History of Odisha from Vedic age to Gupta Period

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History of Odisha

The history of state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) is very old. In different periods it bore names like Kalinga, Utkala, etc. The names signified different territorial extent ruled by different dynasties of rulers at different periods. Each of these comprised large parts of present Odisha but also included areas forming parts of the adjacent states.

The word `Utkala’ meant ‘Land of Artistic Excellence’ which implies that Odisha had been famous for its art and culture for long.

Broadly, the History of Odisha (Orissa) can be classified into Pre-historic, Ancient, Medieval and Modern History. The history of Odisha (Orisha) state has been shaped as much by the forces of time, as by the forces of power politics and the intense religious and artistic activities.

Pre-historic Odisha

In the absence of recorded history over long periods, historians have placed reliance on archaeological discoveries to reconstruct the past. Rock engravings and rock paintings indicate that prehistoric men had lived in the state of Odisha. Excavations and surveys have brought to Light prehistoric remains and many types of tools of the Stone Age culture, which prevailed in Western Odisha and also some other regions of the State. Metal Age sites have been found in Sankarjang in Central Odisha and Golbai in coastal Odisha. Iron tools have also been found. With more excavations at different sites, it will be possible to open up the hoary past of Odisha, more particularly the Prehistoric Period leading up to Mauryan rule.

Ancient History of Odisha

Nanda rule in Odisha

The control of Nanda Empire over Odisha was short lived.

Mauryan Rule in Odisha

Samrat Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya invaded Kalinga to regain the kingdom. Lakhs of soldiers either died or were taken as captives. The bloodshed and loss of life and property as well as Mauryan Rule in Odishawidespread destruction moved Ashoka so intensely that he embraced Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism and preached the religion of peace and non-violence far and wide.

Kharavela

Kharavela, a Jain King ruled the regions of Odisha in the 1st century B.C. His achievements were remarkable. He conquered many regions, and gave them good administration. He played a prominent part in Jain religious activities. He built the caves in Khandagiri and   Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar to provide shelter to Jain monks.

Gupta Empire in Odisha

History of Odisha after Kharavela remains in darkness for many centuries. By the 4th century A.D., several portions of Odisha had come under the rule of Imperial Guptas. Thereafter several small or big dynasties ruled simultaneously or in SUCCESSION over different parts of Odisha.

Sailodbhava Dynasty

The Sailodbhava dynasty of Kangoda, was most important of them. From the accounts of noted Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, who visited Odisha in the 7th Century A.D., it is noted that Harsha Siladitya who first conquered Kangoda, extended his rule to the rest of Odisha. Harsha was a champion of the Mahayan school of Buddhism.

Odisha in 8th Century A.D.

In the eighth century A.D., the most remarkable feature of Odishan history was its overseas maritime Trade and Commerce, and eventual establishment of colonies in South-East Asia. To promote overseas trade, several busy seaports came into existence along the seacoast of Odisha. Excavations and investigations are under way to glean further details.

Bhaumakara Dysnasty

During the 8th and 9th centuries, a powerful dynasty known as Bhaumakara dynasty ruled over the territories of Utkal, famous for the temple dedicated to Viraja, the presiding deity, which was the seat of Government of the Bhaumakaras. Odishan sculpture and architecture at that time was at a very developed stage. The rule of Bhaumakara dynasty was followed by the rule of Somvansi rulers. Shaivism became the predominant Hindu cult and enjoyed their patronage. Numerous Saiva temples, including the renowned Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, renowned for its sculptural excellence, were built during their rule.

Medieval History of Odisha

Ganga rulers

By the end of the 11th Century A.D. and early 12th Century, the Gangas captured political power over Odisha. The first ruler of this dynasty, Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva (1078- 1147) started construction of the great Jagannath Temple at Puri. His successors completed the temple. The Ganga rulers warded off Muslim invasion of Odisha and extended their empire.

Sun Temple

By the 13th Century, The renowned Sun Temple (Black Pagoda) at Konark was constructed by the Ganga ruler Narsingha Deva – I who reigned from 1238 to 1264 A.D.

Suryavanshi Gajapati Dynasty

After the collapse of the Ganga dynasty, the Suryavanshi Gajapati Dynasty succeeded to the Kalinga Empire. The first Gajapati King was Kapilendra Deva (1435-1466) who extended his empire by winning wars against the neighboring powers. His son Purusottam Deva consolidated the empire. But during the rule of his successor Pratap Rudra Deva, the Gajapati dynasty and its kingdom Kalinga suffered a political and military decline. During his rule Shri Chaitanya, the Vaishnavite Saint and preacher of Bhakti cult, came to Odisha. Under the patronage of Prataparudra, the Krishna Bhakti Movement spread in the state. The weakened military force could not successfully confront external invasions. With the death of Prataparudra Deva, the Gajapati rule came to an end.

Afghan invasion

Mukunda Deva was the last independent King in Odisha. Mukunda Deva was killed in a battle against the Afghan invaders of Bengal. After the death of Mukunda Deva, Odisha lost her political independence in 1568.

