Odisha, historically known as Kalinga, Utkal, and Odra, has a rich and complex history marked by the rule of numerous prominent kings and dynasties.Mythological and Early Kings:
Ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Puranas mention figures like King Kalinga (founder of the Kalinga kingdom) and Srutayudha, who participated in the Kurukshetra war. Kalinga was a powerful kingdom even during the time of the Buddha.
Early Kingdoms and Dynasties:
- Nanda Dynasty (c. 4th Century BCE): Kalinga was briefly annexed by the Nanda ruler Mahapadma Nanda.
- Mauryan Empire (c. 3rd Century BCE): Emperor Ashoka conquered Kalinga in the Kalinga War (261 BCE), a pivotal event that led to his conversion to Buddhism. Kalinga then became a Mauryan province.
- Mahameghavahana Dynasty (Chedi Dynasty) (c. 2nd-1st Century BCE):
- King Kharavela: The most prominent ruler of this dynasty, known from the Hathigumpha inscription. He was a great conqueror and patron of Jainism, expanding the Kalinga kingdom significantly.
Post-Mauryan and Early Common Era Dynasties:
- Muranda Dynasty (c. 1st-3rd Century CE): Believed to be a foreign tribe, they ruled parts of Odisha for about 200 years.
- Gupta Empire (c. 4th Century CE): Kalinga was divided into smaller principalities during Samudragupta’s southern campaigns, and later broke away from Gupta influence.
- Mathara Dynasty (c. 4th-5th Century CE):
- Vishakha Varman
- Umavarman (considered the first great ruler of the Mathara dynasty)
- Maharaja Saktivarman
- Nalas (c. 5th Century CE): Ruled the Trikalinga region (modern Koraput and Kalahandi). Prominent rulers included Vrishadhvaja, Varaharaja, Bhavadatta Varman, and Skandavarman.
- Sharabhapuriya Dynasty (c. 5th-6th Century CE): Ruled over regions like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Kalahandi. Key rulers included Sharabha, Narendra, and Prasanna.
- Sailodbhava Dynasty (c. 6th-8th Century CE):
- Dharmaraja I Ranabhita
- Madhavaraja I Sainyabhita I
- Madhavaraja II (under whom they were possibly subordinates of Shashanka)
- Ayasobhita I (Chharamparaja)
- Madhyamaraja I (Ayasobhita II)
- Dharmaraja II
Medieval Period Dynasties:
- Bhauma-Kara Dynasty (c. 8th-10th Century CE):
- Kshemankaradeva (founder)
- Sivakaradeva I
- Subhakaradeva I
- Tribhuvana Mahadevi I, II, III (notable for female rulers)
- Dandi Mahadevi
- Somavamshi Dynasty (Keshari Dynasty) (c. 9th-12th Century CE): They unified major regions of Kalinga, Utkala, Kongoda, and Kosala.
- Udayana (founder)
- Mahabhavagupta Janmejaya I
- Mahasivagupta Yayati I
- Bhimaratha Mahasivagupta I
- Karnadeva (last ruler)
- Eastern Ganga Dynasty (c. 11th-15th Century CE): A golden age for Odisha, known for architectural advancements.
- Indravarman I
- Anantavarman Chodagangadeva (shifted capital to Cuttack and began construction of the Jagannath Temple at Puri)
- Narasimha I (built the Sun Temple at Konark)
- Suryavanshi Gajapati Dynasty (c. 15th-16th Century CE):
- Kapilendra Deva (first Gajapati king, significantly expanded the empire)
- Purushottama Deva
- Prataparudra Deva (under whom the dynasty declined)
Later Dynasties and Rulers (leading to loss of independence):
- Bhoi Dynasty (c. 16th Century CE):
- Govinda Vidyadhara (founder)
- Chalukya Dynasty (c. 16th Century CE):
- Mukunda Harichandan
- Bhoi Dynasty of Khurda (Later Period):
- Raja Ramachandra Dev (played a role in resisting Mughal invasion)
