Medieval Orissa and Cult of Jagannatha

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Orissa witnessed a period of unprecedented polítical glory and cultural eminence during the period from 1435 to 1568 A.D. Not only the Orissan Empire became most extensive during the time of Kapilendra deva, but also provided an opportunity for the Cult of Jagannatha and Oriya literature to grow in popularity and stature. The period under review was significant for the brisk socio-cultural activities in Orissa. The society was caste ridden with the Brahmanas at the helm of affairs. The rise of the peasant culture during the 15th and 16th centuries undermined the Brahmanical supremacy. A study of the social protest spearheaded by poet Sarala Das and the Panchasakhas has hitherto been neglected in the socio-cultural aspect of Orissan history. An attempt has been made here to analyse this significant aspect. The Suryavamsi Gajapati rule witnessed the culmination of Jagannatha Cult. Many fallacies pertaining to the origin of the Cult, formation of the Triad of Jagannatha and the evolution of the cult have been examined in great detail in the present study. Besides, the growth of Oriya Vaishnavism and Oriya literature has also been given due place.

The study is mostly based upon the archaeological and literary data of the period. The Gangas and the Gajapati monarches issued a large number of copper plates and charters. An analysis of these inscriptions highlight the political and socio-cultural history of Orissa during the Gajapati rule. Moreover, the contemporary Sanskrit, Telugu, Bengali and Oriya literature substantiate our study considerably. The chronicles of the Arab and Portuguese traders further highlight the above aspects.

Baba Mishra (b. 1959) obtained Ph.D from Sambalpur University in 1990. In professional career, he joined as Asst-Professor in History, Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha. He served as Associate Professor and Head in the P.G Dept. of History and Archaeology-Museology of Govt. College (Autonomous) Bhawanipatna from 2003 and 2010 till his retirement in May 2019. Mishra is best known for his monographs Medieval Orissa and Cult of Jagannath, 1995. Early Orissa Urbanization of Tel valley, 2011, Early Historical Tel valley from 600 BC to 600 CE, 2015. He has more than hundreds of research papers published in various peer reviewed Research Journals, and edited volumes of India and foreign countries. He was executive editor of Kalahandi Renaissance (A multi- disciplinary research Journal) of Govt. College Autonomous Bhawanipatna from 2005 to 2019. At present he serves as President of West Odisha History Congress.

Orissa witnessed a period of unprecedented political glory and cultural eminence during the period from 1435 to 1568 A.D. Not only the Orissan empire became most extensive during the time of Kapilendra deva, but also provided an opportunity for the Cult of Jagannatha and Oriya literature to grow in popularity and stature.

Orissa experienced hectic political activities in between 1435 to 1568 A.D. By organising a coup, Kapilendra usurped the Ganga throne in 1435 A.D. The decline of Orissa empire was successfully arrested as a result of this coup. In order to ensure the stability of the empire Kapilendra extended wholesome support to the Cult of Jagannatha and the priestly community. As a clever statesman, he directed the attention of the empire towards war and conquests. He subjugated Rajahmundry and Vijayanagara. He also crushed the Muslim powers of Bengal and the Deccan. The territorial limit of Orissa was extended from the river Ganges to Penner. Kapilendra's son and successor Purusottama deva could not add any new territory, but he consolidated the empire by recovering the lost territories of the southern region. The decline of the Gajapati empire, however, began from the time of Prataprudra deva, who succeeded Purusottama deva in 1497 A.D. The rise of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagara sealed the fate of the southern dominion of the Gajapati. Krishnadeva Raya waged a retaliatory war against the Gajapati. He succeeded in recovering the lost territories of Vijayanagara from the Gajapati. Consequently, the territorial extent of Orissa was reduced. During the later part of Prataprudra's reign Quli qutab- shah of Golconda attacked Orissa.

According to Madala Panji Prataprudra was succeeded by two of his minor sons Kalua deva and Kakharua deva. Both of them were, however, murdered by Govinda Vidyadhara, who usurped the Gajapati throne. Govinda Vidyadhara belonged to the Bhoi or accountant grade. Therefore, his dynasty was known as Bhoi dynasty. The reign of Govinda Vidyadhara witnessed baronical revolt and external invasion. He was succeeded by Chakrapratap, followed by Narasimha Jena and Raghuram Chottari. Eventually, Mukunda Harichandan ascended the throne in 1560 A.D.

The Suryavamsi Gajapatis who ruled over the Orissan empire from 1435 to 1540 represented the last flicker of the Imperial status of Orissa. It was in the Imperial Ganga period (1075 to 1435) that the empire of Orissa reached the highest watermark of political and cultural glory. Although in the North and South the Muslim hegemony had subjugated the country, Orissa remained outside the orbit of Islam much due to the aggressive foreign policy of the Gangas and the Suryavamsi Gajapatis. Kapilendra deva, the founder of the Suryavamsi rule was himself a general of the last Ganga ruler whose incapacity to lead the country in grave. crisis prompted the former to arrange a coup to usurp power. Thus, in 1435 Orissa witnessed a quick transition from sagging morale to dynamic leadership as it was Kapilendra who galvanised new life and vigour to withstand the onslaught of Muslim invasion. He and his successor Purusottama Deva waged incessant wars against the Nawabs of Bengal and Bahmani to defend their empire and except some peripheral losses, succeeded a great deal in achieving their goal.

But it was in the social and cultural aspects of Indian history that the Suryavamsis made the most profound contributions. Under their patronage the cult of Jagannath became widespread providing impetus to the growth of medieval Vaishnavism. Puri became the centre of great Vaisnavite activities due to the sojourn of Sri Chaitanya and the literary and philosophical contributions of Panchasakhas. The epic Mahabharta composed by Sarala Dasa represented a landmark in the development of Oriya vermacular In fact. Orissa during the period under review proved to be a safe haven for Hindu culture and it is in this perspective that the present work by Dr. Baba Mishra is considered most interesting and valuable. I am sure that the scholars working on medieval Indian history and culture will find the work immensely useful, and illuminating.