Anangabhima Deva III facts for kids

A possible depiction of Rauta Anangabhima Deva III from thirteenth century Jagannath temple in Jajpur district.

Anangabhima Deva III was a powerful Odia ruler and reformist of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty that ruled an early medieval Odisha centered empire in eastern India from the year 1211-1238 A.D. He was successful in maintaining a large extent of territory that stretched from the river Ganga in the north to Godavari in the South. He had successfully defeated the Kalachuris on the western frontiers of the empire and established a matrimonial alliance with them. His brother or brother in law, Rajaraja II became the ruler of the Dynasty in 1198. When Anangabhima III came into power, in 1211, he expelled the Muslims of Bengal from his kingdom. He had a son, Narasingha Deva I, who would later invade Bengal in 1244, and captured the capital city, Gauda. He was a reformist in the social and spiritual structure of the Odia society as the vaishnavite deity Jagannath was declared as the supreme ruler of the empire and the emperor as the deputy under him. The Madala Panji records he claiming himself as Shri Purushottama dedicating everything to lord Jagannath.

Images for kids

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  Depiction of Anangabhima Deva III at Naganath Temple, Nagena, Dhenkanal

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  Ruins of Barabati Fort in Cuttack, the construction of which started during the rule of Anangabhima Deva III

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  King Anangabhima Deva III depicted at Naganath Temple, Nagena, Dhenkanal

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  Sanskrit Inscription of Anangabhima Deva III at Chateswara Temple built during his rule

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  Megheswara temple in Bhubaneswar built during the rule of Anangabhima Deva III

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  Chateswara Temple built during the rule of Anangabhima Deva III

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  Anangabhima Deva III's Jagannath Temple at Jajpur that was rebuilt in 18th Century by the Maratha Hindu ruler Raghuji Bhonsle I and after it was attacked by Bengal Nawab Suleiman Karani in the year 1568.