Gajapati Dynasty (1434-1541 AD) | Odisha State PSC (OPSC): Preparation - OPSC OCS (Odisha) PDF Download

 Page 1


Administration Under Gangas
l
The Ganga dynasty ruled about four hundred years and constitutes a golden era in
the period of medieval Odishan history. The king was the central figure of the
administrative set up.
l
The Ganga kings were assisted by several officials like Mantri, Purohita, Yuvaraja,
Sandhivigrahika, Senapati, Dauvarika, etc. The Ganga empire was divided into
several provinces known as Visayas in the early Ganga records.
l
The provinces were divided into political divisions as Panchali and Bhoga.
l
A variety of taxes like bheta, voda, paridarsana, etc were collected during the rule
Gajapati Dynasty (1434-1541AD)
The Gajapatis were a medieval Hindu dynasty that ruled over Kalinga from
1434-1541 AD. The Gajapatis were actually the rulers of the Suryavamsi lineage.
The rulers of this dynasty were not only great monarchs, but also great lovers and
patrons of art and literature. The renaissance in Oriya literature is traced from this
period. It was almost the last Hindu kingdom of India.
The Gajapati dynasty was foundedbyKapilendraDeva. He was also known as
Kapilendra Routray or Sri Kapilendra Deva. He was the most powerful Hindu king
of his time. Under him, Odisha became a vast empire stretching from the lower
Ganga in the North to the Cauvery in the South. Sarala Dasa, the Odia poet wrote
Mahabharata in Odia language, during this period.
Other important rulers were Purushottam Deva (1467-1497AD) and Prataparudra
Deva (1497-1540 AD). Kakharua Deva was the last ruler of this dynasty. He was
killed by Govinda Vidyadhara (his minister) in 1541. Sri Chaitanya, the famous
Vaishnav saint of Bengal, came to Odisha during the reign of Prataparudra Deva.
Invasions during Gajapati Reign
Two important invasions took place in the tenure of Gajapati dynasty.Theseareas
follows:
Krishnadevaraya’s Invasion
l
In 1512 AD, Krishnadevaraya attacked Udayagiri fort and captured it. This fort
was a great strong hold of the Odishan army in the South.
l
After this, Krishnadevaraya proceeded towards Odisha and reached Simhachalam.
l
Prataparudra Deva concluded peace with Krishnadevaraya by Peace Treaty according
to which Krishnadevaraya married the daughter of Prataparudra Deva, Jagamohini.
As a result of this Peace Treaty, river Krishna was marked as the line of demarcation
between Vijayanagara empire and that of Prataparudra Deva.
23 Medieval History of Odisha
Page 2


Administration Under Gangas
l
The Ganga dynasty ruled about four hundred years and constitutes a golden era in
the period of medieval Odishan history. The king was the central figure of the
administrative set up.
l
The Ganga kings were assisted by several officials like Mantri, Purohita, Yuvaraja,
Sandhivigrahika, Senapati, Dauvarika, etc. The Ganga empire was divided into
several provinces known as Visayas in the early Ganga records.
l
The provinces were divided into political divisions as Panchali and Bhoga.
l
A variety of taxes like bheta, voda, paridarsana, etc were collected during the rule
Gajapati Dynasty (1434-1541AD)
The Gajapatis were a medieval Hindu dynasty that ruled over Kalinga from
1434-1541 AD. The Gajapatis were actually the rulers of the Suryavamsi lineage.
The rulers of this dynasty were not only great monarchs, but also great lovers and
patrons of art and literature. The renaissance in Oriya literature is traced from this
period. It was almost the last Hindu kingdom of India.
The Gajapati dynasty was foundedbyKapilendraDeva. He was also known as
Kapilendra Routray or Sri Kapilendra Deva. He was the most powerful Hindu king
of his time. Under him, Odisha became a vast empire stretching from the lower
Ganga in the North to the Cauvery in the South. Sarala Dasa, the Odia poet wrote
Mahabharata in Odia language, during this period.
Other important rulers were Purushottam Deva (1467-1497AD) and Prataparudra
Deva (1497-1540 AD). Kakharua Deva was the last ruler of this dynasty. He was
killed by Govinda Vidyadhara (his minister) in 1541. Sri Chaitanya, the famous
Vaishnav saint of Bengal, came to Odisha during the reign of Prataparudra Deva.
Invasions during Gajapati Reign
Two important invasions took place in the tenure of Gajapati dynasty.Theseareas
follows:
Krishnadevaraya’s Invasion
l
In 1512 AD, Krishnadevaraya attacked Udayagiri fort and captured it. This fort
was a great strong hold of the Odishan army in the South.
l
After this, Krishnadevaraya proceeded towards Odisha and reached Simhachalam.
l
Prataparudra Deva concluded peace with Krishnadevaraya by Peace Treaty according
to which Krishnadevaraya married the daughter of Prataparudra Deva, Jagamohini.
As a result of this Peace Treaty, river Krishna was marked as the line of demarcation
between Vijayanagara empire and that of Prataparudra Deva.
23 Medieval History of Odisha
Quli Qutb Shah’s Invasion
l
Quli Qutb Shah, a general of Sultan Mahmud Shah of Bahamani kingdom
invaded the Southern province of Odisha in 1522 AD.
l
Prataparudra Deva with the help of his army, defeated Quli Qutb Shah and drone
him back to Golkunda. On this occasion, he built the temple of Mangalagiri on
the bank of river Krishna.
Administration Under Gajapatis
l
The vast empire Gajapatis extended from the river bank of the Gangas to that of
Godavari. The capital of this vast empire was Kataka-Pattana (Cuttack).
l
The king was assisted by Amatyas, Mantri Sreni Siromani, Sandhivigrahi,
Sena-Narendra, Vahinipati, Rautaraya, etc.
l
The Ghunta, Mana and Bati denoted different units of land. The revenue officers
in the South were called as the Nayaka and Naidu.
l
The empire was divided into several provinces known as Dandapata or Rajya. The
Governors of such provinces were designated as Parikhas or Rajas.
l
Provinces were divided into Simas which were further sub-divided into sthalas or
muthas that consisted of some village.
Oriya Literature Under Gajapatis
The keen interest of the Gajapati kings, patronisation of poets and the influence
of Vaisnavism prepared the ground for the progress of vernacular language and
literature. Due to the contribution of Sarala Dasa (a poet of 15th century), the
literary works produced during that time were known as the literature of Sarala Yuga.
24 Know Your State ODISHA