The Bhaumakara | Odisha State PSC (OPSC): Preparation - OPSC OCS (Odisha) PDF Download

 Page 1


66 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction  
In the first, half, of the eighth century A. D. a dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known 
as Bhaumakara) established its rule over the coastal belt of Orissa. The capital of this dynasty, 
called Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the Jajpur 
district. The main literary source for constructing the history of the Bhauma-Karas are the Vishnu 
Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Dathavamsa, Gandavyuha and Hudud-al-
Alam etc. Besides, the inscriptions and grants of the rulers of this dynasty like Neulpur plate, 
Ganeshgumpha inscription, Dhauli cave inscription, Terundia, Dharakote, Dhenkanal, Talcher, 
Ambagaon, Angul, Talatalia and several other plates throw much light on the politico-economic 
and religious history of this dynasty.  
Origin and chronology of the Bhaumakaras 
A dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known as Bhaumakara) established its rule over 
the coastal belt of Orissa in the first, half of the eighth century A. D.. The capital of this dynasty, 
called as Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the 
Jajpur district. The scholars have not been able to settle conclusively the origin and chronology 
of Bhaumas. K.C. Panigrahi has traced the origin of this dynasty on the basis of the Pasupati 
temple inscription of Nepal. According to this inscription, Rajyamati, the queen of the Nepalese 
king Jayadeva, was the daughter of Harsavarman who belonged to a royal family, called 
Bhagadatta and conquered Gauda, Odra, Kalinga and Kosala. Since the Bhaumas of Orissa claim 
their descent from Bhagadatta, Panigrahi concludes that Bhaumas of Orissa and Harsavarman, 
the ruler of Assam, belong to Bhagadatta. He presumes that Harsavarman, after his conquest of 
Odra i.e., the coastal belt of Orissa, installed a member of his family as the governor of the 
conquered territory, who subsequently proved to be the founder of the independent dynasty of 
Bhauma. Because of the chaotic political situation which prevailed in Bengal and Orissa during 
the early part of the eighth century, it is natural that such an invasion might have taken place. 
Page 2


66 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction  
In the first, half, of the eighth century A. D. a dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known 
as Bhaumakara) established its rule over the coastal belt of Orissa. The capital of this dynasty, 
called Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the Jajpur 
district. The main literary source for constructing the history of the Bhauma-Karas are the Vishnu 
Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Dathavamsa, Gandavyuha and Hudud-al-
Alam etc. Besides, the inscriptions and grants of the rulers of this dynasty like Neulpur plate, 
Ganeshgumpha inscription, Dhauli cave inscription, Terundia, Dharakote, Dhenkanal, Talcher, 
Ambagaon, Angul, Talatalia and several other plates throw much light on the politico-economic 
and religious history of this dynasty.  
Origin and chronology of the Bhaumakaras 
A dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known as Bhaumakara) established its rule over 
the coastal belt of Orissa in the first, half of the eighth century A. D.. The capital of this dynasty, 
called as Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the 
Jajpur district. The scholars have not been able to settle conclusively the origin and chronology 
of Bhaumas. K.C. Panigrahi has traced the origin of this dynasty on the basis of the Pasupati 
temple inscription of Nepal. According to this inscription, Rajyamati, the queen of the Nepalese 
king Jayadeva, was the daughter of Harsavarman who belonged to a royal family, called 
Bhagadatta and conquered Gauda, Odra, Kalinga and Kosala. Since the Bhaumas of Orissa claim 
their descent from Bhagadatta, Panigrahi concludes that Bhaumas of Orissa and Harsavarman, 
the ruler of Assam, belong to Bhagadatta. He presumes that Harsavarman, after his conquest of 
Odra i.e., the coastal belt of Orissa, installed a member of his family as the governor of the 
conquered territory, who subsequently proved to be the founder of the independent dynasty of 
Bhauma. Because of the chaotic political situation which prevailed in Bengal and Orissa during 
the early part of the eighth century, it is natural that such an invasion might have taken place. 
67 
 
