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

 Page 1


 
 
 
 
 
 Introduction  
The   reign of the Somavamsis for two hundred years forms a glorious epoch in history of 
Odisha. For the first time Kalinga, Utkala, Kongoda and Kosala were unified and brought under 
one political authority. The uniform pattern of administration removed anarchy and confusion 
throughout the state and paved the way for a cultural synthesis leading to the emergence of a 
unique Odia culture. The Odishan temple architecture took a concrete shape during the 
Somavamsis and the kingdom witnessed peace and prosperity. 
The early history of the Somavamsis 
 The Somavamsis, other wise known as Panduvamsis, ruled over Odisha from the middle 
of the ninth century A.D. to the early part of the twelfth century A.D. Initially, in the seventh and 
eighth centuries A.D., they ruled over a piece of territory, known as Dakhina Kosal or South 
Kosala (corresponding to the Raipur and Bilaspur districts of Madhya Pradesh and the 
Sambalpur and Kalahandi districts of Odisha). Sirpur, a place, situated in the Raipur district, was 
the capital of-the Somavamsis of south Kosala. Udayana was the founder of this dynasty. 
Tivaradeva, the fourth king of the line, was its most powerful ruler. He established his sway over 
the whole of Kosala. In the west he extended his territory as far as the Vindhyas. But in the east 
his efforts to bring Kangoda within his political sway failed. Tivaradeva ruled from 700 A.D. to 
725 A.D. At the dawn of the ninth century A D., Sornavamsi kingdom was invaded by Govinda-
lll, the Rastrakuta king. For sometime, the Somavamsis remained under the hegemony of the 
Rastrakutas. After the death of Govinda-III in 814 A.D the Somavamsis could emancipate 
themselves from the hegemony of the Rastrakutas. But, there after they were exposed to the 
threats of another power, the Kalachuris of Ratnapur (a place in the Bilaspur district of Madhya 
Pradesh). By the middle of the ninth century A.D. the Somavamsis were seeking eastward 
expansion most probably because of the Kalachuri menace. The last known king of Somavamsis 
of south Kosal was Balarjuna Sivagupta who died in 810 A.D. After him, there is a genealogical 
gap for more than half a century. With the emergence of Janrnejaya-l in the last quarter of the 
ninth century A.D. we get a regular genealogical line of the Sornavarnsis up to the beginning of 
Page 2


 
 
 
 
 
 Introduction  
The   reign of the Somavamsis for two hundred years forms a glorious epoch in history of 
Odisha. For the first time Kalinga, Utkala, Kongoda and Kosala were unified and brought under 
one political authority. The uniform pattern of administration removed anarchy and confusion 
throughout the state and paved the way for a cultural synthesis leading to the emergence of a 
unique Odia culture. The Odishan temple architecture took a concrete shape during the 
Somavamsis and the kingdom witnessed peace and prosperity. 
The early history of the Somavamsis 
 The Somavamsis, other wise known as Panduvamsis, ruled over Odisha from the middle 
of the ninth century A.D. to the early part of the twelfth century A.D. Initially, in the seventh and 
eighth centuries A.D., they ruled over a piece of territory, known as Dakhina Kosal or South 
Kosala (corresponding to the Raipur and Bilaspur districts of Madhya Pradesh and the 
Sambalpur and Kalahandi districts of Odisha). Sirpur, a place, situated in the Raipur district, was 
the capital of-the Somavamsis of south Kosala. Udayana was the founder of this dynasty. 
Tivaradeva, the fourth king of the line, was its most powerful ruler. He established his sway over 
the whole of Kosala. In the west he extended his territory as far as the Vindhyas. But in the east 
his efforts to bring Kangoda within his political sway failed. Tivaradeva ruled from 700 A.D. to 
725 A.D. At the dawn of the ninth century A D., Sornavamsi kingdom was invaded by Govinda-
lll, the Rastrakuta king. For sometime, the Somavamsis remained under the hegemony of the 
Rastrakutas. After the death of Govinda-III in 814 A.D the Somavamsis could emancipate 
themselves from the hegemony of the Rastrakutas. But, there after they were exposed to the 
threats of another power, the Kalachuris of Ratnapur (a place in the Bilaspur district of Madhya 
Pradesh). By the middle of the ninth century A.D. the Somavamsis were seeking eastward 
expansion most probably because of the Kalachuri menace. The last known king of Somavamsis 
of south Kosal was Balarjuna Sivagupta who died in 810 A.D. After him, there is a genealogical 
gap for more than half a century. With the emergence of Janrnejaya-l in the last quarter of the 
ninth century A.D. we get a regular genealogical line of the Sornavarnsis up to the beginning of 
 
