The land of Odisha or former Kalinga has undergone several changes in terms of its boundaries since ancient ages. It was also known by different names like Odra Desha, Kalinga, Hirakhanda, Mahakantara or Utkala in different eras. Unlike other ancient kingdoms in India, Odisha for most part of the History remained a stable and major power till medieval era due to widespread martial culture and prosperity brought by successive native ruling dynasties.
The year 1568 is considered a turning point in the history of Odisha. In 1568, Kalapahad invaded the state. This, aided by internal conflicts, led to a steady downfall of the state from which it did not recover.
Ancient period
Kalinga kingdom (c. 1100–261 BCE)
According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga janapada originally comprised the area covered by the Puri and Ganjam districts.
Kalinga dynasty (I) (c. 1100–700 BCE)
According to Mahabharata and some Puranas, the prince 'Kalinga' founded the Kalinga kingdom, in the current day region of coastal Odisha, including the North Sircars.
The Mahabharata also mentions one 'Srutayudha' as the king of the Kalinga kingdom, who joined the Kaurava camp. In the Buddhist text, Mahagovinda Suttanta, Kalinga and its ruler, 'Sattabhu', have been mentioned. Known rulers are- King Kalinga, (founder of Kalinga kingdom) King Odra, (founder of Odra kingdom) Srutayudha Srutayush Manimat Chitrangada Subahu Virasena Sudatta Nalikira Yavanaraj Dantavakkha or Dantavakhra (c. 9th century BCE) Avakinnayo Karakandu (c. late 9th to early 8th century BCE) Vasupala (c. 8th century BCE)
Kalinga dynasty (II) (c. 700–350 BCE)
This dynasty is mentioned in Chullakalinga Jataka and Kalingabodhi Jataka. The last ruler of the first Kalinga dynasty is said to have broken away from the Danda kingdom along with the kings of Asmaka and Vidarbha as its feudal states, and established rule of second Kalinga dynasty. Known rulers are Dandaki Mahakalinga Chullakalinga Kalinga II (c. 7th – 6th century BCE)
Other or late Kalinga rulers according to Dāṭhavaṃsa are
This was probably another dynasty or late rulers of Second Kalinga dynasty, which is mentioned in Dāṭhavaṃsa. Known rulers are Brahmadatta (c. 6th – 5th century BCE) Sattabhu Kasiraja Sunanda Guhasiva
Suryavamsha of Kalinga (c. 350–261 BCE) Known rulers are- Brahmaadittiya (c. 4th century BCE) His son, prince 'Soorudasaruna-Adeettiya' (sudarshanāditya) was exiled and as per Maldivian history, established the first kingdom the Kingdom of Dheeva Maari and laid the foundation of the Adeetta dynasty. Unknown rulers Unknown (till 261 BCE), ruler of Kalinga at time of Mauryan annexation of Kalinga.Pliny the Elder (77 CE), Natural History VI, 22.1, quoting Megasthenes (3rd century BCE), Indika, Fragm. LVI.
After Kalinga War (261 BCE), Kalinga kingdom became a part of Mauryan Empire, after which Kalinga kingdom was succeeded by Mahameghavahana Empire between 230–190 BCE which ruled till 350 CE.
Kalinga under Magadha Empire (c. 345–225 BCE)
Under Nanda Empire (c. 345–322 BCE)
Kalinga was believed to be briefly annexed by Mahapadma Nanda. Mahapadma Nanda (380–340 BCE) Pandhuka Panghupati Bhutapala Rashtrapala Govishanaka Dashasidkhaka Kaivarta Mahendra Dhana Nanda (322–321 BCE)
When Chandragupta Maurya rebelled against the Nandas, Kalingas broke away from the empire of Magadha.
Under Maurya Empire (c. 261–225 BCE)
Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 261 BCE. Kalinga broke away from the Mauryan empire during the rule of Dasharatha.
