Eastern Ganga dynasty

2021-09-29T14:02:48Z

115.187.53.132:

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox country
|native_name =
|conventional_long_name = Eastern Ganga Empire
|common_name = Eastern Ganga Empire
|era = [[Middle Kingdoms of India|Classical India]]
| common_languages = [[Odia language|Odia]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2011/Feb-Mar/engpdf/55-59.pdf | title=Classicism of Odia Language | work=Orissa Review | first=G. K. | last=Srichandan | page=54 | date=February–March 2011 | access-date=28 June 2019 }}</ref>
|status =
| life_span = {{plainlist|
* 5th cen–1038 CE (Kalinga)
* 1038–1434 CE (Trikalinga)}}
|event_start =
|year_start = 1038 CE
|date_start =
|event1 =
|date_event1 =
|event_end =
|year_end = 1434 CE
|date_end =
|p1 = Pitrbhakta dynasty
|flag_p1 =
|p2 = Somavamshi dynasty
|flag_p2 =
|p3 = Kalachuris of Ratnapura
|flag_p3 =
|s1 = Gajapati Empire
|flag_s1 =
|image_flag =
|flag_type =
|image_coat =
|image_map =
|image_map_caption = Eastern Ganga Empire in 14th Century
|capital = [[Dantapuram]]<br/>[[Mukhalingam|Kalinganagara]]<br/>[[Cuttack|Kataka]]
|religion = [[Hinduism]]
|government_type = Monarchy
|leader1 = Vajrahasta Anantavarman
|year_leader1 = 1038–1070
|leader2 = Rajaraja Devendravarman
|year_leader2 = 1070–1078
|leader3 = [[Anantavarman Chodaganga]]deva
|year_leader3 = 1078–1147
|leader4 = Ananga Bhima Deva II
|year_leader4 = 1178–1198
|leader5 = [[Anangabhima Deva III]]
|year_leader5 = 1211–1238
|leader6 = [[Narasingha Deva I]]
|year_leader6 = 1238–1264
|leader7 = Bhanu Deva IV
|year_leader7 = 1414–1434
|title_leader = Tri-Kalingadhipati<br>Gajapati
|legislature =
|currency = Eastern Ganga fanam
}}
[[File:Konark sun temple 06.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Main Temple Structure, Konark Sun Temple]]

The '''Eastern Ganga dynasty''' also known as Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas were a medieval Indian dynasty that reigned from [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] from as early as the 5th century to the early 15th century.<ref>For a map of their territory, see: {{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=147, map XIV.3 (d)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=185}}</ref> The territory ruled by the dynasty consisted of the whole of the modern-day [[India]]n state of [[Odisha]] as well as major parts of [[West Bengal]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Chhattisgarh]].<ref name="Britannica" >{{citation |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-225335/Ganga-dynasty |title=Ganga dynasty |website=Britannica.com |access-date=4 April 2021 }}</ref> The early rulers of the dynasty ruled from [[Dantapuram]]; the capital was later moved to [[Kalinganagara]] (modern Mukhalingam), and ultimately to [[Kataka (city)|Kataka]] (modern Cuttack).<ref>{{cite book |author=B. Hemalatha |title=Life in medieval northern Andhra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdq1AAAAIAAJ |year=1991 |publisher=Navrang |isbn=9788170130864 }}</ref>
Today, they are most remembered as the builders of the world renowned [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Puri Jagannath Temple]] and [[Konark Sun Temple]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage site]] at [[Konark]], Odisha.

The rulers of Eastern Ganga dynasty defended their kingdom from the constant attacks of the [[Muslim]] rulers. This kingdom prospered through trade and commerce and the wealth was mostly used in the construction of temples. The rule of the dynasty came to an end under the reign of King Bhanudeva IV (1414–34), in the early 15th century.<ref>[http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Journal/Journal2/pdf/ohrj-03.pdf] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410142527/http://orissagov.nic.in/e-magazine/Journal/Journal2/pdf/ohrj-03.pdf |date=10 April 2009 }}</ref> Their currency was called Ganga fanams and was similar to that of the Cholas and Eastern Chalukyas of southern India.<ref name="Patnaik1997">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AA9W9_4Z9gC&pg=PA93|title=Economic History of Orissa|last=Patnaik|first=Nihar Ranjan|date=1 January 1997|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-075-0|page=93|access-date=16 February 2015}}</ref>