The linguistic similarity between Assamese and Oriya languages supports the possibility of 
interaction between the two regions in the early phase. 
The scholars have also identified artistic affinity between Orissa and Assam. The Ganga 
images of Dah Parvatiya in the Tezpur district of Assam and of Ratnagiri in the Jajpur district 
possess similar iconographic features. The geographical location of Orissa is such that migration 
or invasion into its territory could have taken place from three directions - north-east, north-west 
and south-west. The Bhaumas had came from the north-east.  Subsequently, the Somavamsis 
came from the north-west and the Gangas came from the south-west. Binayak Mishra and some 
other scholars hold that Orissa was the original home land of Bhaumas, and that they were a non- 
Aryan tribe and most probably same as Bhuyans who reside in present day Orissa. Some scholars 
hold that Guhasiva, the Buddhist king of Kalinga, whose name has been mentioned in the 
Cylonese chronicle Dathavamsa might have been the founder of Bhauma rule in Orissa.  
In Vishnu Purana there is the mention of a king, named Bhauma Guha who was ruling 
over Kalinga, Mahisya (Midnapore) and Mahendra. Some scholars presume that Bhauma Guha 
was the predecessor of the Bhaumas and that Guhadeva Pataka, the Bhauma capital, was named 
after him. The Bhaumas, in their inscriptions and copper plate grants, used a Samvat or era. 
According to K. C. Panigrahi, the initial year of the Bhauma era corresponds to 736 A.D. of the 
Gregorian calendar. Who was the founder of the "Bhauma dynasty? Who initiated this new era? 
The Bhauma records mention two ancestors of the Bhauma rulers of Orissa. They were 
Lakshmikaradeva and Kshemankaradeva. According to some, Kshemankaradeva initiated the 
new Bhauma era. According to others, the Bhaurna era begins with the accession of 
Kshemankaradeva's son and successor, Sivakaradeva-1. Kshemankaradeva was a devout 
Buddhist. Therefore, the Buddhist epithet 'Paramopasaka' has been applied to him in the Bhauma 
epigraphic records.  After due analysis, Biswarup Das has accepted the view of S. N. Rajguru 
who fixes it in 736 A.D. and most of the scholars incline to accept this view. The genealogy of 
the Bhauma-Kara rulers has been given bellow. 
Genealogical table of the Bahumakara dyansty 
. Kshemankaradeva = Vatsadev I 
? 
1. Sivakaradeva I = Jayavalidev I Unmattasimha 
? 
Page 3


66 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction  
In the first, half, of the eighth century A. D. a dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known 
as Bhaumakara) established its rule over the coastal belt of Orissa. The capital of this dynasty, 
called Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the Jajpur 
district. The main literary source for constructing the history of the Bhauma-Karas are the Vishnu 
Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Dathavamsa, Gandavyuha and Hudud-al-
Alam etc. Besides, the inscriptions and grants of the rulers of this dynasty like Neulpur plate, 
Ganeshgumpha inscription, Dhauli cave inscription, Terundia, Dharakote, Dhenkanal, Talcher, 
Ambagaon, Angul, Talatalia and several other plates throw much light on the politico-economic 
and religious history of this dynasty.  
Origin and chronology of the Bhaumakaras 
A dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known as Bhaumakara) established its rule over 
the coastal belt of Orissa in the first, half of the eighth century A. D.. The capital of this dynasty, 
called as Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the 
Jajpur district. The scholars have not been able to settle conclusively the origin and chronology 
of Bhaumas. K.C. Panigrahi has traced the origin of this dynasty on the basis of the Pasupati 
temple inscription of Nepal. According to this inscription, Rajyamati, the queen of the Nepalese 
king Jayadeva, was the daughter of Harsavarman who belonged to a royal family, called 
Bhagadatta and conquered Gauda, Odra, Kalinga and Kosala. Since the Bhaumas of Orissa claim 
their descent from Bhagadatta, Panigrahi concludes that Bhaumas of Orissa and Harsavarman, 
the ruler of Assam, belong to Bhagadatta. He presumes that Harsavarman, after his conquest of 
Odra i.e., the coastal belt of Orissa, installed a member of his family as the governor of the 
conquered territory, who subsequently proved to be the founder of the independent dynasty of 
Bhauma. Because of the chaotic political situation which prevailed in Bengal and Orissa during 
the early part of the eighth century, it is natural that such an invasion might have taken place. 
67 
 
