Durjaya (Andhra chieftain)

Last updated

Durjaya (Sanskrit for "difficult to conquer" or "invincible") [1] was a legendary chieftain of present Andhra. Many ruling dynasties in Andhra and Telangana, such as the Kakatiyas, Velanati Chodas, the Konakandravadis, the Ivani Kandravadis, the Kondapadumatis, Natavadis, the Paricchedis and the Chagis claimed to be his descendants. [2] [3]

Contents

History

Background

After the fall of the Mathar Empire of Kalinga, two dynasties named Durjaya dynasty and Chandra dynasty emerged in ancient Odisha. Ranadurjay defeated to the Vashishtha dynasty king Anantavarma and established the Durjaya dynasty rule in Kalinga. Ranadurjaya son Vikramendra and his successor Son Prithvi Maharaj (563–613 AD) ruled for 49 years. According to the two copper plate inscriptions found in Triphali and Paralakhemundi, his imperial boundaries extend from the Rupanarayan to the Krishna river [4] . It does not have the name of which dynasty prithvi-maharaja belonged to. It only says that he was Kashyap Gotri. Therefore, R. S. Panchamukhi has argued that the durjayas are descendants of Kashyapa Gotri Karikaal-Chola [5] . Linking a powerful dynasty of Kalinga with the Chola dynasty over the gotra is a ridiculous argument. Because at that time there was not only the Kashyapa Gotra of the Chola dynasty in India, but it was the tribe of different dynasties of India. Even many kings of Odisha had kashyapa gotra [6] .

Dynasties

During the time of Lokvigraha (600 AD), ancient capital city of Kalinga was known as Uttara Toshali. Because the Central Kalinga of Ganga kingdom is known as Kalinga, he changed the name for his independence. Lokavigraha was the eighteenth Tosalaadhipati, or the ruler of Toshali divided into eighteen parts. Its boundary extended from the present-day Rupnarayan River to the Mahanadi [7] .

At this time the ruler of the West-northern Toshali was Shambhuyash of Mudgala kingdom. According to the Soro copperplate inscription of Sambhuyasha and the Patiya Killa copperplate inscription of his feudal king Shivaraja, he defeated lokavigraha, the last king of the Vigraha dynasty of North Toshali, and united both Toshali and made Birjanagar the capital of new Toshali empire. At that time the king of South Kalinga Prithvi maharaj defeated Sambhuyash and took possession of Toshali. When Prithvi Maharaj was handed over to Birjanagar, the capital of Shambhuyash, the border of his kingdom extended from the Rupnarayan to the Krushnabeni river. The Paralakhemundi plates (No, 15) corroborated the above fact while hinting about his victory over Kalinga or Sakala Kalinga as, in the 49th regnal year, he granted a village named Gollavalli from his military camp, fixed at Biraja Nagara or Jajpur of present Odisha [8] . As the only Kalinga hero after Kharavela and Shatrubhanja, he brought together kalinga divided into four parts. After three hundred long years, the border of Kalinga once again extended from the Rupnarayan river to the Krishna river.

Destruction of empire

A few years later, Prithvi Maharaj was defeated by Pulakeshi II (610–642 AD) the Chalukya king of Badami and left the capital Pistpur to Jajnagar. He ruled the Kingdom of Toshali from here, taking as his new capital which was established as a capital earlier at Birjanagar in Toshali by Sambuyash. After taking over the south Kalinga capital, Pisthapur, Pulakeshi II handed over the reins of the kingdom to his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624-641 AD). Its boundaries extended from the Vanshadhara river to the Krishna river. One of the most important historical events of this period was the battle between Harshavardhana of the north and The Chalukya King Pulakeshi II of the south over the Congod and Vallabhi, in which Harshavardhana was defeated. King Prithvi Maharaja of Birjanagar was defeated by Karnasuvarna (now Bengal) King Shashanka (613 AD) and died. The kingdom of Shashanka expended his border vanshdhara river and the Durjaya dynasty fell.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle kingdoms of India</span> Political entities in the Indian subcontinent from 3rd century BCE - 13th century CE

The middle kingdoms of India were the political entities in the Indian subcontinent from 230 BCE to 1206 CE. The period begins after the decline of the Maurya Empire and the corresponding rise of the Satavahana dynasty, starting with Simuka, from 230 BCE. The "middle" period lasted for almost 1436 years and ended in 1206 CE, with the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, founded in 1206, and the end of the Later Cholas.