== Origin ==
The origin of the Later Eastern Gangas is not clearly established.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Temples of Mukhalingam: A Study on South Indian Temple Architecture|author=B. Masthanaiah|publisher=Cosmo Publications, 1977 - Mukhalingām (India) - 136 pages|page=5}}</ref> It is erratically summarized that they were an offshoot of the [[Western Ganga dynasty]] who were a south Indian dynasty but there is no evidence of architectural, linguistic and patterns of nomenclature of the kings having similarity between the Ganga kings of Karnataka and that of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Dineshwar|url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/29002/1/10673246.pdf|title=THE HISTORY OF THE EASTERN GANGA DYNASTY, CIRCA 1038 - 1238 A .D|publisher=University of London|year=1973|location=London|pages=55, 56, 57, 58}}</ref> Also, while the bardic traditions of the Western Ganga dynasty claim descent from the Sun through the [[Ikshavaku]] dynasty, the Eastern Ganga genealogies ascribe descent from the Moon; the ''[[Chandravanshi|Chandravamsa]]'' lineage. Unlike the [[Western Ganga Dynasty]] who traced their lineage to the [[Suryavansha|Solar Dynasty]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Social and cultural life of the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi|author=N. Venkata Ramanayya|publisher=[A.P.] Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute - Andhra Pradesh (India) - 96 pages|page=83}}</ref> the Later Eastern Gangas claimed a [[Lunar dynasty|lunar descent]] from [[Vishnu]] through Brahma, Atri and [[Chandra]] (moon).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gAg58GabWM4C&q=eastern+ganga+lunar&pg=PA72|title=Time and History: The Variety of Cultures|author=Jörn Rüsen|date=January 2008|publisher=Berghahn Books, 01-Jan-2008 - History - 262 pages|page=72|isbn=9780857450418}}</ref> The Eastern Ganga king Indravarman III in his Andhavaram copperplate inscription has mentioned that the Gangas are described as the descendants of the Tumbura dynasty. In the [[Vayu Purana]] references are made that at the foothills of the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhyas]], there was a Janapada named Tumura, Tumbura. Odia historian Jagabandhu Singh citing references from [[Padma Purana]] and [[Brahma Vaivarta Purana|Brahmavaibarta Purana]] has identified Tumbura being ruled by the Mahishya race of [[Kshatriya|Khshetriyas]] who were maritally either related to the [[Kaivarta|Kaivartta]] community or were born from marriages between Khsetriyas and [[Vaishya]] women.

Five prominent dominions of the Kalingan Prachya Ganga family are identified from five different administrative centers namely - Kalinganagara (Srikakulam), Svetaka Mandala (Ganjam), Giri Kalinga (Simhapur), Ambabadi Mandala (Gunupur, Rayagada) and Vartanni Mandala (Hinjilikatu, Ganjam) . The heartland of the Prachya Gangas had three parts of Kalinga namely, Daksina Kalinga (Pithapura), Madhya Kalinga (Yellamanchili Kalinga or Visakhapatnam) and Uttara Kalinga (districts of Srikakulam, Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada). The earliest known prominent king was Indravarman who is known from his Jiringi copper plate grant. The Godavari grant of Raja Prthivimalla and the Ramatirtham grant of [[Vishnukundina dynasty|Vishnukundina]] king Indrbhattaraka refer to a war of four tusked elephants or Chaturdanta Samara in which Indravarman I the son of Mitavarman, a Ganga general of Vakataka king and a local ruler of Dantapura commanded an alliance of small South Kalingan kingdoms against the powerful Vishnukundina king Indrabhattaraka, defeated and killed him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/107865/13/13_chapter%207.pdf|title=Chapter VI, Setback and Recovery|website=www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in|pages=238,–248|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> The Vishnukundins returned with a vengeance, defeated the Vakataka King and members of the alliance while Indravarman declared himself as Tri-Kalingadhipati (the lord of the three Kalingas) rising from obscurity and moving his capital northwards away from the attacking Vishnukundins. His son Hastivarman found himself stuck between two Gupta feudal dynasties of Odisha, the Vigrahas of South Toshali and Mudgalas. Joining the onslaught like his father, he commanded major battles against the Vigrahas and won territories in the northern parts of ancient Kalinga and declared himself as Sakala-Kalingadhipati (the ruler of whole Kalinga). The dynasty though remaining to be a strong ruling family in ancient Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh continued to remain as vassal rulers under the central authority of the [[Bhauma-Kara dynasty]] which is proven by the fact that a smaller Eastern Ganga king belonging to the clan and named as Jayavarmadeva mentioned himself as the vassal of [[Sivakara Deva I]] in his [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]] grant and by whose permission he gave away the grants.