The linguistic similarity between Assamese and Oriya languages supports the possibility of 
interaction between the two regions in the early phase. 
The scholars have also identified artistic affinity between Orissa and Assam. The Ganga 
images of Dah Parvatiya in the Tezpur district of Assam and of Ratnagiri in the Jajpur district 
possess similar iconographic features. The geographical location of Orissa is such that migration 
or invasion into its territory could have taken place from three directions - north-east, north-west 
and south-west. The Bhaumas had came from the north-east.  Subsequently, the Somavamsis 
came from the north-west and the Gangas came from the south-west. Binayak Mishra and some 
other scholars hold that Orissa was the original home land of Bhaumas, and that they were a non- 
Aryan tribe and most probably same as Bhuyans who reside in present day Orissa. Some scholars 
hold that Guhasiva, the Buddhist king of Kalinga, whose name has been mentioned in the 
Cylonese chronicle Dathavamsa might have been the founder of Bhauma rule in Orissa.  
In Vishnu Purana there is the mention of a king, named Bhauma Guha who was ruling 
over Kalinga, Mahisya (Midnapore) and Mahendra. Some scholars presume that Bhauma Guha 
was the predecessor of the Bhaumas and that Guhadeva Pataka, the Bhauma capital, was named 
after him. The Bhaumas, in their inscriptions and copper plate grants, used a Samvat or era. 
According to K. C. Panigrahi, the initial year of the Bhauma era corresponds to 736 A.D. of the 
Gregorian calendar. Who was the founder of the "Bhauma dynasty? Who initiated this new era? 
The Bhauma records mention two ancestors of the Bhauma rulers of Orissa. They were 
Lakshmikaradeva and Kshemankaradeva. According to some, Kshemankaradeva initiated the 
new Bhauma era. According to others, the Bhaurna era begins with the accession of 
Kshemankaradeva's son and successor, Sivakaradeva-1. Kshemankaradeva was a devout 
Buddhist. Therefore, the Buddhist epithet 'Paramopasaka' has been applied to him in the Bhauma 
epigraphic records.  After due analysis, Biswarup Das has accepted the view of S. N. Rajguru 
who fixes it in 736 A.D. and most of the scholars incline to accept this view. The genealogy of 
the Bhauma-Kara rulers has been given bellow. 
Genealogical table of the Bahumakara dyansty 
. Kshemankaradeva = Vatsadev I 
? 
1. Sivakaradeva I = Jayavalidev I Unmattasimha 
? 
 
2. Subhakaradev I = Madhavadev I 
? 
_______________________________________   
?                   ? 
3.Sivakaradeva II= Mohinidevi       4. Santikaradeva I Gayada I 
?       ? 
5.Subhakaradeva II       6.Subhakaradeva III 
Kusumabhara I, Simhaketu 
                               ? 
   7.Tribhubanamahadevi I 
    ? 
8. Santikaradeva II 
Lavanabhara I, Gayada II 
         ? 
9.Hiramahadevi 
                                          ? 
 _____________________________________________________________ 
 ?            ? 
10.Subhakaradeva IV        11.Sivakaradeva III 
?         Lalitahara II 
12. Prithivi Mahadevi         ? 
Tribhuvanamahadevi II       13. Tribhuvanamahadevi III 
           ? 
 ______________________________________________________________ 
 ?              ?       
14. Shantikaradeva III        15.Subhakaradeva V 
Lavanabhara II              ? 
16. Gaurimahadevi 
           ?  
          17. Dandimahadev I 
            ? 
Page 4


66 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction  
In the first, half, of the eighth century A. D. a dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known 
as Bhaumakara) established its rule over the coastal belt of Orissa. The capital of this dynasty, 
called Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the Jajpur 
district. The main literary source for constructing the history of the Bhauma-Karas are the Vishnu 
Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Dathavamsa, Gandavyuha and Hudud-al-
Alam etc. Besides, the inscriptions and grants of the rulers of this dynasty like Neulpur plate, 
Ganeshgumpha inscription, Dhauli cave inscription, Terundia, Dharakote, Dhenkanal, Talcher, 
Ambagaon, Angul, Talatalia and several other plates throw much light on the politico-economic 
and religious history of this dynasty.  
Origin and chronology of the Bhaumakaras 
A dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known as Bhaumakara) established its rule over 
the coastal belt of Orissa in the first, half of the eighth century A. D.. The capital of this dynasty, 
called as Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the 
Jajpur district. The scholars have not been able to settle conclusively the origin and chronology 
of Bhaumas. K.C. Panigrahi has traced the origin of this dynasty on the basis of the Pasupati 
temple inscription of Nepal. According to this inscription, Rajyamati, the queen of the Nepalese 
king Jayadeva, was the daughter of Harsavarman who belonged to a royal family, called 
Bhagadatta and conquered Gauda, Odra, Kalinga and Kosala. Since the Bhaumas of Orissa claim 
their descent from Bhagadatta, Panigrahi concludes that Bhaumas of Orissa and Harsavarman, 
the ruler of Assam, belong to Bhagadatta. He presumes that Harsavarman, after his conquest of 
Odra i.e., the coastal belt of Orissa, installed a member of his family as the governor of the 
conquered territory, who subsequently proved to be the founder of the independent dynasty of 
Bhauma. Because of the chaotic political situation which prevailed in Bengal and Orissa during 
the early part of the eighth century, it is natural that such an invasion might have taken place. 
67 
 
