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Gajapati (title)

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Gajapati is a regnal title from the region of modern Odisha in the Indian subcontinent. The word ‘Gajapati’ in Odia refers to "Gaja" meaning elephant and "Pati" meaning master or lord. Thus Gajapati etymologically means a lord with an army of elephants. The institution of Gajapati lordship as a title was used by the Eastern Ganga dynasty and was used by succeeding dynasties, as Gajapati dynasties, with the patronisation of Lord Jagannath as the deity of the Odia cultural realm. Four ruling dynasties have been part of Gajapati lordship or dynasties.[1]

The current titular Gajapati belongs to the head of the Bhoi dynasty, as the dynasty inherited the legacy of the historical ruling lords of Odisha invested in the title of Gajapati.[2][3] They also exercised administrative control of the Jagannath Temple at Puri.[4]

History

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The ruling lords of Kalinga, Utkala and Dakshina Kosala used various regnal titles upon coronation or conquest of regions, chiefly being the titles of Kalingadhipati and Tri-Kalingadhipati. Anantavarman Vajrahasta V assumed the titles as Trikalingadhipati (lord of the three Kalingas) and Sakalakalingadhipati (lord of complete Kalinga) challenging the authority of the Somavanshis and eventually laying the foundations for the Eastern Ganga dynasty as the unification of the Odia kingdoms eventually culminated under Anantavarman Chodaganga.

Narasingha Deva I was the first ruler from the Eastern Ganga dynasty to use the title of Gajapati among the Odishan rulers in the 1246 CE inscription at the Kapilash Temple.[5][6]

Gajapati dynasties

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Ruling Dynasty Reign Notes
Eastern Ganga dynasty 1246–1434 Gajapati lordship initiated in 1246
Suryavamsa dynasty 1434–1541
Bhoi dynasty 1541–1560 1st reign
Chalukya dynasty 1560–1568
Bhoi dynasty 1568–present 2nd reign, titular since 1947

Modern ceremonial titles

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The ceremonial regnal title of the Gajapati Maharaja is as follows:[7]

Shree Shree Shree Veerashree Gajapati Goudeswar Nabakotikarnatatkala Kalabaragesvara Viradhiviravar Bhuta Vairaba Sadhu Sasnotirna Routraja Atula Balaparakrama Sahasra Bahu Kshetriyakula Dhumaketu Maharaja Adhiraja (regnal name)

Customary title of Gajapati upon accession

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The cyclical order the names of the Gajapati Maharaja:[8]

  • Ramchandra Deva
  • Birakeshari Deva
  • Divyasingha Deva
  • Mukunda Deva

Customary title of the ladies of Gajapati upon accession

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  • Chandramani Patamahadei
  • Suryamani Patamahadei
  • Leelavati Patamahadei
  • Padmabati Patamahadei

List of Gajapatis of the ruling dynasties

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Ruler Reign Notes
Eastern Ganga dynasty
Narasingha Deva I 1246–1263 Initiation of Gajapati title in 1246, reign since 1238
Bhanudeva I 1264–1279
Narasimhadeva II 1279–1306
Bhanudeva II 1306–1328
Narasimhadeva III 1328–1352
Bhanudeva III 1352–1378
Narasimhadeva IV 1378–1414
Bhanudeva IV 1414–1434
Suryavamsa dynasty
Kapilendra Deva[9] 1434–1470
Purushottama Deva 1470–1497
Prataparudra Deva 1497–1540
Kalua Deva 1540–1541
Kakharua Deva 1541
Bhoi dynasty (1st reign)
Govinda Vidyadhara 1541–1548
Chakrapratapa 1548–1557
Narasimha Jena 1557–1558
Raghuram Chhotaraya 1558–1560
Chalukya dynasty
Mukunda Deva 1560-1568
Bhoi dynasty (2nd reign)
Ramachandra Deva I 1568-1600 founder of the Khurda Kingdom
Purusottam Deva 1600–1621
Narasingha Deva 1621–1647
Balabhadra Deva 1647–1657
Mukunda Deva I 1657–1689
Divyasingha Deva I 1689–1716
Harekrushna Deva 1716–1720
Gopinath Deva 1720–1727
Ramachandra Deva II 1727–1736
Birakesari Deva I (Bhagirathi Deva)[10] 1736–1793
Divyasingha Deva II 1793–1798
Mukundeva Deva II 1798–1817 Puri Estate in 1809
Ramchandra Deva III 1817–1854
Birakesari Deva II 1854–1859
Divyasingha Deva III 1859–1882
Mukundeva Deva III 1882–1926
Ramchandra Deva IV 1926–1956 Pretender since 1947 (Indian independence)
Birakisore Deva III 1956–1970 Pretender
Divyasingha Deva IV 1970–current Pretender

References

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  1. ^ Panda, Shishir Kumar (2008), "Gajapati Kingship and the Cult of Jagannatha: A Study on the Chhamu Chitaus (Royal Letters)", Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 69, Indian History Congress: 226, JSTOR 44147183
  2. ^ ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS PURI (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 1994, p. 37
  3. ^ ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS DEOGARH (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 1994, p. 19
  4. ^ "History". Government of Orissa. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  5. ^ Kulke, Hermann (1993). Kings and Cults: State Formation and Legitimation in India and Southeast Asia. p. 22. ISBN 9788173040375.
  6. ^ Manas Kumar Das (24 June 2015), HISTORY OF ODISHA (FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1434 A.D.) (PDF), DDCE Utkal University, pp. 109, 111
  7. ^ Bhaskar Mishra (July 2011), The Traditional Role of Gajapati Maharaja in Shri Jagannath Temple (PDF), Orissa Review, p. 28, Shree Shree Shree Veerashree Gajapati Goudeswar Nabakotikarnatatkala Kalabaragesvara Viradhiviravar Bhuta Vairaba Sadhu Sasnotirna Routraja Atula Balaparakrama Sahasra Bahu Kshetriyakula Dhumaketu Maharaja Adhiraja...
  8. ^ Bhaskar Mishra (July 2011), The Traditional Role of Gajapati Maharaja in Shri Jagannath Temple (PDF), Orissa Review, p. 28
  9. ^ Tripathi, K.B. (1956), "THE 19TH ANKA YEAR INSCRIPTION OF KAPILESWARADEVA OF THE PURI—JAGANNATHA TEMPLE" (PDF), Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 19, Indian History Congress: 251–253, JSTOR 44140844
  10. ^ Hermann Kulke (1974), "Kings without a kingdom: The rajas of Khurda and the Jagannatha cult" (PDF), South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 4: 60-77, doi:10.1080/00856407408730688