Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

Cities and Towns in Early : A Historical Appraisal

Sarita Nayak

In the long journey of historical interlude territory occupied by immigrants from other of at least from sixth century BCE, we see regions or by surplus population of the ruler’s own the emergence of states, regional kingdoms and country. It is through such a process that new local chiefdoms having their principal city centres territories occupied and developed. (Tripathi and and capital cities and provincial headquarters. Singh 1991-92,). A is simply a land or Though, the Early Historic is said to have begun as early as 1000 BCE in North India and the Ganga valley in particular (Allchin, 1995), the South Indian Early Historic is often defined little later – during the 3rd century BCE. (e.g. Morrison et. al. 2005). However, from recent excavations (2017- 18) at Keeladi near Madurai pushed back the emergence of urban life around 6th century BCE in .(Balkrishnan, 2019) The beginning of second urbanization and emergence of large number Fig 1. Ancient Settlements of Odisha of cities and towns are region inhabited by people which finds mention marked in sixth century BCE, which was the turning point in the .It is during the early even in the Vedic literature. It is during the early centuries of the first millennium BCE that centuries of the first millennium BCE that start evolving into political and cultural Janapadas start evolving into political units units. Arthasastra (II.1) defines janapada is a identified as . , Kasi,

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Mithila, , Kalinga, , Chedi etc were of Eastern Coastal region of India from the lower home to the clans contemporary to the Kuru- to the Godavari. Historical references as Panchal people of the Upper Ganga we know from Pliny, the royal city of Calingae Plain.(Tripathi Vivha, 2019). During this phase was called Parthalalis which “had 60,000 foot many sources have been found on the dynastic soldiers, 1000 horsemen, 700 elephants keep history of kings or on the history of religious watch and ward in precinct of war”. (Thapar, movements and their leaders. The religious 2002). In the Puranic Literature, the traditional movements of and emerged in western boundary of Kalinga was fixed at the Gangetic Valley during this period. The writings Amarakantaka hill. In the Matsya Purana, it is of the devotees of these two religions provide stated that the river Narmada drains the principal information on the settlements and brief Amarakantaka, situated in the Western part of descriptions of small and capital towns. During Kalinga. This account is supported by the later the time of Gautama Buddha, Champa, Rajgraha like Kurma and Skanda. It thus, appears (Rajgir), Sravasti, Kausambhi, Vesali, Varanasi, that the Puranas refer to the extent of - Dantapura etc., were the capital cities which were Kalinga at the time when the two territories centres of urban settlement. This phase as the organized themselves as a strong confederacy historians termed it second urbanization first being against Magadha. (Sahu,1964) the Mahenjodaro-Harppa. Toynbee says that a In recent times particularly in the last two city should have a genuine community, defensive decades number of early historical sites were city wall, temple and a public hall..Mumford and subjected for archaeological excavation Soberj have emphasized the role of political particularly after 1990 by different Agencies in authority in emergence of towns. (Mumford Odisha. Now, many new evidences emerged with 1961). Braidwood and Adams have given stress antiquities of much earlier period dating back to on cultural growth and cultural process Mauryan era. There are certain cities discovered respectively (Brainwood,1950). Some of the with archaeological spade and the town planning literary sources like Rigveda and Dharmasastra, is also ascertained. Township was emerged in refer some capital cities. The Arthasastra of Odisha with Sisupalgarh, Radhanagar, Talpada, Kautilya, Mahabhasya of Patanjali, Manusmriti Samapa (Jaugarh), Dantapura (Dantavartanikota) and the Epics and Puranas as well as Buddhist which had the elements of town planning in grid canonical texts and Jatakas refers to the capital system as known from excavations. Many major cities and towns. (Sarao, 2010).The principal ancient towns were discovered and documented source for the study of towns in South India came in India, some of them are Kaushambi, Rajghat, from Tamil Sangam literature composed in Sravasti, Mathura (UP), Eran, Ujjain, Vidisha between 500 BCE to 200 CE. When towns and (MP), Rajgriha or Rajgir (having 40 kms in cities emerged at the earliest phase of our historical circumference), Vaisali, Pataliputra (Patna) and period, we see capital cities were very famous some others. In the south, ancient cities like with their kings and rulers. Kalinga janapada on Kanchipuram, Madurai were also referred to. the eve of Mauryan Emperor Asoka’s invasion in With coming of Mauryan and the 261 BCE was not only extended from the Ganges successive dynastic rule in India under Kushanas, to the Godavari but also included the Vindhya Chedis, Satavahanas and Vakataks contributed region. The origin had a distinct identity of its own towards rise of a number of capital and provincial as Kalinga which once covered not only coastal cities. In the early medieval period again under Odisha but also the adjoining tracts of present Harshavardhan and Sasanka emergence of and i.e major part regional dynasties all over India gave birth to

38 APRIL - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 number of historical cities. Very limited research these routes for their own purposes. The has been made so far on the history of rise and assertions of authority were as apparent on these growth of urban centres, cities and towns in routes as they were in the settlements. These Odishan context, since it requires field survey and routes were well recognized by itinerants as well study. Scholars in the past like Lal (1948), as the states through which they passed, and were Mohanty and Smith (2007), Mishra (2019), referred to as marag in the records. This route in Patnaik (2015, 2016) and few others have Eastern shore was connecting Kalinga with contributed and streamlined the area of research Pataliputra in North and Paithan in South and of Urbanisation taking together archaeological dotted with a number of Early Historical field data. Here, an effort is made to place the Settlements starting from Tamralipti, sites in historical context so that historical Moughalmari, Jayarampur, Radhanagar, Lalitagiri, development could be ascertained so far history Dhauli, Aragarh, Jaugarh, Salihundam, of Odisha is concerned. This paper is outcome Kalingapattna, Ghantasila, Bhattiprolu. That of our field research work on Early Historic Konda, Bhavikonda, Guntupalli connecting Settlements of Odisha during the year 2019-20. Krishna-Godavari valley up to Amaravati. The Major cities were fed by a trade and Ancient Odisha was in trade circuit and connected luxury goods or hard commodities and by with royal routes of North and South India. This intangible services provided by a large number of route is further connected to Suvarnabhumi or professionals. In this context, we may see cities Southeast Asian countries with its maritime link as indicators of economic growth and social which is termed as Purviyapatha. The marag change; different things in different historical had a life of its own, dotted with check posts as periods and in regional context. When, we look well as the resting places, monasteries, sarais, into capital cities of the early historical period, temples, shrines, water posts and often just a bit the perception is to find out the archaeological of shade for the odd traveller. (Patnaik and Nayak remains in the form of fortifications, layout of the 2020) N.K.Sahu remarks that “The Sonepur- settlement pattern, building materials, drainages, Titilagarh region appears to have been connected and the usable objects such as pots, terracotta with towns like Dantapura and Pithunda in the objects, coins, mould, weapons, scripts etc., as coastal region of Kalinga on the one hand and Kausambi and Kasi in ancient Kosala (North has happened in the discovery of all ancient cities th th in India and elsewhere. Similarly, medieval major Kosala) on the other hand” in 5 – 4 century cities are also looked upon on the references in BCE. ( Sahu,1964). The Mahavamsa speaks of the literature, inscriptions and the monumental the port of Tamralipti, from where Asoka gave remains on the sacred or profane spaces. In this farewell to his daughter Thero Sanghamitta when context, an exploratory study is being undertaken she sailed to Sri Lanka with the sapling of the to locate and redefine with historical geography sacred Bo-Tree. It seems that during his campaign and recent archaeological discoveries of some of against Kalinga and Kosala region the Maurya the important major cities of ancient and medieval monarch marched from Pataliputra along the Odisha. Ganges to Tamralipti and then after defeating the Kalingas, he proceeded up to the present A parameter of thriving of these cities Kalinga-ghat beyond which there was the land of centers with ups and downs related to the spread the Atavikas. In 4th century CE., Samudragupta of trade routes which was reflective of recurrent took an altogether different route during his South movements of circular migrations involving Indian campaign. He marched along the river Sone traders, pastoralists and pilgrims, who moved on in to the present Madhya Pradesh and then after