the twelfth century A.D. The inscription of Janmejaya-I, the builder of the Somavamsi power in 
Odisha, mention Sivagupta as his predecessor. The Somavamsi rulers of Odisha were 
alternatively using two titles - Mahabhavaupta and Mahasivagupta. Besides these facts the same 
dynastic name strongly suggests that Janmejaya-I was the descendant of the Somavamsis of 
south Kosala. 
Sources  
 There is no such written record regarding the complete history of the Somavamsi rulers 
and their achievements. However, we get some information from the following inscriptions. 
 The Banda Copper plates of Tivaradeva, Adhavara plates of Mahanannararaja Banda 
plates of Mahasivagupta; Patna, Kalibhana and other copper plates of Janrneiaya Cuttack, 
Nibinna and Patna plates of Yayati I; Kalanjar stone inscription, Arang store inscription, Sirpur 
stone inscription and other inscriptions of the rulers of this dynasty ar the contemporary Bhanja, 
Bhauma-Kara, Ganda and other inscriptions throw a good dea of light on the achievements of the 
rulers of this dynasty. 
Dynastic history and achievements of the rulers 
The dynastic history of the Somavamsis deals with the rulers of this dynasty and the 
achievements of the Somavamsi kings which we found from the above sources. The genealogy 
of the Somavamsis can be reconstructed as follows. 
 GENEALOGY OF THE SOMAVAMSIS 
     Mahasivagupta  
      ? 
     Janmejaya I 
      ? 
 __________________________________________________________ 
 ?     ?            ?   
       Yayati I    Vichitravira  Prithvi Mahadevi (Bhauma Queen) 
 ?     ? 
      Bhimarath     ? 
 ?     ? 
______________________________ ? 
?   ?  ?  ? 
Page 3


 
 
 
 
 
 Introduction  
The   reign of the Somavamsis for two hundred years forms a glorious epoch in history of 
Odisha. For the first time Kalinga, Utkala, Kongoda and Kosala were unified and brought under 
one political authority. The uniform pattern of administration removed anarchy and confusion 
throughout the state and paved the way for a cultural synthesis leading to the emergence of a 
unique Odia culture. The Odishan temple architecture took a concrete shape during the 
Somavamsis and the kingdom witnessed peace and prosperity. 
The early history of the Somavamsis 
 The Somavamsis, other wise known as Panduvamsis, ruled over Odisha from the middle 
of the ninth century A.D. to the early part of the twelfth century A.D. Initially, in the seventh and 
eighth centuries A.D., they ruled over a piece of territory, known as Dakhina Kosal or South 
Kosala (corresponding to the Raipur and Bilaspur districts of Madhya Pradesh and the 
Sambalpur and Kalahandi districts of Odisha). Sirpur, a place, situated in the Raipur district, was 
the capital of-the Somavamsis of south Kosala. Udayana was the founder of this dynasty. 
Tivaradeva, the fourth king of the line, was its most powerful ruler. He established his sway over 
the whole of Kosala. In the west he extended his territory as far as the Vindhyas. But in the east 
his efforts to bring Kangoda within his political sway failed. Tivaradeva ruled from 700 A.D. to 
725 A.D. At the dawn of the ninth century A D., Sornavamsi kingdom was invaded by Govinda-
lll, the Rastrakuta king. For sometime, the Somavamsis remained under the hegemony of the 
Rastrakutas. After the death of Govinda-III in 814 A.D the Somavamsis could emancipate 
themselves from the hegemony of the Rastrakutas. But, there after they were exposed to the 
threats of another power, the Kalachuris of Ratnapur (a place in the Bilaspur district of Madhya 
Pradesh). By the middle of the ninth century A.D. the Somavamsis were seeking eastward 
expansion most probably because of the Kalachuri menace. The last known king of Somavamsis 
of south Kosal was Balarjuna Sivagupta who died in 810 A.D. After him, there is a genealogical 
gap for more than half a century. With the emergence of Janrnejaya-l in the last quarter of the 
ninth century A.D. we get a regular genealogical line of the Sornavarnsis up to the beginning of 
 
