Bhubaneswar Inscriptions of Ganga Narasimha I

The article discusses an inscription found in Bhubaneswar (modern Odisha) attributed to a king named Narasimha of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The author notes that multiple Ganga kings bore the name Narasimha. After comparing palaeography and regnal titles, he concludes that the inscription belongs to Narasimha I, who ruled circa 1238–1264 CE. The inscription records donations and the construction of temples. Linguistically, the text combines Sanskrit with local Odia and colloquial elements, reflecting vernacular influence. The article situates the inscription within the broader history of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, which built the great Sun Temple at Konark. By analysing the inscription’s date formula—year 10 of Narasimha’s reign—corresponding to about 1245–46 CE—the author reconstructs the chronology of Ganga rule. He argues that the record provides evidence for Narasimha I’s patronage of religious architecture in Bhubaneswar and contributes to our understanding of early Odia epigraphy. The article includes a translation of the inscription and comments on its linguistic features, such as sandhi patterns and borrowed vocabulary. It also notes that the inscription uses titles and phrases characteristic of royal records, aligning with contemporaneous copperplate charters. The author concludes that the Bhubaneswar inscription underscores the interplay between Sanskrit and regional languages in medieval Odisha and highlights the Eastern Ganga dynasty’s role in promoting temple-building and religious patronage.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.