APRIL - 2021 39 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review entering Kosala took the course of the Mahanadi. Rouletted ware, Knobbed ware have been After this, he proceeded up to Sonepur along the recovered from this level. Seven numbers of silver Mahanadi and then taking the course of the river Punch marked coins were retrieved. A conch Tel got into the Kantara Kingdom of Vyaghraraja. pendent inscribed with three letters in Pre- From there, he marched towards south-east and Mauryan/Mauryan Brahmi read as ‘Vijaya’ is crossing the Kalinga-ghat entered . But, recovered from this level. with recent researches on archaeological Period II started from 1st century BCE to explorations and decipherment of inscriptions and 2nd century CE which was the most prosperous copper plate charters which all shed new light on phase of the site. The most important feature of these city centers. Accordingly, a fresh appraisal this phase is the remarkable progress in clay is made to get an overview of the cities and towns modeling, which was noticed in the discovery of of ancient and early medieval Odisha. a clay mould of a Buddhist image. Number of Radhanagar terracotta beads, iron implements, coins and potsherds like knobbed ware, rouletted ware, Red Radhanagar in Dharmasala area of slipped ware etc. were collected. A pendent district is located on the right bank of the river inscribed in Brahmi script reading as “Sadabhu Kelua, a tributary of the river Brahmani, about Tissa” with swastika marks along with terracotta 90 kms to the north of . The site is objects have been recovered. spread over an area of 9,02,500. Excavations nd rd were conducted in two phases, 1997-2007 and Period III is dated from c. 2 -3 CE to th th 2010-2013 by OIMSEAS. This is the first city c. 5 -6 CE. During this phase coarse grey pottery center of Odisha excavated systematically for was used by the people at the site. (Patnaik, three sessions (2010-13) and brought to limelight 2015).The antiquities and structural remains the construction pattern of ancient city of India discussed above enlightened about the fortified together with socio-economic life of ancient people site to be an important urban settlement that of India in general and Odisha in particular. The developed in the beginning of historical period in city was flourished from 4th-3rd century BCE to Odisha. 3rd -4th century CE almost around 800 years. It is Sisupalgarh an example by itself so far South Eastern India is Sisupalgarh is one of the focused early concerned. It yielded large number terracotta historical fort site of the country and is the largest objects, coins and inscriptions of Maurya, and best preserved early historic fortification in Kushana period, the streets and residential houses India. The interior measures 1125 x 1115 meters and almost all related material culture of religion i.e. 125.4 hectare. The deep section shows a and trade. It is appropriate to identify as the deposit of 8 meter. The site was excavated first Toshalinagar of Asokan period as referred to in by B.B. Lal (1948-49) and later by R.K. the Edicts of Dhauli. The cultural sequence is as Mohanty and M.L. Smith (2004-07).This site is follows : so vast and encroached leaving little scope for Period I is assigned to circa 4th -3rd to 1st archaeological research and still excavated by century BCE. During last part of this period, the Archaeological Survey of India and Deccan settlement entered into a stage of urbanization. In college. The result of the excavation is pushed the early phase of this period morrum rammed back to 700 BCE to 350 CE. The structural remains floor levels have been found in the core area. A such as gates, moats, pillars standing in-situ number of inscriptions, potsherds like NBP, witness a fully urbanized culture. The findings of

40 APRIL - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 knife, blades, daggers, arrow and spearheads, Jaugarh nails, sickles, ferrules of iron and exotic pottery Jaugarh (known as Samapa of Ashokan like knobbed ware, NBP ware etc. which make Edict) situated near Purusottampur about 35 km us to understood about the demographic profile north-west of city in . of the site. The reference of Hatigumpha It was one of the provincial fortified headquarters inscription regarding Nanda’s attack on Kalinga of Kalinga during 3rd century BCE. P. Yule (2002- was also true. So the city of Sisupalgarh might 03) made an extensive survey of the fort and have in existence at that time. The town planning published it in the year 2006. The fortification is unique with influence of Greek technology. around the town consisted of an earthen rampart Considering the antiquity with all traits of urbanization, this settlement proves to the ideal reaching to an average height of 25ft and breadth choice of Kalinganagari as referred in Hatigumpha of 70ft. It was square in plan, each side tiered by inscription of emperor Kharavela .of first century two gateways, approximately half a mile in length. The rampart is well preserved on its western side BCE and continued till 4th century CE.This was the one of the significant early cities of India and we although in 1956 D. Mitra reported that the glacis still need more scientific research to unfold the measure 23.75 m extent maximal height. The historical truth. excavation brought to light a number of materials such as plain pottery, painted pottery, knobbed Talapada vessels, iron implements, beads of shell, bone, Talapada is an early historic fortified urban agate, crystal, carnelian, quartz, etc. of remarkable site located 42 kms south of Bhubaneswar near workmanship. The punch-marked coins of the Ramesvara in Khurda District. The site is smaller Mauryan age and -Kushana coins were also version of Sisupalagarh. The site measures 25 collected from the site. The royal city lay out hectares in size and is surrounded by a rampart with fortification and inside the fortification the measuring up to three meters in height. The Asokan Rock Edict was engraved which excavation carried out during the season 2013- otherwise points a town that attracts people from 15, directed by R.K. Mohanty, Monica L Smith far of places might be a through fare since all the and P.P. Joglekar. Deep soundings enable Edicts of Asoka was engraved on a strategic place archaeologists to get a “slice” of the complete of a royal highway. It is one of the provincial occupational sequence of a site. The earliest levels cities of 3rd century BCE and again continued up of Talapada contain abundant examples of high- to 3rd century CE. fired reduced and oxidized slipped pottery with Narla-Asurgarh designs such as circular ridged bowl bases and knobbed ware bases, some with graffiti on the Asurgarh, as the name suggests, appears underside. From the archaeological and structural to be the most important Early Historic settlement remains of the site, it is clear that Talapada was in the hinterland Odisha, located near Rupra an urban centre with all traits of urbanism and Railway Station, about 2 km from the Narla social formation during the period contemporary village. The fort, square in plan, each side to Sisupalgarh from 3rd century BCE to 3rd century measuring 1200 m, had four wide gates in four CE. Although, extensive excavation is felt cardinal directions, and at each gate was installed necessary and so far, it could be a middle town in one guardian deity. The river Sandul flows by the between Sisupalgarh (Kalinganagari) and western side of the fort encircled by a moat on Jaugarh (Samapa). three sides which is fed by a huge tank still existing