the twelfth century A.D. The inscription of Janmejaya-I, the builder of the Somavamsi power in 
Odisha, mention Sivagupta as his predecessor. The Somavamsi rulers of Odisha were 
alternatively using two titles - Mahabhavaupta and Mahasivagupta. Besides these facts the same 
dynastic name strongly suggests that Janmejaya-I was the descendant of the Somavamsis of 
south Kosala. 
Sources  
 There is no such written record regarding the complete history of the Somavamsi rulers 
and their achievements. However, we get some information from the following inscriptions. 
 The Banda Copper plates of Tivaradeva, Adhavara plates of Mahanannararaja Banda 
plates of Mahasivagupta; Patna, Kalibhana and other copper plates of Janrneiaya Cuttack, 
Nibinna and Patna plates of Yayati I; Kalanjar stone inscription, Arang store inscription, Sirpur 
stone inscription and other inscriptions of the rulers of this dynasty ar the contemporary Bhanja, 
Bhauma-Kara, Ganda and other inscriptions throw a good dea of light on the achievements of the 
rulers of this dynasty. 
Dynastic history and achievements of the rulers 
The dynastic history of the Somavamsis deals with the rulers of this dynasty and the 
achievements of the Somavamsi kings which we found from the above sources. The genealogy 
of the Somavamsis can be reconstructed as follows. 
 GENEALOGY OF THE SOMAVAMSIS 
     Mahasivagupta  
      ? 
     Janmejaya I 
      ? 
 __________________________________________________________ 
 ?     ?            ?   
       Yayati I    Vichitravira  Prithvi Mahadevi (Bhauma Queen) 
 ?     ? 
      Bhimarath     ? 
 ?     ? 
______________________________ ? 
?   ?  ?  ? 
 
Dharmaratha          Nahusa        Indrarath ? 
         Abhimanyu 
       ? 
     Chandidhara Yayati II 
      ? 
  _________________________________________________ 
  ?        ? 
 Udyota Keshari                   Abhimanyu II (Koshala 
  ? 
 ____________________________________ 
 ?      ? 
Janmejaya II     Kumar Somesvara 
?       ?     ? 
Yuvaraja Dharmaratha        Puranjaya      Karnadeva 
 
Janmejaya I Mahabhavagupta (C- 882 - 922 A .D.) 
Janmejaya I was the successor of Panduvamsi or Somavamsi dynasty. His copper plates 
describe his relation with Mahasivagupta, his only predecessor, who is supposed to be his father. 
Being driven away from Dakshina Kosala that comprised the undivided Sambalpur and Bolangir 
districts of western Odisha which he termed as Kosala whose capital was Suvarnapura (modern 
Sonepur), Janmejaya I, thus, became the first ruler of the Somavamsi dynasty of Kosala. After 
consolidating his empire, Janmejaya I wanted to cross sword with the Bhanjas of Khinjali 
MandaI who were the feudatory of the Bhauma-Karas of Tosali. The Bhanja king 
Ranabhanjadeva became the victim of Janmejaya who inflicted a crushing defeat on the former 
and annexed the Baud-Phulbani area to his kindgom. This paved the way for the conquest of 
Utkala. 
In addition, Janmejaya I wanted to extend his sway over Utkala.  He was instrumental in 
placing Tribhuvana Mahadevi II alias Pritivi Mahadevi, the widow queen of Subhakaradeva IV 
on the throne of the Bhaumas.  Though he had defeated the King of Odra, but he made peace 
with him perhaps, due to the fact that he had to deal with the kalachuris of Oahala. However, his 
endeavour to extend his authority upto Utkala was certainly commendable. Janmejaya I also 
Page 4


