Draft:Bengal-Orissa Wars

The Jaunpur gajpati wars were a sequence of military conflicts between the Jaunpur Sultanate and the Gajpati Kingdom of Orissa.The conflict predominantly stemmed from the incursion of Jaunpuri forces into the domains of the Gajpati Kingdom in Orissa. This incursion resulted in escalating tensions and eventual hostilities between the two powers.

The Gajpati Empire, established by Kapilendra Deva, is renowned for its strength and magnificence, characterized by the ruler's ambitious expansionist agenda. This aggressive territorial expansion led to increased tensions with neighboring kingdoms, prompting multiple invasions against the Bahamani Sultanate, Bengal Sultanate, and Vijayanagar Empire. The Jaunpur Sultanate emerged as one of the most formidable threats to the Gajpati Kingdom of Orissa, ultimately contributing to its decline.

These skirmishes predominantly occurred during the reigns of Mahmud Shah, Muhammad Shah, and Husain Shah of Jaunpur. These invasions significantly depleted the resources of Orissa during the reigns of Kapilendra Deva, Hammira Deva, and Purushottam Deva in the Medieval period. The neighboring kingdoms of Orissa invaded in order to obtain tribute and elephants, as Orissa was rich in these animals, which were used in battles.

The presence of elephants in Orissa was the primary reason for multiple invasions by the Delhi sultans and neighboring kingdoms. They invaded Orissa to obtain elephants, and then retreated with their new acquisitions.

Overview
Following the downfall of the Delhi Sultanate, the Jaunpur Sultanate began to assert its authority in the region of the Gangas-Yamuna doab. It emerged as a formidable power in North East India, reigning from 1394 to 1493 CE during the medieval period. Throughout its rule, the Jaunpur Sultanate engaged in conflicts with neighboring kingdoms, including the Bengal Sultanate, the Odisha Gajapatis, the rulers of Delhi, and the Malwa Sultanate.

The Gajapati Kingdom reached its zenith during the reign of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva. Nevertheless, the kingdom encountered numerous setbacks as a result of conflicts with neighboring kingdoms. Kapilendra Deva suffered a defeat at the hands of the Bahmani Sultanate during the Gajapati invasion of Bidar in 1461 CE.

The Campaigns
There were a total of four invasions led by the Jaunpur Sultans against Orissa, primarily occurring during the reign of the magnificent ruler of the Gajapati Kingdom, Gajpati Kapilendra Deva. These invasions took place during his rule:

Mahmud Shah's Invasion of Orissa
During his reign, Mahmud Shah of Jaunpur led a military expedition against Orissa around 1448-49 CE.He embarked on an invasion of Orissa with his army, launching attacks and ravaging the country, plundering villages, and acquiring a significant amount of booty.

Mahmud shah's second Invasion of Orissa
The historical account by Nizamuddin Ahmed describes Mahmud Shah Sharqi's invasion of the Gajapati domains with a vast army consisting of three hundred thousand horsemen and fourteen hundred elephants. It mirrors the outcome as reported in the Tabaqat-i-Akabari. Both of these Muslim chronicles assert that Mahmud Shah invaded Orissa and laid waste to the Gajapati Kingdom. The author of Tabaqat-i-Akabari claims that the sultan invaded Orissa and compelled the Orissan king to enter into a humiliating treaty, in which he presented thirty elephants to the Sultan and additionally offered one hundred horses and various other goods as tribute.

Husain Shah's Invasion of Orissa
During the early years of his reign, Husain Shah of Jaunpur invaded Orissa with a large army and devastated the entire country. He defeated the ruler of the Gajapati kingdom, Kapilendra Deva, who sought peace by presenting thirty elephants to Husain Shah of Jaunpur.

Aftermath
The Sultans of Jaunpur invaded Orissa and wreaked havoc on the entire country multiple times. Gajapati Kapilendra Deva submitted to the Jaunpur Sultan by paying tribute of thirty elephants.