APRIL - 2021 41 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review today. Perhaps, the palace was constructed at Madhya Pradesh. It was an important recruiting the centre of the fort. ground for the veteran army of Kalinga even as early as the time of the war. The site was subjected for a limited Asurgarh seems to be the capital city and the most excavation by the Department of History, important centre of Atavika territory and the University (Sahu 1982: 1-8), which excavation amply indicates that the area was not revealed interesting results. The excavation at the underdeveloped during the days of Ashoka and site consisting of two small trenches, have revealed the people had a high standard of civilization paved house floors, an array of ceramic types characterized by well-polished potteries of the such as , Black Slipped Northern Black Polished fabric. No doubt, Ware, Fine Grey Ware, Red Slipped Ware, Asurgarh was an important political and Northern Black Polished Ware, and most commercial centre situated on the highway joining probably Rouletted Ware, iron implements of war South Kosala and Mahakantara with Kalinga. In and peace, beads made of semiprecious stones, the 4th century CE, the fort of Asurgarh appears punch-marked silver and copper coins, terracotta to have belonged to king Vyaghraraja of figurines, glass bangles, amulets and ornaments. Mahakantara whom Samudragupta claims to have rd A hoard of 539 silver coins, belonging to the 3 defeated in course of his south Indian campaign. th century BCE. to the 5 century CE. and collected The excavation indicates that the fort area was by the King of Kalahandi furnished considerable deserted after 5th/6th century CE. and as such, it cultural data. The first group of coins (69) are may be said that Tusti was probably the last assignable to the pre-Mauryan period, the second known ruler of Asurgarh. group (272) to the Mauryan epoch and to the Guptas. The coins found at the site indicate that The ceramic industry at the site comprises there was probably a mint at the site for fabrication of dish, bowl and vessels. The dishes are in of punch-marked coins. The similarity of some burnished Black Slipped Ware with inverted coins of the punch-marked coins of Asurgarh with simple rim, thin wall, the vessels are in burnished those found at Bijnor and Paila near Koushambi, Black Slipped Ware with complex externally and the similarity in texture of fabric of some projecting short beaked rim; in Red Slipped Ware pottery types of Asurgarh with those at Ahichhatra with narrow mouth, concentric corrugation at the further indicate that there was a brisk trade during interior body and grey core. All types are of fine the Mauryan period between Asurgarh and core. However, the site was further taken for archaeological spade by Archaeological Survey prosperous towns like Koushambi and Ahichatra of India in the year 2018 -19.Some silver and in North India as also with Sripura, Vidisha and copper rings and punch marked coins have been Ujjain. recovered and the ceramic industry remain same While narrating the historicity of the fort, as discussed. But the cultural sequence is date Sahu (1982: 1-8) opines that Asurgarh bears a back to pre-Asokan Period. The detail report is special importance as far as the Atavika people yet to publish. are concerned. These people find mention in the Dantapura(Dantavakatrunikota) Ashokan Edicts and are considered to be constituted the fighting forces of Kalinga against The capital Dantapura is mentioned in the Ashoka in his famous Kalinga war. The Atavika Buddhist texts of Dighanikaya, Mahavastu and land comprised roughly the present districts of, in the various Jatakas such as Kalingabodhi, Kalahandi, Bolangir and Boudh-Sonepur regions Chulla Kalinga, Kumbhakara, Kurudharamma of Central and and Bastar in Jatakas. The Kurudhamma Jataka states that

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Dantapura the capital of Kalinga was once badly square in size with openings on four sides marked affected by drought. The Pali text Dathavamsa with gates. The circumference is almost 2 kms (Tooth chronicle) states that a disciple of Buddha and surrounded by moat. The mud fort covers an named Thera Khema, acquired the tooth remains area of 500 acres of land and the existing from the funeral pyre of the Gautama Buddha and habitational deposit is of about 4 to 5 meters. The handed over to Brahmadatta, the king of Kalinga. fortification wall raises about 35 ft high with Brahmadatta enshrined it in his capital city, which thickness of about 60 ft. all around. Inside, the was known as Dantapura. In the Mahabharata, fortification several high mounds are marked. It the city is known as Dantakura. Pliny described appears that the site had four entrances on the Dantapura as Dandagula or Dandagola (fortified four cardinal directions of which only western gate town). The Mahagovinda Sutta of the could be traced. Dighanikaya mentions Dantapura in Kalinga as However, a small-scale excavation was one of the six famous cities of contemporary India. conducted by the Department of Archaeology, The Jaina works Sutrakritanga speaks of this Andhra Pradesh in the year 1998-2000. The capital city and its king Dantavakra, “the best of excavation revealed a row of Buddhist stupas and the Ksatriyas”. This nagara was the rajdhani (capital) of Kalinga country. Kings called ruins of brick structures as well as an earthen Sattabhu, Kalinga, Nalikira and Karandu reigned rampart surrounding the site. To know the from Dantapura. The references to Dantapura foundation details of the stupa, the stupa was dug appear to be Mauryan and post Mauryan period. up to a depth of 5.60 mtrs and exposed 39 Perhaps earliest references whatever we got says courses of bricks. At the foundation level, a circle that the city was the strong hold of Kalinga from of granite blocks were planted with a view to avoid dislocation of circular brick structure. earliest time up to 3rd-4th century CE and lost its importance during Asokan period when Tosali Associated materials with brick structures of emerges as one of the major provincials of various kinds and pottery of that includes plain, Mauryas. But in later period, we again get a large decorated, single incised and stamped type, number of references to the city in the copper- usually of wheel turned and well fired. The pottery plate charters of the Eastern Ganga kings in the includes northern black polished ware, rouletted later period of about 7th century CE which seems ware, grey ware, dull red ware, red slipped ware that the old citadel was served for defense purpose and knobbed ware and the shapes are storage under Eastern Gangas. jars, vases, vessels, lamps-on-stand, dishes, lids deep bowels etc. There is a site under the present name Dantavakatrunikota or Dantapura, well within the The site and excavated materials are very ancient geographical region of Kalinga. much akin to the early historical site Radhanagara Dantavakatrunikota is located on the right bank of Dharmasala area of , Odisha. of the river Vamsadhara near Rottavalsa in The cultural sequence is equally matching. The Srikakulam District. The archaeological mound series of fortified ancient sites excavated in the still, some part is intact spread over an area of last decade ranging from Radhanagara, about 5 kms between two villages Rottavalsa and Sisupalgarh, Talapada, Lathi and Dantapura and Ravivalsa in the Surbujilimandal of Srikakulam in between Jaugarh (Samapa) are in a single line district. We have explored the site with a team of and mostly located in the coastal area of Odisha archaeologists from OMISEAS in the year 2016 or in the same the geographical orbit ancient and in March and October 2020. The site is Kalinga. The city planning with such a mud

