| Dharma Mahadevi | |
|---|---|
| Queen regnant of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty | |
| Reign | c. 940–950 |
| Predecessor | Vakula Mahadevi |
| Successor | Monarchy abolished |
| Queen consort of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty | |
| Tenure | c. early 10th century |
| Spouse | Santikaradeva III |
| House | Bhauma-Kara dynasty (by marriage) Bhanj dynasty (by birth) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Dharma Mahadevi (died 950) was the queen regnant of the Indian Bhauma-Kara dynasty's Kingdom of Toshala [1] [2] in circa 940-950.
She was born a princess of the Bhanj dynasty. She was married to Santikaradeva III. [3]
She succeeded queen Vakula Mahadevi, her husband's sister-in-law. [3] She is known to have issued two charters, one for Angul and another for Taltali. According to the Taltali plate, her titles were ‘Parama-bhattarika’, ‘Maharajadhiraja’ and ‘Paramesvari’. [4] Not much is known about her rule.
She was the last ruler of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty. She was possibly assassinated by Yayati I of the Somavamshi dynasty, the brother of Tribhuvana Mahadevi II who had been deposed in 896; he drove the Bhanjas from the Baud-Sonepur region and then occupied the Odisha, leading to the Somavamsis taking over the administration of Tosali. [3]
Dharma Mahadevi, the wife of Shantikaradeva III succeeded Vakula Mahadevi. She was the last known ruler of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty. She was also a Bhanja princess.
She issued the Angul charter and Taltali charter both of which are undated. The first was issued during the reign of her husband and there she is described simply as Sri Dharma-mahadevi without any royal title. In Taltali plate, she is described as Parama-bhattarika-Maharajadhiraja Paramesvari.