The Sailodbhavas and their Contemporaries of Kangoda

Summary

Ganguly reconstructs the history of the Sailodbhava dynasty of Kangoda (southern Odisha) using nine copper-plate inscriptions. The earliest, the Ganjam plates dated 619–20 CE, describe Madhavaraja Sainyabhita as a ‘Mahasamanta’ and ‘Mahasimanta’, indicating feudatory statusfile:///home/oai/share/563033-1-398-185-288.pdf#:~:text=413%E0%AB%AF%20history%20of%20the%20Sailodbhava,issued%20the%20plates%2C%20was%20%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9F. Ganguly argues that early Sailodbhava kings acknowledged suzerainty to overlords like Gauda king Sasankafile:///home/oai/share/563033-1-398-185-288.pdf#:~:text=t3ja%E2%80%99%20and%20%E2%80%98Mahdsimanta%E2%80%99%20clearly%20show,the%20mighty%20adversary%20of%20Harsa. After Sasanka’s death, the Khurda plates omit any mention of him and claim that Madhavaraja ruled all of Kalinga, suggesting a brief period of independencefile:///home/oai/share/563033-1-398-185-288.pdf#:~:text=for%20a%20temporary%20status%20of,an%20empty%20boast%2C%20for%20such. Genealogical lists in the Buguda and Parikud plates trace the dynasty from a mythical ancestor ‘Sailodbhava’, created from rock, through Ranabhita, Sainyabhita, Ayosobhita and later kingsfile:///home/oai/share/563033-1-398-185-288.pdf#:~:text=210%20Sailodbbavas%20%26%20their%20Contemporaries,Ayo%C3%A9obhita%20Madhyamarija. The article discusses political context: the Sailodbhavas were probably feudatories of the Maina dynasty before Sasanka; they gained prominence during his decline, but Harsavardhana soon conquered Kangodafile:///home/oai/share/563033-1-398-185-288.pdf#:~:text=ssthe%20Sailodbhavas%20were%20feudatories%20of,287. Ganguly compares the Sailodbhavas with contemporary Gangas and highlights their temporary successes and eventual subordination. By analysing titles, genealogies and historical circumstances, he concludes that the Sailodbhavas were minor local rulers whose fortunes fluctuated with regional power struggles.