Timeline of Odisha
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଇତିହାସ
From prehistoric caves to modern achievements — explore the rich and tumultuous history of Kalinga/Odisha spanning over a million years.
73 historical events documented
Early Human Presence
Stone Age tools discovered in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts indicate early human habitation.
Paleolithic Settlements
Cave paintings and paleolithic artifacts found in Gudahandi (Kalahandi) and Vikramkhol (Jharsuguda).
Vikramkhol Rock Inscriptions
Ancient rock inscriptions discovered - possibly one of the oldest human writings in the region.
Neolithic Communities
Agricultural settlements emerge with evidence of rice cultivation and domesticated animals.
Early Kalinga Dynasties
କଳିଙ୍ଗ
Early Kalinga dynasties emerge. The region develops maritime trade with Southeast Asia.
Suryavamsha of Kalinga
The Suryavamsha dynasty rules Kalinga, establishing it as a significant power.
Mahajanapada Period
Kalinga emerges as one of the 16 Mahajanapadas (great kingdoms) of ancient India.
Nanda Empire Conquest
Kalinga is conquered by Mahapadmananda and integrated into the Nanda Empire.
Independence from Nanda
Kalinga breaks away from the Nanda Empire after Chandragupta Maurya's rebellion.
Kalinga War
କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ
Emperor Ashoka's brutal conquest kills 100,000+ warriors. The bloodshed transforms him to embrace Buddhism and non-violence. One of history's most significant wars.
Dhauli Peace Edicts
ଧଉଳି ଶିଳାଲେଖ
Ashoka erects rock edicts at Dhauli proclaiming his new policy of Dhamma (righteousness) and non-violence.
Independence from Mauryas
Kalinga regains independence from the Mauryan Empire during the rule of Dasharatha.
Mahameghavahana Dynasty
The Mahameghavahana (Chedi) dynasty is established in Kalinga.
Reign of Kharavela
ଖାରବେଳ
The great Jain king Kharavela rules Kalinga. Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri describes his conquests. He builds canals, patronizes arts, and defeats Greek invaders.
Buddhist Diamond Triangle
Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri flourish as major Buddhist monasteries and learning centers.
Gupta Conquest
Kalinga is conquered by Samudragupta and becomes part of the Gupta Empire.
Mathara Dynasty
The Matharas rule coastal Odisha. Sanskrit literature and early temple architecture develop.
Shailodbhava Dynasty
The Shailodbhava dynasty rules with capital at Kongoda. Shaivism flourishes.
Hiuen-Tsang Visits Odra
Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang visits Odra (Odisha), documenting its Buddhist monasteries and culture.
Parashurameshvara Temple
One of the oldest surviving temples in Bhubaneswar is built by Sailodbhava rulers.
Bhaumakara Dynasty
Buddhist Bhaumakara kings rule Odisha. Notable for powerful queens and religious tolerance.
Queen Tribhuvana Mahadevi I
ତ୍ରିଭୁବନ ମହାଦେବୀ
First female ruler of Odisha. She rules the Bhaumakara kingdom with distinction.
Somavamshi Dynasty Founded
Janmejaya I establishes the Somavamshi dynasty. Great temple-building era begins.
Mukteshwar & Rajarani Temples
Exquisite temples built in Bhubaneswar, showcasing the 'Gem of Odishan architecture'.
Lingaraj Temple Construction
ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜ ମନ୍ଦିର
The majestic Lingaraj Temple is completed - the largest and most important temple in Bhubaneswar.
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
ଗଙ୍ଗ ବଂଶ
The Eastern Ganga dynasty is established, beginning one of Odisha's most glorious periods.
Anantavarman Chodaganga
ଅନନ୍ତବର୍ମନ ଚୋଡଗଙ୍ଗ
Greatest Ganga king. Begins construction of Jagannath Temple at Puri. Expands empire from Ganga to Godavari rivers.
Capital Shifts to Cuttack
କଟକ
Chodagangadeva shifts the capital from Kalinganagara to Kataka (Cuttack).
Jagannath Temple Completed
ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିର
The Jagannath Temple at Puri is completed by Ananga Bhima Deva III. Becomes one of the four sacred Char Dhams.
Narasimhadeva I
Great warrior king who builds the Konark Sun Temple and defeats the Delhi Sultanate's invasion attempts.
Konark Sun Temple Built
କୋଣାର୍କ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ମନ୍ଦିର
The magnificent Sun Temple at Konark is built as a giant chariot with 24 wheels. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ananta Vasudeva Temple
Built by Queen Chandrika. The only temple in Bhubaneswar dedicated to Vishnu.
Gajapati Dynasty Founded
ଗଜପତି ରାଜବଂଶ
Kapilendra Deva overthrows the Gangas and establishes the Gajapati dynasty.
Kapilendra Deva's Conquests
କପିଳେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଦେବ
Greatest Gajapati king. Expands empire from Ganga to Kaveri. Odisha reaches its maximum territorial extent.
