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{{Short description|6th-8th century Indian dynasty}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox Former Country
| conventional_long_name = Shailodbhava dynasty
| common_name = Shailodbhava dynasty
| era = [[Middle Kingdoms of India|Classical India]]
| year_start = c. 6th century CE
| year_end = c. 8th century CE
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| government_type = Monarchy
| capital = [[Banapur]]
| common_languages =
| p1 = Gupta Empire
| p2 = Gauda Kingdom
| s1 = Bhauma-Kara dynasty
| image_map = {{South Asia in 600 CE|center|The Shailodbhavas and neighbouring South Asian polities circa 600 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=26,146 |isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |access-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112181611/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 |url-status=dead }}</ref>|{{Annotation|167|145|[[File:Long Fine Rectangle (plain).png|55px]]}}}}
}}
The '''Shailodbhava''' ([[IAST]]: Śailodbhava) dynasty ruled parts of eastern India during the 6th-8th centuries. Their core territory was known as Kongoda-mandala, and included parts of the present-day [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]], [[Khordha district|Khordha]] and [[Puri district|Puri]] districts in the [[Odisha]] state. Their capital was located at Kongoda, which is identified with modern [[Banapur]].

The early rulers of the dynasty were feudatories to the Guptas, Vigrahas, the Mudgalas, and [[Shashanka]]. The Shailodbhava ruler Madhavaraja II seems to have assumed sovereignty soon after 620 CE. The dynasty declined in the 8th century, and their territory came under the [[Bhauma-Kara dynasty|Bhauma-Kara]] rule.

== Origin ==
[[File:Bhubaneshwar ei040.jpg|thumb|left|''Sahasralinga'', a [[shiva linga]] at the [[Parashurameshvara Temple]], carved with 1000 miniature representations of itself.]]
The word "Shailodbhava" literally means "born out of rocks".{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=68}} The Shailodbhava inscriptions narrate the following myth of the dynasty's origin: Pulindasena, a famous man of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], prayed the god [[Svayambhu]] to create a man capable of ruling the earth. The dynasty's founder Shailodbhava emerged from a rock as a result of this prayer. The god is identified as Hara ([[Shiva]]) in one inscription.{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2008|p=567}}

Associating Pulindasena with the ancient [[Pulinda]] tribe, historians such as [[Upinder Singh]] believe that this myth reflects the [[Adivasi|tribal]] origins of the dynasty. The motif of emerging from a rock may suggest that the dynasty was initially based in a region featuring rocky terrain: the Shailodbhava inscriptions name the [[Mahendra Mountains|Mahendra mountain]] as the dynasty's ''kula-giri'' (tutelary mountain). The mention of Shiva shows that the rulers were [[Shaivite]]s.{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2008|p=567}} Patit Paban Mishra also suggests that the Shailodbhavas were of tribal descent.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=58 |year=1997 |page=805 |publisher=Indian History Congress |title=Critique of Indianization Theory |first=Patit Paban |last=Mishra |jstor=44144025}}</ref>

== History ==

Much of the information about the dynasty comes from its sixteen [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper-plate inscriptions]]. This information is corroborated by other sources, such as monuments and accounts of foreign travelers.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=61}}

=== As feudatories ===
<mapframe text="[[Find spot]]s of the Shailodbhava inscriptions" width="250" height="250" zoom="6" longitude="85.03" latitude="19.68">
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"properties": { "marker-symbol": "star", "marker-color": "000080", "title": "Banapur (Banpur)" },
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"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [85.3640047, 19.8969671] }
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"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Nimina (Nivina)" },
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"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Puri" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [85.8314655, 19.8133822] }
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"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Purushottampur" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [84.8854545, 19.5233802] }
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"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Ranpur" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [85.349617, 20.06497] }
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"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Tekkali" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [84.2301531, 18.6057678] }
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The Shailodbhavas ruled a region centred around present-day [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]]; this region came to be known as Kongoda-mandala during their reign.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=60, 72}} Earlier, around 570-71 CE (250 [[Gupta era]]), this region was controlled by Dharmaraja of Abhaya family, who ruled as a feudatory of Vigraha,{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=60}} who themselves were viceroy of Guptas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tripathi |first=Snigdha |title=Early and Medieval Coins and Currency System of Orissa, Circa 300 B.C. to 1568 A.D. |year=1986 |pages=65}}</ref> It was later ruled by the semi-independent king Charamparaja.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=61}} The introductory part of a 620-21 CE inscription of the Shailodbhava ruler Madhavaraja II is similar to that of the 570-71 Sumandala inscription of Dharmaraja of Abhaya family.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=62}} Historian Snigdha Tripathy theorizes that Dharmaraja of Abhaya family and Charamparaja were members of the family that later came to be known as Shailodbhava. The rulers of this family acknowledged the suzerainty of the Vigraha and Mudgala dynasties, before the [[Gauḍa (region)|Gauda]] king [[Shashanka]] conquered the region.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=61}}

