movement for special province of orissa

1

Orissa Review * April - 2006

The British contact with Orissa began in the firsthalf of the 17th century. Orissa emerged as oneof the eleven units of British India in the 20thcentury.1 From the beginning of the 16th centuryexternal aggression became virulent and when theSurya Vamsa came to an end, Orissa entered intoa confused period of internecine struggle. The lastindependent king of Orissa, Mukunda Dev, waskilled by one of his feudatory chiefs while engagedin a prolonged struggle with the Afghan rulers ofBengal. In 1568, Medieval Orissa lost herindependence. It was one of the last Hindukingdoms of India to fall to the Muslims. Beforethe Afghans could consolidate their power, theMughals entered the field and in 1592 Mansinghannexed Orissa to Akbar's empire. By the timeof Akbar, the territories of Orissa wereapportioned into five Sarkars such as Jaleswar,Bhadrak, Cuttack, Kalinga Dandapat and RajMahendri. Those Sarkars were included in thesubah of Bengal and were generally known asMughalbandi. The hill territories were kept undera separate head in the revenue accounts of theempire. Those areas were known as Garjatswhose rulers were recognized as the Mughalfeudatories and paid annual tribute to theEmperor. Soon after the Settlement of Akbar, theSarkar of Raj Mahendri and a portion of theSarkar of Kalinga Dandapat were occupied bythe Qutbshahi kings of Golconda. By the time ofJahangir, territories to the south of the lake Chilika

had been separated from the Mughal dominionand as such from the rest of Orissa. Those areaswere known as Northern Sarkars under theMuslim rulers of the south. Following the deathof Aurangzeb when the Mughal Empire began todistintegrate, Orissa passed under the rule of thevirtually independent Nawabs of Bengal. TheNawabs, however, could not rule for long.Frequest Maratha attack on the dominion ofAlivardi Khan, the Subedar of Bengal, Bihar andOrissa, finally forced him to surrender Orissa toRaghuji Bhonsla of Nagpur in 1751. The RiverSubarnarekha became the new boundarybetween the Maratha dominion of Orissa andAlibardi's Subah of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Thenorthern territories of Orissa beyond the riverSubarnarekha thus remained with the Nawab ofBengal. The territories which were ceded byAlivardi extended from the river Subarnarekhain the north to Chilika lake in South. The truncatedOrissa was under the Maratha possession whenthe British conquered it in 1803.2

In the meantime Lord Clive got the diwaniof Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in 1765. Orissa inthe said grant was nothing more than the areasbeyond the river Subarnarekha, especially thedistrict of Medenapur. The titular Mughal Emperorused the term 'Bengal, Bihar and Orissa' as thoseterritories had long formed one administrative unitin the days of the Great Mughals. At the same

Movement for Special Province of Orissa

Dr. Janmejay Choudhury

http://www.pdfcomplete.com/1002/2001/upgrade.htm

2


time the Emperor gave the Northern Sarkars asinam or free gift to the English.3 It was not,however, until another treaty had been concludedbetween the English and the Nizam in November1766, that the former decided to take actualpossession of the Northern Sarkars. The Southernterritories of Orissa including Ganjam came underthe British possession by the end of 1766. Thusin 1765 -66, the East India Company was at boththe ends of Orissa, but those territories remainedunder two different administrations - the Southernareas under the Madras Presidency and thenorthern areas under the Bengal Presidency.Considerable attempts were made by the Britishadministrators from Clive to Cornwallis to takepossession of the coastal Orissa from theMarathas, but without any success. It was left forLord Wellesly finally to conquer Orissa during theSecond Maratha War. By the Treaty of Deogaonwhich was concluded on 17 December 1803,Raghuji Bhonsla II ceded to the East IndiaCompany in perpetual sovereignty, the provinceof Cuttack, including the port and District ofBaleswar.4 Subsequently, 18 Garjat states alsocame under their control. Thus, only three districtof Balasore, Cuttack and Puri in the coastal regionand 18 Garjats in the hilly tract constituted theBritish Orissa in the 19th century and were underthe Bengal Presidency. The rest of the OrissaGarjats including Sambalpur were placed underthe Central Provinces. The dismembered Oriya-speaking territories remained under differentjurisdictions for considerable period.