Ashoka (274–232 BCE) Dasharatha Maurya (232–224 BCE)
Mahameghavahana Empire (c. 225 BCE – 350 CE)
Mahamegha Vahana was the founder of the Kalingan Chedi or Cheti dynasty. The names of Sobhanaraja, Chandraja, Ksemaraja also appear in context. But, Kharavela is the most well known among them. The exact relation between Mahamegha Vahana and Kharavela is not known. Vasu Mahamegha Vahana Sobhanaraja Chandraja Ksemaraja Vakradeva (or) Virdhharaja Kharavela (c. 193 BCE–155 BCE) Kudepasiri Vakradeva ll Vaduka Galaveya
It is not known that, if Vakadeva was a successor or predecessor of Kharavela. From the inscriptions and coins discovered at Guntupalli and Velpuru, Andhra Pradesh, we know of a series of rulers with the suffix Sada who were possibly distant successors of Kharavela.
Mana-Sada Siri-Sada Maha-Sada Sivamaka-Sada Asaka-Sada
Murunda dynasty (150–250 CE)
Gana (c. 2nd cen CE) Dhamadamadhara (Dharmatamadharasya) (c. 3rd century CE)
Satavahana Empire (ca. 60–199 CE)
Source:
Gautamiputra Satakarni is known to have invaded Kalinga during his reign. The Nashik prashasti inscription of Gautamiputra's mother during the reign of Vasisthiputra Pulumavi, located in the Nasik Caves, states that his orders were obeyed by the circle of all kings and calls him the lord of mount Mahendra among a list of other mountains. Gautamiputra Sri Satakarni (c. 60–84 CE) Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi (c. 84–119 CE) Vasisthiputra Sri Satakarni (c. 119–148 CE) Vasisthiputra Sivasri Pulumavi (c. 148–156 CE) Vasisthiputra Sriskanda Satakarni (c. 156–170 CE) Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni (c. 171–199 CE)
Pre-classical period
Naga dynasty of Vindhyatabi (225–360)
An inscription dating from 3rd to 4th century found in Asanpat village in Keonjhar revealed the existence of this dynasty. Manabhanja (225–261) Satrubhanja (261–340) Disabhanja (340–360)
Parvatadvarka dynasty (360–400)
During the same period as the Nalas, the region around modern-day Kalahandi was ruled by them. Not much is known about them. Sobhanaraja Tustikara
Kings mentioned in Raghuvamsha of Kalidasa
Hemangada
Gupta Empire (335–550)
Samudragupta invaded Kalinga during his reign in c.350. By c.571, most of Kalinga had broken away from the Gupta empire. Samudragupta (335–380 CE) Ramagupta (380) Chandragupta II (380–415 CE) Kumaragupta I (415–455 CE) Skandagupta (455–467 CE) Purugupta (467–473 CE) Kumaragupta II (473–476) Budhagupta (476–495) Kumaragupta III (495–500) Vishnugupta (500–520) Vainyagupta (520–540) Bhanugupta (540–550 CE)
Nala dynasty (400–740)
For some time in 4th century, the southern Odisha region around modern-day Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and undivided Bastar, was ruled by the Nalas.
Vrishadhvaja (400–420 CE) Varaharaja (420–440 CE) Bhavadattavarman or Bhavadattaraja (441–446 CE) Arthapatiraja (446–478) Skandavarman (480–515 CE) Stambha (515–550 CE) Sri-Nandanaraja (550–585 CE) Prithviraja (585–625 CE) Viruparaja (625–660 CE) Vilasatunga (660–700 CE) Prthivivyaghra (700–740 CE)
Rajarsitulyakula (4th–6th century CE)
The later half of the 4th century, this dynasty was established in the South Kosala region. Maharaja Sura Maharaja Dayita I (or Dayitavarman I) Maharaja Bhimasena I Maharaja Dayitavarman II Maharaja Bhimasena II (c. 501 or 601–?)
Sharabhapuriya dynasty (475–590)
Not much is known about this dynasty. Everything known about them, comes from the inscriptions on copper plates and coins. They may or may not have also been known as the Amararyakula dynasty. This dynasty is supposed to have started by one Sarabha, who may have been a feudal chief under the Guptas. They ruled over the modern-day region of Raipur, Bilaspur and Kalahandi.