The Shailodbhava inscriptions name the descendants of the mythical founder Shailodbhava as Aranabhita (alias Ranabhita), Sainyabhita I (alias Madhavaraja I), Yashobhita (alias Ayashobhita), and Madhavavarman (alias Madhavaraja II or Sainyabhita II).{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=65}} A 620-21 CE (300 [[Gupta era]]) inscription of Madhavaraja II shows that he was a feudatory of Shashanka.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=60}} His predecessors Madhavaraja I and Ayashobhita may have been feudatories of Shashanka as well, although this cannot be said with certainty.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=63}} Historian S. C. Behera attempted to identify Ayashobhita as Charamparaja.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=63}}

=== As sovereigns ===

The Shailodbhava territory was known as Kongoda-mandala. Historian Snigdha Tripathy theorizes that after conquering present-day Odisha, the Gauda king [[Shashanka]] created the Kongoda-mandala province, and appointed Madhavaraja II as his feudatory of the region.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=61}} This province was centred around the present-day [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]], [[Khordha district|Khordha]] and [[Puri district|Puri]] districts. Its capital was Kongoda, which was located on the banks of the Salima river according to the dynasty's inscriptions. The town has been identified with modern [[Banapur]], and the river with the modern Salia river.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=83}}

Madhavaraja II seems to have gained independence soon after 620 CE, as his [[Khordha]] inscription does not mention any overlord. It describes him as ''Sakala-Kalingadhipati'' (the lord of the entire [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]]), although there is no evidence to prove that he actually conquered the whole of Kalinga (the contemporary [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Ganga]] king Indravarman also claimed to have conquered the whole of Kalinga).{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=64-65}} Madhavaraja II may have declared independence taking advantage of Shashanka's conflict with the kings [[Harsha]] and [[Bhaskaravarman]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Panigrahi |first=Krishna Chandra |title=History of Orissa |pages=52,53,54}}</ref> It is also possible that he annexed some part of the Ganga territory, although this success must have been temporary.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=65}} His inscriptions state that he performed the [[ashvamedha]] and other sacrifices, presumably to assert his independence.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=67}}

{{Wide image|Parasuramesvara Temple 07.jpg|1000px|[[Parashurameshvara Temple]] sculptures}}

The inscriptions issued by Madhavaraja II in the later part of reign feature the myth of origin of the Shailodbhava dynasty.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=65}} In accordance with the contemporary practices, this mythical origin may have been fabricated by a court poet after the dynasty became independent.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=68}} The introductory part of these inscriptions is in verse form (instead of the prose form featured in the previous inscriptions). The style of the verse is similar to the one that features in the [[Aihole inscriptions|Aihole inscription]] of [[Pulakeshin II]] (Harsha may have invaded the region after Shashanka's death, and Pulakeshin later defeated Harsha).{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=64-65}}

During the reign of Madhavaraja II, around 638 CE, the Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] visited Kongoda (which he calls Kong-u-T'o). He described it as follows:{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=72-73}}

{{cquote|Within the limits of this country there are several tens of small towns which border on the mountains and are built contiguous to the sea. The cities themselves are strong and high; the soldiers are brave and daring; they rule by force the neighbouring provinces, so that no one can resist them. This country, bordering on the sea, abounds in many rare and valuable articles. They use cowrie shells and pearls in commercial transactions.}}

Madhavaraja II was succeeded by his son Madhyamaraja (alias Ayashobhita II), whose inscriptions also credit him with the performance of [[ashvamedha]] and other sacrifices.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=74-75}} Epigraphic evidence suggests that he ruled for at least 26 years (up to the end of the 7th century), and his reign was peaceful and prosperous.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=75}}

Madhyamaraja was succeeded by his son Dharmaraja (alias Manabhita). According to Dharmaraja's inscriptions, he defeated his elder brother Madhava (Madhavaraja III) at Phasika to gain the throne. After his defeat, Madhava fled and took asylum with king Tivara, but Dharmaraja killed both Madhava and Tivara.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=76}} Dharmaraja was a strong ruler, and reigned for at least 30 years.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=77}} In his Nimina (Nivina) inscription, he assumed the royal titles ''Paramabhattaraka'', ''Maharajadhiraja'', and ''Parameshvara''.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=79}}

=== Decline ===

The disintegration of the Shailodbhava kingdom seems to have started during the last days of the Dharmaraja's reign. His successor was his son Madhyamaraja II (alias Ayashobhita III), who did not have an heir to succeed him. According to a later inscription issued by Madhyamaraja III, he had a paternal cousin named Allaparaja, presumably a son of Madhavaraja III. The inscription describes Allaparaja's son Tailapanibha as the [[crown prince]] (''yuvaraja'').{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=80}} It is not known if Allaparaja or Tailapanibha ever ascended the throne: they may have died a premature death.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=80-81}}

