History of Kalinga-obscure in the Early Centuries

• From the first century of the Christian era until the middle of the fourth century, the history of Kalinga is largely unknown.

• Kalinga was likely an integral part of the Andhra Empire under the Sātavahanas and later under the Ikṣvākus.

• After the fall of the Ikṣvākus, Kalinga seems to have been plagued by warring dynasties until around the middle of the fourth century.

• The earliest record mentioning the sub-kings of Kalinga is the Allahabad inscription of Emperor Samudragupta.

• The inscription refers to four sub-kings of Kalinga: Mahendra of Pistapura, Svāmidatta of Giri-Kottūra, Damana of Erandapalla, and Kubera of Devarastra.

• It is likely that at least some of these kings were vassals of Hastivarman of Vengi.

• The territories of these four principalities covered the entire region of Kalinga, bounded by:

  • Godavari on the south-west

  • Rṣikulya on the north-east

  • Sabari and Telvähä rivers on the west

  • The sea on the east

• This region roughly corresponds to the modern district of Ganjam in Orissa, Vizagapatam, the northern part of the East Godavari district in Madras Presidency, and possibly the southern half of Bastar state.

• These four kings flourished around the middle of the fourth century.

• After the political upheaval caused by Samudragupta’s expedition, a new dynasty seems to have emerged, gaining power over the whole of Kalinga.

• It is possible that this was not a completely new dynasty.

Saktivarman, the Founder of the Majhara Dynasty

• The kingdom of Pistapura, during the reigns of Mahendra’s successors, appears to have gained sovereignty over the entire Kalinga.

• The new dynasty is known as Mathara-kula, founded by śaktivarman, the donor of the Rägõlu plates.

• Śaktivarman is believed to have reigned in the latter part of the fourth century.

• He was likely a descendant of, or rival to, Mahendra, or his successor, and took control of Pistapura and subsequently the sovereignty of Kalinga.

• Dr. Hultzsch, who edited the Rägõlu plates, initially read the dynasty name as Māgadha-kula, but recent amendments suggest the correct reading is Mathara-kula.

• The Rägõlu charter describes śaktivarman as the ornament of the Mathara-kula, as Vāsiṣṭīputra, and lastly as the Lord of Kalinga.

• Śaktivarman’s matronymic name, Vasisthiputra, suggests he was a descendant of the Imperial Andhras and the Ikṣvākus, or at least maintained their traditions.

• Śaktivarman’s capital was Pistapura, and he ruled over Kalinga from there.

• The Rägõlu plates mention a grant by Śaktivarman issued from Pistapura, giving the village of Räkaluva in Kalinga-vişaya as an agrahara to the Brahman Kumāra-śarman and his eight sons, to be enjoyed by them and their descendants.

• The agrahara was exempted from taxes, liabilities, and soldiers.

• Inhabitants of the village were to supply the donees with grain and gold as per custom, for the increase of Śaktivarman’s merit, longevity, and power.

• The edict was dated to the full moon day of Vaisakha, in the 13th year of Śaktivarman’s reign.

• The executor of the charity was the king himself, and the edict was composed by Amatya Arjunadatta.

• The village of Räkaluva is identified with Rāgolu in Chicacole taluk, where the plates were discovered.