Birth of Modern Odisha: The British Crown approved the Constitution of Orissa on March 3, 1936, paving the way for the creation of a separate province. Consequently, on April 1, 1936, the province of Odisha was officially born through the amalgamation of Odia-speaking tracts previously scattered across the Bihar and Orissa Province, the Madras Presidency, and the Central Provinces.
Alongside the formation of the new province, Odisha was granted independent administrative status under Section 1(B) of the Government of India Act, 1935. The newly constituted province comprised the districts of Cuttack, Puri, Balasore, Sambalpur, Ganjam, and Koraput, covering a total area of 32,695 square miles and housing a population of 80,43,681.
The birth of Odisha was the realization of a long-cherished dream—a vision first championed by Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, the great architect of Odia identity. Sadly, Madhusudan Das did not live to witness the formation of the province he tirelessly fought for, having passed away two years earlier. On the day Odisha was born, the people remembered their beloved leader, offering prayers for the peace of his soul, knowing that the separate identity they had gained was the fulfillment of his lifelong mission.
Farewell to Odia Members on the Eve of Odisha’s Separation (March 28, 1936)
On March 28, 1936, just before the creation of the separate province of Odisha, the Bihar-Odisha Legislative Council extended a heartfelt farewell to its Odia members. In his address, the Chairman of the Council expressed sincere regret at the end of a long and harmonious association:
“On the occasion of the creation of the new province of Orissa, we deeply regret that our long and cordial relationship is now coming to an end. The Hon’ble members from Orissa have actively participated in the deliberations of this Council over the past 15 years, rendering valuable service not only to their region but to the province as a whole. Our relationship with them has always been marked by mutual respect and warmth.
Their absence will be genuinely felt by every member of this Council. On behalf of the Hon’ble members from Bihar, I extend our warmest wishes for the happiness and prosperity of their new province. (Hear, hear!)
I would also be failing in my duty if I did not express my personal gratitude to the Hon’ble Odia members who have always shown great courtesy and deference to the Chair during my tenure in this responsible position. I have always received full cooperation from them.”
Rai Bahadur Laxmidhar Mohanty, one of the senior Odia members, responded with equal grace and gratitude:
“Thank you, Sir, for your very kind words. We are sincerely grateful to our colleagues from Bihar for the sympathetic and cooperative attitude they have always shown towards Odisha. We are thankful to the Government of Bihar and Odisha as a whole, and especially to you, Sir, for your personal courtesy and kindness.”
Rev. Brajananda Das, another Odia member, echoed these sentiments:
“It is very kind of you, Sir, to wish happiness and prosperity for our new province. I am deeply touched by the warm expressions and the spirit of brotherhood shown by you and other members of this Council.
I have been part of this Council since 1927, and over these years, I have seen a growing sense of unity, brotherhood, and mutual respect. I am grateful for the kind words you have just spoken, and I sincerely hope that the Bihar Council will continue to thrive as it has in the past.
Though we part today, I trust that the ties of friendship and fraternity that have bound us together will endure.
Orissa, as you know, is a center of national attraction because of the great Jagannath Temple at Puri, visited by people from across India. At Puri, there is no distinction of caste—no Brahmin, no so-called depressed class—and we extend a warm welcome to all.
Once again, I sincerely thank you, Sir, for the spirit in which you have extended your good wishes. I wholeheartedly reciprocate the same.”
The Hon’ble President announced:
“I am about to read the order of prorogation. I trust the Hon’ble Members will receive it by rising in their seats.”
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of Section 72-B of the Government of India Act, I hereby declare that, at the conclusion of the meeting held on the 28th of March, 1936, the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council stands prorogued.”
Patna
28th March 1936
James Sifton
Governor of Bihar and Orissa
Sir John Austen Hubback: The First Governor of Odisha
Sir John Austen Hubback, K.C.S.I., I.C.S., who played a pivotal role in the formation of the separate Odisha Province, became its first Governor. He received a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon his arrival at Cuttack Railway Station in the early hours of April 1, 1936, traveling by a special train to assume office.
From the station, he proceeded to the Cuttack Circuit House, and later that day, the swearing-in ceremony was held in the grand hall of Ravenshaw College. At this memorable event, Sir Courtney Terrell, Chief Justice of the Bihar and Orissa Province, administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Governor of Odisha.
To commemorate the creation of the separate Odisha Province, His Excellency the Governor convened a special meeting on the same day at Cuttack. The gathering included prominent representatives from various regional organizations such as the Oriya People’s Association, the Oriya Landholders’ Association, the Oriya Chambers of Commerce, the Orissa Mohammedan Association, and the Domiciled Bengalis Association.
During the event, the Governor read a message from His Majesty King Edward VIII, which stated:
“It gives me great pleasure, as one of the earliest acts of my reign and the first outcome of the Government of India Act of last year, to approve an Order in Council creating Odisha as a separate province. Through my Viceroy and your first Governor, I send to the Province of Odisha this message of greeting.