It was during the rule of Anantavarman Vajrahasta V in the mid eleventh century that the clan started emerging as a major military power challenging the authority of the [[Somavamshi dynasty|Somavanshi Dynasty]] at their northern frontiers and allying with their arch rivals the [[Kalachuris of Ratnapura|Kalchuris]]. After a series of victories in battle and making land grants to three hundred Brahmin families in his kingdom, Vajrahasta V assumed the titles as Trikalingadhipati (lord of the three Kalingas) and Sakalakalingadhipati (lord of complete Kalinga) challenging the centralized authority of the Somavanshis and laying the foundation to an imperial era for the Eastern Gangas. In the later years of the century, Devendravarman Rajaraja I defeated the Somavanshi king Mahasivagupta Janmenjaya II completely while challenging the [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]] in battle, along with establishing authority in the Vengi region. The Cholas were defeated by Rajaraja I and Chola princess, Rajasundari, was married off to the Eastern Ganga king as a goodwill gesture for settlement of affairs between the Cholas and the Gangas.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Banarjee|first=R.D|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.45579|title=History Of Orissa Vol. 1|publisher=Prabasi Press|year=1930|location=Calcutta|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.45579/page/n307 247], 248}}</ref>

The identification of the father of Rajasundari is a matter of great controversy and some scholars like [[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri]] identify the king as [[Virarajendra Chola]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Women in Ancient India, from 320 A.D. to C. 1200 A.D.|author=Tripat Sharma|publisher=Ess Ess Publications, 1987|page=142}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=History of India, Volume 1|author=Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri|publisher=S. Viswanathan, 1953|page=247}}</ref> After the sudden death of Rajaraja I, his underage sons Chodaganga Deva ascended the throne, losing the many parts of his ancestral kingdom to the Cholas who were now in an advantageous position. However, [[Anantavarman Chodaganga|Ananatavarman Chodaganga Deva]] not only lived a young life of prolonged struggles and setbacks but finally managed to completely remove the Chola presence from the region and finally securing [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkala]], Kalinga, [[Gauda Kingdom|Gauda]], [[Rarh region|Radha]] and [[Vengi]] as one kingdom. While many of his inscriptions are found inside the limits of former Vengi kingdom, this large extent of his empire from Bengal to Vengi is clearly stated in his Korni grant inscriptions.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Das|first=Manmatha Nath|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32999|title=Glimpses Of Kalinga History|publisher=Century Publishers|year=1949|location=Calcutta|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32999/page/n175 164], 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rajaguru|first=Satyanarayan|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924063477321|title=Inscriptions of Orissa, Volume III, Part II|publisher=Orissa Sahitya Akademi|year=1961|location=Bhubaneswar|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cu31924063477321/page/n140 391], 392, 393}}</ref> In the [[Sri Kurmam]] temple grant of Chodaganga, it is clearly stated that he has extended his territory from Bhagirathi Ganga to Gautami Ganga rivers which literally the region between river [[Ganges|Ganga]] and [[Godavari River|Godavari]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rajaguru|first=Satyanarayan|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924063477313|title=Inscriptions of Orissa, Volume III, Part I|publisher=Orissa Sahitya Akademi|year=1960|location=Bhubaneswar|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cu31924063477313/page/n189 174], 175}}</ref> The only front where he faced setbacks is against his western rivals the Kalachuris where he was unsuccessful. His descendant Anangabhima Deva III gradually completed the task of defeating the Kalachuris completely. In his Korni copper plate grant he mentions himself to be the lord of 99,000 war elephants which while counting military strength according to the ancient Gulma system of military divisions, puts his strength to a million men and half a million animals employed to his command. Due to his maternal relation with the Cholas, a Chola uncle of Chodaganga by the name Virachoda had sided by him as a protective guardian against the invading Cholas since his childhood. Chodaganga was married to the daughter of this uncle and also had Tamil officers serving him during his lifelong affairs of war and administration.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Das|first=Dr. Manas Kumar|date=12 August 2017|title=History of Odisha (From Earliest Times to 1434 A.D.)|url=http://ddceutkal.ac.in|journal=DDCE/History (M.A)/SLM/Paper|pages=100, 101}}</ref> Chodaganga Deva not only reunited most of ancient Kalinga stretching from the rivers Ganga to Godavari but led the foundation to the imperial hegemony of the Eastern Gangas in the Eastern coast of India. Chodaganga Deva was a strong king and was the son of Rajaraja Devendravarman and grandson of Vajrahasta Anantavarman of the Imperial Gangas of [[Kalinganagara]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Itihas, Volumes 19-22|page=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of the Andhra Historical Society, Volumes 6-7|author=Andhra Historical Research Society, Rajahmundry, Madras|publisher=Andhra Historical Research Society., 1931|page=200}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute, Volume 12|author=Indian Research Institute|publisher=I.B. Corporation, 1984|page=159}}</ref> His mother was princess Rajasundari of the [[Chola dynasty]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute, Volume 12|author=Indian Research Institute|publisher=I.B. Corporation, 1984|page=160}}</ref>