As a result of this dismemberment, theOriya-speaking territories virtually becameappendages to four provinces-Bengal, Bihar,Madras and Central Province, being remained aslinguistic minorties in all these provinces, the Oriyasfelt neglected and dominated by the linguisticmajority, and particularly felt distressed at thedeliberate efforts of the authorities to abolish Oriyalanguage. The new elite that emerged in Orissa inthe later half of the 19th century as result of the

spread of English education raised its voice forthe unification of Oriya speaking areas and tosafeguard the legitimate interests of Oriyas andpreserve and promote the Oriya language andculture. In 1888, Sir Stafford Northcote, theSecretary of State for India, held the view thatfor the purpose of better administration, the Oriya-speaking areas should be grouped into a singleadministrative unit. The problem which agitatedthe minds of enlightened Oriyas for a long timewas the amalgamation of Oriya-speaking tractsinto one administrative unit and then the formationof a separate province. It led to an organisedmovement and a sustained struggle for many yearsin a constitutional way to achieve the saidobjective. The agitation for amalagamation ofOriya-speaking tracts raised and moulded publicopinion in the Province and helped much for thegrowth of political consciousness of the people inthe early decades of the 20th century. The firstproposal for unification of scattered Oriya-speaking tracts under single administration camefrom raja Baikuntha Nath De of Baleswar andBichitrananda Patnaik of Cuttack in 1875.5Theypresented a memorandum to the Government inthis regard. In November 1888 Sir S.C. Bayley,the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal visited Orissa.He was presented with a memorial by the 'UtkalSabha' of Cuttack and among other things, hewas requested to give attention to the problem ofuniting the Oriya-speaking territories of Madras,Central Province and Bengal in one administrativeunit so that its all round development would bepossible. However, the Lieutenant-Governorrejected the proposal outright in his reply to thememorials.6

It is curious to note that in July 1895, H.G.Cooke, the Commissioner of Orissa, supportedthe movement for amalagamation of the Oriya-speaking tracts. According to Cooke, the areaswhich could be united with the Orissa Divisionwere : (i) Sambalpur district of the ChatisgarhDivision of the Central Province, (ii) Tributary


3


States of Patna, Sonepur, Rairakhol, Bamra andKalahandi, and (iii) the whole or part of theGanjam district with the states of Kimidi andGhumuser.7 Cooke's arguments for amalgamationwere based on ethnological and philologicalconsideration, but his suggestions were completelyignored. Towards the end of the year, RajaBaikuntha Nath De of Balasore presented amemorial to Lord Curzon in which he had urgedthe Governor General to constitute a separateadministrative unit for all Oriya-speakingterritories or to keep them under one provincialadministration of either Bengal, Madras or theCentral Provinces. Thus, by the beginning of the20th century the constitutional agitation in differentparts of the Oriya-speaking territories had started.It aroused political consciousness of the peopleto a great extent and that paved the way for theestablishment of a new organisation in the provinceto spearhead their demands before the Britishauthorities.

The Oriya movement, which thus begun in1903, was the first and pioneering attempt in Indiato create a province on the linguistic basis. In themeantime, Lord Curzon's government waspreparing a scheme for some territorial adjustmentin the country. It was outlined in the famous RisleyCircular sent to the Government of Bengal on 3December 1903. In that document, the problemsof the Oriya-speaking tracts and how theyaffected the administration of the localgovernments were fully discussed. Taking allfactors into consideration, the Government ofIndia decided "to unite the whole of Oriya-speaking people, both hill and plain, under oneadministration and to make that administration ofBengal, "In other words", the Circular added, theywould annex to Orissa the Oriya-speaking tractsof Sambalpur and the Feudatory states, theGanjam district, the Ganjam and VizagapatamAgency Tracts. Finally, the Government of Indiaconcluded with a confidencial note stating. "Such

