Ancient Era

261 BC

Odisha ‘s hazy past focuses with the war of Kalinga in which the people of Kalinga come into head on conflict with Ashoka, the powerful Mauryan emperor from Magadha. A hundred thousand are killed, another hundred and fifty thousand are taken captives while an equal number die as an aftermath of the war. The bloody carnage leaves Ashoka with such a bitter taste in his mouth that he turns his back on violence forever and embraces Buddhism – the faith of peace and compassion. Buddhism spreads to South East Asia (especially Thailand) under his royal patronage and becomes the state religion.

232 BC

Ashoka dies. The Mauryan Empire lasts up to 185 BC.

1st Century BC

Kalinga drifts out of the Mauryan rules under the first Chedi King Mahameghavahan in the early part of the 1st Century BC.

49 BC

The third Chedi king Kharavela comes to power, and conducts extensive military campaigns. The greatness of his power is felt from the eastern coast to western coast of India and from Mathura in the North to the Pandya kingdom in the south. Jainism flourishes under him.

2nd Century AD

Early in the 2nd Century AD Kalinga is occupied by the Satabahana King Goutamiputra Satakarni from the west (Nasik), and continues to remain under the Satabahanas probably up to the rule of Yajansri Satakami, (AD 174-202).

3rd Century AD

After the death of Yajansri Satakami (202 AD), the history of Kalinga sinks into obscurity. Some minor dynasties like the Kusanas of North India, the foreign Indo- Scythian Murundas, and thereafter the Nagas are believed to have ruled in the land until the time of SamudraGupta’s south India campaign.

350 AD

Samudragupta of Magadha sets out on his campaign of the south and conquers parts of Kalinga. The claims of Samudragupta regarding his South Indian conquests are subject to doubt. Brahminism starts reasserting itself.

350 – 498 AD

Soon after the invasion of Samudragupta, a new ruling power called Mathara raises its hand (from modern Parlakhemundi) and continues to rule over Kalinga till 498 AD. Kalinga under the Marathas enjoys a prosperous economic life because of her flourishing trade and commerce. Brahminism consolidates.

500 AD

The reign of first group of the eastern Gangas begins.
A new dynasty called Sailodbhava raises its head in the coastal region of Odisha extending from Mahanadi in the North to the Mahedragiri in the South. It is during the region of the Sailodhavas that Kalinga’s overseas trade flourishes largely with the rulers bunching their colonial adventure in the Suvarnadweepa i.e., modern Myanmar.

621 AD

Harshavardhana of Thaneswar (Modern Haryana) invades Utkal and occupies till Chilika Lake. Buddhism gets a renewal.

630 AD

Chinese cultural Ambassador, Hieun T’sang, visits Odisha

647 AD

The last Hindu emperor of India, Harshavardhana dies.
Bhuama era begins with the reign of Unmattasimha alias Sivakardeva who occupies the Sailodhava kingdom. The Bhuamas give patronage to Buddhism. The dynasty is marked by a few illustrious women rulers like Tribhubana Mahadevi and Dandi Mahadevi, along with the ruler Bhaumakaras some semi independent principalities known as the Mandalas develop in between the kingdoms of the Bhauma rulers.