Odia Movement: Odisha, a once-mighty nation stretching from the Ganga to the Godavari, suffered a prolonged period of disintegration. Beginning with Mukundadeva’s death, this fragmentation continued until 1936. As a result, Odia-speaking territories were absorbed into four provinces – Bengal, Madras, Central Provinces, and Bihar. Odias were relegated to linguistic minorities, feeling neglected and oppressed. Deliberate attempts to suppress the Odia language fueled a profound sense of injustice.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century, a new Odia elite emerged, championing the unification of Odia-speaking regions. Their goal was to protect the rightful interests of the Odia people and preserve their language and culture. Notably, even some British officials recognized the unjust nature of this division. In 1855, Odisha Division Commissioner Henry Ricketts proposed merging Sambalpur with Odisha Division. Sir Stafford Northcote, the British Secretary of State for India in 1868, also advocated for consolidating Odia-speaking regions into a single administrative unit, arguing for improved governance.
Growth of Socio-Political Associations
In 19th century Odisha, the growth of sociopolitical and public associations marked a significant shift. Like their counterparts elsewhere in India, the educated middle class that emerged in Odisha following the famine sought to express their ideas, views, and aspirations through the press, meetings, and the formation of these associations.
The post-famine period saw the rise of numerous organizations with diverse objectives. These included the development of the Odia language and literature, the protection of Odia interests, social reform, the promotion of education, and fostering intellectual and literary discussions. Interestingly, the initial spark for this movement came from a group of Englishmen who formed the Mutual Improvement Society in Cuttack in 1859.
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The Englishmen’s Mutual Improvement Society, with its lively debates on social issues, inspired a wave of Odia-led associations:
- Language and Culture:
- Utkal Bhasa Unnati Bidhayini Sabha (Association for the Development of Odia Language), Balasore (1867)
- Utkal Bhasa Uddipani Samaj (Association for Odia Linguistic Awakening), Cuttack (1867)
- Utkalollasini Sabha (Association for Awakening the Odias), Cuttack (1868)
- Social Reform and Advocacy:
- Cuttack Debating Club (1868)
- Cuttack Young Men’s Association (1869)
- Utkal Brahmo Samaj (1869)
- Puri Society (1870)
- Ganjam Utkal Hitabadini Sabha (Ganjam Association for the Promotion of the Welfare of Odisha), Berhampur (1872)
- Bhadrak Desha Hiaishini Sabha (Bhadrak Association for the Welfare of the Country) (1874)
- Ganjam Nisha Nishedhini Sabha (Ganjam Association for Prohibition)(1875)
- Utkal Sabha (Cuttack) (1877)
- Balasore National Society (1878)
- Madak Seban Nibarini Sabha (Association for the Prohibition of Wine Drinking) (1879)
- Utkal Sabha or Odisha People’s Association (1882)
- Anti-Corruption and Prohibition Sabha, Cuttack (1884)
- Education and Literature:
- Shiksha Bidhayini Sabha (Association for the Promotion of Education)(1881)
- Odisha Graduate and Undergraduate Association (1888)
- Utkal Sahitya Sammilani (Odia Literary Association), Cuttack (1886)
- Balasore Zilla School Reading Club (1896)
- Alochana Sabha of Cuttack Secondary Training School (1893)
Odisha also witnessed the emergence of communal and caste-based organizations, such as the Karan Sabha, the Odisha Islam Association (founded in 1875), and the Odisha Christian Association (founded in Cuttack in 1896). These reflected the state’s diverse social fabric.
Mirroring a broader national trend, Odisha’s educated elite sought to reform society through initiatives like promoting education and championing women’s empowerment. They drew inspiration from social reform movements across India. However, the slow pace of educational development and the lack of a large, influential intellectual class hindered the speed of social transformation in Odisha.