 
 
 
 
 
 Introduction  
The   reign of the Somavamsis for two hundred years forms a glorious epoch in history of 
Odisha. For the first time Kalinga, Utkala, Kongoda and Kosala were unified and brought under 
one political authority. The uniform pattern of administration removed anarchy and confusion 
throughout the state and paved the way for a cultural synthesis leading to the emergence of a 
unique Odia culture. The Odishan temple architecture took a concrete shape during the 
Somavamsis and the kingdom witnessed peace and prosperity. 
The early history of the Somavamsis 
 The Somavamsis, other wise known as Panduvamsis, ruled over Odisha from the middle 
of the ninth century A.D. to the early part of the twelfth century A.D. Initially, in the seventh and 
eighth centuries A.D., they ruled over a piece of territory, known as Dakhina Kosal or South 
Kosala (corresponding to the Raipur and Bilaspur districts of Madhya Pradesh and the 
Sambalpur and Kalahandi districts of Odisha). Sirpur, a place, situated in the Raipur district, was 
the capital of-the Somavamsis of south Kosala. Udayana was the founder of this dynasty. 
Tivaradeva, the fourth king of the line, was its most powerful ruler. He established his sway over 
the whole of Kosala. In the west he extended his territory as far as the Vindhyas. But in the east 
his efforts to bring Kangoda within his political sway failed. Tivaradeva ruled from 700 A.D. to 
725 A.D. At the dawn of the ninth century A D., Sornavamsi kingdom was invaded by Govinda-
lll, the Rastrakuta king. For sometime, the Somavamsis remained under the hegemony of the 
Rastrakutas. After the death of Govinda-III in 814 A.D the Somavamsis could emancipate 
themselves from the hegemony of the Rastrakutas. But, there after they were exposed to the 
threats of another power, the Kalachuris of Ratnapur (a place in the Bilaspur district of Madhya 
Pradesh). By the middle of the ninth century A.D. the Somavamsis were seeking eastward 
expansion most probably because of the Kalachuri menace. The last known king of Somavamsis 
of south Kosal was Balarjuna Sivagupta who died in 810 A.D. After him, there is a genealogical 
gap for more than half a century. With the emergence of Janrnejaya-l in the last quarter of the 
ninth century A.D. we get a regular genealogical line of the Sornavarnsis up to the beginning of 
 
the twelfth century A.D. The inscription of Janmejaya-I, the builder of the Somavamsi power in 
Odisha, mention Sivagupta as his predecessor. The Somavamsi rulers of Odisha were 
alternatively using two titles - Mahabhavaupta and Mahasivagupta. Besides these facts the same 
dynastic name strongly suggests that Janmejaya-I was the descendant of the Somavamsis of 
south Kosala. 
Sources  
 There is no such written record regarding the complete history of the Somavamsi rulers 
and their achievements. However, we get some information from the following inscriptions. 
 The Banda Copper plates of Tivaradeva, Adhavara plates of Mahanannararaja Banda 
plates of Mahasivagupta; Patna, Kalibhana and other copper plates of Janrneiaya Cuttack, 
Nibinna and Patna plates of Yayati I; Kalanjar stone inscription, Arang store inscription, Sirpur 
stone inscription and other inscriptions of the rulers of this dynasty ar the contemporary Bhanja, 
Bhauma-Kara, Ganda and other inscriptions throw a good dea of light on the achievements of the 
rulers of this dynasty. 
Dynastic history and achievements of the rulers 
The dynastic history of the Somavamsis deals with the rulers of this dynasty and the 
achievements of the Somavamsi kings which we found from the above sources. The genealogy 
of the Somavamsis can be reconstructed as follows. 
 GENEALOGY OF THE SOMAVAMSIS 
     Mahasivagupta  
      ? 
     Janmejaya I 
      ? 
 __________________________________________________________ 
 ?     ?            ?   
       Yayati I    Vichitravira  Prithvi Mahadevi (Bhauma Queen) 
 ?     ? 
      Bhimarath     ? 
 ?     ? 
______________________________ ? 
?   ?  ?  ? 
 
