Part 14 - Upendra I (A.D. 1300—1353)

Upendra, son of Choda I by Mallamba succeeded his father about A.D. 1300. We do not know for certain when Choda’s rule ended and Upendra’s began. Upendra’s reign was long and lasted up to A.D. 1353, the earliest date for his son and successor Choda II. None of Upendra’s inscriptions are available and the Panchadharala pillar inscription gives few details about him.

A Peaceful Reign

Unlike his father, Upendra preferred the blessings of peace to the glories of war. He does not seem to have undertaken any expeditions of conquest, and Kalinga in this period was free from foreign invasions. The Manna chiefs as they were thoroughly subdued by Choda I do not seem to have given any more trouble to Upendra. Upendra probably continued the policy of his father of maintaining friendly relations towards the other local rulers in south Kalmga and of silence towards the Ganga emperors. The pillar inscription says that Upendra ruled the inherited kingdom. Upendra was succeeded by his son Choda II about A.D.1350.