Gajapatis Puns

In the late Medieval age, there was a compassionate emperor who sacrificed his life for the protection of Hinduism and betterment of the country. He was the son of Emperor Gajapati Purusottam deva Routray and the Grandson of Suryavamshi Khandayat Emperor Gajapati Kapilendradeva Routray. The same Kapilendradeva, who flew Lord Jagannath's flag in most parts of India during the Islamic invasion & created a huge Hindu empire. Prataprudra deva took the charge of the kingdom in his teen age after his father's death . Today on the occasion of his Death anniversary, let's know how he ruled his vast empire despite many conspiracies, Bad lucks & setbacks during his lifetime.

Attack of the Bengal Nawab Allauddin Hussain Saha:-

Gajapati Prataparudradeva ascended the throne in 1497. Allauddin Hussain Shah attacked from the northern side of his kingdom in 1499 A.D. The Khandayats Under Prataprudradeva severely defeated the founder of the Hussein Shahi dynasty, Allauddin Hussein Saha, to such an extent that he did not dare to attack for 10 years. Gajapati Prataprudradeva successfully drove out those invaders at the age of 17 only.

Victories in Deccan :

Prataparudradeva Marched up to Krishna River and he camped there along with other Khandayats in 1500 A.D. . They conquered many areas and went as far as Setubandha/ Rameshwaram. Unfortunately a severe drought hit in Odisha at that time. Prataparudradeva did not move forward, fearing loss of funds in the war as he was very affectionate to his people. After the drought subsided, he decided to renew his military campaigns. The Khandayats had taken over many territories of Vijay Nagar Kingdom.

The Second War Against the Shah Dynasty of Bengal:-

The Khandayats were involved in wars of the Deccan. Thinking of this as a great opportunity, Alauddin Shah and his commander-in-chief Ismail ghaji Khan invaded Odisha between 1509 - 10 A.D. with a large number of troops. This time they marched towards Cuttack. Barabati fort was guarded by Khandayat Chieften Ananta Samantsinghar While Sarangagarh fort was guarded by Khandayat General Govinda Vidyadhar. Both Barabati and Sarangarh had only a few Soldiers. Upon receiving the news, Gajapati Prataparudra Deva immediately left the southern war and returned to Odisha with a large number of Troops. The Way they fought back , the water of Chilika lake was red by the blood of Pathans. Gajapati's army chased them all the way to Bengal.

Victory of Mandarna and Betra

Less is talked about the dynasties of Odisha, hence this post shall brief about the greatest Gajapati Empire that ruled the coast of Andhra Pradesh and the entire Odisha state in the medieval era, just before the Europeans started their trade with the subcontinent and the Mughals about to expand their regime.

https://mapsbysagar.blogspot.com/2021/06/gajapati-dynasty-1434-1541.html