modern history of odisha start with European powers like the Portuguese and British. The Portuguese were the first to set up factories here. But the British East India Company took over and ruled Odisha. They captured Odisha in a strategic way.
The history of Odisha in this era is full of resistance and revolt against the British. Odisha played a big role in India’s fight for independence. Modern Odisha’s history starts with European powers arriving in the state.
The Portuguese were the first to settle in Pipli but the British soon took over. After winning the Battle of Buxar in 1765, the British firmly established their rule in Odisha.
This period saw many rebellions, like the Paika and Khurda Rebellions. There were also tribal uprisings, such as the Ghumsar and Bhuyan Uprisings.
The 1857 Revolt of India affected Odisha too, with many people joining the fight. But in 1866, a great famine hit Odisha, killing an estimated one million people.
After this, the British introduced educational reforms. This led to many social and religious movements in Odisha, like Satya Mahima Dharma and BrahmoMovement.
The Portuguese in Odisha
The first Europeans in Odisha were the Portuguese. They settled at Pipli in Balasore district around 1625 AD. Their community thrived in the 16th century.
They built churches and factories. The British couldn’t establish themselves until the 17th century because of the Portuguese. From the mid-17th century, the British became more powerful.
British Rule in Odisha
- In 1765, after the Battle of Buxar, Robert Clive got the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha from Shah Alam II.
- The British East India Company got the Northern Circars, including parts of present-day Ganjam district. They also got Midnapore, which was part of Odisha.
- This helped the British conquer Odisha easily. Their first settlement was in Harishpur, now Jagatsinghpur.
The British Conquest of the Regions of Odisha
- Puri was captured by the British on September 18, 1803, led by Colonel Harcourt.
- On September 24, 1803, the British marched towards Cuttack and defeated the Marathas by October 14, 1803. This marked the end of Maratha rule in Odisha.
- Baleswar was captured by the British on September 22, 1803, under Captain Morgan. The Battle of Laswari ended on December 17, 1803, with a treaty that led to Raghuji Bhonsle surrendering Cuttack and Baleswar to the British.
- Odisha was divided into three parts by the British. These were the Province of Cuttack, Ganjam and Koraput, and Sambalpur. Each part was under a different presidency.
- The British used Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari to collect taxes. These systems were a disaster for the people of Odisha. The Bengali zamindars took advantage of the situation.
- The British also controlled Odisha’s economy and military. This made people unhappy with their rule.
- Many people in Odisha were upset with the British because of their taxes. This led to several revolts against the British. Some of these rebellions are worth noting.
- The Paika Rebellion was the first against the British in Odisha. It happened in 1817. The Paik of Khurda and others fought against the British.
- The main reason for the rebellion was the British’s land revenue policy. The Paik lost their rent-free lands. This was a big problem.
- The British also had a monopoly on salt and didn’t treat the locals well. These issues led to the rebellion.
- Jayee Rajguru was the first martyr of Odisha’s freedom struggle. He was a royal advisor who fought against the British. He was hanged on December 6, 1806.
- His death inspired others to fight against the British. It was a turning point in Odisha’s history.
- The Paik Rebellion was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu. He was a former general who became a leader. The tribals of Banapur and Ghumusar joined him.
- Together, they marched towards Khurda to challenge the British. They had big dreams of freedom.
- On 29th March, 1817, the Paika rebellion started in Khurda. The Paikas of Khurda, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu, joined forces with the Chuhars of Ghumusar. Together, they attacked the government buildings and emptied the treasury of Khurda.
- They also destroyed public and private buildings. This showed their strong opposition to the British rule.
- They declared Raja Mukundadeva as their leader. Many Muslim fighters, including Dumuduma Dalabehera Mirhaidar Ali of Jadupur, supported Bakshi Jagabandhu.
- The Paika rebellion had a big impact. It made many people in Khurda-Godabarish, including Khurda-Godabarish Mishra and Godabarish Mohapatra, become brave freedom fighters.
- In 1825, Bakshi Jagabandhu surrendered. This led to changes in the administration of Odisha.
- The British started to hire Oriyas in government jobs. They also changed the judiciary and made salt cheaper and more available.
- They also reduced the taxes on local zamindars. This helped the local economy.
- The 1857 revolt in India had a big impact on Odisha. Vir Surendra Sai and Rama Krushna Samanta Singhar were key figures in this movement.
- Other notable figures included Raja Arjun Singh of Parhat and his dewan Jagu. They supported the anti-British cause.
- During the 1857 revolt, the Tributary Mahals of Odisha were quiet. The maharajas of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar supported the British.