Kalinga is a historical region of India. It is generally defined as the eastern coastal region between the Ganges and the Godavari rivers, although its boundaries have fluctuated with the territory of its rulers. The core territory of Kalinga now encompasses all of Odisha and some part of northern Andhra Pradesh. At its widest extent, the Kalinga region also included parts of present-day Chhattisgarh, extending up to Amarkantak in the west. In the ancient period it extended until the bank of the Ganges river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishnukundina dynasty</span> Indian dynasty based in Deccan

The Vishnukundina dynasty was an Indian dynasty based in Deccan, which ruled territory comprising present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and other parts of southern India during the 5th and 7th centuries, carving land out from the Vakataka Empire. It played an important role in the history of the Deccan during the 5th and 7th centuries. The dynasty initially ruled from Indrapalanagara, and later shifted to Denduluru, and Amaravathi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telugu Chodas</span> Rulers of Andhra Pradesh, 6th-13th century

The Telugu Chodas or Telugu Cholas ruled parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana between the 5th and the 13th centuries as samantas of Pallavas and later the Imperial Cholas. Various dynasties exist among them including Velanati, Pottapi, Konidena, Nannuru, Nellore, Kunduru etc. The earliest Choda dynasty in the Telugu area was that of Renati Chodas who ruled Renadu region from late 5th century to 7th century. Some of the Telugu Chodas including Renati Chodas claimed descent from the early Sangam Tamil king Karikala Chola. Telugu Chodas contributed much to the early development of Telugu language and are the first dynasty to use Telugu as their official language. The first and oldest Telugu inscription founded so far is Kalamalla inscription dating to 575 CE put up by Renati Chola king Erikal Mutturaju Dhanunjaya. Telugu Chodas are believed to have been migrated from Tamilakam to Andhra country due to invasion of Tamilakam by Kalabhras and increasing power of Pallavas in northern most part of Tamilakam. Kapu (caste) in Andhra is said to have originated from Telugu Cholas who themselves claim descendant from Karikala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Odisha</span> History of the Indian state of Odisha

The history of Odisha begins in the Lower Paleolithic era, as Acheulian tools dating to the period have been discovered in various places in the region. The early history of Odisha can be traced back to writings found in ancient texts like the Mahabharata, Maha Govinda Sutta and some Puranas. The region was also known to other kingdoms in region of East Indies due to maritime trade relations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anangabhima Deva III</span> Rauta, Durgaputra, Rudraputra, Purushottama, Purushottamaputra

Anangabhima Deva III was an Eastern Ganga monarch who ruled an early medieval Odisha centered empire in eastern India from the year 1211 CE to 1238 CE. He was successful in maintaining a large extent of territory that stretched from the river Ganga in the north to Godavari in the South. He had successfully defeated the Kalachuris on the western frontiers of the empire and established a matrimonial alliance with them. His brother or brother in law, Rajaraja II became the ruler of the Dynasty in 1198. When Anangabhima III came into power, in 1211, he expelled the Muslims of Bengal from his kingdom. He had a son, Narasingha Deva I, who would later invade Bengal in 1244, and captured the capital city, Gauda. He was a reformist in the social and spiritual structure of the Odia society as the vaishnavite deity Jagannath was declared as the supreme ruler of the empire and the emperor as the deputy under him. The Madala Panji records he claiming himself as Shri Purushottama dedicating everything to lord Jagannath. He built the famous Pradaskhina mandapa of Srikurmam temple.

Velanati Chodas or Velanati Durjayas were a dynasty who ruled over parts of the Andhra Pradesh in the 12th century. They were Vassals of Later Cholas and Western Chalukyas and ruled over the region of Kammanadu in modern Guntur district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Ganga dynasty</span> Medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty

The Eastern Ganga dynasty 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. 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). 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 and some southern districts of West Bengal. Odia language got official status in their regime following the evolution of the language from Odra Prakrit. The early rulers of the dynasty ruled from Dantapuram; the capital was later moved to Kalinganagara, and ultimately to Kataka and then to Paralakhemundi.

The Bana or Vana was a dynasty based in South India, who claimed descent from king Mahabali. The dynasty takes its name from Bana, the son of Mahabali. The Banas faced opposition from several neighbouring dynasties and served some major dynasties such as the Chalukyas Cholas and Pandyas as feudatories, sometimes after they were subjugated by them. They also served as Samantas to some dynasties. The Banas had their capital at various places at different times, including Kolar and Gudimallam.

Dandabhukti was an ancient and medieval territory located between the two rivers, Dwarakeswar and Subarnarekha, and situated in the Rarh region of the ancient Bengal. It covered the present-day districts of Bankura, Hooghly, Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal, India.

The history of Kalahandi goes back to the primitive period where a well-civilized, urbanized, and cultured people inhabited this land mass around 2000 years ago. The world's largest celt of Stone Age and the largest cemetery of the megalithic age have been discovered in Kalahandi. This shows the region had a civilized culture since the pre-historic era. Asurgarh near Narla in Kalahandi was one of the oldest metropolises in Odisha whereas the other one was Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneswar. Some other historical forts in the region includes Budhigarh, Amthagarh, Belkhandi and Dadpur-Jajjaldeypur. This land was unconquered by the great Ashoka, who fought the great Kalinga War, as per Ashokan record. In medieval period the region had played a prominent role to link South India, Eastern India and Central India region and witnessed the battle ground for Somavamsi, Chola, Kalachuris of Kalyani and Eastern Ganga dynasty. Kalahandi region was the main route for Chola to attack Subarnapur.

