88 
M. M. Chakravarti — Uriya Inscriptions. 
[No. 1, 
Uriya Inscriptions of the 15 th and 1 6th centuries. — By BaiM Mon Mohan 
Chakravarti, M. A., B. L., Subordinate Executive Service of 
Bengal. 
These inscriptions are 14 in number ; 12 on the left and right side of 
the Jayavijaya door- way in the temple of Jagannatha at Purl, and 2 on 
the right side of the door-way in the temple of Mahadeva at Bhuvanes- 
vara. They furnish important dates of Orissa history, and are the 
earliest known Uriya writings found in Orissa. 1 
The Jayavijaya door is that which leads into the Porch of the Jagan- 
natha temple. The inscriptions are carved on the door- way. This door- 
way is of black polished chlorite. The left side inscriptions begin from 
a height of three feet, the right side ones from a height of one foot. 
They then take up about f th of the remaining height. The lines run 
from west to east, and are nearly, but not always, straight. 
The letters are Uriya, and do not generally differ from the present 
types except in gj and T. They are j" x|". The language is through- 
out Uriya except at the end of the right side 5th inscription, where are 
quoted 4 stanzas of Sanskrit slokas. Tho orthography is often incorrect. 
The grammatical differences are small. 
The inscriptions belong to four reigns, viz., 
(1) Kapilesvara Deva .. ... ... 5 
(2) Purusliottama Deva ... ... 4 
(3) Prataparudra Deva ... ... ... 2 
(4) Managovinda Govinda Deva ... ... 1 
12 
Tho above sequence denotes the natural order of tho kings in their 
succession ; Kapilesvara Deva being the founder of the Surya-vamsa 
and Govinda Deva being the overthrower of that dynasty. 
The inscriptions begin with an enumeration of tho various titles of 
the inscribing king. It is curious to observe that these titles increase 
in number and pomposity, the later we come. All these titles are still 
used by tho Raja of Puri, and may be found on the title-pages of Uriya 
almanacs. 
l A transcript of these 12 inscriptions, and a translation of tenth, have been 
given by Dr. R. L. Hittra,in his Antiquities of Orissa, Yol. XI, Appendix, pp. 165-167. 
My readings of the same and my translations differ considerably ; hence this article. 
