Vira Pratapa Purushottama Deva was the second Gajapati emperor of Odisha, reigning between 1466 and 1497 CE. His father Gajapati Kapilendra Deva Routaraya chose him as his heir to reign the Odishan Empire. He was the protagonist in the Kanchi Kaveri Upakhyana (poem) composed by Purushottam Das in the fifteenth century and afterwards translated into Bengali. In this article, we will discuss the Important Ruler of the Gajapati Dynasty in Odissa Purushottama Deva (1466-1497 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Reign of Purushottama Deva

• Purushottam Deva was the second Suryavamsa Gajapati ruler.
• His father Gajapati Kapilendra Deva Routaraya, chose him as his heir to reign the Odishan Empire.
• This choice upset his elder brother Hamvira Deva, a battle-hardened and successful warrior who had been tasked by his father with conquering the southern lands and expeditions against the kingdom of Vijayanagara.
• Hamvira sought a contract with the Gajapati's adversary, Bahamani Sultan Muhammad Shah III.
• Muhammad Shah set demands for Hamvira Deva to recognise his suzerainty as ruler of Odisha and transfer the necessary provinces from his father's empire if he wanted to seize Rajamundry and Kondapalli, which were under the control of Purushottam Deva.
• In 1472, Hamvira Deva declared himself Gajapati after gaining more than half of the territory of Purushottama Deva including Rajamundry and Kondapalli.
• Due to internal strife and terrible famine, the Bahamani Sultanate fell weak in 1476.
• Purrushotama Deva took advantage of the situation and launched an invasion from the north, defeating his elder brother Hamvira, expelling the Bahamani garrisons, and reclaiming Rajamundry and Kondapalli for his dominion.
• He switched his focus to southern territories which Saluva Narasimha of Vijayanagara conquered during an internal dispute with his elder brother.
• He conquered the Krishna-Godavari delta, and sections of Telangana. He continued his march till he imprisoned the Vijayanagara ruler at Udayagiri fort.

Purushottama Deva’s Cultural Contribution

• There was a boom of poetry under Purushottama Deva's reign, with a number of works penned in Sanskrit by him.
• His solo works include: Abhinava, Nama Gitagovinda, Gopalapuja Venisamhara, Bhakti Bishnu, Trikanda Kosha.
• He built a shrine near Raibania fort in Balasore district.
• He placed two granite stone idols of Lord Jagannath and Balarama as siblings riding horses and dressed for battle in the temple.
• Both deities are still worshipped there as a reminder of his victory over Kanchi through divine help.
• Following his victory in battle, Purushottama Deva founded 16 Sasans (Brahmin local government) on the banks of the Mahanadi River.
• The idols of Uchistha or Kamada Ganesha and Gopala, which Purushottama Deva brought as a trophy of victory over Kanchi, are currently housed on the grounds of Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Conclusion

Purusottamadeva was a one-of-a-kind figure among the Suryavamsi Gajapati monarchs of Odisha. His success was multi-faceted, original, and effective in all of its forms. He not only reclaimed most of his inherited empire's lost territories, but he also conquered new territories in India's southern regions. Despite his conflict with his rebellious elder brother, he established Odisha as a major power player in the Deccan and Southern India when the Bahamani and Vijayanagar empires looking for supremacy over this region. He died in 1497 CE and was succeeded by his son Prataprudra Deva.

FAQs

Question: Who was Purushottama Deva?

Question: What were the major achievements of Purushottama Deva?

Question: How did Purushottama Deva consolidate the Gajapati Dynasty’s power?

Question: What were the key features of Purushottama Deva’s administration?

Question: What is Purushottama Deva’s legacy?

MCQs

1. Who was the prominent ruler of the Gajapati dynasty between 1466 and 1497 CE?

a) Bhanudeva I

b) Purushottama Deva

c) Kapilendra Deva

d) Narsimhadeva I

2. Which kingdom did Purushottama Deva successfully defeat during his reign?

a) Sultanate of Bengal

b) Vijayanagar Empire

c) Maratha Confederacy

d) Delhi Sultanate

3. What major religious site did Purushottama Deva support during his rule?

a) Golden Temple, Amritsar

b) Jagannath Temple, Puri

c) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

d) Somnath Temple, Gujarat

4. What was one of Purushottama Deva’s key strategies for strengthening his kingdom?

a) Expanding trade routes

b) Strengthening military and strategic alliances

c) Promoting agricultural reforms

d) Forming alliances with the Marathas

5. What cultural aspect did Purushottama Deva contribute to?

a) Promotion of Islamic culture

b) Development of Odisha’s regional architecture and literature

c) Establishment of regional universities

d) Patronage of Mughal art

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the political and military achievements of Purushottama Deva in consolidating the Gajapati Dynasty.

Answer: Purushottama Deva’s reign saw significant political and military achievements. He successfully expanded the Gajapati kingdom by defeating the Sultanate of Bengal and other rivals. His military prowess was essential in securing the borders of his kingdom, and he established control over key regions of eastern and southern India. He also reformed the administration, strengthening central control over revenue and law enforcement, ensuring that his dynasty's power was both stable and growing.

Q2: Discuss the contributions of Purushottama Deva to the religious and cultural development of Odisha.

Answer: Purushottama Deva's contributions to religious and cultural development in Odisha are profound. He was a patron of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and his support for the Jagannath cult made the temple a significant center for religious activities. He also encouraged the development of regional art, literature, and temple architecture, helping to foster the cultural heritage of Odisha. His support for these cultural practices made his reign a period of flourishing cultural activity in the region.

Q3: What were the challenges faced by Purushottama Deva during his reign, and how did he overcome them?

Answer: Purushottama Deva faced several challenges during his reign, including external threats from neighboring kingdoms like the Sultanate of Bengal and internal dissensions within the Gajapati kingdom. He overcame these challenges by strategically strengthening his military, forging alliances with neighboring powers, and consolidating power through administrative reforms. His military success in defeating rival forces and his political acumen in maintaining a stable administration were key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring the prosperity of the Gajapati dynasty.

Previous Year Questions on Purushottama Deva

1. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "Evaluate the role of the Gajapati Dynasty in the history of medieval India."

Answer: The Gajapati Dynasty, especially during the reign of Purushottama Deva, played a significant role in the political and military history of eastern India. Under the Gajapatis, Odisha became a formidable power in the Deccan region. The dynasty's military successes, including the defeat of the Bengal Sultanate, and its contributions to religious and cultural development, left a lasting impact on the region's history.

2. UPSC CSE 2018

Question: "Discuss the importance of Odisha in the medieval history of India under the Gajapati rulers."

Answer: Under the Gajapati rulers like Purushottama Deva, Odisha emerged as a significant political, military, and cultural center in medieval India. The Gajapati dynasty played a key role in defending the eastern coast against external threats, promoting regional culture, and supporting Hindu temples, particularly the Jagannath Temple, which became a major religious hub. Their contributions helped shape the cultural and political landscape of eastern India during this period.