Role of Utkala Sammilani in Odia Movement
The Utkala Sammilani played a pivotal role in both the Odia movement and the drive to establish Odisha as a separate province. In 1902, Odias within the Ganjam district presented Viceroy Lord Curzon with a widely-supported memorial advocating for the unification of Ganjam, Sambalpur, and the Odisha Division (then under the Bengal presidency). Calls for unity intensified that same year, with Raja Baikuntha Nath De of Balasore presenting another memorial urging the unification of all Odia-speaking territories, regardless of their current administrative divisions.
Early in 1903, the Ganjam Jatiya Samiti (Ganjam National Association) was formed in Rambha, led by the Raja of Khalikote. Then, in April 1903, a watershed event occurred: a conference in Berhampur, chaired by Shyam Sundar Rajguru and attended by delegates from across Odisha, resolved to institutionalize these Odia national conferences as an annual gathering.
The British government’s own actions added fuel to this movement. In late 1903, Lord Curzon’s government proposed a plan (later known as the Risley Circular, circulated by Henry Risley) to consolidate Sambalpur and its surrounding territories, the Ganjam district, and the Ganjam and Vizagpatnam Agencies into a unified Odisha Division. Seeking feedback from the Central Provinces, Madras, and Bengal revealed just how far the movement for Odia unity had spread.
The First Odia National Conference: A Milestone
Thanks to the efforts of Madhusudan Das, Rajendranarayan Bhanja Deo (zamindar of Kanika), and Shriram Chandra Bhanjadeo (Maharaja of Mayurbhanja), the inaugural Odia national conference took place in Cuttack on December 30-31st, 1903. This fulfilled the resolution made earlier that year in Berhampur. The conference, presided over by the Maharaja of Mayurbhanja, was a landmark event, attracting delegates from across Odisha, alongside European lawyers, zamindars, government officials, and students. Importantly, attendees endorsed the Risley Circular’s proposal for uniting Odia territories.
Beyond this primary goal, the conference laid the foundation for the influential Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Union Conference). From that point forward, the Utkal Sammilani met annually in various locations throughout Odisha under Madhusudan Das’s leadership. While its primary objective remained the unification of Odia-speaking areas, the Sammilani embraced a holistic view of Odia development. Their concerns ranged from industrialization and educational expansion to the revival of cottage industries, social reforms, the establishment of an Odia university, agricultural improvements, and the flourishing of the Odia language and literature.
The Contradictions of the Utkal Sammilani
The Utkal Sammilani was a complex organization. On one hand, it displayed unwavering loyalty to the British Crown and Viceroy, seeking to achieve its goals through appeals to colonial notions of justice rather than mass agitation. On the other hand, its leadership was dominated by feudal figures – rajas and zamindars – who often denied their own subjects basic rights and progressive governance.
Despite its elitist composition, the Utkal Sammilani’s claim to represent the Odia people cannot be entirely dismissed. Its focus on unifying Odia-speaking regions and promoting Odisha’s overall development created a sense of shared purpose. The princes and zamindars, despite their shortcomings, were connected to the masses through language, religion, and social ties.
The Sammilani made some attempts to cultivate a broader base, initially establishing branches with salaried missionaries throughout Odisha and surrounding regions. There were sparks of public enthusiasm, particularly in parts of Ganjam and Koraput districts. However, such popular engagement proved fleeting. Ultimately, the Utkal Sammilani remained an organization of the elite, with Madhusudan Das as its guiding figure from 1903-1920 CE.
Conclusion
The Odia movement of the nineteenth century fueled the rise of influential sociopolitical and public organizations. The new Odia elite’s growing political consciousness was expressed in a two-pronged approach:
- Championing the Oppressed: They advocated for the rights of Odias scattered across provinces, who faced neglect and linguistic oppression.
- Unification Struggle: They simultaneously lobbied for the consolidation of Odia-speaking areas, aiming to restore unity and protect Odia culture.
Beyond these Odia-specific issues, this new elite also engaged with broader national political matters. They voiced strong opinions on controversies like the Vernacular Press Act, Lord Ripon’s reforms for local self-government, and the very foundation of the Indian National Congress.