Mathara dynasty
4th-5th century dynasty of India
The Mathara (IAST: Māṭhara) dynasty ruled in the Kalinga region of eastern India during 4th and 5th centuries CE. They were one of the few royal families who were ruling Kalinga (others being Vasishtha and Pitrbhakta). Their territory was mainly confined between the southern part of Odisha and the river Godavari River. They appear to have been overthrown by the Pitrbhakta dynasty.
Genealogy
The following members of the Mathara family are known (IAST names in brackets):
Shankara-varman (Śankaravarman)
Shakti-varman (Śaktivarman)
Prabhanjana-varman (Prabhañjanavarman)
Ananta-shakti-varman (Anantaśaktivarman)
The Mathara kings were devotees of Narayana (Vishnu).
History
The Mathara dynasty ruled Kalinga from the mid-4th century to the end of the 5th century, probably after the forces of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta withdrew from the region. They fought with the Vasisthas and the Pitrbhaktas for the control of Kalinga.
Shaktivarman
Shaktivarman is the earliest known ruler of the dynasty, and bore the title Kalingadhipati ("Lord of Kalinga"). His father was Shankaravarman, who did not bear any royal title.
A copper-plate inscription of Shaktivarman, dated to his 13th regnal year, gives describes him as Maharajasya-Shri Shaktivarmanah. It was composed by his minister (amatya) Arjunadatta.
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