The linguistic similarity between Assamese and Oriya languages supports the possibility of 
interaction between the two regions in the early phase. 
The scholars have also identified artistic affinity between Orissa and Assam. The Ganga 
images of Dah Parvatiya in the Tezpur district of Assam and of Ratnagiri in the Jajpur district 
possess similar iconographic features. The geographical location of Orissa is such that migration 
or invasion into its territory could have taken place from three directions - north-east, north-west 
and south-west. The Bhaumas had came from the north-east.  Subsequently, the Somavamsis 
came from the north-west and the Gangas came from the south-west. Binayak Mishra and some 
other scholars hold that Orissa was the original home land of Bhaumas, and that they were a non- 
Aryan tribe and most probably same as Bhuyans who reside in present day Orissa. Some scholars 
hold that Guhasiva, the Buddhist king of Kalinga, whose name has been mentioned in the 
Cylonese chronicle Dathavamsa might have been the founder of Bhauma rule in Orissa.  
In Vishnu Purana there is the mention of a king, named Bhauma Guha who was ruling 
over Kalinga, Mahisya (Midnapore) and Mahendra. Some scholars presume that Bhauma Guha 
was the predecessor of the Bhaumas and that Guhadeva Pataka, the Bhauma capital, was named 
after him. The Bhaumas, in their inscriptions and copper plate grants, used a Samvat or era. 
According to K. C. Panigrahi, the initial year of the Bhauma era corresponds to 736 A.D. of the 
Gregorian calendar. Who was the founder of the "Bhauma dynasty? Who initiated this new era? 
The Bhauma records mention two ancestors of the Bhauma rulers of Orissa. They were 
Lakshmikaradeva and Kshemankaradeva. According to some, Kshemankaradeva initiated the 
new Bhauma era. According to others, the Bhaurna era begins with the accession of 
Kshemankaradeva's son and successor, Sivakaradeva-1. Kshemankaradeva was a devout 
Buddhist. Therefore, the Buddhist epithet 'Paramopasaka' has been applied to him in the Bhauma 
epigraphic records.  After due analysis, Biswarup Das has accepted the view of S. N. Rajguru 
who fixes it in 736 A.D. and most of the scholars incline to accept this view. The genealogy of 
the Bhauma-Kara rulers has been given bellow. 
Genealogical table of the Bahumakara dyansty 
. Kshemankaradeva = Vatsadev I 
? 
1. Sivakaradeva I = Jayavalidev I Unmattasimha 
? 
 
2. Subhakaradev I = Madhavadev I 
? 
_______________________________________   
?                   ? 
3.Sivakaradeva II= Mohinidevi       4. Santikaradeva I Gayada I 
?       ? 
5.Subhakaradeva II       6.Subhakaradeva III 
Kusumabhara I, Simhaketu 
                               ? 
   7.Tribhubanamahadevi I 
    ? 
8. Santikaradeva II 
Lavanabhara I, Gayada II 
         ? 
9.Hiramahadevi 
                                          ? 
 _____________________________________________________________ 
 ?            ? 
10.Subhakaradeva IV        11.Sivakaradeva III 
?         Lalitahara II 
12. Prithivi Mahadevi         ? 
Tribhuvanamahadevi II       13. Tribhuvanamahadevi III 
           ? 
 ______________________________________________________________ 
 ?              ?       
14. Shantikaradeva III        15.Subhakaradeva V 
Lavanabhara II              ? 
16. Gaurimahadevi 
           ?  
          17. Dandimahadev I 
            ? 
 