APRIL - 2021 43 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review fortification on the bank of the navigable river and Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Mahavamsa Vamsadhara supported by near port site stated that Simhapura, capital of northern Kalinga, Kalingapattnam and Salihundam presents an was founded by Simhavahu67. In the Tamil work unique culture complex. The Archaeological Manimekhalai, Simhapura and Kapilapura are exploration and excavation prove that it is fortified described as two capitals of Kalinga. Mahavastu capital city Dantapura of ancient Kalinga and relates the story of the Kasyapa brothers who continued to be under occupation till 3rd -4th ruled in the city of Simhapura. According to century CE. It is the earliest most capital city of Culavamsa, Vajravahu the king of Ceylon (1054- Ancient Odisha or Kalinga. Again we are getting 1109 CE), who married Triloka-Sundari of reference of the city in the later periods under Kalinga came to Ceylon from Simhapura. A rock Eastern Gangas towards 7th century CE. inscription at Dambula (Sri Lanka) of Nissanka Several suggestions have been advanced , also known as Kirti Nissanka or Kalinga in regard to the identification of this ancient city Lankesvara (1187-1196 CE), claims his ancestry (EI, XXX,) but R. Suba Rao’s identification of from Kalinga dynasty in India. Nissanka Malla the ‘ruined fort of Dantapura situated on the was a powerful king of Sri Lanaka and founded southern bank of the river Vamsadhara seems the capital City Poolunaruva (now a world more probable (S.Tripathy, 2010). After the early Heritage Site) ruled almost 10 years and declares period when Dantapura was the earliest capital that non-Buddhist should not be placed in power of Kalinga even in pre-Asokan period but in Sri Lanka to which the Kalinga dynasty was the rightful heir as mentioned in his rock inscription continued up to 3rd-4th century CE as that of Radhanagar chronology. Dantapura was the at Golopotha. He was born at Simhapura of ancient most capital site and its chronology must Kalinga (Schober Juliane 1997). From the have pre-Mauryan and it was well described in epigraphical sources, it is known that Simhapura the literature which confirms with the present was the capital of Kalinga during the rule of the location. Matharas. The city was under Satrudamanadeva, a feudatory of the Eastern Ganga king issued his Now, let us concentrate the historical Pedda-dugam plates from the city of Simhapura. towns where we are getting information from A lithic record dated Saka 1100 (1178 CE) copperplate grants and inscriptions. We are trying describes a gift for perpetual lamp to god to locate these city centres on the basis available Madhukesvara by the donor Erakammanaya- sources so far published. Since very few analytical kuralu, wife of Vanapati Peggada of Simhapura. works have been done so far to locate these urban Hultzsch identified Simhapura as Singupuram, /city centres, of course, our dynastic history is situated between Srikakulam and Narasamapeta. replete with long narration of about them. Here, However, during early historical period from 6th an effort is made taking to gather all discovered -7th century, it was a capital city of Kalinga. The materials from exploration, excavation, textual identification so far made to identify the Simhapura and oral and trying to identify them on historical inferred from the sources discussed is convincing. method. Kalinganagara Simhapura Kalinganagara was the capital city of Simhapura or Vijayasimhapura has been Eastern Ganga dynasty, which is the modern referred to as a capital city of Kalinga in ancient Mukhalingam on the river bank of the literature under the Matharas who ruled over the Vamsadhara, in present Srikakulam district of area in the modern district of Ganjam in Odisha Andhra Pradesh bordering Odisha which was

44 APRIL - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 earlier part of Ganjam district of Odisha. The a policy of aggressive followed by regions speaks the earliest historical paradigm of Chodagangadeva (1077 to 1147 CE),the grandson Odisha. of Vajrahastadeva V. The Ganga empire extended Hastivarmana (577 CE), the third known from the mouth of the Godavari to the Ganges. They also shifted their capital from Kalinganagara Ganga ruler of Trikalinga, wrested away north (Mukhalingam ) to Avinava Varanasi / or Kalinga from Vigrahas and conquered south Choudwar Cuttack to check the Kalachuri king Kalinga from Prithivi- of Pistapura and Jajlladeva I’s further eastward advance. The thus founded the Ganga kingdom of Kalinga. He expansion of Kalachuri kingdom towards east built the new capital of Kalinganagara on the bank might have prompted Chodagangadeva for shifting of the Vamsadhara and assumed the title of the capital from Kalinganagar to Yayatinagara or Sakala-Kalingadhipati. Hastivarmana, in fact Varanasi-Kataka to check the advance of the was considered to be the real founder of Ganga- Kalachuris. The transfer of the capital might have kingdom of Kalinga. The Early Gangas or Eastern been affected in or before 1114 CE because by Gangas established their capital at Kalinganagara that time the western portion of the country was identified with modern Mukhalingam in already occupied by Jajlla. K.A.M.Sastri also Srikakulam district only 30 Kms from opines that Chodaganga had transferred his and around 60 kms from capital from Kalinganagara to Utkala territory by Mahendragiri. Scholars also opine that the Gangas 1114 CE. had a secondary capital at Dantapura identified with Dantapurakota near Kotavalsa (the same site Kongoda of ancient capital of Kalinga), again on the bank The capital town of the Sailodbhavas was of Vamsadhara. The region of Gangas was around known as Kongoda. The name Kongoda was the present Srikakulam-, probably derived from the conjunction as well as otherwise known as the Eastern Gangas or Early the contraction of the words Kalinga and Odra. Gangas and ruled from 496 CE to the middle of According to Hiuen-Tsang, who visited 11th century CE. The Chicacole plates of Kung-yu-to or Kongoda in about A.D.638, Indravarmana (Ganaga Era 146), states that “hail “the country was above 1000 li in circuit, from the victorious city of Kalinganagara” which and “contained some tens of towns which is the ornament of all the land of Kalinga that is stretched from the slopes of the hills to the embraced by the fingers of the waves of the water edge of the sea”. By the time of the visit of the of the ocean, the Maharaj Sri Indravarmana, who Chinese pilgrim Kongoda had just emerged as has had the stains of the kali age removed by an independent kingdom and was bidding for a unceasing obeisance to Gokarnasvami, the sole mighty political career. We find reference of to architect for the formation of the universe, who the term the Buguda plate of the Sailodbhaba king has full-moon for (his) crest-jewel, (and) who is Madhavavarman and in the eighth line of the clothed with the coils of great serpents, (and) who Ganjam plate of Madhavaraja. Kongoda the dwells on the summit of the mountain Mahendra” earliest reference to this town is found in the and goes on narrating kings personal eulogy. It Khandiapada-Nuapalli plates of Chharamparaja. seems that Mahendragiri had already got its due The Ganjam grant of Madhavaraja reveals that importance in the cultural life of Kalinga people Kongoda was located on the bank of the river from the days of Eastern Gangas. After the Salima which has been identified with the modern accession of Anantavarmana-Vajrahastadeva in river Salia. SnigdhaTripathy locates the town of 1038 CE, the Gangas of Kalinga rose up to follow Kongoda in the area around Banapur which is

