page_title: Anangabhima Deva III
section_title: War with the Invading Khilji Malik of Bengal (1223-1225 A.D.)
hierarchical_section_title: Anangabhima Deva III / Military Career and Achievements / War with the Invading Khilji Malik of Bengal (1223-1225 A.D.)
caption_attribution_description: English: Sanskrit Inscription of Anangabhima Deva III at Chateswara Temple build during his rule
context_page_description: Anangabhima Deva III was a powerful ruler and reformist of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty that ruled an early medieval Odisha centered empire in eastern India from the year 1211-1238 A.D. He was successful in maintaining a large extent of territory that stretched from the river Ganga in the north to Godavari in the South. He had successfully defeated the Kalachuris on the western frontiers of the empire and established a matrimonial alliance with them. His brother or brother in law, Rajaraja II became the ruler of the Dynasty in 1198. When Anangabhima III came into power, in 1211, he expelled the Muslims of Bengal from his kingdom. He had a son, Narasingha Deva I, who would later invade Bengal in 1244, and captured the capital city, Gauda. He was a reformist in the social and spiritual structure of the Odia society as the vaishnavite deity Jagannath was declared as the supreme ruler of the empire and the emperor as the deputy under him. The Madala Panji records he claiming himself as Shri Purushottama dedicating everything to lord Jagannath.
context_section_description: After defeating the Kalchuris, Anangabhima faced a major threat from the invading Muslim forces of Khilji Maliks from Bengal. His prime enemy Ghiyasuddin Iwaj Shah, the ruler of Bengal was a successor of Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji who was a successful military general of Qutb Ud Din Aibak. Ghiyassuddin had built a powerful navy and set out for conquest of neighboring kingdoms like Kamarupa and Odisha. He invaded the northern territories and also sent naval armadas over the river Mahanadi to capture his newly founded capital, destabilize his military strength and occupy lands. During the series of these events the newly built Barabati Fort was successfully used to repulse the enemy attacks from the river. His able minister and military adviser, Vishnu commanded a force that chased the invading Muslims on the land out of northern Odisha. The inscriptions of Chateswar temple (Salepur in Cuttack district) and Ananta Vasudeva temple confirm that the Muslim forces of Bengal were defeated by the able commander Vishnu who was able to pull his bow string until his ears and shot arrows killing many enemy soldiers. Odia forces are noted to have crossed over into Bengal, giving chase to the fleeing Yavanas during the conflict as mentioned in the inscriptions.
  
  Chateswara Temple Inscription Statements Indicating the Role of Vishnu in the Battle Against the Yavanas (Muslims) :
  Karnottam- Sita-Savakasya-Subhata-Nekakina Nighnatah 
  Kimbruna-Yavanavanindra-Samare Tattasaya-Varabratam
  Anantavasudeva Temple Inscription Statements:
  Yadvamse-Vaijayanti-Patamiva-Subhato-Anangabhimah Pravavah
  -Pradhvastaratiraja Vraja -Yuvati-Yanodgita Gambhirasarah
  Asidasivisire-Radhikataratarasta Drugarvorugarobah-Svante 
  Svantapasarpata Yavamapi Yavanam Sangare Sanjahara.
  Which Means: In Chodaganga Deva's lineage was like a flag the heroic Anangabhima, whose profound strength was celebrated by the damsels of a multitude of hostile kings destroyed by his power, and who was exceedingly proud of his swift horses, the speed of which surpassed that of snakes' foes Garuda. He made an end of the war by defeating the Yavanas with impetuosity after entering into their territory beyond the frontier.
caption: Sanskrit Inscription of Anangabhima Deva III at Chateswara Temple built during his rule
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