The long-cherished and natural desire of the Odia people to be reunited and to govern themselves is thus fulfilled. It is my hope and expectation that the new province will draw inspiration from its past and will prove itself worthy of its proud heritage.”
After the day’s proceedings, the Governor remained at the Cuttack Circuit House until 6 PM, when he departed by a special train to Delang, en route to Puri.
Accompanying him on this journey were key members of his official entourage, including:
- Lady Hubback,
- J.S. O’B. Welcock,
- Stallard, I.C.S., I.P.,
- Lt. Muhammad Reza Khan, W.L. Bahadur, Honorary Indian Aide-de-Camp,
- And the newly appointed Aide-de-Camp and Private Secretary to His Excellency.
Thus began a new chapter in the history of Odisha, with Sir John Austen Hubback at the helm, as the province embarked on its journey toward self-governance and regional unity.
Advisory Council of Odisha During the Transitional Period (1936)
During the transitional period before elections were held, it was declared:
“The Governor shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be the local government of Odisha. There shall be an Advisory Council consisting of not more than twenty members, to be nominated by the Governor. Of these, no more than three shall be officials. The Council may advise on all such matters as the Governor may refer to them.”
Accordingly, Sir John Austen Hubback, His Excellency the Governor of Odisha, nominated the following individuals to the Advisory Council:
| Sl. No. | Name | Designation / Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mr. P.T. Mansfield, I.C.S., C.I.E. | Chief Secretary of Odisha |
| 2. | Sriman B.B. Gopinath Bisoi Mahasaya | Bissam Cuttack |
| 3. | Sriman Ballav Narayan Samantaray Mahasaya | Nawarangpur |
| 4. | Lal Artatran Deo | Khariar |
| 5. | A. Thumbananthan Pantulu Garu | Aska |
| 6. | Sriman Mandhata Gorachand Patnaik | Paralakhemundi |
| 7. | Sriman Mandhata Gorachand Patnaik (repeated entry) | Paralakhemundi |
| 8. | Maharaja Sri Sri Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb | Paralakhemundi |
| 9. | Rev. Brajananda Das | Cuttack |
| 10. | Maulavi Sheikh Abdul Jalil | Cuttack |
| 11. | Babu Nikunja Kishore Das | Puri |
| 12. | Babu Radha Ranjan Das | Cuttack |
| 13. | Babu Braja Mohan Panda | Balasore |
| 14. | Babu Jagannath Das | Sambalpur |
| 15. | Babu Godabarisha Mishra | Jajpur |
| 16. | Babu Birabar Narayan Chandra Dhira | Banpur |
| 17. | Rai Bahadur Loknath Mishra | Madhupur (Jajpur) |
| 18. | Rai Bahadur Laxmidhar Mohanty | Puri |
| 19. | Raja Sri Rajendra Narayan Bhanja Deo Bahadur | Kanika |
| 20. | Raja Bahadur Sri Rama Chandra Mardaraj Deo Garu | Cuttack |
The first meeting of the Advisory Council was held on May 8, 1936, at Puri. The members were sworn in by Rai Bahadur Laxmidhar Mohanty, who was also nominated as the Vice-President of the Council.
The Council initially met for four days in May 1936 (from the 5th to the 8th) and later convened again for three days in October (8th to 10th, 1936) at Puri.
The First Meeting of the Odisha Advisory Council (May 8, 1936)
The inaugural meeting of the Odisha Advisory Council was held at Puri on May 8, 1936, immediately after the members took their oaths. Addressing the Council, His Excellency the Governor of Odisha remarked:
“It is my privilege today to take another step in the establishment of the Odisha Province, in accordance with the directives of His Majesty the King in Council, by constituting an Advisory Council and referring to it such matters as I deem appropriate.”
He further elaborated on his decision to personally preside over the Council’s proceedings:
“I would like to say a word about my decision to ordinarily preside over your deliberations. Firstly, I hope this will provide me with the opportunity for close personal contact with some of those who, I expect, will play prominent roles in the affairs of the province during my term of office.
Secondly, since this Council is intended to offer me advice, and I have always believed the best way to receive advice is through attentive listening, I consider it important to be directly involved in your discussions.
I now have the pleasure of welcoming you all as members of the Odisha Advisory Council, and I assure you that I shall give my earnest consideration to the advice you may offer—either individually or collectively—throughout this year of transition.”
Conclusion
The first meeting of the Odisha Advisory Council in May 1936 marked a pivotal moment in the early days of modern Odisha. It reflected not only the formal establishment of the newly carved province but also the spirit of democratic consultation that would guide its governance. The Governor’s address highlighted a sincere effort to engage with the region’s emerging leadership and to shape a responsive administration during this transitional phase. This symbolic beginning laid the foundation for Odisha’s political awakening and the evolution of a distinct regional identity—rooted in shared language, culture, and aspirations. The seeds sown in that historic council hall at Puri would gradually blossom into a vibrant and self-aware Odisha, ready to shape its own destiny within the Indian Union.