APRIL - 2021 45 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review now situated on the bank of the Salia four Guhesvarapataka was most likely associated with kilometers from the Chilika. She points out that Guha or the Guhas mentioned in the puranas and “the township is now noted for several ancient the Mahabharata as the rulers of Kalinga, Mahisya temples and sculptures and other antiquities of (Midnapore) and the Mahendra mountain. From great historical importance.” Scholars give the Buddhist chronicle Dathavamsa that a king different explanation to justify this name. named Guhasiva was ruling over Kalinga during the 3rdcentury CE. The name of Guhasiva was From the Ganjam copper plate grant of retained by the capital city of the Bhaumakaras Madhavaraja II we get prasasti "Catur- known as Guhadevapataka or Guhesvarapataka dadahisalila vici-mekhala-nilimayamsa- which is located in Jajpur. dvipa-giripattanavatyam ………" which suggests that Kongoda probably had influence The origin and inference of the name of over the islands (dvipa) of Eastern Seas. S.C. the capital from Guhasiva as advocated by the observes that the Sailendras of scholars seems feasible as the term Guhasiva, Suvarnadvipa are supposed to be the Guhadeva, and Guhesvera are identical. The Sailodbhava emigrants of Kongoda .(Behera identification of Guhadevapataka or 2007: 195). Historians are of opinion that it is Guhesverapataka with Jajpur is supported by the, likely that the Sailodbhavas being hard pressed Badakhemandi Plate of Jayavarmadeva of between the Bhaumas of Utkala and Early Gangas Svetaka. From this copper plate, it is known that of Kalinga would have migrated to Indonesia. The the donor was a feudatory of the Bhauma-kara Mahayan Buddhist Art of the Sailendras of Java ruler Sivakaradeva I Unmattasimha who had his has strong affinities with the early medieval residence at Viraja or Jajpur. It is again Odishan art particularly of Bankada and Ratnagiri. corroborated by the Chaurasi Plate of The art and architecture developed under the Sivakaradeva-II which states that the grant was Sailodbhavas now scattered around Banpur area. written and heated by Harivardhana, a resident The archaeological remains that found at Bankada, of Viraja. K.C. Panigrahi has established its Punjiama, Achutarajpur, Niladriprasad testifies the identification at GohiraTikira, situated about five fact that the landscape on the bank of the river miles to the north of Jajpur. The Hanisesvara Salia was once a capital with forts, ports, palaces temple inscription of Madhavidevi, queen of and temples. Subhakaradeva I, provides some evidences for setting the exact location of the Bhauma-kara Guhadevapataka capital. The temple inscription reveals that the Guhadevapataka is the capital city of queen built the Madhavesvara temple, dug a tank Bhaumakara dynasty. Guhadevapataka or and established a market at a nearby place. Guhesvara Pataka or Viraja or Abhinava All the copper-plate grants of the Yayatinagara, situated on the bank of the river Bhaumakara rulers were issued from this place Vaitarani has a glorious antiquity since the time of which is called Guhadevapataka in the earlier the Mahabharata. This place is identified with inscriptions and Guhesvarapataka in the later. The GuhiraTikra which is about 5 miles from Viraja place is described in these inscriptions as a Java- or Jajpur and the immediate neighbourhood of skandhavara, means a camp of victory, has often Khadipada (Buddhist sites). Tikra, the second been used in medieval lexicons in the sense of a part of the name Gohira Tikra, means a mound capital. The place is generally identified with and the first part of the name Gohira seems to be present Jajpur. According to B. Mishra, the name a corruption of Guhesvara. Guhadevapataka or Guhadevapataka owes its origin to a non-Aryan

46 APRIL - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 is named Guha, reputed in the Puranas as the Vaisnavamantra. King Janmejaya elevated savior of the peoples, including the Kalingas, Suvarnapura as his capital. The Kalibhana plate Mahisyas and Mahendra Bhaumas, inhabiting the of Janmejaya was issued in his 34 regnal year Mahendra mountain. In the Mahabharata, the and the place of issue of the grant is mentioned as sanctity of the Vaitarani river mentioned a place Suvarnapura-Vijayakataka which indicates fit for pilgrimage. The Gayasura Mahatmya Suvranapura-Kataka only. section of the Purana alludes it is the King Yayati I, the son of Janmejaya made famous Nabhigaya where lies the naval portion Vinitapura his capital and resided there up to his of the demon Gaya. K.C. Panigrahi records a 15th regnal year. This Vinitapura has been identified Sanskrit verse, which is still recited at Nabhigaya with Binika which was prosperous capital town at the time of offering pinda, mentioning that the on the bank of the river Mahanadi near Somavamsi king Yayati Kesari celebrated ten Suvarnapura. The Maranjuamura plates of the Asvamedha sacrifices at Jajpur with the help of third year of the reign of Mahasivagupta-Yayati ten thousand Brahmanas, brought from Kanauj. discovered from the village of Dungri in Sonepur A quay, called Dasasvamedha ghata may be state and charter was issued from the Royal camp noticed even now at Jajpur. Hence, Jajpur and at Suvarnapura. The first part of this inscription its vicinity is the appropriate location of the capital states that Mahasivagupta-I was the conqueror of Bhaumakaras. of Karnata, Lata (Gujrat), Gurjara, Kongada, Vinitapura (Binika) Utkala, Kosala, Gauda and Radha and perhaps Dravida; that he had conquered Kalinga, Vinitapura has been identified with Binika Kongoda, Utkala, Kosala, Gauda and Radha and on the river Mahanadi in Subarnapur that he had earned the title Tri-Kalingadhipati District.Vinitapura is regarded by some scholars with his own arms. The second record of the king as the headquarters of the Somavamsi kings of is the Patna Plates of the year eight; they were South Kosala in early 10th century CE. The issued from the Royal camp at Vinitapura and Somavamsis had been forced to shift from their record the grant of some village of Talakajja with earlier capital from Siripur (Chhatisgarh) to south a river named Turadassanariya in Kosala country Kosala (modern Sambalpur, , Sonepur to a Brahmana named Kamadeva of Districts) after occupation of Kalachuris. The Kasyapagotra. The third record of this king, the earliest known record of the dynasty was issued Kataka plates of the ninth year refers place names. by Janmejaya from Suvarnapura or modern The first part of this inscription is in verse and Sonepur. The Gopalpur charters of Janmejaya I, name of the place from which the charter was describe Suvarnapura on the bank of the river issued is introduced in prose after the fourth verse Tel as Mahakatka decorated with conch-shells, as Tasmat Sri–Vinitapurat’ “from Vinitapura”. sea-shells, pearls, gems, corals and gold. It was The next three verses devoted to Janmejaya and here that Janmejaya was coronated as king in his son Yayati. The king’s name is given towards the midst of Indradhvaja festival. Suvarnapura the end of the inscription as Yayati. The most continued to be Janmejaya’s Vijayakataka from important point established by this inscription is where he issued the copperplate grant of his tenth the fact that in the ninth year of his reign regnal year, donating village Jollamara in Mahasivagupta –Yayati had obtained possession Luputtura khanda to Mahabhattaraka Sadharana of a portion at any rate of the flat plains of Odisha. in favour of Lord Jalasayana Narayana, the only Yayati- I was successful ruler and became master Somavamsi charter known to have contained a over the entire Bhauma kingdom of Tosala mostly