18. Vakulamahadevi 
? 
19.Dharmamahadevi  
Kshemankaradeva 
Kshemankaradeva was the founder of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty in Odisha. Before him 
anarchy had destoyed the social structure in this land. The Neulpur Charter of Subhakaradeva II 
reveals that Kshemankara established the traditional four-fold caste system in the society. His 
blood and iron policy maintained law and order in the empire. On the other hand, he showed his 
conciliatory policy towards his subjects to bring peace and harmony in the society. 
Kshemankaradeva took adequate steps to preserve the integrity of his empire. From Samangad 
inscription and the Dasavatara inscription, it becomes apparent that Rastrakuta ruler Dantidurga 
won victories over Kalinga and Kosala, but did not venture to attack Odra and Utkala. This 
shows the heroism of Kshemankaradeva who left no stone unturned in consolidating the Bhauma 
rule in Odisha. 
Sivakaradeva I (C-736-783 A.D.) 
Kshemankaradeva was succeeded by his worthy son Sivakaradeva I alias Unmattasimha 
or Unmatta Kesari. He was a mighty ruler and followed the principle of extensive 
aggrandisement in the north-east and south-west. The Talcher plate of Sivakara III compares him 
with Poros who had fought against Alexander and his Macedonian garrison. From the same plate 
it is known that with his grand army he marched to south west Bengal, defeated the ruler of 
Radha and "took away in victory the daughter of the king along with the latter's kingly fortune". 
That princess may be identified with queen Jayavallidevi who is known from the Chaurasi plate 
of Sivakaradeva II. 
From the Talcher plate of Sivakara III, it is inferred that during his period, the Bhauma 
army conquered the entire Kalinga stretching from the river Vamsadhara to Godavari defeating 
the Ganga power. Further, his victorious arms went upto Kongoda and Svetaka. The Ganjam 
grant of Jayavaramandeva of Svetaka reveals that the Svetaka ruler donated the village 
Valarisranga in Varttini Visaya of Kongoda mandala to Bhatta Nannata after obtaining the 
necessary permission of Unmatta Kesari of Viraja through Visavarnavadeva, who was perhaps 
the governor of Kongoda. This fact clearly indicates that Jaya Varmandadeva was a vassal of 
Unmattakesari alias Sivakaradeva I, who was the overlord of Kongoda and Svetaka. Thus, 
Page 5


66 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction  
In the first, half, of the eighth century A. D. a dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known 
as Bhaumakara) established its rule over the coastal belt of Orissa. The capital of this dynasty, 
called Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the Jajpur 
district. The main literary source for constructing the history of the Bhauma-Karas are the Vishnu 
Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Dathavamsa, Gandavyuha and Hudud-al-
Alam etc. Besides, the inscriptions and grants of the rulers of this dynasty like Neulpur plate, 
Ganeshgumpha inscription, Dhauli cave inscription, Terundia, Dharakote, Dhenkanal, Talcher, 
Ambagaon, Angul, Talatalia and several other plates throw much light on the politico-economic 
and religious history of this dynasty.  
Origin and chronology of the Bhaumakaras 
A dynasty called Bhauma or Kar (also known as Bhaumakara) established its rule over 
the coastal belt of Orissa in the first, half of the eighth century A. D.. The capital of this dynasty, 
called as Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka was situated near modern Jajpur town of the 
Jajpur district. The scholars have not been able to settle conclusively the origin and chronology 
of Bhaumas. K.C. Panigrahi has traced the origin of this dynasty on the basis of the Pasupati 
temple inscription of Nepal. According to this inscription, Rajyamati, the queen of the Nepalese 
king Jayadeva, was the daughter of Harsavarman who belonged to a royal family, called 
Bhagadatta and conquered Gauda, Odra, Kalinga and Kosala. Since the Bhaumas of Orissa claim 
their descent from Bhagadatta, Panigrahi concludes that Bhaumas of Orissa and Harsavarman, 
the ruler of Assam, belong to Bhagadatta. He presumes that Harsavarman, after his conquest of 
Odra i.e., the coastal belt of Orissa, installed a member of his family as the governor of the 
conquered territory, who subsequently proved to be the founder of the independent dynasty of 
Bhauma. Because of the chaotic political situation which prevailed in Bengal and Orissa during 
the early part of the eighth century, it is natural that such an invasion might have taken place. 
67 
 