Mughal rule in Odisha

The Afghans conquered Odisha when the Mughal Emperor Akbar was ruling in Delhi. The Afghan-Mughal confrontation continued till Raja Mansingh, being directed by Akbar, suppressed the Afghans and ended their rule in Odisha and brought it under the Mughal Rule. Raja Mansingh appointed Ramachandra Deva Raja of Khurda, as king of Puri and entrusted him the management of the Temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri, including performance of some religious duties. The tradition continues up to the present day.

The Mughals ruled over Odisha for a century.

Nawabs of Bengal in Odisha

After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire broke up and Odisha came under the rule of the Nawabs of Bengal. But this did not last long.

Maratha rule in Odisha

From 1741, Raghuji Bhonsle, the Maratha ruler of Nagpur, challenged with his Maratha army the hold of Alivardi Khan, the Nawab over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Odisha became the battleground between these two contending forces. Finally, after ten years of armed struggle, Alivardi ceded Odisha to the Maratha power. The Maratha rule in Odisha lasted for more than half a century.

Modern History of Odisha

Odisha under British Rule

The British East India Company seized Odisha in 1803 from the Marathas. With British occupation, the territorial Integrity of Odisha was broken up, the Northern portions being merged with and ruled from Bengal and the Southern and Western areas being  likewise merged with and ruled respectively as parts of Madras presidency and Central provinces.

The British conquest of Odisha saw the emergence of Princely states, which were brought under their subjugation. During the rule of the East India Company over Odisha, a revolt called the Paik Rebellion by the rural militia broke out in Khurda in 1817. The leader of this uprising was Bakshi Jagabandhu, the Military Chief of the Raja of Khurda. This was a precursor of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. British East India Company forces ruthlessly crushed it. The British Government took over administration of Odisha along with the rest of India from the East India Company in 1858.

Freedom movements in Odisha

With the spread of Education and publication of Oriya periodicals, national consciousness began to grow in Odisha.

Demand for separate state

Side by side with freedom movement, started a campaign for unifying all the outlying Oriya-speaking tracts into a separate province. In this movement for a United Odisha., there were many Oriya leaders and intellectuals in the vanguard. The foremost among them was Late Madhusudan Das. He was ably supported by eminent personalities like Gopabandhu Das, Chandrasekhar Behera and also by the prominent literary personalities such as Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, and many other contemporaries like the then Maharaja of Paralakhemundi, Late Krishna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo and Raja Saheb of Khallikote, etc.

Mr. Das set up an organization for this purpose, called ‘Utkal Sammilani’ in 1903 with the avowed aim of campaigning for formation of a separate province of Odisha on linguistic, basis by merging together the dismembered parts of Odisha then administered and forming parts of the then Bengal and Madras Presidencies and the Central Provinces. The movement fructified with the creation of a separate province of Odisha on 1st April 1936.  Odisha was one of the .foremost provinces in the freedom struggle of the country.

After Independence

Soon after the independence of India on 15th August 1947, the 26 feudatory states of Odisha merged in 1948 directly with the Odisha Province and by the end of 1949 the complete state of Odisha as at present constituted, came into being.

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The history of Odisha from the Vedic age to the Gupta period can be divided into the following subtopics:

  • The Vedic age: This was a time of great cultural and religious development in Odisha. The Aryans, who had migrated to the region from the north, brought with them their language, religion, and culture. The Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, were composed during this time.
  • The Mahajanapada period: This was a time of political and Economic Development in Odisha. Several small kingdoms emerged during this period, including the Kalinga kingdom. The Kalinga kingdom was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region.
  • The Gupta period: This was a time of great cultural and economic prosperity in Odisha. The Guptas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India. They were patrons of art, literature, and science.

The following are some of the important events that took place during the history of Odisha from the Vedic age to the Gupta period:

  • The Aryans migrated to Odisha from the north.
  • The Vedas were composed.
  • The Mahajanapada period began.
  • The Kalinga kingdom emerged.
  • The Gupta Dynasty came to power.
  • Odisha experienced a time of great cultural and economic prosperity.

The Aryans were a group of Indo-European people who migrated to India from Central Asia. They arrived in Odisha around 1500 BCE. The Aryans brought with them their language, religion, and culture. They spoke Sanskrit, which is the ancestor of the modern Indian languages. They worshipped the Vedic gods, such as Indra, Agni, and Soma. They also built temples and performed sacrifices.

The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They are a collection of hymns, prayers, and rituals. The Vedas were composed by the Aryans over a period of time. The Rig Veda is the oldest Veda. It is a collection of 1,028 hymns. The Yajur Veda is a collection of sacrificial formulas. The Sama Veda is a collection of melodies. The Atharva Veda is a collection of spells and charms.

The Mahajanapada period was a time of political and economic development in Odisha. Several small kingdoms emerged during this period, including the Kalinga kingdom. The Kalinga kingdom was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region. It was located in the eastern part of Odisha. The capital of the Kalinga kingdom was at Bhubaneswar.