==Background==
After the fall of [[Mahameghavahana dynasty]], [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] was divided into different kingdoms under feudatory chiefs. Each of these chiefs bore the title Kalingadhipathi (Lord of Kalinga). The beginnings of what became the Eastern Ganga dynasty came about when Indravarma I defeated the [[Vishnukundin]] king, Indrabhattaraka and established his rule over the region with Kalinganagara (or [[Mukhalingam]]) as his capital, and [[Dantapuram]] as a secondary capital. The Ganga kings assumed various titles viz. ''Trikalingadhipathi'' or ''Sakala Kalingadhipathi'' (Lord of three Kalinga or all three Kalingas namely [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] proper (South), [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkala]] (North), and [[Dakshina Kosala]] (West)).

[[Mukhalingam]] near [[Srikakulam]] of Andhra Pradesh bordering Odisha has been identified as Kalinganagara, the capital of the early Eastern Gangas.<ref name=sen/>

After the decline of the early Eastern Gangas reign, the [[Eastern Chalukyas|Chalukyas of Vengi]] took control of the region. The first monarch of the dynasty Vajrahastha Aniyakabhima I (980-1015 A.D), took advantage of the internal strife and revived the power of the Ganga dynasty. It was during their rule that [[Shaivism]] took precedence over [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]]. The magnificent Srimukhalingam Temple at [[Mukhalingam]] was built during this period.

In the 11th century, the [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]] brought the Ganga Kingdom under their rule with the sudden death of Devendravarman Rajraja I.<ref name=sen/> His son Chodaganga Deva who ascended the throne at the age of five under the protection provide by one of his maternal uncles from the Chola family had to overcome multiple obstacles before securing Kalinga, Vengi, Utkala, Odra and parts of Bengal as one kingdom.

===Intermarriage===
The Eastern Gangas were known to have intermarried with the [[Chola]]s, [[Chalukya]]s.<ref name="Britannica" /> The early state of the dynasty may have started from the early 5th century.

===Anantavarman Chodaganga===
[[File:PURI JAGANATHA TEMPLE, PURI, ORISSA, INDIA, ASIA.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] at [[Puri]], built by [[Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva|Maharaja Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva]].]]

The dynasty, towards the end of eleventh century came to be known as Chodaganga dynasty after its founder [[Anantavarman Chodaganga]]. He was the son of Rajaraja Deva, the ruler of Kalinga kingdom centered around the region of Southern Odisha and northern Andhra coast, while his mother was the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] princess, Rajasundari, daughter of the Chola emperor [[Virarajendra Chola]].

He is believed to have ruled from the [[Ganges River]] in the north to the [[Godavari River]] in the south, thus laying the foundation of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Also during his rule, the great [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] at [[Puri]] was built.<ref name=sen/> He assumed the title of Trikalingadhipathi (ruler of the three [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]]s which comprise [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] proper, [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkala]] north and [[Western Odisha|Koshala]] west) in 1076 CE, resulting in him being the first to rule all three divisions of Kalinga.<ref name="india1"/>

Anantavarman was a religious person as well as a patron of art and literature. He is credited for having built the famous [[Jagannath Temple (Puri)|Jagannath Temple]] of Puri in [[Odisha]].<ref name="india1">[http://www.india9.com/i9show/Eastern-Ganga-Dynasty-50611.htm Eastern Ganga Dynasty in India]. India9.com (2005-06-07). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref> King [[Anantavarman Chodaganga]]deva was succeeded by a long line of illustrious rulers such as [[Narasingha Deva I]] (1238–1264).

