Somavamshi dynasty

Somavamshi dynasty
c. 9th century CE–c. 12th century CE
Location of the Somavamshis and neighbouring South Asian polities in 1000, on the eve of the Ghaznavid invasions of the subcontinent.[1][2]
CapitalYayatinagara (modern Binka); Abhinava-Yayatinagara (modern Jajpur)
Official languagesSanskrit
Religion
Hinduism
Jainism
GovernmentMonarchy
Historical eraClassical India
• Established
c. 9th century CE
• Disestablished
c. 12th century CE
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Bhauma-Kara dynasty
Panduvamshis of Dakshina Kosala
Eastern Ganga dynasty
Chakrakota kingdom
Kalachuris of Ratnapura

The Somavamshi (IAST: Somavaṃśī, "Lunar dynasty") or Keshari (IAST: Keśarī) dynasty ruled parts of present-day Odisha in eastern India between the 9th and the 12th centuries. Their capitals included Yayatinagara (modern Binka) and Abhinava-Yayatinagara (modern Jajpur).

The Somavamshis may have been related to the Panduvamshis, who ruled the Dakshina Kosala region in central India. They were probably driven out from this region by the Kalachuris, following which they conquered the Kalinga and the Utkala regions in present-day Odisha, supplanting the Bhauma-Karas.

The Somavamshis introduced a new style of art and architecture in Odisha, and their rule saw a remarkable shift from Buddhism to Hinduism in the region. The Somavamshi rule ended in the early 12th century, when the Eastern Ganga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga captured their territories.

  1. ^ Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526) - Part One. Har-Anand Publications. pp. 19–20. ISBN 978-81-241-1064-5.
  2. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 32, 146. ISBN 0226742210.