The History of Odisha dates back to eternal past. The region of modern state of odisha in ancient period known by different names such as Kalinga, Utakala, Udra, Toshali, Kosala etc. In its saturation period its geographical extention spreads in South from Krishna river to Ganga river in North.
Pre-Historic Period
Peninsular India, including Odisha, was a part of the super continent 140 million years ago (mya). Gondwana is an Indian region named for the Gondi people who reside there (though they can also be found in other parts of India). The name of the ancient continent Gondwanaland was derived from the name Gondwana because some of the earliest rock formations of this continent were first discovered in a portion of the present-day Odisha region. Certain rocks, such as the Mayurbhanj granite pluton, have been dated to 3.09 billion years old (Ga). The coal-fields in the Mahanadi and Ib river basins are one of the most fossil-rich regions in the subcontinent.
In the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, and Sambalpur, Lower Paleolithic Acheulian artefacts have been unearthed. The Gudahandi hills in the Kalahandi district include prehistoric rock sculptures and paintings. Various Neolithic implements like as hoes, chisels, pounders, mace heads, grinding stones, and ceramics were recovered from the Kuchai site near Baripada. Additionally, prehistoric paintings and inscriptions have been discovered at Garjan Dongar in the district of Sundergarh, Ushakothi in the district of Sambalpur, and Vimkramkhol in the district of Jharsuguda. Concerning whether the inscriptions at Ushakothi and Vimkramkhol are written in a proto-Brahmi script, there has been uncertainty. Neolithic cave art is found at Yogimath, close to Khariar.
Ancient History of Odisha
From the days of Mahabharat to till date the Odisha have been holding a special position in the political realm of India. We have been found frequent mention, the name Kalinga in mahabharata. Later the State got a prominent importance during the Mauryan period when the unconquered land of Kalinga was for the first time conquered by the last great Mauryan ruler Asoka. The Asoka’s invasion of Kalinga had far reach consequences, the cruel king (Chandasoka) converted to a faithfull king (Dharmasoka) after the war. Asoka embraced Buddhism and spread the message of love, non-violence and peace throughout the known world. Though Kalinga lost that war but the amount of bravery and solidarity it shown to the history, changed the world perception towards Kalinga.
During the rule of Chedi’s or Mahameghavahans kings, particularly Kharavela, Odisha regain its old glory which she lost after the Asokan invasion. The mighty Kharavela defeated all the major ruling dynasties of his times such as Sungas, Satavahans, Rashtrika, Bhojakas etc.. The reorganization of greater Kalinga state was also sttributed to his name. He brought all the peaty kings of different regions of Kalinga under his umbrella.
After Kharavela no significant ruler was able to establish a pan-Odishan empire and Odisha was break down into many small kingdoms. Among them few notable ones are Satavahanas, Murundas, Matharas, Nalas, Manas, Eastern Gangas (Not to confused with the imperial Gangas), Sailadbhabas and Somavamsis. During the period of Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis, the land of Odisha saw the upheaval of cultural renaissance. The temple architecture of Odisha created a landmark in the cultural history of India. The temple architecture of Odisha was known by a separate identity “Kalinga School Temple Architecture”. The Rajarani temple and and the grand Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar were marvelous specimen of Kalinga architecture of this period.
Medieval History of Odisha
With Chodagangadeva of imperial Ganga dynasty in and aroud 11th century CE Odisha entered its classical age. When the rest of India, during this time sunjugated under Muslim rule one by one Odisha retain its independence as a unique and powerful state in Eastern India. This period saws the emergence of Jagannatha cult and odia language. The Ganga and the Suryavamsi rulers who were ruled in this period changed the regional nature of lard Jagannatha to a universal one. The powerful kings of ganga dynasty- Chodagangadeva, Anangabhimadeva, Narasinghadeva, Bhanudeva, etc and the notable Suryavamsi kings- Kapilendradeva, Purusottamadeva etc. shaped the geographical and political Odisha and under their meaningful patronage Adi Sankaracharya, Sri Chaitanya, Panchasakha Poets, Sarala Das and Jayadeva shaped the cultural, religional and literary arena of Odisha. The two spendid temple architectural gems of the world. The lord Jagannatha temple and the Konark temple were constructed in this period.
In the later half of the 16th century, with the demise of the Suryavamsis and the defeat of the Chalukya king Mukundadeva from the hand of Afghan genral Suleiman Kirrani, downfall of Odisha began. Subsequently first the Afghans and later, the Mughals ruled the Odisha till the Marathas overthrown them in 1751 CE. They ruled nearly half a century. In this mean time another seat of power emerged in the arena of Political India who shadowed all the powers of India, the British. They conquered Odisha in 1803 CE. From this date the modern period started in Odisha.
Modern History of Odisha
Within two decades of Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India, the Portuguese established a thriving trade center at Pipli, near the mouth of the Subarnarekha River. By 1633, the English had founded trade settlements at Hariharpur and Balasore. Over the following years, the Dutch, Danes, and French also arrived in Balasore, establishing footholds in the region.
The Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked a turning point, with the legal title of Nawab of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha granted to the English. In 1765, Shah Alam bestowed the East India Company with the Dewani of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha – though this Odisha referred to a smaller territory north of the Subarnarekha.
Lord Wellesley (1798-1805) attempted to form a “Subsidiary Alliance” with the Bhonsala Raja of Nagpur, but his refusal sparked the Anglo-Maratha War, leading to the British conquest of Odisha in 1803. British misrule ignited the Paika Rebellion of 1817, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, military chief of the Raja of Khurda. Puri fell momentarily in April 1817, forcing a British retreat to Cuttack, but the rebellion was ultimately suppressed.
Sambalpur played a significant role in the Indian Revolt of 1857. The British administration’s most devastating failure came during the Na’Anka famine of 1865-66, where over a million people – roughly a quarter of Odisha’s population – perished from starvation.
Odisha’s history was shaped by influential social reformers like Fakir Mohan Senapati, Bhagban Chandra Das, Radhanath Ray, Madhusudan Rao, and Madhusudan Das. Their contributions transformed various aspects of Odia society.
The First World War sparked a movement led by Pandit Gopabandhu Das, ultimately leading to Odisha’s separation from Bengal, Madras, and the Central Provinces. The new state of Odisha was established on April 1st, 1936. Shortly after, the 1938 Gadajat Revolt by the princely states was suppressed.
Odisha played a significant role in the 1942 movement for independence. Over 3,000 individuals were imprisoned, and around 100 were killed by machine-gun fire. After India gained independence in 1947, the princely states merged with Odisha in 1948, forming a unified state.
Administrative reorganization followed, with the creation of thirteen districts. Former princely states became the districts of Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Phulbani, Bolangir, and Kalahandi. Chief Minister Biju Pattanaik later increased the number of districts to 30 for improved governance.
The States Reorganisation Commission led to a change, with the princely states of Saraikela and Kharasuan merging with Bihar, having previously been part of the Mayurbhanj district.