Dharmaratha          Nahusa        Indrarath ? 
         Abhimanyu 
       ? 
     Chandidhara Yayati II 
      ? 
  _________________________________________________ 
  ?        ? 
 Udyota Keshari                   Abhimanyu II (Koshala 
  ? 
 ____________________________________ 
 ?      ? 
Janmejaya II     Kumar Somesvara 
?       ?     ? 
Yuvaraja Dharmaratha        Puranjaya      Karnadeva 
 
Janmejaya I Mahabhavagupta (C- 882 - 922 A .D.) 
Janmejaya I was the successor of Panduvamsi or Somavamsi dynasty. His copper plates 
describe his relation with Mahasivagupta, his only predecessor, who is supposed to be his father. 
Being driven away from Dakshina Kosala that comprised the undivided Sambalpur and Bolangir 
districts of western Odisha which he termed as Kosala whose capital was Suvarnapura (modern 
Sonepur), Janmejaya I, thus, became the first ruler of the Somavamsi dynasty of Kosala. After 
consolidating his empire, Janmejaya I wanted to cross sword with the Bhanjas of Khinjali 
MandaI who were the feudatory of the Bhauma-Karas of Tosali. The Bhanja king 
Ranabhanjadeva became the victim of Janmejaya who inflicted a crushing defeat on the former 
and annexed the Baud-Phulbani area to his kindgom. This paved the way for the conquest of 
Utkala. 
In addition, Janmejaya I wanted to extend his sway over Utkala.  He was instrumental in 
placing Tribhuvana Mahadevi II alias Pritivi Mahadevi, the widow queen of Subhakaradeva IV 
on the throne of the Bhaumas.  Though he had defeated the King of Odra, but he made peace 
with him perhaps, due to the fact that he had to deal with the kalachuris of Oahala. However, his 
endeavour to extend his authority upto Utkala was certainly commendable. Janmejaya I also 
 
subdued the Kalachuris. In the record of his son and successor Yajati I, Subhatunga (Janmejaya 
I) is said to have defeated the Chaidyas (Kalachuris).  Janmejaya I was a powerful ruler of the 
Somavamsi dynasty. He assumed high sounding titles like' Paramesvara', 'Paramabhattaraka,' 
'Trikalingadhipati' etc.    
 Mahasivagupta Yayati I (C-922-955 A.D.) 
Yayati I ascended the throne after Janmejaya I. He not only firmly consolidated his 
empire but also followed a policy of expansion. Soon after his accession, he shifted his capital 
from Suvarnapura to Vinitapura, which has been identified with Binka around twenty-five 
kilometer from Sonepur situated on the bank of river Mahanadi. Fifteen years after, he shifted 
the capital again to Yayatinagara near Baud. However, Biswarup Das identifies Yayatinagara 
with Jajpur which was also known as Yayatitirtha. Yayati I had a rift with the Kaiachuris. His 
two copper plate grants and also a charter of his son and successor state that he captured 32 
elephants and rescued the captured women who were forcibly being taken away from Kosala by 
Yuvaraja, the Kalachuri king of Dahala. The charters narrate that Yayati I not only rescued the 
women and elephants of Kosala but also killed the protector and burnt a part of the Kalachuri 
country. Thus, with tolerable degree of certainty, it can be stated that he subdued the Kalachuris. 
 The great achievement of Yayati I was his annexation of the Bhauma kingdom into his 
own kingdom. Though the circumstance under which Yayati I occupied the Bhauma throne is 
not known, still it is definite that the territory was under the grip of his authority. In his ninth 
regnal year, he granted a village Chandragrama in Dakshina Tosali in favour of a Brahmin 
named Sankhapani of Odra desa recorded in his Cuttack plate charter. From this it is evident that 
he had extended his sway upto Tosali. It was Yayati I who was instrumental in subjugating the 
Bhanjas. From his copper plate grant of the fifteenth regnal year it is known that he offered a 
village named Gandharadi in the later Bhanja period as gift in the Gandhatapati mandala. 
Gandharadi is twelve miles away from Baud. It happened during the period of Satrubhanja who 
was defeated by Yayati I. Had it not been so, it would not have been possible on his part to grant 
a village at the heart of the Bhanja territory. Yayati I was a brave warrior. Not only he crossed 
sword with the Kalachuris but subdued the Bhanjas and held his sway over the Bhauma kingdom 
of Tosali.   
 
