Orissa Under the Bhauma Kings

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The Bhauma dynasty, also known as the Kara dynasty, ruled in eastern India between the 8th and 10th centuries. Their kingdom, called Toshala (IAST: Tosala), included parts of present-day Odisha. By the last quarter of the 8th century, the Bhauma-Karas had gained control of the former Shailodbhava territory. The early rulers of the dynasties followed Buddhism, and its later rulers followed Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The dynasty, whose rulers included five women, was supplanted by the Bhanjas and the Somavamshis in the 10th century.

About two decades back the historians had no knowledge of the Bhauma suzerain power of Orissa. During the recent years a large number of inscriptions of the Bhauma family have been edited by different scholars; moreover Professor Sylvan Levi has brought to light an interesting event of the Bhauma age. But the problems connected with the said family have remained so far undiscussed. Therefore n discussion on the said problems has been initiated in this monograph; and for easy comprehension of the subject by the readers the texts and translations of almost all the published Bhauma records have been given in the following pages along with those of three unpublished plates.

I regret to draw the attention of the readers to the fact that the Hindi numerical figures have been used in the transliterations of texts to serve the purpose of signs of foot- notes since no better alternative could be provided by the press.

In conclusion I acknowledge my indebtedness to Pandit Nilakantha Das M. A., who corrected the translation of some Slokas. My thanks are also due to my friend Mr. Paramananda Acharya B. Sc., who rendered me occasional help to bring out this work.