Somavamshi Dynasty in Orissa is known from many copperplate grants and lithic records, which are found from the various excavations across the Orissa.
Somavamshi Dynasty was the direct descendant of the Lunar Dynasty in ancient India. Hence, they call themselves Somakula or Somavamshi. Majority of their kings claimed ruling over Kosala and Trikalinga region.
Mahashivagupta I is the first known king of this dynasty as evident from the epigraphs. None of his epigraph has been discovered hence he is known from the records of his descendents. There is an earlier king of the same name, Mahashivagupta-Balarjuna, of the Panduvamshis of Kosala dynasty. As the Panduvamshis of Kosala and Somavamshis ruled over adjacent areas, hence there is a possibility of some connection between these two dynasties. This dynasty ruled the entire region of Orissa from 301 AD to the advent of British East India Company.
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