Ramachandra Deva I
Gajapati Rāmachandra Deva I (1568–1607; popularly called Abhinava Indradyumna) was the founder of the Bhoi dynasty of Khurda in Odisha, India. He became the ruler of Utkal after defeating Mukunda Deva in 1568. He was associated with Yaduvamsa of Mahabharata. The Odia populace gave him the title of "Thākura Rājā" as a mark of respect for renovating the damaged Hindu temples that were destroyed by the invasion of Kalapahad. He was titled as "Vira Sri Gajapati Viradhi Viravara Pratapi Ramachandra Deva". Early life. Ramachandra Deva was the son of Danai Vidyadhara (a lieutenant of Bhoi king Govinda  Vidyadhara) and was associated with Yaduvansha of Mahabharata. According to K.C. Panigrahi, "It is difficult to ascertain whether the Bhois were Karanas or Gopals". Historian K.C. Panigrahi further states that panji's association of Yaduvansha with Ramachandra Deva is not compatible with known facts of history as the family of Bhois to which Ramachandra Deva belonged was originally a Karana family,rulers of the bhoi dynasty have been described in the contemporary Srijang Stone inscription as sudra-nripatis,according to K.C Panigrahi madala panji chronicle tried to raise the status of the bhoi rulers by connecting them to the yaduvansha  of the puranic frame. According to other sources Bhoi rulers belonged to Karan or writer caste of Odisha whose ancestors were cowherds. He gained the kingdom of Utkala by defeating the Chalukya king, Mukunda Deva. Ferishta mentioned him as "a Prince of great fame and Power". As Kharavela was the morning star when the forward march of the Odias began, Ramachandra Deva was the midnight star; he came to the throne when complete darkness engulfed the people towards the end of the century. Administration. Due to the sustained invasion of Afghans over Orissa, Ramachandra Deva accepted the suzerainty of Akbar  and defeated them with Mughal support. The Mughals took control over Utkala and Ramachandra Deva continued as a subordinate king. In the settlement of 1592, Ramachandra Deva was granted the principality of Khurda by the Mughal emperor. His territory was called Qila Khurda, alienated from the Khalisa and its domain extended from the river Mahanadi to Ganjam. The 31 subordinate Zamindars in his control including all the later tributary Mahalas of Cuttack and south of the river Mahanadi and seven principal Zamindars, which were not styled or titled Rajas. These important chiefs were the zamindars of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bishnupur, Fatehbad , Narayangarh, Karrangarh and Nag or Bagbhum. Activities. The invasion of Kalapahad brought an immense loss of wealth that was stored in various ancient temples of the region. The reconstruction of these temples was promptly taken up by Ramachandra Deva. He was able to present himself as the successor to the culture and tradition of the former Gajapati kings. He renovated the Jagannath Temple in Puri and reinstalled the idols of the trinity by droving out the muslim forces from the city in 1575 A.D. He continued the Gundicha Yatra, eight years after the installation of the deities, which was discontinued  after the destruction caused by Kalapahad. For his remarkable work, the king was popularly known as the "Second Indradymna" or "Abhinava Indradyumna", which is an honorable comparison to the legendary founder of the temple, Maharaja Indradyumna. He established sixteen villages of Brahmins by giving endowments of land and established some forts in the Pipili area - Bhuinmul, Sahajpal, Kharagarh and Kahnan, which are identified with the present Bhuinmulgarh, Sahajpani, Aragarh and Garh Kurki respectively. Amusement. The rulers like Kapilendra Deva, Purushottama Deva, Prataparudra Deva of Suryavansha dynasty and Ramachandra Deva of Bhoi dynasty patronised art and music in Orissa. During his  reign classical music, dance and other forms of art reached an apex. In his reign, the young boys were dressed as girls and performed under the guide of Odissi, called the "Gotipua Nrutya". Devadasis were originally intended for temple service only but during the time of Ramachandra Deva they were engaged in providing entertainment to the royal court.