APRIL - 2021 47 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review north and coastal Odisha towards 945 CE and is the earliest known capital of Utkala during the the newly acquired territory came to be known Somavamsi dynasty. From his 15th year Yayati I as Utkala. Further he shifted his capital from shifted his capital from Vinitapura to Yayatinagara. Suvarnapura to Vinitapura, identified with modern Hiralal and R.D. Banerjee are of the opinion that Binika, but later on he made Yayatinagar his capital Vinitapura was renamed as Yayatinagara during by his 24th regnal year in 949 CE. According to the reign of Mahasivagupta-Yayati I. Fleet some scholars (E.I.Vol.XI) Yayati-I renamed considers Yayatinagara to be a fanciful name of Vinitapura after him; yet some others identify Cuttack and is critical about its location at Jajpur, Yayatinagara with modern Gandharadi (Jagati) the inscriptions imply that Yayatinagara stood on near Boudh where twin temple of Siddheswar the Mahanadi river, whereas Jajpur is situated on and Nilamadhav with Siva and Vishnu housed in the Baitarani, about 50 miles away from the river. one platform. It is perhaps Vinitapura was Even N.K.Sahu also supports this identification renamed as Yayatinagar. Yayati-I was referred to with location of a village called Jakatinagara and re-establishment of Jagannath temple at Puri which locates Yayatinagar between Gandhatapati became another provincial religious town. K.C. mandala and the right bank of the river Mahanadi. Panigrahi remarks “Yayati’s work at Puri was B. Mishra opined that, Yayatinagara was both Political and religious and meant to be in the vicinity of Sonepur where from abundant spectacular. Yayati I, united Kosala and Utkala archaeological materials have been unearthed. The politically and culturally and can be regarded as king Mahasivagupta Yayati III Chandihara the father of modern Odisha. founded this city and named it after him. The place th has been identified with places by different However, after 15 regnal year Yayati-I scholars. Some have suggested its identification shifted his capital to a new place and named it with Binka in the old Sonepur State. after him as Abhinava Yayatinagar (Jajpur) after occupation of Utkala which was also known as But B. Sharma (p.26.) concludes that th Tosali. The kingdom of Tosali was divided into Yayati-I in his 9 regnal year granted the village large administrative units viz., Uttara (North) and Chandragrama in the Marda visaya of Dakina Dakshina (South).The country of Utkala was Tosala. Now, writes Sharma Yayatinagar may be under the rule of Bhaumakaras before it was identified with Choudwar in the district of Cuttack. merged with Somavamsi kingdom. Under She further states Yayati might have chosen that place because of its natural location. Enemies had Yayati II the kingdom of Utkala and Kosala were to reach the capital crossing the Mahanadi which united under one scepter. From the Sonepur was a principal natural barrier. The Kudopali plate plates of Kumara Somesvaradeva, we know that of Mahabhavagupta II, discovered from the the united kingdom of the Somavamsi kings was village Kudapali in district was issued divided into two parts namely Utkala and Kosala from Yayatinagara. The charter issued by a during the time of Udyotakesari. He had feudatory of Mahabhavagupta–II, named appointed Abhimanyu probably his grandfather Mandalika and Ranaka Punja, son of Voda, of to rule over Kosala from Vinitapura and he the Mathara family. Punja the feudatory of himself ruled over Utkala from Yayatinagara. Mahabhavagupta II allies Bhimaratha is mentioned Yayatinagara as being resident of Yayatinagara. It is strange in Odishan history that Dr. Sircar says, Jajpur seems to be a Yayatinagar was regarded as the capital of corruption of the name Yayatipura, which is again Somavamsi both Binika and Jajpur. Yayatinagara practically the same as Yayatinagara. Yayatinagara