===Intrudes===
Rajaraja III ascended the throne in 1198 and did nothing to resist the Muslims of Bengal, who invaded Orissa in 1206. Rajaraja's son Anangabhima III, however, repulsed the Muslims and built the temple of Megheshvara at Bhuvaneshvara. [[Narasimhadeva I]], the son of Anangabhima, invaded southern Bengal in 1243, defeated its Muslim ruler, captured the capital ([[Gauḍa region|Gauda]]), and built the Sun Temple at Konark to commemorate his victory. Narasimhadeva I was also the first king to use the title of '''Gajapati''' or ''Lord of war elephants'' or ''King with an army of elephants'' among the Odishan kings in the 1246 CE inscription at the [[Kapilash Temple]].<ref>{{citation |title=HISTORY OF ODISHA (FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1434 A.D.) |publisher=DDCE Utkal University |url=https://ddceutkal.ac.in/Syllabus/MA_history/Paper-16.pdf |pages=109, 111 |author=Manas Kumar Das |date=24 June 2015 }}</ref> With the death of Narasimha in 1264, the Eastern Gangas began to decline; the sultan of Delhi, [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq]], invaded Odisha in between 1353 and 1358, and levied tribute on the Ganga king.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=97–100}}</ref> The [[Musunuri Nayaks]]{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} defeated the Odishan powers in 1356. Narasimha IV, the last known king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, ruled until 1425. The "mad king," Bhanudeva IV, who succeeded him, left no inscriptions; his minister [[Kapilendra Deva|Kapilendra]] usurped the throne and founded the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Suryavamsha dynasty]] in 1434–35.

==Rulers==
* Mittavarman, a vassal Eastern Ganga king under Vakataka rule (c. ?-?)
* Indravarman I (496–535)<ref name="sen">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-93-80607-34-4 |pages=36–37}}</ref>
* Samantavarman (537-562)
* Hastivarman (562-578)
* Indravarman II (578-589)
* Danarnava (589-652)
* Indravarman III (589-652)
* Gunarnava (652-682)
* Devendravarman I (652-682?)
* Anantavarman III (808-812?)
* Rajendravarman II (812-840?)
* Devendravarman IV (893-?)
* Devendravarman V (885-895?)
* Gunamaharnava I (895-939?)
* Vajrahasta II (or Anangabhimadeva I) (895-939?)
* Gundama - (939-942)
* Kamarnava I (942-977)
* Vinayaditya (977-980)
* Vajrahasta Aniyakabhima (980-1015 AD)<ref name="firstlaterganga">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&q=eastern+gangas&pg=PR12|title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization|author=Sailendra Nath Sen|year=1999|publisher=New Age International, 1999 - India - 668 pages|page=437|isbn=9788122411980}}</ref>
* Vajrahasta Anantavarman or Vajrahasta V (1038-?)
* Rajaraja Devendravarman or Rajaraja Deva I(?-1078)
* [[Anantavarman Chodaganga]] (1078–1150)<ref name=sen/>
* Jateswara Deva or Ekajata Deva (1147-1156)
* Raghava Deva (1156-1170)
* Rajaraja Deva II (1170-1178)
* Ananga Bhima Deva II (1178–1198)
* Rajaraja Deva III (1198–1211)
* [[Anangabhima III|Ananga Bhima Deva III]] (1211–1238)
* [[Narasimhadeva I|Narasimha Deva I]] (1238–1264)<ref name=sen/>
* Bhanu Deva I (1264–1279)
* Narasimha Deva II (1279–1306)<ref name=sen/>
* Bhanu Deva II (1306–1328)
* Narasimha Deva III (1328–1352)
* Bhanu Deva III (1352–1378)
* Narasimha Deva IV (1379–1424)<ref name=sen/>
* Bhanu Deva IV (1424–1434)

==Regnal year system (Anka year)==
{{main|Anka year}}
The [[Anka year]] ({{lang-or|ଅଙ୍କ}} ''Aṅka'') system is a unique regnal year system instituted by the kings of the Eastern Ganga dynasty for dating their reigns. It has a number of unique features that calculates the regnal year different from that actual duration of the year elapsed during the reign. The system still survives today and is used in the [[Odia calendar]] (panjis) and the regnal year is marked by the titular reign of the current Gajapati Maharaja of the [[House of Gajapati]] at Puri.<ref name="Gold Fanams">{{citation |title=Tentative Attributions of some Gold Fanams of the Eastern Gangas |publisher=BU |url=https://www.academia.edu/2771794 |author=Pankaj Tandon |date=2012 |access-date=25 January 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Chodaganga">{{citation |title=Coins of the Eastern Gangas ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga |publisher=BU |url=https://www.academia.edu/32275350 |author=Pankaj Tandon |date=2018 |access-date=25 January 2021 }}</ref>

==Coinage==
The Eastern Ganga coinage consisted of gold fanams. The obverse typically depicts a couchant bull along with other symbols. The reverse features a symbol which represents the letter ''sa'' (for samvat, which means year) flanked by elephant goads or an elephant goad with a battle axe, along with a number below, which depicts the regnal year(anka year) of the reigning monarch. Some coins also carry the legend śrī rāma on the reverse above the letter ''sa''.