Sarala Mahabharata
Sarala Dasa writes the Odia Mahabharata, one of the earliest Mahabharata translations in any Indian language.
Vijayanagara Invasion
Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara invades Udayagiri, weakening the Gajapatis.
Bhoi Dynasty
Govinda Vidyadhara founds the Bhoi dynasty after the decline of the Gajapatis.
Fall of Independent Odisha
Kalapahad, Afghan general from Bengal Sultanate, invades. Last king Mukunda Deva is killed. End of independent Odia rule.
Mughal Rule Begins
Battle of Raj Mahal. Odisha comes under Mughal rule, administered as part of Bengal Subah.
Akbar Annexes Odisha
Emperor Akbar formally annexes Odisha into the Mughal Empire as part of Bengal Subah.
Jahangir Separates Odisha
Emperor Jahangir separates Odisha from Bengal, giving it distinct administrative status.
Maratha Control
Marathas defeat the Mughals and take control of Odisha. Period of economic hardship follows.
British Annexation
British East India Company captures Puri, Cuttack, and Baleshwar from Marathas. Lord Wellesley's expansion.
Jayi Rajguru's Revolt
ଜୟୀ ରାଜଗୁରୁ
First uprising against British rule in Odisha. Jayi Rajguru tortured and killed by the British.
Paika Rebellion
ପାଇକ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ
Bakshi Jagabandhu leads the Paika militia uprising against the British - one of India's first organized rebellions.
Cuttack Mission Press
First printing press established in Odisha, beginning the era of printed Odia literature.
Sepoy Mutiny in Odisha
ସିପାହୀ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ
Veer Surendra Sai leads the revolt in western Odisha. Imprisoned for 37 years for his resistance.
Great Odisha Famine
ନଅଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ
Devastating Na'anka famine kills 1/3 of the population (1+ million). British policies blamed. 'Utkal Dipika' newspaper founded same year.
Ravenshaw College Founded
Odisha's premier educational institution founded in Cuttack, named after T.E. Ravenshaw.
Fakir Mohan Senapati
ଫକୀରମୋହନ ସେନାପତି
Fakir Mohan Senapati publishes 'Rebati', the first Odia short story. Father of modern Odia literature.
Utkal Sammilani Founded
ଉତ୍କଳ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀ
Movement for separate Odia-speaking state begins. Madhusudan Das leads the Odia nationalist movement.
Bihar-Orissa Province
Odisha is combined with Bihar as a separate province, separated from Bengal.
Salt Satyagraha at Inchudi
Gopabandhu Das leads the Salt March at Inchudi beach, Balasore, as part of Gandhi's Civil Disobedience Movement.
Odisha State Formed
ଉତ୍କଳ ଦିବସ
Odisha becomes a separate province - the first state in India formed on linguistic basis. This day is celebrated as Utkal Divas.
First Odia Film
'Sita Bibaha' - the first Odia film is released, marking the birth of Ollywood.
Hirakud Dam Foundation
Foundation stone laid for Hirakud Dam - one of the world's longest earthen dams.
Independence
India gains independence. 26 princely states of Odisha merge with the Indian Union.
All India Radio Cuttack
AIR establishes its station in Cuttack, bringing radio to Odisha.
Odisha in Republic India
Odisha becomes a state of the Republic of India with 13 districts.
Odisha Board of Secondary Education
BSE Odisha is formed to regulate secondary education in the state.
Hirakud Dam Completed
Asia's longest dam is completed on Mahanadi River. Inaugurated by PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
Rourkela Steel Plant
ରାଉରକେଲା ଇସ୍ପାତ କାରଖାନା
Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) is established - first public sector steel plant with German collaboration.
Odisha Legislative Assembly
Bidhan Saudha building is inaugurated. Odisha State Electricity Board (OSEB) is set up.
Utkal University
Utkal University becomes one of the major universities in Eastern India.
Super Cyclone
Devastating super cyclone hits coastal Odisha on October 29. Over 10,000 lives lost. Major reconstruction follows.
Naveen Patnaik Era Begins
ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ
Naveen Patnaik becomes Chief Minister, beginning two decades of BJD rule and transformation.
Orissa Renamed Odisha
ଓଡ଼ିଶା
The state is officially renamed from Orissa to Odisha. Oriya renamed to Odia (closer to original pronunciation).
Cyclone Phailin
Extremely severe cyclone. Massive evacuation of 1 million people saves lives. Odisha's disaster management praised.
Odia - Classical Language
Odia becomes the 6th language to receive Classical Language status in India, recognizing its 1000+ year literary heritage.
Men's Hockey World Cup
ହକି ବିଶ୍ୱକପ
Bhubaneswar hosts the Men's Hockey World Cup at Kalinga Stadium. Odisha becomes India's hockey hub.
Cyclone Fani
Extremely severe cyclone Fani causes massive destruction in May. Odisha's evacuation of 1.5 million people praised globally.
Balasore Train Tragedy
One of India's worst train accidents occurs near Balasore. 296 lives lost, 1200 injured.
New Government
Political change after 24 years. BJP-led government takes charge in Odisha.