a scheme would solve the question of languageonce and for all. This change would relieve boththe Central Province and Madras of a trouble-some excrescence upon their administrativesystem; and it would result in handing over theOriya problem to one Government alone on ascale and with a unity that would admit of its beingtreated with consistency and efficiency".8 Theproposals regarding Orissa in Risley Circular waswidely supported in different quarters. TheGovernment of Bengal observed : "The proposalsare based mainly on the idea that it is desirable tounite under one administration all the Oriya-speaking races. The Lieutenant-Governor is ablefrom his own experience to give strong supportto this proposal." The Chief Commissioner ofthe Central Provinces likewise favoured the unionof the Oriya speaking tracts, and advocated thetransfer of Sambalpur and the Feudatory statesof Sonepur, Bamra, Patna, Kalahandi andRairakhol to Orissa. The people of Orissaoverwhelmingly favoured the creation of aseparate province to be carved out of all theOriya-speaking tracts and to be kept under aChief Commissioner. But the scheme wasopposed by Lord Ampthill, the Governor ofMadras, who was not prepared to transferGanjam and Vizagapatam areas to Orissa. SirAndrew Fraser, the then Lieutenant - Governorof Bengal, subsequently changed his views andopposed the transfer of the Oriya areas from theadministration of Madras to that of Bengal. Beforethe final decision was taken, Lord Curzon wenton leave and Lord Ampthill officiated as theViceroy. The people of Orissa could not get thebenefit of Lord Curzon's sympathetic attitude onthe matter. Lord Ampthill as the Governor ofMadras had opposed the merger of the Oriyaareas of Madras with the Orissa Division of Bengaland he did not change his views while taking thefinal decision on the issue as the officiatingGovernor-General of India.9


4


The agitation for the creation of a separateState incorporating the outlying Oriya-speakingterritories continued with vigour after 1905. Thenew province of Bihar and Orissa came intoexistence on 1st April 1912 and Sir C.S. Bayleywas its first Lieutenant-Governor.10 It has beennoted that the people of Orissa were not satisfiedwith being tagged into Bihar in 1912.

The Indian Statutory Commission wasconstituted by seven British members of theParliament including Sir John Simon, theChairman. The Simon Commission was convincedthat it was 'an urgent case for consideration andtreatment.' Then Orissa Boundary Committeeconsisting of three members, Sir Sammuel, O'Donnell, H.M. Mehta and T.R. Phukan wasformed. The associate members were KrushnaChandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, SachidanandaSinha and C.V.S. Narasinha Raju. "In all, 410witnesses were examined by O' DonnellCommittee which completed its investigation by14 January 1932. On 19th April 1932 the Reportwas signed and submitted to the government forconsideration.11 The O' Donnell Committee, afterconsidering all aspects of the problem,recommended that the new province of Orissashould include "the Orissa Division, Angul, theKhariar Zamindari of the Raipur district and thegreater part of Ganjam district and theVizagapatam Agency tracts.12

In the meanwhile, the Government of Indiaconstituted a Committee known as the OrissaAdministrative Committee under the chairmanshipof John Austin Hubback. The notification wasissued from Simla on 24 June 1933.13 In October1923, the committee toured Orissa and examineda number of witnesses. Its Report, published on20 December 1933, made importantrecommendations regarding administrativeproblems of Orissa. The Joint Parliamentary

Committee, in their Report in November 1934,agreed to the formation of the new Province ofOrissa as defined in the white paper. Thus, JointParliamentary Committee gave the final shape tothe new province which emerged as one of theeleven units of British India by the Act of 1935.14

The new province of Orissa was inaugurated on1st April 1936 with Sir John Austin Hubback asits first Governor.Suggested Readings1. Hunter, W.W. Orissa, Vol.II, P.39.

2. Datta, K.K. Alivardi and His Times, Calcutta,1963, p.91.

3. The Asiatic Miscellany, Vol.II, P.29.

4. Aitchison, Treaties, Vol.I, pp.414-5.

5. Utkal Dipika, 27 February 1875.

6. Ibid, 24 November 1888.

7. Administrative Report of Orissa, 1894-95, p.25.

8. Two Bachelors of Arts, The Oriya Movement,Appendix-D Risley Circular, pp.312-18.

9. Cobden-Ramsay, L.E.B. - Feudatory States ofOrissa, Calcutta, 1910, p.29.

10. Bihar and Orissa-First Deccannial Review(1912-22) of the Administration andDevelopment of the Province, Patna, 1923. P.236.

11. Report on the Orissa Boundary Committee,Calcutta, 1932. P.1

12. Ibid, P.34.

13. The Samaj, 28 June 1933.

14. Report of the Joint Committee on IndianConstitutional Reform, Vol.1 London, 1934, P.36.

Dr. Janmejaya Choudhury is a Lecturer in History in theSri Jagannath College, Kaipadar, Khurda.