An interesting aspect of the Eastern Ganga coin dates is that these coins may be the earliest Hindu coins using decimal numbers for dating. Earlier dated coins, such as those of the Western Satraps, the Guptas etc., used the old Brahmic numbering system with separate symbols representing each of the single digits, separate symbols representing two-digit multiples of ten, such as 20, 30, 40, and so on, and further separate symbols representing three-digit numbers such as 100, 200, etc. Thus a number like 123 was written as 100-20-3. But the Eastern Ganga coins were written using the symbols for the single digits, with the position of the number indicating the value such as tens or hundreds, thus effectively using the Zero-place holder system.<ref name="Gold Fanams"/><ref name="Chodaganga"/>

<gallery>
File:Eastern Ganga coinage numerals.png|Eastern Ganga coinage numerals
File:Eastern Ganga fanam Chodaganga.png|Eastern Ganga fanam of Anantavarman Chodaganga (Anka year 63- 1128 CE)
File:Eastern Ganga Fanam.jpg|A Fanam (Coin) of Eastern Ganga Dynasty<ref name="MNIS1978">{{cite book|author=Michael Mitchiner|title=Oriental Coins & Their Values : Non-Islamic States and Western Colonies A.D. 600-1979|year=1979|publisher=Hawkins Publications|isbn=978-0-904173-18-5}}</ref>
</gallery>

==Legacy==
By successfully defeating the invasion attempts of Muslim invaders, the Eastern Ganga Empire is attributed to have served as the conservatory of the Hindu religion, art and culture at a time when India's indigenous civilization was endangered through the large scale [[Delhi Sultanate#Massacres|massacre of Hindus]], [[Delhi Sultanate#Destruction of cities|plundering of cities]], [[Delhi Sultanate#Desecration of temples, universities and libraries|desecration and destruction of temples]] and forcible conversions of the Hindu populace.<ref name="Glimpses Of Kalinga History"/> The Ganga Empire also harbored the fleeing culture and art from other parts of India.<ref name="Glimpses Of Kalinga History">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32999|title=Glimpses Of Kalinga History by Das, Manmatha Nath|publisher=Century Publishers|year=1949|location=Calcutta|page=187}}</ref>

The Eastern Gangas were great patrons of religion and the arts, and the temples of the Ganga period rank among the masterpieces of [[Kalinga architecture|Kalinga]] and [[Hindu architecture]].<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/225335/Ganga-dynasty Ganga dynasty (Indian dynasties) - Encyclopædia Britannica]. Britannica.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref>

==Descendants==

{{tree list}}
* Early Gangas
** Imperial Gangas
*** Paralakhemundi branch
**** Badakhemundi branch
***** Hindol branch
***** Sanakhemundi branch
***** Puri branch (I)
*** Bamanda branch
**** Puri branch (II)
** Gangas of Svetaka Mandala
*** Chikiti branch
{{tree end}}

===Puri branch (House of Gajapati) ===
{{Main|Eastern Gangas of Puri}}
The title of Gajapati was held by the rulers of [[Bhoi dynasty]] who ruled as the chiefs of the Khurda kingdom, following the 1804 rebellion when they were exiled to Puri. In 1859, the childless king of Puri Birakesari Deva II adopted a prince from the [[Pedda Khimedi|Badakhemundi]] branch of Eastern Ganga dynasty, who upon accession to the throne as Gajapati Dibyasingha Deva III established the Puri branch of the Eastern Gangas.<ref>{{citation |title=Rani Suryamani Patamahadei: A Revolutionary Queen in Puri Gajapati Dynasty |publisher=Orissa Review |url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2008/July-2008/engpdf/73_RaniSuryamanPatamahadei.pdf |author=Jagannath Mohanty |date=July 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Rani Suryamani Patamahadei: An Extraordinary Lady In Puri Temple Administration |publisher=Orissa Review |url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/jul2005/engpdf/rani_suryamani_mahadei.pdf |author=Jagannath Mohanty |date=July 2005 |quote="adopted a son of the Raja of Bada Khemundi" }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Jagannath Mohanty |title=Rani Suryamani Patamahadei, An Extraordinary Lady in Puri Temple Administration |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3T2Ph_SmjtoC&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=Suryamani+Patamahadei&source=bl&ots=wqtq9YrFSF&sig=ACfU3U1rrWC5vyepsh3SFLMHPNS40ooDJw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji8Zyrv_PwAhWkxDgGHQc2B9EQ6AEwEnoECAsQAw#v=onepage&q=Suryamani%20Patamahadei&f=false |date=2009 |publisher=Deep and Deep Publications |isbn=978-81-8450-150-6 |page=52 |quote="adopted a son of the Raja of Bada Khemundi" }}</ref>