The linguistic similarity between Assamese and Oriya languages supports the possibility of 
interaction between the two regions in the early phase. 
The scholars have also identified artistic affinity between Orissa and Assam. The Ganga 
images of Dah Parvatiya in the Tezpur district of Assam and of Ratnagiri in the Jajpur district 
possess similar iconographic features. The geographical location of Orissa is such that migration 
or invasion into its territory could have taken place from three directions - north-east, north-west 
and south-west. The Bhaumas had came from the north-east.  Subsequently, the Somavamsis 
came from the north-west and the Gangas came from the south-west. Binayak Mishra and some 
other scholars hold that Orissa was the original home land of Bhaumas, and that they were a non- 
Aryan tribe and most probably same as Bhuyans who reside in present day Orissa. Some scholars 
hold that Guhasiva, the Buddhist king of Kalinga, whose name has been mentioned in the 
Cylonese chronicle Dathavamsa might have been the founder of Bhauma rule in Orissa.  
In Vishnu Purana there is the mention of a king, named Bhauma Guha who was ruling 
over Kalinga, Mahisya (Midnapore) and Mahendra. Some scholars presume that Bhauma Guha 
was the predecessor of the Bhaumas and that Guhadeva Pataka, the Bhauma capital, was named 
after him. The Bhaumas, in their inscriptions and copper plate grants, used a Samvat or era. 
According to K. C. Panigrahi, the initial year of the Bhauma era corresponds to 736 A.D. of the 
Gregorian calendar. Who was the founder of the "Bhauma dynasty? Who initiated this new era? 
The Bhauma records mention two ancestors of the Bhauma rulers of Orissa. They were 
Lakshmikaradeva and Kshemankaradeva. According to some, Kshemankaradeva initiated the 
new Bhauma era. According to others, the Bhaurna era begins with the accession of 
Kshemankaradeva's son and successor, Sivakaradeva-1. Kshemankaradeva was a devout 
Buddhist. Therefore, the Buddhist epithet 'Paramopasaka' has been applied to him in the Bhauma 
epigraphic records.  After due analysis, Biswarup Das has accepted the view of S. N. Rajguru 
who fixes it in 736 A.D. and most of the scholars incline to accept this view. The genealogy of 
the Bhauma-Kara rulers has been given bellow. 
Genealogical table of the Bahumakara dyansty 
. Kshemankaradeva = Vatsadev I 
? 
1. Sivakaradeva I = Jayavalidev I Unmattasimha 
? 
 
2. Subhakaradev I = Madhavadev I 
? 
_______________________________________   
?                   ? 
3.Sivakaradeva II= Mohinidevi       4. Santikaradeva I Gayada I 
?       ? 
5.Subhakaradeva II       6.Subhakaradeva III 
Kusumabhara I, Simhaketu 
                               ? 
   7.Tribhubanamahadevi I 
    ? 
8. Santikaradeva II 
Lavanabhara I, Gayada II 
         ? 
9.Hiramahadevi 
                                          ? 
 _____________________________________________________________ 
 ?            ? 
10.Subhakaradeva IV        11.Sivakaradeva III 
?         Lalitahara II 
12. Prithivi Mahadevi         ? 
Tribhuvanamahadevi II       13. Tribhuvanamahadevi III 
           ? 
 ______________________________________________________________ 
 ?              ?       
14. Shantikaradeva III        15.Subhakaradeva V 
Lavanabhara II              ? 
16. Gaurimahadevi 
           ?  
          17. Dandimahadev I 
            ? 
 