5


In the time of British rule the Oriya speakingpeople were kept in different administrative units.There was lack of political unification among theOriya speaking people. The Oriya speakingterritories virtually became appendanges to fourprovinces - Bengal, Madras, Central Provincesand Bihar. The Oriyas were linguistic minoritiesin these provinces. So for this reason, the linguisticmajorities of these provinces had neglected anddominated the Oriyas. They also had taken somesteps to abolish Oriya language. After the spreadof English education in Orissa in the second halfof nineteenth century the Oriya people becameconscious regarding their mother language. In thisperiod the Oriyas showed interest for Oriyalanguage and culture. Oriya speaking peoplestarted political movement for formation of aseparate province, in which they will able topreserve and develop their own language, culture,tradition, and heritage. The Oriyas struggled formany years to achieve the said goals. Some BritishOfficers at that time were the great lovers of Oriyaspeaking people and always were in favour ofOriyas interests. Henery Ricket ts theCommissioner of Orissa Division proposed themerger of Sambalpur with the Orissa Division. Inthe year 1868 Sir Stafford Northcote theSecretary of the State for India also viewed thatthe Oriya speaking areas should be clubbed intoa single admisistrative unit. The Bengalis occupied

A Movement for Restoration ofOriya Language

Pabitra Mohan Barik

many official positions in Orissa as they wereeducationally advanced people. Some Bengalistried to abolish Oriya language and gave opinionfor re-placement of Oriya by Bengali meduim ofinstruction in the school of Orissa. Uma CharanHaldar, a Bengali, a Bengali Deputy Inspector ofschool advocated the replacement of Oriya byBengali as the reason of the scarcity of text -books in Oriya language. Another reputed Bengaliofficial named Sibadas Bhattacharya also viewedfor introduction of Bengali language in the schoolsof Orissa. In the year 1870 Kantilal Bhattacharyaa teacher of Balasore Zilla School published abook named "Odiya Ekta Swatantra Bhasanoy".He strongly described that Oriya was a dialect ofBengali language. His view insulted all Oriyaspeaking people. There after another notablescholar, Rajendralal Mitra of Bengal supportedothers view to replace Oriya by Bengali. Againstthis anti Oriya activities there were strong protestsfrom Oriya elits. Fortunately some Bengalisstrongly argued in favour of Oriya language.Renowned person Bhudev Bandopadhyaysupported the cause of Oriya language. GauriShankar Roy, Pyari Mohan Acharya and RajaBaikuntha Nath Dey were the famous Bengaliswho provided great support in the cause of Orissalanguage. W.T.Atk in son the Director of PublicInstruction in Bengal during that period gave verybad remark and poor opinion regarding Oriya


6


language and literature. He proposed replacementof Oriya by Bengali in the schools of OrissaDivision. Prominent English Officials like T.E.Ravenshaw the Commissioner of Orissa Divisionand John beams the Collector of Balasore werevery favourable towards the cause of Oriyalanguage and showed their love and affection forOriya language. The Oriyas of Puri, Cuttack andBalasore were harassed by Bengalis and inGanjam, Telugus tried to introduce their languagein Oriya schools. Telugus dominated in all spheresof Government service. They misbehaved Oriyasin areas and criticized the culture, literature andtraditions of Oriyas. Some vernacular journals atthat period fought bravely for the survival of Oriyaliterature. Those are Utkal Dipika, SambadBahika, Utkal Darpan, Utkal Putra, Oriya NavaSambad, and Sambalpur Hitaishini. Associationslike Utkal Bhasa Uddipani Sabha, Utkal UllasiniSabha, Utkal Sabha, etc. fought for the cause ofOriyas. Above vernacular journals andassociations glorified our culture and tradition andappealed to people participated in the massmovement.

Another problem arised in Sambalpurwhen British Govt. tried to abolish Oriya languagefrom offices. In 1895 the Chief Commission ofCentral Provinces decided to introduce Hindi asthe official language in the Sambalpur district. Theauthority of British Govt. realized that it wasdifficult for Hindi speaking officers to carry outtheir official work due to ignorance of Oriyalanguage. It was a harmful decision of the ChiefCommissioner of Central Province, as it wasagainst the interest of the majority of the Oriyaspeaking people. Hindi was introduced in theprimary schools of Sambalpur and the Govt.Officials posted there were required to pass a

