History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v1.c20: Appendix II
History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v1.c20
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Appendix II
v1.c20.1
The genealogy and the chronology of the first and second groups of Bhañja Kings are gradually taking shape on the basis of new discoveries. The most important discovery of Bhañja records is that of a charter of Śatrubhañja at Tekkali. I received pencil rubbings of this important inscription from Mr. Parmananda Acharya of the Mayurbhañja State. This inscription supplies us with the names of the father and the grand-father of Śīlabhañja I, Yathāsukha and Pallagambhīra, who are not known from any other inscription. This inscription also supplies a regular date, *Samvat* 800, evidently of the Vikrama era for Śatrubhañja. All other inscriptions of the first group of Bhañja kings are dated in regnal years. If Śatrubhañja, the father of Raṇabhañja I, was reigning in V. S. 800-744-45 A.D., then it becomes certain that the long reign of Raṇabhañja I must fall in the last quarter of the 8th century or the first half of the 9th century A.D. This fits in with my supposition that Raṇabhañja I rose into power during the temporary decline in the fortunes of the Karas.
v1.c20.2
Pt. Tārakeśwar Gānguli kindly gave me five sets of charters recently discovered in the Baudh State for decipherment. One of these five bears the charter of a new king of the Bhañja dynasty named Neṭṭabhañja. This charter is the oldest inscription of the dynasty. It is incised on thin plates of copper and its characters are the oldest used on any known charters of the Bhañja family. The genealogy of Neṭṭabhañja is not given and the charter is dated in regnal years only. It does not mention the descent of the Bhañja from the egg of a pea-hen or the goddess Stambheśvarī or even the Bhañja family. I have assigned this Neṭṭabhañja to the Bhañja dynasty on account of the affix Bhañja. The date of this grant is *Samvat* 18 *Kārttika* Vadi Vri 3. As the relationship of this Neṭṭabhañja to Śatrubhañja and Śīlabhañja is not known, his name is not given in the genealogy printed above; but Neṭribhañja, the son of Raṇabhañja I, has been styled Neṭribhañja II, and Neṭṭabhañja, son of Vidyādharabhañja, Neṭṭabhañja III.