 
Page 5


 
 
 
 
 
 Introduction  
The   reign of the Somavamsis for two hundred years forms a glorious epoch in history of 
Odisha. For the first time Kalinga, Utkala, Kongoda and Kosala were unified and brought under 
one political authority. The uniform pattern of administration removed anarchy and confusion 
throughout the state and paved the way for a cultural synthesis leading to the emergence of a 
unique Odia culture. The Odishan temple architecture took a concrete shape during the 
Somavamsis and the kingdom witnessed peace and prosperity. 
The early history of the Somavamsis 
 The Somavamsis, other wise known as Panduvamsis, ruled over Odisha from the middle 
of the ninth century A.D. to the early part of the twelfth century A.D. Initially, in the seventh and 
eighth centuries A.D., they ruled over a piece of territory, known as Dakhina Kosal or South 
Kosala (corresponding to the Raipur and Bilaspur districts of Madhya Pradesh and the 
Sambalpur and Kalahandi districts of Odisha). Sirpur, a place, situated in the Raipur district, was 
the capital of-the Somavamsis of south Kosala. Udayana was the founder of this dynasty. 
Tivaradeva, the fourth king of the line, was its most powerful ruler. He established his sway over 
the whole of Kosala. In the west he extended his territory as far as the Vindhyas. But in the east 
his efforts to bring Kangoda within his political sway failed. Tivaradeva ruled from 700 A.D. to 
725 A.D. At the dawn of the ninth century A D., Sornavamsi kingdom was invaded by Govinda-
lll, the Rastrakuta king. For sometime, the Somavamsis remained under the hegemony of the 
Rastrakutas. After the death of Govinda-III in 814 A.D the Somavamsis could emancipate 
themselves from the hegemony of the Rastrakutas. But, there after they were exposed to the 
threats of another power, the Kalachuris of Ratnapur (a place in the Bilaspur district of Madhya 
Pradesh). By the middle of the ninth century A.D. the Somavamsis were seeking eastward 
expansion most probably because of the Kalachuri menace. The last known king of Somavamsis 
of south Kosal was Balarjuna Sivagupta who died in 810 A.D. After him, there is a genealogical 
gap for more than half a century. With the emergence of Janrnejaya-l in the last quarter of the 
ninth century A.D. we get a regular genealogical line of the Sornavarnsis up to the beginning of 
 
