Gajapati Empire

The Gajapati Empire was a medieval powerful Hindu monarchy in the Indian subcontinent, originally from the region of Odisha that reigned from c.1434 to 1541. At its peak, it ruled parts of modern-day West Bengal to Tiruchirappalli (modern-day Tamil Nadu). It succeeded the Eastern Gangas as the Gajapati monarchs and was founded by Kapilendra Deva of Suryavamsa lineage after the death of the last ruler of Eastern Ganga king Bhanu Deva IV. Gajapatis were great patrons of art, architecture and literature which during their time flourished and witnessed tremendous growth, they ruled over a vast stretch of land and had continuous rivalry with the Vijayanagara Empire. Their capital was Kataka.

The Gajapati kings patronized Vaishnavite Hinduism and were ardent devotees of the God Vishnu. They also commissioned many temples dedicated to the God Vishnu. They established the Jagannath cult over kalinga.