Gajapati is a regnal title from the region of modern Odisha in the Indian subcontinent. The word ‘Gajapati’ in Odia refers to "Gaja" meaning elephant and "Pati" meaning master or husband. Thus Gajapati etymologically means a king with an army of elephants. The institution of Gajapati kingship as a title was used by the Eastern Ganga dynasty and was used by succeeding dynasties, as Gajapati dynasties, with the patronisation of Lord Jagannatha as the imperial deity of the Odia cultural realm. Four ruling dynasties have been part of Gajapati kingship or dynasties.[1]
The current titular Gajapati belongs to the head of the Bhoi dynasty, as the dynasty inherited the legacy of the historical ruling chiefs of Odisha invested in the title of Gajapati.[2][3] They also exercised administrative control of the Jagannath Temple at Puri.[4]
- ^ Panda, Shishir Kumar (2008), "Gajapati Kingship and the Cult of Jagannatha: A Study on the Chhamu Chitaus (Royal Letters)", Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 69, Indian History Congress: 226, JSTOR 44147183
- ^ ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS PURI (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 1994, p. 37
- ^ ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS DEOGARH (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 1994, p. 19
- ^ "History". Government of Orissa. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search