayak. He died in 1238 A.D.
Narasimhadeva I
(1238 - 1264 A.D.)
With Narasimhadeva I, the Ganga Empire reached its zenith. For the first time, he bore the title Gajapati. The Sun temple at Konarka was the magnificent creation of his time. He was popularly known as Langula Narasimhadeva.
Attack on Bengal
Narasimha marched with his grand army aided by Paramadrideva towards Bengal in 1234 A.D. The forces of Narasimhadeva retreated towards their frontier fort Katasin to lure the enemy. Eventually, Narasimhadeva subjugated Bengal, Midnapur, Howrah and Hoogly to the Ganga empire. However, in these battles, the valiant Paramadrideva lost his life.
The Sun Temple at Konarka
Narasimhadeva's achievement as a builder was unparallel. The outstanding Sun temple at Konarka bears the testimony in the field of art, architecture and sculpture. He also constructed a monastery called Sadasiva Matha in the Ekamrakhetra (Bhubaneswar). His glorious rule came to an end in 1264 A.D.
The Later Gangas and Decline
Bhanudeva I (1264-1279 A.D.): During his reign, Chandrikadevi built Anantavasudeva temple at Bhubaneswar. The disintegrating tendency of the Ganga empire started right from the days of Bhanudeva I.
Narasimhadeva II (1279-1306 A.D.): As he was a minor, Narahari Tirtha became his regent. During his period, Sambhukara Vajapeyi and Vidyakara composed famous Sanskrit works.
Bhanudeva II (1306-1328 A.D): He had to deal with the raid of Ulugh Khan (Muhammad Tughluq) in Jajnagar area.
Narasimhadeva III (1328-1352 A.D.): He faced the rise of the Reddies and Velemas in the south. The empire was gradually leaning towards its decline.
Bhanudeva III (1352-1378 A.D.): His period witnessed the invasion of Firoz Tughluq in 1360 A.D. The Vijayanagara Empire also launched an attack, and the Reddi ruler Anavema snatched away territories up to Simhachalam.
Narasimhadeva IV (1378-1414 A.D.): Kataya Vema attacked South Kalinga and devastated Cuttack. The Odia language and grammar developed due to his initiative.
Bhanudeva IV (1414-1435 A.D.): The last Ganga king. While he was busy in his southern campaign, Kapilesvara Routraya, his trusted minister, betrayed him and usurped the throne. Thus, the Ganga dynasty came to an end.
The extent of the Empire of the Gangas
When the Gangas were at the height of their power, they ruled over the northern, southern and western parts of modern Orissa as well as a large part of modern Andhra Pradesh. The empire extended from the river Ganges in the north to the river Godavari in the south. Anangabhimadeva III added the western part, i.e., Sambalpur-Sonepur-Balangir region.
Conclusion
The seventy years long rule of Chodagangadeva was a glorious epoch. Anangabhimadeva III was a great warrior, administrator, and protector of religious faiths. On the other hand, Narasimhadeva-I is famous due to his heroism and marvelous creation of the Sun temple, at Konark. To conclude, the development in both territorial and cultural of Odisha was possible due to the Ganga dynasty.