- They were rewarded with the title of Maharaja by the British. This showed their loyalty to the British.
- Chandan Hajuri, also known as Chakhi Khuntia, played a key role in the 1857 revolt. He was arrested but continued to spread the message of revolution through his writings.
- Surendra Sai led a revolt in Sambalpur in 1833 against British rule. He joined the 1857 revolt after breaking free from jail.
- Ramakrushna Samantasinghar, the successor of Abhimanyu Samanta Singhar, revolted in August 1857. He was supported by the Khandayats and opposed the Sunset Law.
- The tribal uprising in Odisha was sparked by British interference in their religion and social reforms. Missionary activities also contributed to the uprising.
Some important tribal uprising in Odisha were as follows:
Ghumsar Uprising
- The tribals of Ghumsar, led by Dora Bissoi, fought against the British. They started the Ghumsar Uprising in 1835. The main reasons were the ban on human sacrifice, unfair land taxes, and the end of the Bhanja ruling family.
- Dora Bissoi was a key leader known as the ‘Maliah Bisoi’ or ‘Head Agent’ of the Khonds. He was arrested by the Britishers from Angul. After his arrest, Chakra Bissoi led the uprising.
Bhuyan Uprising
- Ratna Naik of Keonjhar led the tribals against the British Government. He fought against Dhanurjay, who had taken away their rights. In April 1868, Ratna Naik and the Bhuyan Sardars started the Bhuyan Movement.
- Ratna Naik wanted to make Brundaban Bhanja the king but he was caught and executed along with six others.
Na’anka Famine of 1866-67
- In 1866, Odisha faced its worst famine in colonial history. The people relied on winter rice but the rainfall was scarce. By the end of May 1865, the government realized the situation but it was too late.
- Transporting grain was hard due to the monsoon. At least a million people died from starvation. A Commission was formed in December 1866 but much damage had already been done.
Post Na’anka Era
- After the famine, Odisha’s situation improved slightly. The British had to pay attention to Odisha’s backwardness. In 1867, they upgraded Cuttack Zila School to a High School. It became a college in 1876.
- Education in Cuttack brought awareness among the educated. Madhusudan Das was the first graduate of Odisha.
- Post Na’anka Era also saw the growth of Modern Oriya Literature. Fakir Mohan Senapati and Radhanath Ray made significant contributions. Madhusudan Das, Biswanath Kar, Ramasankar Roy, Gangadhar Meher, and Nanda Kishore Bal also contributed to Oriya literature.
- During this era, railways developed in coastal Odisha. The first railway line was from Bhubaneswar to Khurda in 1896, and from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar in 1897.
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Utkal Sabha
- Education led to the awakening of the Oria people. The first political organisation, Utkal Sabha, was formed in 1882 at Cuttack. The first meeting was held on 16th August.
- 1882 was a key year for the Utkal Sabha. Many important people came together to create a
- permanent group to support local self-government, especially in Cuttack.
- Chaudhuri Kasinath Das and Gauri Sankar Ray were chosen as the first President and Secretary. Madhusudan Das also joined the Utkal Sabha. Gauri Sankar Ray, who edited Utkal Dipika, became the secretary.
- In 1886, the Utkal Sabha and the National Society sent delegates to the Indian National Congress. After that, Cuttack’s representatives went to the Congress every year.
Socio-Religious Movement in Odisha
- These movements aimed to change the social and religious norms. They included:
- Satya Mahima Dharma
- Founded by Mahima Gosain, Satya Mahima Dharma is a Hindu tradition from Odisha. He became a Siddha in 1862 and preached a new faith. This faith emphasized giving and charity.
- His followers, Govinda Baba and Bhima Bhoi, spread the message across Odisha. They taught to worship one god, Alekn Para Brahma.
Christian Missionaries
- Christian Missionaries brought big changes to Odisha. In 1809, William Carey brought the Odia New Testament. It was prepared by Purushottam Pandit.
- In the 1820s, missionaries like William Bampton and James Pegg arrived in Odisha. They started their work there.
- They were key in modernising Odisha. In 1837, they set up the first printing press in Odisha. They helped in many ways, including education and women’s empowerment.
The Brahmo Movement
- This movement aimed to stop child marriage and allow widow remarriage. It started in Bengal in 1828 by Raja Rammohan Roy. In 1869, Haranath Bhattacharya started the Utkal Brahmo Samaj in Cuttack.
