GAJAPATI DYNASTY

NEWS: 15th Century Odisha rulers’ inscriptions were found in Guntur Temple of Gajapti ruler.

About Suryavamsi Gajapati Dynasty (Odisha)

• Succeededà Eastern Ganga dynasty
• Rulers of this dynasty claimed descent from Suryavamsa (Solar dynasty) of Lord Rama for legitimacy.
• The Title Gajapati (“Lord of Elephants”)àearned due to the large elephant corps in their army.
• Founderà Kapilendradeva (1435–1467 CE), overthrew the last Ganga king Bhanu Deva IV.
• Prominent Rulers: Purusottamadeva, Prataprudradeva, etc.
• Capital: Cuttack (Abhinava Varanasi Kataka)
• Ministerial Council: Amatyas – Ministers; Sandhivigrahi – War & Peace; Sena-narendra – Army Chief; Rautaraya – Army Captain; Pariksha – Treasury Secretary; others for seals, temple accounts, etc.

Renaissance of Odia Literature

• The dynasty was a major catalyst for the development of the Odia language.
• Sarala Dasa: The “Adikavi” (first poet) of Odishaà Composed the Odia Mahabharata during the reign of Kapilendra Deva.
• The Panchasakhas: During Prataparudra Deva’s reign, five famous saint-poets (Balarama Dasa, Jagannatha Dasa, etc.) flourished, making literature accessible to common people.
• Royal Authors: King Purushottama Deva himself was a Sanskrit scholar, credited with works like Abhinava Nama Gitagovinda