the twelfth century A.D. The inscription of Janmejaya-I, the builder of the Somavamsi power in 
Odisha, mention Sivagupta as his predecessor. The Somavamsi rulers of Odisha were 
alternatively using two titles - Mahabhavaupta and Mahasivagupta. Besides these facts the same 
dynastic name strongly suggests that Janmejaya-I was the descendant of the Somavamsis of 
south Kosala. 
Sources  
 There is no such written record regarding the complete history of the Somavamsi rulers 
and their achievements. However, we get some information from the following inscriptions. 
 The Banda Copper plates of Tivaradeva, Adhavara plates of Mahanannararaja Banda 
plates of Mahasivagupta; Patna, Kalibhana and other copper plates of Janrneiaya Cuttack, 
Nibinna and Patna plates of Yayati I; Kalanjar stone inscription, Arang store inscription, Sirpur 
stone inscription and other inscriptions of the rulers of this dynasty ar the contemporary Bhanja, 
Bhauma-Kara, Ganda and other inscriptions throw a good dea of light on the achievements of the 
rulers of this dynasty. 
Dynastic history and achievements of the rulers 
The dynastic history of the Somavamsis deals with the rulers of this dynasty and the 
achievements of the Somavamsi kings which we found from the above sources. The genealogy 
of the Somavamsis can be reconstructed as follows. 
 GENEALOGY OF THE SOMAVAMSIS 
     Mahasivagupta  
      ? 
     Janmejaya I 
      ? 
 __________________________________________________________ 
 ?     ?            ?   
       Yayati I    Vichitravira  Prithvi Mahadevi (Bhauma Queen) 
 ?     ? 
      Bhimarath     ? 
 ?     ? 
______________________________ ? 
?   ?  ?  ? 
 
Dharmaratha          Nahusa        Indrarath ? 
         Abhimanyu 
       ? 
     Chandidhara Yayati II 
      ? 
  _________________________________________________ 
  ?        ? 
 Udyota Keshari                   Abhimanyu II (Koshala 
  ? 
 ____________________________________ 
 ?      ? 
Janmejaya II     Kumar Somesvara 
?       ?     ? 
Yuvaraja Dharmaratha        Puranjaya      Karnadeva 
 
Janmejaya I Mahabhavagupta (C- 882 - 922 A .D.) 
Janmejaya I was the successor of Panduvamsi or Somavamsi dynasty. His copper plates 
describe his relation with Mahasivagupta, his only predecessor, who is supposed to be his father. 
Being driven away from Dakshina Kosala that comprised the undivided Sambalpur and Bolangir 
districts of western Odisha which he termed as Kosala whose capital was Suvarnapura (modern 
Sonepur), Janmejaya I, thus, became the first ruler of the Somavamsi dynasty of Kosala. After 
consolidating his empire, Janmejaya I wanted to cross sword with the Bhanjas of Khinjali 
MandaI who were the feudatory of the Bhauma-Karas of Tosali. The Bhanja king 
Ranabhanjadeva became the victim of Janmejaya who inflicted a crushing defeat on the former 
and annexed the Baud-Phulbani area to his kindgom. This paved the way for the conquest of 
Utkala. 
In addition, Janmejaya I wanted to extend his sway over Utkala.  He was instrumental in 
placing Tribhuvana Mahadevi II alias Pritivi Mahadevi, the widow queen of Subhakaradeva IV 
on the throne of the Bhaumas.  Though he had defeated the King of Odra, but he made peace 
with him perhaps, due to the fact that he had to deal with the kalachuris of Oahala. However, his 
endeavour to extend his authority upto Utkala was certainly commendable. Janmejaya I also 
 
