Inscriptions of Odisha (Inscriptions of Bhanjas of Vanjulvaka)

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Inscriptions throw a flood of light on the history of ancient and early medieval Odisha. Among the sources which depict the history of a region, epigraphic evidences can be taken as more authentic and reliable. In Odisha, particularly from the second half of the fourth century A.D., the rulers of the sub-regional kingdoms issued a large number of land grants. A micro study of the land grants reveals various historical aspects of the period. The place of issue of the grant shows the area of rule. The amount of land, terms relating to taxes, the status of the donee and genealogy found in the land grants highlight the socio-economic condition of the period.

The Bhañjas of Vañjulvaka established their authority mainly over some parts of Ganjam and Nayagarh districts of Odisha. Their history can be reconstructed only by the study of the copper plate charters. At present. twenty two copper plate charters of the Bhanjas of Vañjulvaka have come into light. These grants have been found from various areas of Ganjam and Nayagarh districts. The religion, society, economy and administration of their region can be traced from the grants.

This work is based on a minute research of the epigraphic data. It will definitely add to the knowledge of the existing epigraphic study in Odisha.

The present work forms the second volume of the "Inscriptions of Odisha (Inscriptions of Bhanjas of Khinjalimandala). All the copper plates grants of the dynasty were issued from Dhrtipura in Baud district. After their defeat in the hands of Somavariisis they were forced to shift their headquarter from Dhrtipora of Baud district to Vañjulavaka of Ganjam district. The Bhanjasa of Vañjulvaka ruled over Ganjam, Nayagarh, and part of Khurda district of Odisha They ruled as a semi independent status under the Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis.

The history of Odisha was dominated by the Bhaumakara from 8-10 century A.D. in Foşäli with their capital at Gudevapățaka situated in Jajpur district. The epigraphic records of the Bhaumas further states that the Tosäli was divided into Uttara (north) and Dakshina (south) Tosali and river Mahanadi being the dividing lines between the two Tosalis. Both the Tosälis again consisted of several principalities called mandals which were under the administrative control of the feudatories enjoying considerable autonomy. Among the various Mandala States Bhanjas of Khinjalimandala is one of them. They were driven out by Somavamsis and they settled in Vañjulvaka of Ganjam district

The source materials for the study of Bhañjas of Vanjulvaka are mainly epigraphic. Epigraphic materials being the principal source of knowledge about the dynasty. The copper plates records throw considerable light on the political, social. economic and religious history of the period under review.

A good number of stray articles have been published in different research journals and books, but these are not sufficient for a comprehensive study of this royal dynasty. This is an attempt has been made for providing an exhaustive account on the genealogy as well as political and cultural history of the period under study.

The present works have been divided in to two parts. The first part contents introduction which gives an idea about the political achievements, socio-economic condition and religious beliefs of the period under review.

The second part exclusively related to the fresh reading and editing of the text of the inscriptions. Abstracts of the contents of the inscriptions have been given at the end of the text for the convenience of the research scholars.

The work has been assigned to me by the Superintendent of Odisha State Museum. I am express my gratitude to Dr. Praffula Kumar Mohanty the ex-Principal and HOD of History Department of S.C.S. College Puri helping me as an expert to prepare this book.

The Bhanjas of Vañjulvaka held their sway over the Ganjam and Nayagarh district of Odisha. The head quarters of the family was Vañjulvaka which has been identified by the scholars with Bhajania of Ghumusar subdivision of Ganjam district. The Bhañjas of the Vañjulvaka belonged to the royal family of the Bhañjas of Khiñjalimandala who were ruling over Baud Sonepur region and part of Dasapalla of Nayagarh district. They were ruled in a semi independent status under the Bhaumakaras and the Somavamsis.

The Bhanjas ruling over Odisha are known mainly from their copper plate charters. Their rule is revealed from the Asanpat image inscription of Šatrubhanja and the Sitābhinji rock inscription of Disabhanja. The Asanpat inscription describes that Mahārājā Šatrubhañja was the son of Manabhañja and Mahādevi Damayanti of the Naga family. He was the lord of the Vindhyan forest (Vindhy-ațvi-natha) and constructed a temple for lord Siva The inscription belongs to 5th century A. D. Similarly the Sitabhinji inscription of 6th century A.D. only mentions the name of the king as Mahārājā - Sri Diśabhañja.

In the earlier period the Bhañjas might have ruled as a fully fledged sovereigns, later on they were reduced to the status of vassals kings. From the available copper plate grants it is presumed that the Bhañjas were ruled over Keonjhar, Mayurbhañja. Angul.Baud, Sonepur, Nayagarh and Ganjam district of Odisha. They issued their copper plates from different places such as Khijjingakotta. Dhritpura, Vañjulvaka, Kolada kataka, Angulaka pațțana, Varaddā, Kumārapura etc. The Bhañjas were divided into various branches viz. 1) Adi Bhañjas of Khijjingakotta, 2) Bhañjas of Khiñjalimandala and the miscellaneous branches and ruling as feudatories under the different imperial dynasties. The Bhañjas played a prominent role in the socio-cultural history of Odisha. They ruled in the hilly and tracts of Odisha. They were originated from an aboriginal tribe and they gave lavish donations of land grants to the Brahmanas which laid to the transformation of tribal chief to the Kshatriyas king.

The rise of Bhaumakaras in Toyäli in the 1" half of 8th century A.ID. opened a new chapter in the history of Odisha. They emerged as a strong political force from Virajā kshetra or Jajpur. They established their rule in the coastal belt of Odisha with capital at Guhadeva Pättaka or Guhesvara Pattaka situated in the modern Jajpur on the bank of the river Vaitarani The Bhaumas ruled for nearly two hundred years and established a vast kingdom in Odisha known as Toşala or Toşali. The turmoil political condition of Toşäli helped the Bhaumakaras to establish and consolidate their position in the region of Utkala, Odra and Kongoda. The Bhauma kingdom was extended from Dandabhukti mandala (the present Medinapore in West Bengal) in the north to Kongoda in the south (Ganjam and adjoining area of Odisha). Further the kingdom of Toşāli was divided into Uttara Toşäli (north) and Dakshiņa Toşali (south) and the river Mahanadi formed the dividing line between the two Toşalis. The Bhaumas were paramount sovereigns and overlords of many feudatory states and for the administrative convince the Bhaumakaras kingdom was divided into many mandalas viz. Kodālaka mandala, Yamagartta mandala, Airavatta mandala, Khijjinga mandala which were occupied respectively by the subordinate royal families of the Sulkis, Tungas, Nandodbhavas, Bhanjas etc. These feudatorics states were enjoying considerable autonomy and they never refer in their copper plates about the alleged overlord. The titles of the rulers like Ranaka, Mahamandaleśvara, Samādhihata Panchamahāśabda etc. indicate their subordinate position. But for all practical purposes they were independent rulers and issued the copper plates without mentioning their overlord.

The Bhanjas of Khinjalimandala occupied the territory which comprised the Baud, Sonepur, Phulabani and Dasapalla of Nayagarh district of Odisha. All the records of this family have been issued from Dhrtipuara and the kings assumed the titles as Ubhayakhiñjalādhipati or lord of both the Khinjalis. The river Mahanadi seems to have been the dividing line between the Khiñjalis It is believed that the Bhañjas of Khiñjalimandala were driven out by the Somavamśis under Janamejaya Mahābhavagupta, during the last quarter of 9th century AD. As a result of which they were forced to shift their headquarters from Dhrtipura in the Baud district to Vañjulvaka in Ganjam district.