Background of Odisha’s Division and Reformation
Odisha, as we know it today, was once a fragmented region composed of various smaller kingdoms. Here’s a brief overview of how Odisha transformed into a single province under British rule:
Fragmentation After 1568:
- Before 1568: Odisha was a unified and powerful region.
- After 1568: Odisha was divided into smaller kingdoms:
- The Bhois of Khurda
- The Bhanjas of Ghumsur and Mayurbhanj
- The Chauhans of Sambalpur These kingdoms gradually rose to political prominence but were not united.
British Conquest:
The British East India Company conquered Odisha in a step-by-step manner:
- Southern Odisha was captured first.
- Coastal regions came under British control.
- Sambalpur and nearby areas were the last to be annexed.
Impact: The lack of unity among the Odia-speaking regions made it easier for the British to conquer them.
The Odia Movement:
The division by the British resulted in the Odia-speaking people being split across different provinces like Bengal, Madras, Central Provinces, and Bihar. This led to the rise of the Odia Movement, a campaign for the unification of all Odia-speaking areas.
Key Objectives of the Odia Movement:
- Preserve Odia Language and Culture: Ensure the protection and development of the Odia language.
- Unification: Bring together all Odia-speaking regions under one administrative unit.
Important Milestones:
- 1855: Henry Ricketts, Commissioner of Odisha Division, proposed merging Sambalpur with Odisha Division.
- 1868: Sir Stafford Northcote suggested forming a single administrative unit for Odia-speaking areas.
Role of Utkala Sammilani:
The Utkala Sammilani was a key organization in the Odia Movement and the formation of Odisha as a separate province.
- Formation: Established during the first Odia National Conference on December 30-31, 1903.
- Leadership: Led by Madhusudan Das.
- Objectives:
- Merge all Odia-speaking areas.
- Focus on the overall development of the Odia people in various sectors such as industry, education, and agriculture.
The Merger of Sambalpur with Odisha Division:
Initially, Sambalpur and its neighboring states were part of the Central Provinces. The Chief Commissioner of Nagpur issued a notification on January 15, 1895, replacing Odia with Hindi in offices, courts, and schools.
- Reaction: Odias protested against this order.
- Resolution: In 1905, the British issued the Risley Circular, restoring Odia as the official language in Sambalpur and merging these regions with the Odisha Division.

Formation of Bihar-Odisha Province:
- 1912: Viceroy Lord Hardinge proposed separating Hindi and Odia areas from Bengal, creating the Bihar-Odisha Province.
- Outcome: Odias were unhappy as they feared domination by Biharis.
Key Committees and Commissions:
Committee/Commission | Year | Contribution |
---|---|---|
Sachchidanand Sinha Resolution | 1920 | Proposed the amalgamation of Odia-speaking areas. |
Philip-Duff Committee | 1924 | Recommended the merger of Odia-speaking areas for better administration. |
Boundary Commission | 1931 | Recommended the formation of a separate Odisha Province. |
Creation of Separate Odisha Province:
Based on the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee, the Government of India Act, 1935 made provisions for creating a new state of Odisha.
- Inauguration: On April 1, 1936, Odisha became a separate province with six districts.
- First Governor: Sir John Hubback took oath as the first Governor of Odisha.
Merger of Princely States with Odisha:
Post-independence, the princely states of Odisha, known as the Garajat States, were merged with Odisha. The process was facilitated by prominent leaders like Harekrushna Mahatab and Sardar Patel from the central government.
- Conference: A meeting was held on December 14, 1947, known as the Cuttack Conference, where kings were encouraged to merge their states with Odisha.
- Completion: By January 1, 1948, most princely states were merged, with Mayurbhanj joining on October 16, 1948.
Capital Shift:
- 1946: A motion was moved to shift Odisha’s capital from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar.
Summary:
The formation of modern Odisha as a separate province was a result of a long struggle led by various leaders and organizations to unite the Odia-speaking regions. The efforts of the Odia Movement, Utkala Sammilani, and various committees and commissions led to the successful creation of the state we know today.
Additional Resources:
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This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the significant events and figures that contributed to the formation of modern Odisha. Understanding these historical events is crucial for those preparing for government exams in Odisha.
FAQs
Here is the list of multiple-choice questions converted into a single-line FAQ format with answers for your blog:
- What was the main reason for starting the Odia Movement?
The separation of Odia-speaking areas. - Which provinces were Odia-speaking areas attached to in British India?
Bengal and Madras Provinces. - Who proposed the merger of Sambalpur with Odisha Division in 1855?
Henry Ricketts. - When was the first Odia National Conference held?
December 1903. - Who was the guiding spirit of Utkal Sammilani?
Madhusudan Das. - What were the objectives of Utkal Sammilani?
Merger of Odia-speaking tracts and all-round development of Odias. - Who published the pre-independence journal Sambalpur Hitaisini?
Nilamani Vidyaratna. - Which circular restored Odia as the official language of Sambalpur?
The Risley Circular. - In which year were Sambalpur and its adjoining feudatory states transferred to Odisha Division?
1905. - When was the province of Bihar and Odisha created?
1912. - Under which province was Ganjam during the formation of Bihar-Odisha province in 1912?
Madras Province. - Who first recommended consolidating all Odia-speaking areas?
Sachchidanand Sinha Resolution. - Which committee was appointed by the British Government to assess the merger of Ganjam with Odisha?
Philip-Duff Committee. - Who was the sole delegate from Odisha to the Second Round Table Conference in London in 1930?
Krushna Chandra Gajapati. - In which year was the Odisha Boundary Committee appointed to demarcate the boundary of the proposed province?
1931. - Who was the Chairman of the Odisha Boundary Committee?
Sir Samuel O’ Donnel. - Who was an associate member of the Odisha Boundary Committee?
SN Sinha. - When did Odisha become a separate state?
1st April 1936. - Who was the Prime Minister of Odisha when India attained Independence?
Harekrushna Mahatab. - Which Princely State was the first to merge with Odisha?
Nilgiri. - Which feudatory state was the last to merge with Odisha after independence?
Mayurbhanj. - When was the state of Mayurbhanj integrated with Odisha?
1949. - Which Central Government minister was instrumental in integrating the Princely States of Odisha?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. - When was the motion to shift the state capital from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar taken?
30th September 1946. - Who proposed the merger of Sambalpur with Odisha Division in 1855, and who suggested grouping Odia-speaking areas into a single unit in 1868?
Henry Ricketts proposed the merger of Sambalpur with the Odisha Division, and Sir Stafford Northcote suggested grouping Odia-speaking areas into a single unit.
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