subdued the Kalachuris. In the record of his son and successor Yajati I, Subhatunga (Janmejaya 
I) is said to have defeated the Chaidyas (Kalachuris).  Janmejaya I was a powerful ruler of the 
Somavamsi dynasty. He assumed high sounding titles like' Paramesvara', 'Paramabhattaraka,' 
'Trikalingadhipati' etc.    
 Mahasivagupta Yayati I (C-922-955 A.D.) 
Yayati I ascended the throne after Janmejaya I. He not only firmly consolidated his 
empire but also followed a policy of expansion. Soon after his accession, he shifted his capital 
from Suvarnapura to Vinitapura, which has been identified with Binka around twenty-five 
kilometer from Sonepur situated on the bank of river Mahanadi. Fifteen years after, he shifted 
the capital again to Yayatinagara near Baud. However, Biswarup Das identifies Yayatinagara 
with Jajpur which was also known as Yayatitirtha. Yayati I had a rift with the Kaiachuris. His 
two copper plate grants and also a charter of his son and successor state that he captured 32 
elephants and rescued the captured women who were forcibly being taken away from Kosala by 
Yuvaraja, the Kalachuri king of Dahala. The charters narrate that Yayati I not only rescued the 
women and elephants of Kosala but also killed the protector and burnt a part of the Kalachuri 
country. Thus, with tolerable degree of certainty, it can be stated that he subdued the Kalachuris. 
 The great achievement of Yayati I was his annexation of the Bhauma kingdom into his 
own kingdom. Though the circumstance under which Yayati I occupied the Bhauma throne is 
not known, still it is definite that the territory was under the grip of his authority. In his ninth 
regnal year, he granted a village Chandragrama in Dakshina Tosali in favour of a Brahmin 
named Sankhapani of Odra desa recorded in his Cuttack plate charter. From this it is evident that 
he had extended his sway upto Tosali. It was Yayati I who was instrumental in subjugating the 
Bhanjas. From his copper plate grant of the fifteenth regnal year it is known that he offered a 
village named Gandharadi in the later Bhanja period as gift in the Gandhatapati mandala. 
Gandharadi is twelve miles away from Baud. It happened during the period of Satrubhanja who 
was defeated by Yayati I. Had it not been so, it would not have been possible on his part to grant 
a village at the heart of the Bhanja territory. Yayati I was a brave warrior. Not only he crossed 
sword with the Kalachuris but subdued the Bhanjas and held his sway over the Bhauma kingdom 
of Tosali.   
 
 
 
 Bhimaratha Mahasivagupta I (C-955-980 A.D.) 
After Yayati I, his son Bhimaratha ascended Somavamsi throne. The records of his time 
do not throw much light on his political career. Bilhari stone inscription of the Kalachuri king 
Yayati I states that Lakshmanaraja who ruled at Tripuri from around 945 to 970 A.D. 
"worshipped Somesvara and with the effigy of Kaliya wrought of jewels and gold which had 
been obtained from the prince of Odra after defeating the Lord of Kosala." This shows that by 
that time Odra had become a part of the Kosala kingdom. The defeat of the king of Kosala and 
the taking away of the effigy of Kaliya (the serpent) from Odra by Lakshmariaraja clearly shows 
that Odra was under the sway of Kosala and most probably the appointment of subordinate rulers 
for Odra started with Bhimaratha. In the Khandapara plates of Dharmaratha, he has been praised 
as "religious, courageous, valorous who performed wonderful activities and assumed the status 
of Devaraja (Indra)." Definitely, his rule contributed in the consolidation of the Somavamsi 
Empire and brought peace and tranquility in the country.   
Dharmaratha (C-980-1005 A.D.) 
Dharmaratha who succeeded Bhimaratha was definitely a powerful ruler. His grant of a 
village in the Antaruda Visaya (Antarudra Pragana of the undivided Puri district) clearly shows 
that he was the master over the Bhauma Kingdom by then. In the Brahmesvara temple 
inscription, he has been described as the 'Second Parasurama'. Perhaps, he subdued the Pala 
power in Gauda and fought valiantly with the Estern Chalukyas of the South.   
Nahusa (C-1005-1021 A.D.) 
As Dharmaratha died issueless, his brother, Nahusa succeeded him to the throne of 
Kosala. His period was uneventful. His inefficiency might have brought unpopularity to him. 
Perhaps, he was killed by Indraratha, another brother of Dharmaratha, who ascended the throne 
after him. 
 
Indraratha (C-1021-1023 A.D.) 
Indraratha had been appointed by Dharmaratha as the governor of Kalinga. Perhaps, the 
aspiration of Indraratha to the throne of Kosala led him to cross sword with Nahusa. As a result, 
the latter with his uncle Abhimanyu were killed. Indraratha was regarded as a usurper and so, his 
name does not figure in the Somavamsi charters. He was defeated at the hands of Rajendra Chola 
and was probably killed.