48 APRIL - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 figures as the capital of the Somavamsi kingdom copper-plate grants from Yayatinagar which in the 24th regnal year of Yayati’s reign. Jajpur is cannot be taken to Yayatinagara of Kosala taken to be a Yayatipattana or Yayatinagara on country, because when these grants were made, account of Yayati II. Scholars like K.C Panigrahi, the former had assigned Kosala to Abhimanyu, B. Das opined that when the Somavamsi kings probably a prince of the Somavamsi Dynasty, to succeeded the Bhaumakaras they transferred their rule over it and the latter had lost Kosala. It capital from Vinitapura to Viraja and renamed it appears that after the occupation of Odisha as Abhinava Yayatinagara which seems more Yayati-I established ‘secondary capital in Odisha appropriate. Some scholars say Yayatinagara is and this capital was also known as Yayatinagar located in South Kosala. Tirumalai inscription of situated in Kosala, but appointed viceroys, Rajendra Chola refers that the capture of generally the princes of the same dynasty, for Yayatinagara, the Somavamsi king led to the Odisha to rule from Abhinav (new) Yayatinagara. conquest of Oddavishaya. From this it becomes This arrangement appears to have lasted up to clear that Yayatinagara was not situated in Kosala, the reign of Yayati II when the position became as Rajendra Chola moved to Kosala after the reversed. Since his reign the Somavamsi kings capture of Yayatinagara through Odra. Dhoyi, a lived in Odisha and ruled from Abhinava- court poet of king Laxmana Sena of Bengal had Yayatinagara and appointed their viceroys for given a beautiful description of the city of Kosala, who ruled not from old Yayatinagara, but Yayatinagara where tall Gauvaka trees were from Suvaranapura, which states that Kosala found entangled by creepers of betel leaves in his country had been assigned to Abhimanyu by kavya, Pavandutam. On the basis of his Uddyotakesari. description also Yayatinagara could be identified Odia Mahabharata written by Raja with Choudwar, a place of strategic and th archaeological importance. Krishna Simha in 18 century mentions that anybody who visits Yayati-pattana, gets the same Literary evidences also prove as merits as accrued from performance of the K.C.Panigrahi refers that the existence of a Asvamedha sacrifice. There is a tradition still Yayatinagara in Odisha. Madalapanji- Sree current in Odisha, particularly at Jajpur, that Jagannath temple chronicle mentions Abhinava- Yayati-Keshari brought ten thousand Brahmins Yayatinagara, in connection with events stated to from Kanauj and performed ten Asvamedha have taken place during the reign of the Ganga sacrifices. There is still a ghat on the Vaitarani king Anangabhimadeva III. The context in which river at Jajpur known as Dasasvamedha Ghat. writes K.C. Panigrahi, this place name has been A group of Sapta-matrika images enshrined in a used, and leaves no doubt that by Abhinava- temple on this ghat and under worship still. Yayatinagar, the chronicle means modern Jajpur.Jajpur has been described as Yayatinagar Abhinava-Varanasi Katak in the even up to eighteenth century, Chodagangadeva succeeded in notwithstanding the fact that in all Muslim sources occupying Utkala by defeating the Somavamsi the name had long been changed into Jajnagar. king before 1108 CE as known from The Chola record, indicates that Dharmaratha Mukhalingam inscription. (Epigraphia Andhrika, was appointed to rule over Odisha with his capital Hydrabad,IV.) However, he allowed the at Yayatinagar or Abhinava-Yayatinagar, is Somavamsi king to rule over Utkala after proved by several evidences. The Somavamsi reinstating him as a vassal. Chodagangadeva kings Uddyotakesari and Karnadeva issued their annexed Utkala permanently to the Ganga

APRIL - 2021 49 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review kingdom, transferred his capital from the ancestral According to the land grant of 1230 CE by capital Kalinganagara identified with Anangabhima III, the occupational group Mukhalingam to Kataka (Cuttack) which they inhabiting the township covering thirtyvati (375 called Varanasi Kataka. (Panigrahi 1981). Not acres) were perfumer (gandhika), dealer in only he proclaimed hegemony of the Gangas, but conch shell (sankhika), goldsmith (suvarnkara), also united Kalinga and Utkala under one brazier (kamsakara), seller of betel leaf authority. The Ganga rule lasted for over three (tambulika), maker of jiggery (gudika), weaver centuries with 14 generations from the capital (tanturvaya), fisherman (kaivarta) etc. The Avinava Varanasi Kataka. The Gangaswer also palace at Varanasi-Katak was divided into two built strong forts at Jajpur, Amaravati (near parts, the inner part and outer part. There was a Chatia), Choudwar, Cuttack and Sarangagada or temple of Lord Jagannath in the inner part of the Chudongagada (near Barang) known as pancha- palace. The king held audience in this part in a Kataka. grand pavilion adorned with figures of maidens. Anangavimadeva might have transferred his Abhinava Varanasi Kataka was the nerve capital from Choudwar to Varansi-Kataka after centre of political and economic activities under building the . There are two sets of the imperial Gangas and Gajapatis. According to Copper Plate of Narasimha Deva IV refers Sri- tradition found in the Madalapanji, one day the navara (Royal –Palace) at Varansi-Kataka. The king crossed the river Mahanadi to offer worship king used to grant audience to his ministers and in the temple of Visvesvara Siva, situated in the high officials on a grand decorated and terraced village of Barabati. There he saw that a hawk was pavilion. There were many attendants in the inner killed by a heron. The king was struck by this palace controlled by an attendant –in-chief. unusual sight and he decided to shift his residence Entrance to the inner palace was regulated and (Kataka) from Choudwar to that village. Because checked by superintendent. (K.B.Tripathy,1990) of the presence of the temple of Visvesvara Siva, The excavation of the Barabati fort also he renamed the place new (Abhinava) Varanasi. has yielded remnants of a temple, pillars of a P. Mukherjee, “The Barabati Fort, Cuttack, palace, cannon ball, arrowheads and other 1990” in Cuttack One Thousand Years,Vol. II, associated structures pointing towards the section III, p.55. The Madalapanji informs that existence of a city in the second and third decade Anangabhimadeva III constructed a fort at of thirteenth century. (B.K. Sinha,1990) Barabati village and established his new capital Madalapanji also reveals same evidence therefore there. It was named Abhinava Varanasi Kataka. it can be said that Cuttack town as capital of a Varanasi-Kataka is mentioned in an inscription at Kingdom was founded by Anangabhimadeva in Simhachalam belonging to the time of 1211 CE (Joshi, 1979). Simachalam Temple Chodagangadeva dated Saka 1035 i.e.1113 CE. Inscription, Saka 1377 (1455 A.D.) and So Varanasi Kataka was famous since the time Madalapanji, the Temple Chronicle of Lord of Chodagangadeva. Anangabhima III probably Jagannath, records it as Varanasi Kataka. (Mukul rebuilt the fort and the royal residence. It was Rao,1987). Abhinava-Varanasi or Abhinava- renamed as Abhinava Varanasi Kataka. Varanasi-Kataka, mentioned in some of the Thereafter the capital was known in its new name. Imperial Ganga records, which has been identified (Mishra and Samal, 2010).The Nagari with present Cuttack. It is bounded by the Copperplate describes that Anangabhima Deva Mahanadi in the north and the Kathajodi in the III (1211-1238 CE) transferred his capital from south. One of the land grants of Anangabhima III Choudwar to Abhinava Varanasi Kataka. helps us confirming the location of the city, while

