Rise of Local Dynasties | Odisha State PSC (OPSC): Preparation - OPSC OCS (Odisha) PDF Download

 Page 1


47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The outcome of Samundragupta's invasion were noteworthy. The kingdoms of Kosala, 
Kantara and Kalinga region could not raise their heads from the blow. On the other hand, it gave 
way for the rise of petty kingdoms on the map of Odisha in the middle of 4th century A.D. Some 
of them had survived for a hundred and fifty years whereas some others just appeared and then 
disappeared in a short time. 
The Matharas 
The history of Kalinga region underwent great change about the middle of the fourth 
century AD. after the South India campaign of Sarnudragupta. 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. 
 
Page 2


47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The outcome of Samundragupta's invasion were noteworthy. The kingdoms of Kosala, 
Kantara and Kalinga region could not raise their heads from the blow. On the other hand, it gave 
way for the rise of petty kingdoms on the map of Odisha in the middle of 4th century A.D. Some 
of them had survived for a hundred and fifty years whereas some others just appeared and then 
disappeared in a short time. 
The Matharas 
The history of Kalinga region underwent great change about the middle of the fourth 
century AD. after the South India campaign of Sarnudragupta. 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 Visakhavannan 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 disttict. 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 ofthe 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) 
Sankarvannan 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. 
 
Page 3


47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The outcome of Samundragupta's invasion were noteworthy. The kingdoms of Kosala, 
Kantara and Kalinga region could not raise their heads from the blow. On the other hand, it gave 
way for the rise of petty kingdoms on the map of Odisha in the middle of 4th century A.D. Some 
of them had survived for a hundred and fifty years whereas some others just appeared and then 
disappeared in a short time. 
The Matharas 
The history of Kalinga region underwent great change about the middle of the fourth 
century AD. after the South India campaign of Sarnudragupta. 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 Visakhavannan 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 disttict. 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 ofthe 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) 
Sankarvannan 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. 
Page 4


47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The outcome of Samundragupta's invasion were noteworthy. The kingdoms of Kosala, 
Kantara and Kalinga region could not raise their heads from the blow. On the other hand, it gave 
way for the rise of petty kingdoms on the map of Odisha in the middle of 4th century A.D. Some 
of them had survived for a hundred and fifty years whereas some others just appeared and then 
disappeared in a short time. 
The Matharas 
The history of Kalinga region underwent great change about the middle of the fourth 
century AD. after the South India campaign of Sarnudragupta. 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 Visakhavannan 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 disttict. 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 ofthe 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) 
Sankarvannan 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 Bobbiii 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 Visbnukundins. He died around 480A.D. 
 
 
Page 5


47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The outcome of Samundragupta's invasion were noteworthy. The kingdoms of Kosala, 
Kantara and Kalinga region could not raise their heads from the blow. On the other hand, it gave 
way for the rise of petty kingdoms on the map of Odisha in the middle of 4th century A.D. Some 
of them had survived for a hundred and fifty years whereas some others just appeared and then 
disappeared in a short time. 
The Matharas 
The history of Kalinga region underwent great change about the middle of the fourth 
century AD. after the South India campaign of Sarnudragupta. 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 Visakhavannan 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 disttict. 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 ofthe 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) 
Sankarvannan 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 Bobbiii 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 Visbnukundins. 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 Visakhavarrnan and early years of king Urnavarrnan. 
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 
Prabhanjhanavarrnan 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.