The last known member of the dynasty was Madhyamaraja III, who was probably a son of Tailapanibha.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=81}} The Shailodbhavas fell into obscurity in the 8th century. Their territory appears to have become part of the Gangas of Shvetaka, who were vassals of the [[Bhauma-Kara dynasty|Bhauma-Kara]] king Unmattakesharin for some time. According to a 786-77 inscription, Ranaka Vishavarnava was appointed as a feudatory of the Kongoda-mandala, which was now a province of the [[Bhauma-Kara dynasty|Bhauma-Kara]] kingdom.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|p=82}}

Some writers have attempted to connect the Shailodbhavas with the [[Shailendra dynasty]] of South-East Asia, and Shailavansha dynasty which ruled a kingdom in the present-day [[Balaghat district]]. However, these hypotheses are not supported by any concrete evidence.{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=85-86}}

== Religion ==

[[File:Parasurameswar temple with linga.jpg|thumb|[[Parashurameshvara Temple]]]]

The Shailodbhava rulers followed [[Shaivism]]. Their myth of origin attributes the emergence of the dynasty's founder to [[Shiva]]. In addition, the Shailodbhava inscriptions begin with an invocation of Shiva, feature the Shaiva bull motif on the seal, and describe the king as ''parama-maheshvara'' (devotee of Shiva).{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2008|p=567}}

The oldest surviving temple in [[Bhubaneswar]] — the [[Parashurameshvara Temple|Parashurameshvara Shiva Temple]] — was probably built during the reign of Madhavaraja II.{{sfn|Ravi Kalia|1994|p=21}}

== List of rulers ==

The Shailodbhava inscriptions provide the following genealogy (titles in italic, names in [[IAST]]):{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=62-82}}

* Shailodbhava (mythical founder)
* Raṇabhīta (alias Araṇabhīta), r. c. 6th century
* ''Mahārāja Mahāsāmanta'' Mādhavarāja I (alias Sainyabhīta I or Mādhavavarman I)
* ''Mahārāja'' Yaśhobhīta (alias Ayaśobhīta I); identified with Charamparāja by S. C. Behera
* ''Mahārāja Mahāsāmanta'' (later ''Sakala-Kalingadhipati'') Mādhavarāja II (alias Mādhavavarman II, Mādhavendra, and Sainyabhīta II), r. c. 620-21 to 670-71
* Madhyamarāja I (alias Ayaśobhīta II), c. 670-71 to end of the 7th century
* Mādhavavarman III (alias Mādhava)
* ''Paramabhattaraka - Maharajadhiraja - Parameshvara'' Dharmarāja II (alias Mānabhīta), ruled till c. 726-727
* Madhyamarāja II (alias Ayaśobhīta III and Raṇakṣobha)
* Allaparāja
* Tailapanibha
* Madhyamarāja III

== Inscriptions ==

The following inscriptions of the Shailodbhava dynasty have been discovered:{{sfn|Snigdha Tripathy|1997|pp=xi-xii}}

{| class="wikitable"
! Find spot !! Issuer !! Date
|-
| [[Ganjam]] || Madhavaraja II || [[Gupta era]] 300 (620-21 CE)
|-
| [[Khordha]] || Madhavaraja II || Unknown
|-
| [[Buguda]] || Madhavavarman II || Unknown
|-
| [[Purusottampur]] || Madhavavarman II || Regnal Year 13
|-
| [[Puri]] || Madhavavarman II || Regnal Year 13
|-
| Unknown (Now in [[Cuttack]] Museum) || Madhavavarman II || Regnal Year 50
|-
| [[Banapur]] || Madhyamaraja I || Unknown
|-
| [[Parikud]] || Madhyamaraja I || Regnal Year 26
|-
| [[Raj-Ranpur, Odisha|Ranpur]] || Dharmaraja || Regnal Year 3
|-
| Nimina (Nivina) || Dharmaraja || Regnal Year 9(?)
|-
| [[Banapur]] || Dharmaraja || Unknown
|-
| [[Puri]] || Dharmaraja || Regnal Year 12
|-
| Chandeswar || Dharmaraja || Regnal Year 18
|-
| Unknown (issued at Kondedda) || Dharmaraja || Regnal Year 30
|-
| [[Tekkali]] || Madhyamaraja III || Unknown
|-
| [[Dharakote]] || Unknown || Unknown
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author=Ravi Kalia |title=Bhubaneswar: From a Temple Town to a Capital City |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F2YSPiKbmHkC&pg=PA21 |year=1994 |publisher=SIU Press |isbn=978-0-8093-1876-6 }}
* {{cite book |author=Snigdha Tripathy |title=Inscriptions of Orissa |volume=I - Circa 5th-8th centuries A.D |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XUiYu3XByNgC&pg=PR3 |year=1997 |publisher=[[Indian Council of Historical Research]] and [[Motilal Banarsidass]] |isbn=978-81-208-1077-8 }}
* {{cite book |author=Upinder Singh |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA567 |year=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-1120-0 |page=567 }}
{{ref end}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |author=Sarat Chandra Behera |title=Rise and fall of the Sailodbhavas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sgHwoQEACAAJ |year=1982 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |oclc= 17484355 }}

{{Odisha}}

[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Kalinga (India)]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in the 8th century]]

Shailodbhava dynasty - Revision history

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