History of Odisha — A Brief Overview
The land now known as Odisha has witnessed the rise and fall of mighty empires, the construction of architectural marvels, and the struggle for independence. Here's a journey through 2,500 years of history.
Ancient Kalinga (Before 261 BCE)
The earliest known name for this region was Kalinga. The Kalingas were known for:
- ✦Maritime prowess — Trading with Southeast Asia
- ✦Fierce independence — Resisting all invaders
- ✦Advanced civilization — Mentioned in ancient texts
The Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela (2nd century BCE) provides valuable insights into ancient Kalinga.
The Kalinga War (261 BCE)
The most defining moment in ancient Odishan history was the Kalinga War between King Ashoka of the Maurya Empire and the Kalingas.
"The loss of lives and suffering made Ashoka renounce violence and embrace Buddhism."
The war was so devastating that Ashoka:
- ✦Gave up military conquest
- ✦Converted to Buddhism
- ✦Spread the message of non-violence worldwide
Kalinga's sacrifice transformed a warrior emperor into a messenger of peace.
Medieval Dynasties
Bhauma-Kara Dynasty (736-950 CE)
- ✦Brought Buddhism to prominence
- ✦Built numerous monasteries
- ✦Period of peace and cultural growth
Eastern Ganga Dynasty (1078-1434 CE)
The golden age of Odishan temple architecture:
- ✦Jagannath Temple, Puri — Built by Anantavarman Chodaganga
- ✦Sun Temple, Konark — Built by Narasimhadeva I
- ✦Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar — Completed during this period
Gajapati Dynasty (1434-1541 CE)
- ✦Controlled much of eastern India
- ✦Patronized arts and literature
- ✦Title "Gajapati" (Lord of Elephants) remains prestigious
Colonial Period
Maratha Rule (1751-1803)
Marathas controlled Odisha briefly, introducing new administrative systems.
British Rule (1803-1947)
- ✦Odisha became part of the Bengal Presidency
- ✦Devastating famines, including the Great Famine of 1866
- ✦Rising nationalist movement
Birth of Modern Odisha (1936)
On April 1, 1936, Odisha became a separate province — the first state in India formed on a linguistic basis.
This was the result of decades of struggle by leaders like:
- ✦Madhusudan Das — Father of the Odia movement
- ✦Gopabandhu Das — Poet and freedom fighter
- ✦Fakir Mohan Senapati — Father of modern Odia literature
Post-Independence
After India's independence in 1947:
- ✦Odisha became a state of the Indian Union
- ✦Industrial development began
- ✦The state was renamed from "Orissa" to "Odisha" in 2011
Key Historical Sites
- ✦Dhauli — Where Ashoka's transformation began
- ✦Sisupalgarh — Ancient fortified city
- ✦Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves — Jain rock-cut caves
- ✦Konark Sun Temple — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Explore more: Odia Culture • Notable People