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Eastern Ganga dynasty

Eastern Ganga dynasty
Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas
  • 493–1077 CE (Kalinga)
  • 1077–1436 CE (Trikalinga)
  • 1436–1947 CE (Khemundi)
Eastern Ganga Fanam of king Anantavarman Chodaganga (Anka year 63–1128 CE) of Eastern Ganga dynasty
Eastern Ganga Fanam of king Anantavarman Chodaganga (Anka year 63–1128 CE)
Map of the Eastern Gangas, circa 1400 CE.[1]
CapitalKalinganagara
Dantapuram
Kataka
Paralakhemundi
Common languages
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
Tri-Kalingadhipati
Gajapati		 
• 493–532
Indravarman I (first)
• 1913–1947
Krushna Chandra Gajapati (last)
Historical eraClassical India
• Established
493 CE
• Disestablished
1947 CE
CurrencyEastern Ganga Fanam, Ganga Madha
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Pitrbhakta dynasty
Somavamshi dynasty
Mathara dynasty
Gajapati Empire
Bhoi dynasty

The Eastern Ganga dynasty (also known as Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas) were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century.[7][8] Eastern Gangas ruled much of the modern region of Odisha in three different phases by the passage of time, known as Early Eastern Gangas (493–1077), Imperial Eastern Gangas (1077–1436) and Khemundi Gangas (1436–1947).[9][10][7] They are known as "Eastern Gangas" to distinguish them from the Western Gangas who ruled over Karnataka. The territory ruled by the dynasty consisted of the whole of the modern-day Indian state of Odisha, as well as major parts of north Andhra Pradesh, parts of Chhattisgarh[11] and some southern districts of West Bengal.[12] Odia language got official status in their regime following the evolution of the language from Odra Prakrit.[13][14] The early rulers of the dynasty ruled from Dantapuram; the capital was later moved to Kalinganagara (modern Mukhalingam), and ultimately to Kataka (modern Cuttack) and then to Paralakhemundi.[15][7]

Today, they are most remembered as the builders of the world renowned Jagannath Temple of Puri and Konark Sun Temple situated in Odisha, as well as the Madhukeshwara temple of Mukhalingam, Nrusinghanath Temple at Simhachalam in erstwhile Kalinga and present-day Andhra Pradesh and Ananta Vasudeva Temple at Bhubaneswar. The Gangas have constructed several temples besides the ones stated above.

The rulers of Eastern Ganga dynasty defended their kingdom from the constant attacks of the Muslim invaders. This kingdom prospered through trade and commerce and the wealth was mostly used in the construction of temples. The rule of the dynasty came to an end under the reign of King Bhanudeva IV (c. 1414–34), in the early 15th century and then Khemundi Ganga started ruling up to abolition of zamindari in modern India. The Eastern Ganga dynasty is said to be the longest reigning dynasty in Odisha.[16] Their currency was called Ganga Fanams and was similar to that of the Cholas and Eastern Chalukyas of southern India.[17]

  1. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 147, map XIV.3 (d). ISBN 0-226-74221-0. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. ^ Tripathī, Kunjabihari (1962). The Evolution of Oriya Language and Script. Utkal University. p. 19. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. ^ Mansinha, Mayadhar (1962). History of Oriya Literature. Sahitya Akademi. p. 50. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  4. ^ R. Subbarao (1957). "The Later Gaṅga Kings of Kaliṅga". In R. S. Sharma; K. M. Shrimali (eds.). A Comprehensive history of India: A.D. 985–1206. People's Publishing House. ISBN 81-7007-121-6.
  5. ^ G. N. Dash (1978). "Jagannātha and Oriya Nationalism". In Anncharlott Eschmann; Hermann Kulke; Gaya Charan Tripathi (eds.). The Cult of Jagannath and the regional tradition of Orissa. Manohar Publications. p. 359. ISBN 81-7304-964-5. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  6. ^ Srichandan, G. K. (February–March 2011). "Classicism of Odia Language" (PDF). Orissa Review. p. 54. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Rajguru, Padmashri Dr. Satyanarayana (1972). "No 2 – 3 Gangas Of Khimundi, History of Paralakhemundi Raj". History of Gangas. Vol. Part 2. Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Superintendent of Museum, Orissa, Bhubaneswar. pp. 72–293.
  8. ^ For a map of their territory, see: Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 147, map XIV.3 (d). ISBN 0-226-74221-0. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  9. ^ Mahapatra, Purnachandra (2010). "No 4 -Khemundi Rajya, Gangeya Vanshabali". Paralakhemundi Itihasa. Vol. 1 – Part I. Paralakhemundi, Odisha: Siddhanta. pp. 37–38.
  10. ^ W, Francis (1988). Gazetter of South India Volumes 1–2. Mittal Publications.
  11. ^ "Ganga dynasty", Britannica.com, archived from the original on 23 June 2008, retrieved 4 April 2021
  12. ^ Banerjee, R.D. HISTORY OF ORISSA, Vol.I. p. 268.
  13. ^ Rajaguru, Satyanarayan (1966). Inscriptions of Orissa C. 600–1100 A.D. Volume 2. Government of Orissa, Superintendent of Research & Museum. p. 152. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  14. ^ Rajguru, Padmashri Dr. Satyanarayana (1968). "Chapter No – 6 -Historical accounts of Ganga". History of Gangas. Vol. 1. Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Superintendent of Museum, Orissa, Bhubaneswar. p. 224.
  15. ^ B. Hemalatha (1991). Life in medieval northern Andhra. Navrang. ISBN 978-81-7013-086-4.
  16. ^ [1] Archived 10 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Patnaik, Nihar Ranjan (1 January 1997). Economic History of Orissa. Indus Publishing. p. 93. ISBN 978-81-7387-075-0. Retrieved 16 February 2015.

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