- The Brahmo Samajis built a temple and published magazines. Balasore and Cuttack were key places for the movement. Famous Odia people like Fakir Mohan Senapati were influenced by it.
Conclusion
These social and religious movements led to big political movements. They united the Oriya people. Cuttack became a key place for national growth. The history of Odisha was shaped by these events.
Odisha was once part of a larger region called Bengal. But over time, it became a separate province. This change happened because of historical events and the need for a new identity.
During the British colonial era, the British Empire divided the region into two parts. They created a new province called Odisha, which was separate from Bengal. This division was based on geographical and cultural differences between the two areas.
Odisha became a province in 1936, after a long struggle for independence. The people of Odisha wanted their own identity and autonomy. They fought for their rights and eventually gained recognition as a separate province.
Today, Odisha is a proud province with its own culture, language, and traditions. It has a rich history and a strong sense of identity. The division from Bengal has allowed Odisha to develop its own unique character and contribute to the diverse tapestry of India.
Timeline Of Modern History Of Odisha
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1625 AD | Portuguese settlements at Piple (Balasore district) |
| 1633 AD | First British settlement at Hariharpur |
| 1765 AD | Robert Clive acquired Diwani rights of Odisha |
| 1803 AD | English occupied Barabati Fort near Cuttack |
| 1804 AD | Khorda Rebellion by Jayee Krushna Rajguru |
| 1804 AD | Major Broughton acquired Sambalpur |
| 1817 AD | Paika Rebellion by Bakshi Jagabandhu |
| 1825 AD | Surrender by Bakshi Jagabandhu |
| 1833 AD | Revolt in Sambalpur by Surendra Sai |
| 1835 AD | Ghumsar Rebellion started |
| 1857 AD | Surendra Sai, Chandan Hajuri, Ramakrishna Samantasinghar joined Sepoy Mutiny |
| 1865-66 AD | Na’anka Famine |
| 1867 AD | Opening of College in Cuttack |
| 1868 AD | Bhuyan Uprising |
| 1869 AD | Formation of Utkal Brahmo Samaj |
| 1882 AD | Formation of Utkal Sabha |
| 1896 AD | Railway in coastal Odisha started |
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FAQs
- Who were the first Europeans to make their settlements in Odisha?
Answer: Portuguese - Under which Governor General was British rule first established in Odisha?
Answer: Robert Clive - Robert Clive in 1765 acquired the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha from?
Answer: Shah Alam II - Harishpur, the region of the first British settlement, is in?
Answer: Jagatsinghpur - Colonel Harcourt led the operation for capturing?
Answer: Cuttack and Puri - When did the Barabati fort fall into the hands of the British?
Answer: 1803 - The Treaty of Deogarh is related to?
Answer: Cuttack - Balasore was captured by which General of the British?
Answer: Captain Morgan - In which year was Sambalpur annexed under the Lord Dalhousie policy of Doctrine of Lapse?
Answer: 1849 - Which among the following was not an administrative unit of the Britishers in Odisha?
Answer: Malkangiri - Which historical event of Odisha has been termed as the first war of Independence?
Answer: Paik Rebellion - Who is considered the first martyr of the freedom struggle against British rule in Odisha?
Answer: Jayee Rajguru - Who is called the great nationalist of Odisha during the 1857 revolt in Odisha?
Answer: Vir Surendra Sai - Surendra Sai revolted against the Britishers in 1833 from which region of Odisha?
Answer: Sambalpur - Who is associated with the Ghumsar Uprising that took place in 1835?
Answer: Dora Bissoi - Meriah Sacrifice, the cause of the Ghumsar Uprising, was associated with?
Answer: Human Sacrifice - Ratna Naik of Keonjhar is associated with the uprising of which movement?
Answer: Bhuyan - Odisha was affected by the Na’anka Famine during which of these years?
Answer: 1866-67 - The Post Na’anka Era brought a massive change in the field of?
Answer: Education and literature - Who was the Commissioner of Odisha during the Famine of 1866?
Answer: TE Ravenshaw - The construction of railways in coastal Odisha came up in which year?
Answer: 1896 - When was the Utkal Sabha established at Cuttack?
Answer: 1882 - Who among the following was the first President of Utkal Sabha at Cuttack?
Answer: Kasinath Das - The Satya Mahima Dharma preached?
Answer: Philanthropy - Who was the head of the Satya Mahima Dharma?
Answer: Mahima Gosain - Who established the first printing press of Odisha at Cuttack in 1837?
Answer: Christian Missionaries - Which were the two important centers of the Brahmo Movement in Odisha?
Answer: Cuttack and Balasore
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