Archive · 15 Sep 2025
15th-Century Inscription Reveals Divine Kinship of Odisha Rulers
Imagine finding an ancient message about a king from a long time ago!
This is what happened when a 15th-century inscription about Gajapati Kapilendra Deva was found.
The inscription showed the king in a relaxed pose, like a regular person, but being treated like a god, with people serving him.
This shows how people saw their rulers as connected to the gods back then.
It also tells us more about how the Gajapati kings ruled.
The discovery adds to what we know about the history of Odisha.
A 15th-century inscription of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva was discovered.
The inscription was found at Bishnupur village in Nimapada block.
The inscription shows the king in a human-like pose but worshipped as a deity.
The inscription reads, "Here the lord is seated taking rest."
The discovery reinforces the Gajapati tradition of kingship.
- Who
- Gajapati Kapilendra Deva
- What
- A 15th-century inscription depicting Kapilendra Deva in a human-like posture while being worshipped as a deity was discovered.
- When
- 15th century
- Where
- Bishnupur village, Nimapada block, near Somnath temple
- Why
- To provide insight into the Gajapati tradition of kingship and how rulers were treated as embodiments of the divine order.
- Monarch
- Gajapati Kapilendra Deva
- Location of Discovery
- Bishnupur village, Nimapada block
- Era
- 15th century
- Inscription Meaning
- "Here the lord is seated taking rest."
- Temple
- Somnath temple
- Number of Kapilendra Deva Inscriptions in Puri
- Six