On 2 October 1918, his son Mukundeva Deva III adopted Lal Mohini Mohan Deb, the third son of Raja Satchidananda Tribhuban Deb of the [[Bamra State]]. Lal Mohini Mohan Deb took the regnal name of Gajapati Ramachandra Deb IV upon accession to the throne of Puri and Gajapati on 14 February 1926 and established the current House of Gajapati with the Puri branch as the ruling dynasty.<ref name="deogarh" >{{citation |title=ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS DEOGARH |publisher=GAD, Govt of Odisha |url=http://gopabandhuacademy.gov.in/sites/default/files/gazetter/Deogarh_Gazetteer.pdf |page=19 |date=1994 |quote="the relationship between the Gangas of Bamanda and the Gajapati King of Puri. Of the three sons of Raja Satchidananda Tribhuban Deb, Lal Mohini Mohan Deb, the third son was adopted by the Gajapati King Mukunda Deva III on 2nd October, 1918 and assumed the customary name Gajapati Raja Ramachandra Deb IV" }}</ref> The current titular Gajapati and King of Puri is held by his grandson, [[Dibyasingha Deb]].<ref>{{citation |title=The Traditional Role of Gajapati Maharaja in Shri Jagannath Temple |publisher=Orissa Review |url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2011/july/engpdf/27-30.pdf |author=Bhaskar Mishra |date=July 2011 }}</ref>

* Dibyasingha Deva III (1859-1882) (adopted from [[Pedda Khimedi|Badakhemundi]] branch)
* Mukundeva Deva III (1882-1926)
* Ramchandra Deva IV (14 February 1926 - 15 November 1956) (adopted from [[Bamra State|Bamra]] branch)
* Birakisore Deva III (15 November 1956 - 8 June 1970)
* [[Dibyasingha Deb|Dibyasingha Deva IV]] (8 June 1970 - current, Current King of Puri and Titular Gajapati)

===Paralakhemundi branch===
{{Main|Paralakhemundi state}}
A branch of the Eastern Ganga dynasty survived as the kings of the [[Paralakhemundi state]], currently part of the [[Gajapati district]],Odisha. It was established in 14th century when Narashingha Deba, a son of the Eastern Ganga monarch Bhanudeva II established the Khemudi kingdom. Scions of this line include,
* [[Jagannatha Gajapati Narayana Deo II]] (Reign: 1751 CE - 1771 CE)- who ascended to the throne at a time when Odisha was torn apart due conflicts between external powers like the Mughals, Marathas, French and British for control of the territory in 18th century.
* [[Krushna Chandra Gajapati]] (Reign as Maharaja of Paralakhemundi: 26 April 1913 - 25 May 1974)- who was a key personality and regarded as the architect of an Independent united Odisha State and went on to become the first Prime Minister of Orissa province formed in 1936. Prime Minister in office from 1 April 1937 to 19 July 1937 and 2nd time from 29 November 1941 to 29 June 1944. The present-day Gajapati District of Odisha which was earlier a part of the historic Ganjam district was named after him.<ref>http://orissa.gov.in/portal/LIWPL/event_archive/Events_Archives/69Maharaja_Krushna_Chandra_Gajapati.pdf</ref><ref>http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2010/April/engpdf/56-57.pdf</ref><ref>Orissa Review, January-2009 issue. Published by the Govt. of Orissa.</ref>
* [[Gopinath Gajapati]] (Titular Maharaja: 25 May 1974 - 10 January 2020)- served as the member of the [[9th Lok Sabha|9th]] and [[10th Lok Sabha]] of [[India]] and represented the [[Berhampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Berhampur]] constituency of [[Odisha]].
* [[Kalyani Gajapati]] (Titular Maharani since 10 January 2020)- current head of the dynasty.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet Kalyani, first woman Gajapati of Parala royal family|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/jan/11/meet-kalyani-first-woman-gajapati-of-parala-royal-family-2088156.html|access-date=2020-10-09|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-11|title=Kalyani Gajapati Crowned As First Queen Of Paralakhemundi|url=https://odishabytes.com/kalyani-gajapati-crowned-as-first-queen-of-paralakhemundi/|access-date=2020-10-09|website=ODISHA BYTES|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Badakhemundi and Sanakhemundi branch===
{{Main|Pedda Khimedi}}
This line descends from the [[Paralakhemundi state|Paralakhemundi Ganga]] branch. In 16th century, the Raja of Parlakhemundi, Subarnalinga Bhanu Deba granted parts of the Khimedi areas to his son Ananga Kesari Ramachandra Deba, whose descendants in turn divided the zamindari into two branches- Pedda Khimedi (Badakhemundi) and Chinna Khimedi (Sanakhemundi).<ref>{{citation |title=ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS GAJAPATI |publisher=GAD, Govt of Odisha |url=http://gopabandhuacademy.gov.in/sites/default/files/gazetter/Gajapati_Gazetteer.pdf |page=51 |date=2002 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=W|first=Francis|title=Gazetter of South India Volumes 1-2|year=1988|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_RG2x2xDQ5UC&q=kimedi+country&pg=PA218|publisher=Mittal Publications}}</ref>