18. Vakulamahadevi 
? 
19.Dharmamahadevi  
Kshemankaradeva 
Kshemankaradeva was the founder of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty in Odisha. Before him 
anarchy had destoyed the social structure in this land. The Neulpur Charter of Subhakaradeva II 
reveals that Kshemankara established the traditional four-fold caste system in the society. His 
blood and iron policy maintained law and order in the empire. On the other hand, he showed his 
conciliatory policy towards his subjects to bring peace and harmony in the society. 
Kshemankaradeva took adequate steps to preserve the integrity of his empire. From Samangad 
inscription and the Dasavatara inscription, it becomes apparent that Rastrakuta ruler Dantidurga 
won victories over Kalinga and Kosala, but did not venture to attack Odra and Utkala. This 
shows the heroism of Kshemankaradeva who left no stone unturned in consolidating the Bhauma 
rule in Odisha. 
Sivakaradeva I (C-736-783 A.D.) 
Kshemankaradeva was succeeded by his worthy son Sivakaradeva I alias Unmattasimha 
or Unmatta Kesari. He was a mighty ruler and followed the principle of extensive 
aggrandisement in the north-east and south-west. The Talcher plate of Sivakara III compares him 
with Poros who had fought against Alexander and his Macedonian garrison. From the same plate 
it is known that with his grand army he marched to south west Bengal, defeated the ruler of 
Radha and "took away in victory the daughter of the king along with the latter's kingly fortune". 
That princess may be identified with queen Jayavallidevi who is known from the Chaurasi plate 
of Sivakaradeva II. 
From the Talcher plate of Sivakara III, it is inferred that during his period, the Bhauma 
army conquered the entire Kalinga stretching from the river Vamsadhara to Godavari defeating 
the Ganga power. Further, his victorious arms went upto Kongoda and Svetaka. The Ganjam 
grant of Jayavaramandeva of Svetaka reveals that the Svetaka ruler donated the village 
Valarisranga in Varttini Visaya of Kongoda mandala to Bhatta Nannata after obtaining the 
necessary permission of Unmatta Kesari of Viraja through Visavarnavadeva, who was perhaps 
the governor of Kongoda. This fact clearly indicates that Jaya Varmandadeva was a vassal of 
Unmattakesari alias Sivakaradeva I, who was the overlord of Kongoda and Svetaka. Thus, 
70 
 
Sivakaradeva I extended his sway to Kalinga, Kongoda, Svetaka and Radha. Sivakara I was 
eager to maintain cultural relation with countries outside Odisha. He sent a Buddhist work 
Gandavyuha as a presentation to the Chinese emperor Te-tsong through Prajna, a Buddhist 
scholar who was instructed to provide the emperor of China a translation of that work. This was 
definitely a pointer in the direction of Sino-Indian cultural relation. Of course, scholars differ in 
opinion regarding the presentation of Gandavyuha. Some opine that it was done during 
Subhakaradeva I, the son and successor of Sivakaradeva I. However, the patronage of 
SivakaradevaI to the distinguished scholars tempt the present writer to opine in the line of many 
scholars that this act must have been accomplished during the reign period of that ruler and not 
probably during the time of his son Subhakaradeva I. 
Subhakaradeva I (C-780-800 A.D.) 
Subhakaradeva I succeeded to his father Sivakaradeva I who had bequeathed a vast 
kindgom for his son. During the reign period of his father, he was really instrumental to extend 
the sway of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty to Kalinga, Kongoda and Svetaka. His dream could not be 
fully fulfilled as he had to bear the brunt of the Rastrakuta ruler Govinda III. The Sanjan plate of 
Amoghavarsa states that Govinda III conquered Odraka along with Kosala, Kalinga, Vanga and 
Dahala. This fact finds a faint reference in the Hindol plate of Subhakara I which reveals that 
"even though he (Subhakaradeva I) was deserted by his soldiers his glory was never impaired by 
his adverseries and he was the best of men". Making a reterence to the Madala Panji. K. C. 
Panigrahi analyses a story recorded in it and that has near e.aborated by A. Stirling. The episode 
states the invasion of Haktavahu and the retreat of Subhanadeva, the king of Odisha with the 
images of Jagannath. Balabhadra and SLbhadra. Prof. Panigrahi identified Raktavahu with the 
Rastrakutas and Subhanadeva WitI' Subhakaradeva I. However, Biswarup Das rejects the view 
of Prof. Panigrahi on the ground that the Rastrakutas had no ill reputation of destroying the 
Buddhist image (God Jagannath has been treated as a Buddhist deity) anywhere. The present 
writer is inclined to say that since Subhakara I assumed full imperial titles like 
‘Paramabhattaraka and Paramesvara', it is definite that he was not a feudatory of the 
Rastrakutas. Of course, Rastrakuta invasion took place, but it was like a meteor and had no 
impact on the Bhauma suzerainty. Subhakaradeva I was known for his religious 
toleration.Though he was a Buddhist ruler as is evident from the assumption of the title 'Parama 
Saugata', he granted Komparaka village in Panchala Visaya and two villages of Dondaki and