Gangas

Gangas is a term that historically refers to dynasties and rulers associated with the Ganga (Ganges) region in eastern India. In historiography, "Gangas" can denote more than one medieval Indian polity that used the name Ganga or Gangas in their royal titles. The most prominent of these are the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, which governed parts of present-day Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh from roughly the 5th century to the 15th century CE, and earlier Ganga-influenced rulers in the same region. The Gangas played a central role in the political and cultural life of eastern India during this period, overseeing the growth of temple architecture, sculpture, and religious patronage. The Konark Sun Temple, built in the 13th century during the Eastern Ganga era, stands as one of the region’s best-known monuments.

In the later period, Ganga polities declined under pressure from neighboring powers, including Turkic and regional sultanates, and their territories passed to new dynasties. In historical sources, the Gangas are identified through inscriptions and coinage that record rulers bearing the Ganga name and their genealogies.

Beyond dynasties, "Gangas" can also refer to modern usages such as surnames in South Asia or to communities and places named after the Ganges river. See also Ganga and Ganges for related topics.