Satrubhanja was a king who belonged to the Vindhyatabi branch of Nagavanshi rulers that ruled from Keonjhar district of Odisha in the early 4th century A.D. The era of Satrubhanja belongs to the pre Gupta rise as an imperial power in India when the other ruling Bharasiva Nagas of India joined hands to overthrow the ruling Devaputras of Pataliputra, also otherwise known as Kushan rulers to the modern historians. The Asanapat village dancing Nataraja Shiva inscription in Sanskrit Language with Post Brahmi or early Kalinga script of Satrubhanja provides a great deal of details about his achievements as a conqueror and spiritual man. The inscription is of thirteen lines which is written partly in verse and partly in prose.

The Mathara dynasty ruled in the Kalinga region of eastern India during 4th and 5th centuries CE. Their territory included parts of the area between the present-day Ganjam district of Odisha in north and the Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh in the south. They appear to have been overthrown by the Pitrbhakta dynasty.

The Pitrbhakta dynasty ruled in the Kalinga region of eastern India in the fifth century CE. Their territory included parts of the present-day northern Andhra Pradesh and the southern Odisha. They probably overthrew the Mathara dynasty.

The Vasishtha dynasty ruled in the Kalinga region of eastern India in the fifth century CE. Their territory included parts of the present-day northern Andhra Pradesh. They were one of the three minor dynasties that emerged after the decline of the Gupta power in the area, the other two being the Matharas and the Pitrbhaktas.

The Shailodbhava dynasty ruled parts of eastern India during the 6th-8th centuries. Their core territory was known as Kongoda-mandala, and included parts of the present-day Ganjam, Khordha and Puri districts in the Odisha state. Their capital was located at Kongoda, which is identified with modern Banapur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paralakhemundi Estate</span>

Parlakhemundi estate was a Zamindari of Odisha in the British Raj period .Before odisha province formation it was under Madras Presidency.The state was ruled as an independent kingdom till 1769.The royal family belong to the Krishnatreya gotra Odia Kshatriya and traced their lineage to Eastern Ganga Dynasty.It was a zamindari estate lying in the southwestern portion of Ganjam district, covering an area of 615 square miles. It was bounded in the south by the district of Vizagpatnam and on the west by the Jeypore Estate and the tribal agencies of the Eastern Ghats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chindaka Naga</span>

The Chindaka Nagas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of modern-day Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Their kingdom was known as Chakrakota mandala and included the present-day districts of Bastar, Koraput and Kalahandi. They were constantly at war with their neighbours- the Somavamshi dynasty, the Kalachuris of Ratnapura, the Mana dynasty and the Western Chalukya Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganapati (Kakatiya dynasty)</span> Sakala-desha-pratishthapanacharya

Ganapati-deva was the longest reigning monarch of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. He brought most of the Telugu-speaking region in present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana under the Kakatiya influence by war or diplomacy.

References

  1. ↑ "Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary --द" . Retrieved 9 June 2023– via French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation (Inria).
  2. ↑ Talbot, Cynthia (20 September 2001). Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford University Press. p. 53. ISBN   978-0-19-803123-9.
  3. ↑ A Thousand Laurels--Dr. Sadiq Naqvi: Studies on Medieval India with Special Reference to Deccan. Department of History, Osmania University. 2005. p. 638. It is interesting to note that the feudatory chiefs such as the Velanati Chodas, Haihayas, Kondapadumatis, Natavadis, Chagis etc., who emerged as political power during the medieval periods claim the lineage from Durjaya.
  4. ↑ Panchamukhi, R. S. (1935–36). "Tandivada Grant of Prithivi-Maharaja: 46th Year". Epigraphia Indica. XXIII: 88-99.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  5. ↑ Panchamukhi, R. S. (1935–36). "Tandivada Grant of Prithivi-Maharaja: 46th Year". Epigraphia Indica. XXIII: 96.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  6. ↑ Prusty, Subrat Kumar (2017). Sastriya Bhasa Odia (1st ed.). BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar-14, Odisha: Institute of Odia Studies and Research. p. 72.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. ↑ "The Matharas & The Sri Rama-Kasypas (Historical notes)". Inscriptions of Orissa. 1 (2): 65-66. 1958.
  8. ↑ "The Matharas & The Sri Rama-Kasypas (Historical notes)". Inscriptions of Orissa. 1 (2): 64. 1958.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.