# Gajapati dynasty

The Gajapati dynasty refers to the ruling dynasty from the region of modern Odisha in the Indian subcontinent, whose monarch carries the regnal title of Gajapati. The institution of Gajapati dynasty or lordship was founded by the monarchs of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and was used by the succeeding dynasties. A major religious function included the patronisation of Lord Jagannath as the deity of the Odia cultural realm.
Till date, four ruling dynasties from the region of Odisha have presided over the institution of Gajapati dynasty. The current titular Gajapati belongs to the head of the Bhoi dynasty, which the dynasty had inherited the legacy of the historical ruling lords of Odisha invested in the title of Gajapati. They also exercised administrative control of the Jagannath Temple at Puri.

## History

The ruling monarchs of the wider Kalinga, Utkala and Dakshina Kosala used various regnal titles upon coronation or conquest of regions, chiefly being the titles of Kalingadhipati and Tri-Kalingadhipati. The Eastern Ganga ruler Anantavarman Vajrahasta V assumed the titles as Trikalingadhipati (lord of the three Kalingas) and Sakalakalingadhipati (lord of complete Kalinga) and challenged the authority of the Somavanshis which had authority in the central and western realms, eventually laying the foundations for the Eastern Ganga dynasty with the unification of the Odia kingdoms during the reign of Anantavarman Chodaganga.
Anangabhima Deva III laid the foundations of the Gajapati institution and establishment of Lord Jagannath as the patron deity of the realm. His son 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. The Gajapati monarchs were devout worshipper of Lord Jagannath and patronized the Vaishnavite Hinduism with the Jagannath temple at Puri becoming the major religious hub of the Gajapati rule.

## List of Gajapati dynasties

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

## Events

* Eastern Ganga monarch Narasingha Deva I institutes the Gajapati title in 1246 CE
** Eastern Ganga reign till 1434 CE
** Coronation of Kapilendra Deva in 1434 CE
*** Suryavamsa dynasty reign till 1541 CE
*** Govinda Vidyadhara usurps the throne in 1541 CE
**** Bhoi dynasty 1st reign till 1560 CE
**** Mukunda Deva of Eastern Chalukya usurps the throne in 1560 CE
***** Mukunda Deva is overthrown during the Bengal Sultanate invasions in 1568 CE
*** Ramachandra Deva I restores the Bhoi dynasty at Khurda in 1568 CE
**** Coronation of Ramachandra Deva I as the Gajapati in 1575 CE
***** Bhoi dynasty becomes the incumbent holder of Gajapati dynasty and institutions
***** Reign of the Bhois over Khurda Kingdom till 1804 CE
****** Establishment of the Puri Estate in 1809 CE during British rule and control of Jagannath Temple
******* Indian independence in 1947 and titular institutions