===Hindol branch===
{{Main|Hindol State}}
The Hindol princely state was established in 1554 by two brothers, Chandradeva Jenamani and Udhavadeva Jenamani belonging to the family of the [[Pedda Khimedi]] (Bodo Khemudi) Raja of [[Ganjam]].<ref>{{citation |title=ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS DHENKANAL |publisher=GAD, Govt of Odisha |url=http://gopabandhuacademy.gov.in/sites/default/files/gazetter/Dhenkanal_Gazetteer.pdf |pages=37–38 |date=2014 }}</ref><ref name="Henige2004">{{cite book|author=David P. Henige|title=Princely states of India: a guide to chronology and rulers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fqDpAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Orchid Press|isbn=978-974-524-049-0}}</ref> The kingdom acceded to India and merged into the state of [[Odisha]] following independence in 1947.

===Bamanda branch===
{{Main|Bamra State}}
The Bamra kingdom was established by Saraju Gangadeb who was the son of the local Eastern Ganga administrator of Patna region Hattahamir Deb, who was the son of Eastern Ganga ruler Bhanudeva II. Hattahamir Deb was overthrown in 1360 CE by [[Ramai Deva]] of the Chauhan dynasty who led the foundation of [[Patna (princely state)|Patna]] state, while the tribal chieftains installed Saraju Gangadeb as the ruler of Bamanda region. This laid the foundation of the Bamanda branch of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.<ref>{{citation |title=ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS DEOGARH |publisher=GAD, Govt of Odisha |url=http://gopabandhuacademy.gov.in/sites/default/files/gazetter/Deogarh_Gazetteer.pdf |pages=17–19 |date=1994 }}</ref> The kingdom acceded to India and merged into the state of [[Odisha]] following independence in 1947.

===Chikiti branch===
{{Main|List of rulers of Odisha#Gangas of Svetaka Mandala|List of rulers of Odisha#Chikiti Ganga rulers}}
This branch were the descendants of the ancient branch of Svetaka mandala of the Early Gangas which became the Chikiti zamindari. Historians conclude that the rulers of Chikiti were from the line of Ganga ruler Hastivarman.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Panda|first=Dr. Sanjay Kumar|title=Chiktira Sahitya O Sahityika|publisher=Sahitya Swetapadma|year=2014|isbn=978-93-80759-65-4|location=Bhubaneswar|pages=15–16|language=or|trans-title=Chikiti's literature & litterateurs}}</ref><ref>''Genealogical Table of the Zamindaras of Chikiti'', Chikiti Estate. Sachhidananda Rajendra Deba, 28th Nov 1928. Typed by A. Rama Murthi, Clerk, Chikiti Estate.</ref>

==Gallery==
{{HistoryOfSouthAsia}}
<gallery>
File:Ananta Basudeba Temple, Bhubaneswar 19.jpg|13th century temple inscription of [[Ananta Vasudeva Temple]]
File:A Temple in Sri Mukhalingam temple complex.jpg|A Temple in Sri Mukhalingam temple complex
File:Konark Sun Temple Front view.jpg|[[Konark Sun Temple]] at [[Konark]], [[Orissa, India|Odisha]], built by King Narasimhadeva I (1238–1264),<ref name="sen" /> it is now a [[World Heritage Site]].
File:A Stone carved throne in the backyard of Simhachalam temple.jpg|A Stone carved throne at [[Simhachalam]] temple
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Western Ganga Dynasty]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Eastern Ganga Dynasty}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090410024222/http://srikakulam.ap.nic.in/intach/story_on_stone/1.1.htm History of ''Srikakulam'' (Kalinga)]
* [http://coinindia.com/galleries-eastern-gangas.html Coins of the Eastern Gangas]

{{Odisha}}
{{Middle kingdoms of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eastern Ganga Dynasty}}
[[Category:Eastern Ganga dynasty| ]]
[[Category:History of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Hindu dynasties]]
[[Category:History of Odisha]]
[[Category:Dynasties of Odisha]]

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Eastern Ganga dynasty