50 APRIL - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 staying at Abhinava-Varanasi, the king took a III while staying at Abhinava-Varanasi-Kataka. sacred bath in the Mahanadi between the temples The date of this inscription according to of the gods Citresvara and Visvesvara in the Saka Mahalingam is 20th March 1230 CE. The year 1151 (1230 CE). D.C. Sircar observes, 'As commenter of the famous Sanskrit literary epics the contraction of the name Varanasi-Kataka was (Mahakavyas), Mallinath (1400-1537 CE) wrote both Varanasi and Kataka (Cuttack).' Varanasi- a commentary on Ekavali written by Vidyadhara Kataka is mentioned in the Nagari plates of at Varanasi Kataka. The work glorifies the Anangabhima III as the seat of government of achievements of king Narasimhadev. The Imperial Ganga kingdom. Anangabhima III is the Kandavidu copper plate of Gandeva refers the earliest known king among the Imperial Gangas capital city Kataka on Mahanadi and is vied with to have issued charters from Cuttack. The Indra’s Amaravati. Next, we come across an Madalapanji states that Anangabhima, who inscription of Purushottam Deva of the Gajapati dedicated his kingdom to the god Purusottama- dynasty corresponding to 1485 CE found on the Jagannatha, resided at Chaudwar-Kataka on the right side of the Jaya-Vijaya doorway of Sree Mahanadi river, whereas, his younger brother and Jagannath Temple, Puri which refers that this was successor, also called Anangabhima, transferred promulgated before the dignitaries by the king on his residence to Varanasi-Kataka, where he built 18.08.1485 during his principal audience at the a village called Barabati, on the southern bank of building to the south of ‘Gopalpriya’ shrine in the the Mahanadi. It is known from his land grants Royal Palace at ‘Varanasi Kataka’. Another that Anangabhima III installed the god bilingual stone inscription of Mohammad Takki Purusottama at Cuttack in 1230-31 CE. D.C. Khan, the Muslim Governor at Cuttack c.1730 Sircar observes that, ‘the idea underlying the CE on the inner side of a big well in village installation of a substitute of the god Purusottama- Vidyadharpur near Cuttack. This epigraph Jagannatha of Puri at Cuttack is apparently the records the construction of a big well for the same that inspired Sivaji to install a substitute of benefit of pilgrims to Puri near the pilgrim’s road his patron deity, the goddess Bhavani of Tuljapur on the occasion of Ratha Yatra. The reference near Osanabad in the present Hyderabad State, from Ain–i–Akbari clearly denotes that Cuttack in his newly built fort at Pratapgarh near Javeli. was a flourishing capital city during the time of Apparently, the Ganga king wanted to live Mukunda Deva. On the eve of Afghan constantly in the company of his patron deity at occupation, Cuttack was found to be a well- guarded and heavily fortified capital. The Afghans his residence at Cuttack.’ Kamarnava VII, son however were not destined to rule Odisha and of Chodagangadeva who ruled about 10 years they were soon ousted by the Imperial Mughals. and performed Tulabharam ceremony. He is Cuttack continued to be the capital of Mughal known to have built a temple named Jatesvara Odisha and Abul Fazal clearly mentions that identified with modern Jhotesvara temple at Mughal Governor was residing in that city. Choudwar. During the rule of the Marathas, Cuttack The first inscription engraved at Arual th greatly prospered as an emporium of trade and Perumal temple was engraved in the 19 regnal commerce and became a central market for year of Anangabhima III. This inscription records exchange between the Marathas of Nagpur and the donation of the village Udaiyakamam in the the English merchants of Bengal and Northern Anatarudravisaya for the worship and offerings Sircar. As per the treaty of Deogaon, Cuttack to the lord Allalanatha. The donation was made came under British occupation in 1803 and the by Somladevi, the queen of Anangabhimadeva English set themselves to the task of consolidation

APRIL - 2021 51 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review and land revenue administration. As an after effect K T S Sarao, 2010, Urban Centres and Urbanisation : of the devastating famine of 1866, the government As Reflected in Pali Vinaya and Sutta Pitakas, (3rd Edn) gave serious consideration to remove the isolation Delhi, Munishiram Manoharlal, New Delhi, 2010, of Cuttack from the outside world and at the same K.B.Tripathy,1990, Sanskrit and Odia Inscriptions time to prevent the recurrence of such calamities Relating to Cuttack in K.S.Behera et.al ed. Cuttack One in future. Along with several water ways, roads Thousand Years, Section IV, The Universe, Cuttack, were also opened during the later part of the 19th Lewis Mumford, 1961, The City in History, London. century to provide Cuttack with internal N.K.Sahu, 1964, Utkal University History of Orissa, communication. Then towards the last decade of Bhubaneswar, 1964. the 19thcentury, railway line of BNR connected P.K.Mishr and J.K.Samal, 2010, Comprehensive History Cuttack directly with Madras and Calcutta. From of Orissa, Delhi. this day onwards Kataka or Cuttack remained R.J. Braidwood,1950, Near East and Foundation for as capital of Odisha till first half of 20th century. Civilization, Onegon, 1950. The history and heritage of Odisha is R. Thapar, 2013, Readings Early Indian History, OUP, revolving all with these cities which shed the Delhi. romantic life of Odisha State. The cities as R. Champaklakshmi.1976, ‘Archaeology and Tamil discussed not only our witness to the socio- Literary Tradition’, Puratattva No. 8 economic -politico and religious upheavals but say R.Balakrishnan, 2019, Journey of a Civilization, about of our journey from great cities of 6th century Chennai. BCE (Dantapura) to Abhinav Varansi Cuttack in S.K.Patnaik, 2016, Taksasila to Tosali, Pratibha 20th century. Once one visit, the city centers and Prakshan, Delhi. just have a look to the archaeological remains and S.Tripathy,1997, Inscriptions of Orissa, MLBD, New epigraphical evidences one, could very well Delhi. understand the whole of Odisha from Kalinga to Schober Juliane 1997, Sacred biography in the Buddhist Utkala, from Kongoda to Kosala, from Odra to Traditions of South and South East Asia, University of Odisha. The journey of our history is the reflection Hawaii Press. of the march of civilization as is visible from S. Mishra,2019, Sonepur :The Lost Capital of Ancient ancient settlements scattered around the Odisha, Kaveri, Delhi. geographical orbit of modern Odisha and only T. Watters, On Yuan Chwangs Travels in India. Vol.II. history and historians of our past and modern time Delhi, can able to tell the truth and this is the relevance V.Tripathi and Singh, 1991-92, ‘From Janapadas to of history in modern times. Mahajanapadas-A Study of Material Cultures in the Gangetic Basin’, Pragdhra-2 References : B.Sharma,1983, Somavamsi Rule in Orissa, Culcutta. B.B.Lal,1949, ‘Sisupalgarh’, Ancient India No, 5. ASI, Delhi D.K.Ganguly,1975, Historical Geography and Dynastic History of Orissa, Punthi Pustak, Calcutta, K.C.Panigrahi, 1981, History of Orissa, Kitab Mahal, Cuttack. Sarita Nayak, Lecturer in History (Ancient Hist. & K.C.Panigrahi, 1961, Chronology of the Bhaumakaras Archaeology), Salepur (Auto) College, Salepur, Cuttack, and the Somavamsis of Orissa, Bhopal. E-mail : [email protected]

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