Jajnagar Expedition of Firoz Shah Tughlaq

The Jajnagar expedition launched by Emperor Firoz Shah Tughlaq against Orissa was a significant campaign aimed at dismantling the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. This operation formed part of a broader initiative by neighboring kingdoms to acquire the prized war elephants of Orissa noted for their strength and power.

In 1361, Firoz Shah Tughlaq orchestrated a major offensive against Orissa supported by the forces of the Delhi Sultanate. Bhanudeva III, a ruler hailing from the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, governed Orissa during this period. The military endeavor, strategically conducted following Firoz Shah Tughlaq's previous successful venture in Bengal, sought to assert dominance over Orissa and appropriate its valuable assets.

The expedition against Orissa unfolded as a ruthless and devastating campaign with the primary aim of subduing the kingdom and securing its coveted resources. The troops of the Delhi Sultanate engaged in an unyielding assault on Orissa, resulting in substantial setbacks for the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

Ultimately, the military expedition against Orissa led by Firoz Shah Tughlaq stands as a pivotal event in the region's history, symbolizing a moment characterized by profound conflict and turmoil.

Background
In the early 14th century, rebellious governors in Bengal established their own sultanates separate from Delhi's rule. By 1352, Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah emerged victorious in Bengal, consolidating power by defeating other regional rulers and uniting the territory into a single sultanate. Proclaiming himself as the Sultan of Bengal, Ilyas Shah solidified his authority in the region.

In 1353, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq of Delhi led a formidable force of 70,000 men into Bengal, sparking a significant conflict between the Bengal Sultanate and the Delhi Sultanate. Despite a victory for Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq over Ilyas Shah, he subsequently granted him independence from Delhi's control.

Following this campaign, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq proceeded to march against Orissa, marking another pivotal military expedition orchestrated by the Delhi Sultanate.Bhanudeva III reigned as the monarch of Orissa and was a member of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

The Expendition
In the year 1360 AD, Firuz Shah Tughlaq embarked on a military campaign, commencing from Jaunpur. He successfully conquered territories such as Panchet and Shikharabhum, alongside other tracts ending in "Bhum" within the Jungle Mahals region. Progressing further, he advanced towards Jajnagar during the reign of Bhanudeva III. The historical accounts indicate that Firuz Shah opted to follow ancient trade routes, passing through Orissa and extending to the Jungle Mahals via the districts of Midnapore and Bankura.

Firuz Shah Tughlaq advanced his forces all the way to Puri, where King Bhanudeva III bravely confronted the sultan's army. However, after a brief engagement, Bhanudeva III was defeated and subsequently fled to the forests for sanctuary. Eventually, he emerged and decided to submit to Sultan Firuz Shah, offering a tribute in the form of several elephants.

The king, named Visaladeva Chauhan, who ruled in Sambalpur, Orissa, was defeated and killed in battle. His pregnant wife managed to escape with her life.

Destruction of Jagannath Puri
It has been known for some time that there was a temple of Jagannatha (Purusottama) located at Banarasi (now known as Cuttack), the capital of the Orissan kingdom of the Gangas. Historical records, such as the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi, mention an expedition led by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq of Delhi against the Eastern Ganga Dynasty around 1360 A.D. The Ganga king at that time, Bhanudeva III, had his headquarters at Banarasi (Cuttack). During this expedition, the Sultan occupied Banarasi while the king had fled. The Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi also mentions that inside the king's fort in Banarasi (Cuttack), there was a stone idol called Jagannath Puri, which the local people worshipped. Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq, following the example of Mahmud of Ghazni, removed the idol and took it to Delhi, where it was placed in a disrespectful manner.

Recent evidence suggests that the image of Jagannatha at Cuttack was actually installed by the Ganga king Anangabhima III. This further highlights the significance of the temple and the idol of Jagannatha in the region during that time.

Aftermath
During the expedition, approximately one hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants were killed. The Jagannath Puri temple was completely destroyed, and its idol was taken to Delhi. Bhanudeva III appeared and presented some elephants as tribute, agreeing to pay an annual tribute of 20 elephants. Following this, Firoz Shah Tughlaq returned to Delhi.