Sharabha (Śarabha), c. 475–500 CE Narendra, c. 500–525 CE Prasanna, c. 525–550 CE Jayarāja, c. 550–560 CE Sudevarāja, c 560–570 CE Manamatra alias Durgarāja, c. 570–580 CE Sudevarāja, c. 570–580 CE Pravarāja, c. 580–590 CE
Mathara dynasty (4th–5th century CE)
The Mathara dynasty ruled during the 4th and the 5th centuries. The Mathara rulers include:
Shakti-varman (Śaktivarman) Prabhanjana-varman (Prabhañjanavarman) Ananta-shakti-varman (Anantaśaktivarman)
Vishnukundina dynasty (420–555)
Anantasaktivarman lost southern part of his kingdom to Madhava Varma II and the Matharas never recovered it.
Madhava Varma I (420–455 CE) Indra Varma (455–461) Madhava Verma II (461–508 CE) Vikramendra Varma I (508–528) Indra Bhattaraka Varma (528–555 CE)
Indra Bhattaraka Varma possibly lost his Kalinga holdings to one Adiraja Indra, who possibly was Indravarma I of East Ganga Dynasty.
Vigraha dynasty (575–630) They ruled the region called South Toshali or Kalinga-rashtra, around modern-day Puri and Ganjam, during second half of 6th century. Prithivi Vigraha (575–600 CE) Loka Vigraha (c. 600–630 CE)
Mudgalas dynasty (580 CE–?) They ruled the region of North Toshali, the river Mahanadi served as the border between North and South Toshali. Around 599-600 CE, they invaded South Toshali and by 604 CE the Vigrahas claim to suzerainty over Toshali ended.
Sambhuyasa (c. 580 CE–?)
Copper plate grants have been found of a feudatory of Sambhuyasa named Bhanudatta in Olasingh Village, Khordha and Balasore. The absence of the name of his overlord in his grants during his 5th regnal year may indicate that Sambhuyasa died without an heir and his kingdom maybe in a state of chaos. Bhanudatta might have enjoyed a short independent rule in the region around Soro, Balasore. Somadatta, presumably of the same family as Bhanudatta from the Balasore region, issued a grant from the visaya of Sarephahara (now identified with the region around Soro, Balasore) which was included in the Odra-visaya or Ordra-desa. Odra-visaya is taken to be another name for the entire Toshali kingdom under Sambhuyasa.
Durjaya dynasty (620–680) In mid-6th century CE, a chief, Ranadurjaya, established himself in South Kalinga. Prithivimaharaja probably consolidated his kingdom by conquering parts of the Toshali kingdom. Ranadurjaya Prithivimaharaja
Post-classical period
Gauda Kingdom Shashanka invaded and possibly occupied North Toshali (or Utkala including modern day Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Cuttack, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal) and South Toshali (or Kalinga including Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam) from the Mudgalas. A copper plate grant from Somadatta's 19th regnal year calls him the ruler of Utkala and Dandabhukti(Dantan in South-Western Midnapore) and he assumes the subordinate royal title of samanta-maharaja under Shashanka.
Shashanka seemed to have established another fief called Kongoda under a new ruling family called Shailodbhava. The Ganjam grant of Madhavaraja II was issued on the occasion of solar eclipse. Lorenz Franz Kielhorn worked out the two nearest possible dates which could have corroborated with the Gupta year mentioned in this record, the two solar eclipses that could have been visible from Ganjam district being on 4 November 617 CE and 2 September 620 CE. Evidently the possible date of the grant is the latter one. Immediately after 620 CE, Madhavaraja II might have assumed independence from Shashanka. After this Shashanka was no more in the political arena of Odisha when Madhavaraja II issued his Khordha grant which describes him as "lord of the whole of Kalinga".
Shashanka (c. ?–620 CE)
Shailodbhava dynasty
They ruled from the region ranging from coastal Odisha to Mahanadi and to Mahendragiri in Paralakhemundi. This region was called the Kongoda mandala. Sailobhava, the founder of dynasty, is said to have been born of a rock, hence the name Shailodbhava. Sailobhava was the adopted son of one Pulindasena, who was possibly a chieftain. They were possibly the subordinates of Shashanka until Madhavaraja II. Pulindasena (?) Sailobhava (?) Dharmaraja I (or Ranabhita) Madhavaraja I (or Sainyabita I) Ayasobhita I (or Chharamparaja) Madhavaraja II (or Madhavavarman) (? – 665 CE) Madhyamaraja I (or Ayasobhita II) (665 CE – ?) Dharmaraja II