The Medieval History of Odisha: A Journey Through Time

After the Somavasi dynasty ended in the 10th century, the Ganga dynasty took over Odisha. This dynasty greatly influenced the medieval history of Odisha.

The Medieval era saw the rise of strong empires in Odisha. These empires lasted for centuries and enriched Odisha’s art, architecture, and culture. The first was the Ganga or Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1038 AD.

This dynasty lasted for 400 years. During this time, temples like Konark and Jagannath were built. The Gajapati Dynasty followed in 1434 AD and lasted for 100 years.

Then came the Bhoi Dynasty in 1541, lasting for 200 years. The Karrani Dynasty, the first Muslim empire in Odisha, formed in 1568. It was short-lived and was soon taken over by the Mughals.

The Mughals appointed Governors to manage Odisha. Next, the Naib Nazims of Bengal took over in 1703. After them, Odisha was ruled by the Marathas. The British then took over, marking the start of Modern History in Odisha.

• The art and architecture of Odisha reached its peak during the Ganga period. The Ganga rulers built many temples and monuments. Their constant and strenuous building activities made Odisha’s art and architecture famous.
• two unrivaled and beautiful monuments, the Jagannath temple of Puri and the Sun temple of Konark. These two temples are remarkable for their massive structures, architectural skill,fine ornamentation and beautiful images representing animals, gods, goddesses, episodes from mythology and erotic partners.
• Nagara style of temples were built during this period that had Shikharas, Amlaka, Mandap. The examples of Nagara style are Lingaraj temple, Mukteswara temple and Parasurameswara temple.

• 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.
• 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.
• The provinces were divided into political divisions as Panchali and Bhoga.
• A variety of taxes like bheta, voda, paridarsana, etc were collected during the rule
• of Ganga dynasty.

• 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.

• The Bhoi dynasty was founded by Govinda Vidyadhara in 1541 after killing
• Kakharua Deva, last ruler of Gajapati dynasty. During this period, the kingdom came under conflict with neighbouring kingdoms and also witnessed civil wars.
• Govinda Vidyadhara signed Treaty with Sultan of Golconda.
• North of Godavari belonged to Bhoi dynasty. This dynasty ruled Odisha for about 170 years in Khurda. Important rulers of Bhoi dynasty were Govinda Vidyadhara, Raghubhanja Chhotray, Chakrapratap, Narasimha Jena and Raghuram Jena. This dynasty faced many internal rebellions.
• Mukundadeva, a minister of Chakrapratap killed two Bhoi kings and declared himself the ruler in 1560. Later Ramachandra Bhanja revolted againstMukundadeva. Sulaiman Khan Karrani attacked Khurda in 1568 AD in which Mukundaeva was killed. Thus, Odisha came under the Muslim control. This was followed by Mughal-Afghan conflict and Bhoi dynasty continued its rule over some parts of Odisha (Khurdra region) but their power declined continuously.
• This period also saw the destruction of many Hindu temples including. The Sun temple and Jagannath temple and downfall of the flourishing Oria literature.

• In 1568, Odisha came under the control of Sulaiman Khan Karrani of Karrani dynasty, who was the Sultan of Bengal. He was the first to establish Muslim rule in Odisha. He transferred his capital from Gaur to Tandah.
• Sulaiman Khan Karrani appointed Lodi Khan and Qutlu Khan Lohani as governors of Odisha and Puri, respectively.
• His son Daud Khan Karrani was the next ruler of Karrani Dynasty. He invaded the South-Western regions of India.
• In 1575, he fought the battle of Tukario against Mughals in which he was defeated.
• In the Treaty of Katak, he kept only Odisha. Bengal and Bihar went to the Mughals. In 1576, at the Battle of RajMahal, he was defeated and executed. So, Odisha became part of the Mughals.
• Kalapahar, a Hindu general of Sulaiman Karrani, brought destruction to temples. He made Karrani’s victory easier. He was known for ruthlessly killing people.

• Mughal rule in Odisha started with Raja Mansingh, Akbar’s Rajput General. In 1590, Qutlu Khan Lohani declared himself independent and became ‘Qutlu Shah’.
• Nasir Khan, Qutlu Shah’s son, was made the Governor of Odisha. He had to give up Puri. Mansingh, the Governor of Bihar, attacked Nasir Khan and won on April 18, 1592. By 1593, Odisha was under the Mughals and part of Bengal Subah.
• Odisha under Akbar and Jahangir
• Under Akbar, Odisha was divided into five sarkars. Jaleswar, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Chika Khol, and Raj Mahendry Dandpat were the areas. Akbar mostly left local matters alone. But, Jahangir changed this.
• Under Jahangir, Odisha became a separate Subah. A Governor ruled in the Mughal emperor’s name.
• Under Jahangir, Quasim Khan, Kalyan Mal, Mukarram Khan, and Ahmed Beg became the Governor of Odisha.

• During Aurangzeb’s reign, the Mughal empire faced threats from many groups. When Murshid Quli Khan took over, Odisha came under the Naib Nazims of Bengal.
• Some major Naib Nazims of Bengal were as follows:
• Murshid Quli Khan-I Murshid Quli was assigned with the charge of Naib Subahdar and Faujdar of Odisha. In 1703 AD, he was given the independent charge as Subahadar of Odisha.
• Suja-ud-din Muhammad Khan The revenue collection from the people of Odisha was an exploitative measure of Suja-ud-din Muhammad Khan, who sent a large amount to the Delhi Court for securing his position.
• Muhammad Taqi Khan Taqi Khan became the deputy Governor of Odisha in 1727. He built a Qadam Rasul at Balasore with a pond and garden. He also attacked the Jagannath temple at Puri.
• Mushid Quli Khan II was made the deputy Subahdar in 1735AD. He revived the worship of lords at Puri under the king of Khurda.
• Alivardi Khan defeated Sarfarag Khan in the Battle of Giria. Odisha came under Alivardi’s rule. He appointed Sayyid Ahmad as the Governor of Odisha. Alivardi left Gujar Khan to help the Governor.

• The Maratha administration started in 1751 AD. Raghuji Bhonsle I became the new ruler. A new system of government was introduced.
• The Marathas divided Odisha into two parts: Mughalbandi and Garhjat. Mughalbandi had 150 Parganas and 32 Revenue Commissioners.
• Garhjat was ruled by 24 tributary chieftains. They paid light tributes to the Maratha Government.

• Sheo Bhatt Sathe was the first Maratha Subahdar. He collected Chauth from the Nawab of Bengal. He was dismissed in 1764 after failing to pay his arrear.
• The next Subahdars were Sheo Bhatt, Chimma Sau, Bhawani Pandit, and others.
• Odisha saw the Anglo-Maratha conflict. The last Maratha representative was Sadashiv Rao in 1793.
• Administration of the Marathas
• Marathas introduced the Pilgrimage tax. They also granted money for temple repairs. The Jagannath temple was managed directly by the Maratha Governors.
• The Marathas supported the great festivals at Puri. They helped popularise the Rath Yatra.