The Gupta dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India. They came to power in the 4th century CE. The Guptas were patrons of art, literature, and science. They built many temples and monasteries. They also supported the arts and sciences.

Odisha experienced a time of great cultural and economic prosperity during the Gupta period. The Guptas built many temples and monasteries. They also supported the arts and sciences. Odisha was a major center of Learning and culture during this time.

The history of Odisha from the Vedic age to the Gupta period is a long and rich one. The Aryans brought their language, religion, and culture to Odisha. They built temples and performed sacrifices. The Vedas were composed during this time. The Mahajanapada period was a time of political and economic development in Odisha. Several small kingdoms emerged during this period, including the Kalinga kingdom. The Kalinga kingdom was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region. The Gupta dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India. They came to power in the 4th century CE. The Guptas were patrons of art, literature, and science. They built many temples and monasteries. They also supported the arts and sciences. Odisha experienced a time of great cultural and economic prosperity during the Gupta period.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the history of Odisha from the Vedic age to the Gupta period:

  1. What is the history of Odisha?

Odisha is a state in eastern India. It is one of the oldest states in India, with a history dating back to the Vedic age. The state was ruled by a number of different dynasties over the centuries, including the Nandas, the Mauryas, the Guptas, and the Shailendra dynasty. Odisha was also an important center of Buddhism and Hinduism.

  1. What are some of the important events in the history of Odisha?

Some of the important events in the history of Odisha include the following:

  • The founding of the state by the Nanda dynasty in the 4th century BCE.
  • The rule of the Mauryan dynasty in the 3rd century BCE.
  • The rule of the Gupta dynasty in the 4th and 5th centuries CE.
  • The construction of the Konark Sun Temple in the 13th century CE.
  • The rule of the Shailendra dynasty in the 8th and 9th centuries CE.
  • The establishment of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 11th century CE.
  • The rule of the Kalinga empire in the 13th century CE.
  • The British conquest of Odisha in the 18th century CE.

  • The independence of Odisha from British rule in 1947 CE.

  • Who are some of the important people in the history of Odisha?

Some of the important people in the history of Odisha include the following:

  • Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan emperor who ruled over Odisha in the 3rd century BCE.
  • Samudragupta, the Gupta emperor who ruled over Odisha in the 4th century CE.
  • Narasimha Deva I, the Eastern Ganga emperor who ruled over Odisha in the 12th century CE.
  • Kapilendra Deva, the Kalinga emperor who ruled over Odisha in the 14th century CE.
  • Purusottam Dev, the Gajapati emperor who ruled over Odisha in the 16th century CE.
  • Jagannath Singh, the Maratha ruler of Odisha in the 18th century CE.

  • Madhusudan Das, the Odia freedom fighter who played a major role in the independence of Odisha from British rule.

  • What are some of the important cultural aspects of Odisha?

Some of the important cultural aspects of Odisha include the following:

  • The Odia language, which is one of the oldest languages in India.
  • The Odia literature, which is rich in poetry, drama, and fiction.
  • The Odia music, which is known for its unique style and rhythm.
  • The Odia dance, which is known for its graceful movements and intricate steps.
  • The Odia art, which is known for its vibrant colors and intricate designs.

  • The Odia cuisine, which is known for its use of spices and its unique flavors.

  • What are some of the important tourist attractions in Odisha?

Some of the important tourist attractions in Odisha include the following:

  • The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Puri Jagannath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in India.
  • The Bhubaneswar temples, a group of Hindu temples that are considered to be masterpieces of architecture.
  • The Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in India.
  • The Simlipal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • The Nandan Kanan Zoological park, one of the largest zoos in India.

  • What are some of the challenges facing Odisha today?

Some of the challenges facing Odisha today include the following:

  • POVERTY
  • Illiteracy
  • Lack of Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE
  • Corruption
  • Naxalism

  • Floods and droughts

  • What are some of the opportunities for Odisha in the future?

Some of the opportunities for Odisha in the future include the following:

  1. The earliest known inhabitants of Odisha were the:
    (A) Indus Valley Civilization
    (B) Aryans
    (C) Dravidians
    (D) Mundas

  2. The first major kingdom in Odisha was the:
    (A) Kalinga
    (B) Utkala
    (C) Kosala
    (D) Magadha

  3. The most famous king of Kalinga was:
    (A) Ashoka
    (B) Kharavela
    (C) Nanda
    (D) Samudragupta

  4. The Gupta period was a time of great cultural and economic prosperity in Odisha.
    (A) True
    (B) False

  5. The Gupta period was also a time of great religious Tolerance.
    (A) True
    (B) False

  6. The most famous temple in Odisha is the:
    (A) Konark Sun Temple
    (B) Jagannath Temple
    (C) Lingaraja Temple
    (D) Bhubaneswar Temple

  7. The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    (A) True
    (B) False

  8. The Jagannath Temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
    (A) True
    (B) False

  9. The Lingaraja Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Odisha.
    (A) True
    (B) False

  10. Bhubaneswar is the capital of Odisha.
    (A) True
    (B) False