Hindi test. Not only the district of Sambalpur butalso through out Orissa this act raised a storm ofProtest. The people of whole Orissa stronglyprotested against this decision. The Utkal Sabhasent memorial to the Viceroy Lord Elgin on 20thJune 1895 against the faulty decision. All protestswere in vain and by the end of 1895 Oriya wasabolished in the court of Sambalpur. TheSambalpur Hitaishini published under theeditorship of Nilamani Vidyaratna from Bamanda,played an important role for the restoration forOriya language. A memorial against the impositionof Hindi on the Sambalpur people by the CentralProvinces Government signed by three thousandpeople was sent to the Viceroy Lord Elgin in June1895. Some important Oriyas of Sambalpur metAndrew Fraser, the Chief Commissioner ofCentral Provinces regarding the restoration ofOriya language in Sambalpur. A deputation ofprominent persons of Sambalpur consisting ofMadan Mohan Mishra, Balabhadra Suar, BrajaMohan Pattanaik, Bihari Das Mahant, and SripatiMishra also met the Governor General at Simlato apprise him about the language problem ofSambalpur. For this cause prominent poet ofnature of Barapalli Gangadhar Meher foughtbravely to achive the goal. After long struggleOriya language was restored in Sambalpur witheffect from 1st January 1903. Now it is a holyduty for all Oriya speaking people to do somethingfor their mother language. On the occasion of theUtkal Divas, we should take a vow to developour Oriya language.

Pabitra Mohan Barik is a Lecturer in History in the S.H.Mahavidyalaya, Madanpur, Khurda-752054.


7


Konark, popularly known as Arkakshetra is oneof the important urban centers of ancient Orissa.It is otherwise known as Padmakshetra. It isone of the five great religiouskshetras (pilgrimagecenters / sacred places) located in Orissa, theother four being Puri, Bhubaneswar,Mahavinayak and Jajpur. Besides religiousimportance Konark being situated on the coastof the Bay of Bengal had also commercialimportance as well. The place, however, is veryfamous for the stupendous Sun Temple which hasattracted thousands of visitors from different partsof the world. The temple is also known as BlackPagoda in contradistinction to the White Pagoda- the Jagannath Temple of Puri (white washedTemple), a name given to it by the early Europeanmariners1 for whom it formed a prominentlandmark in their coastal voyage. It is included inUNESCO's World Heritage List in 1984, and'considered to be of outstanding value tohumanity', and belong to all mankind.

Konark (lat. 19053'N; long. 86006'E.) issituated within 3 km of the Bay of Bengal in thePuri district of Orissa. The place is well connectedby good all-weather motorable roads fromBhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa and Puri,the district headquarters. The road distance is 66km from Bhubaneswar and 85 km from Puri viaPipli. It is 35 km from Puri on marine drive. Thenearest rail heads are Bhubaneswar and Puri on

Antiquity of Arkakshetra Konark

Dr. Benudhar Patra

the South Eastern Railway and the nearest airportis Bhubaneswar. Regular public and tourist busservices and taxis are available to reach the spot.Konark, Puri and Bhubaneswar traditionallyformed the 'Golden Triangle' on the tourist mapof Orissa. The sight of early morning sun-rise atthe sea beach near Konark is unparalleled.

The name Konark like Bhubaneswar is inmost likelihood derived from the name of thepresiding deity Konark, which means the Arka(sun) of Kona (corner). The kona or corner ispresumably so being in relation to trikona, in thecorner direction of which the temple was erected.The determination of the antiquity of the site,however, is a baffling task. Scholars havedivergent opinions in this regard. In the opinionof W.W. Hunter2, Konark signifies Kona+Arka,the corner of the sun, or the corner of ArkaKshetra i.e. the corner of the region of Orissa,dedicated to the Sun". From an analysis it isevident that the area in and around Konark is fullof antiquities, and systematic survey is likely toresult in the discovery of the remains of ancienttemples and sculptures.

The antiquity of Konark as a famouskshetra (pilgrimage center) for sun worship,however, is substantiated in numerous texts suchas the Brahma Purana, the Tirtha Chintamaniand the Kapila Samhita. Legends as embodied


8


in the Kapila Samhita (a work of the 14thCentury A.D.), the Madala Panji (Chronicle ofthe Jagannath temple at Puri) and the PrachiMahatmya (all three are the later Orissan Texts)take the sanctity of Konark back to the mythicaltimes. Debala Mitra3 is of the opinion that legendsof these late texts are an obvious adaptation of amuch earlier tradition as recorded in theBhavishya Purana and Samba Purana.According to these Puranas4, Samba, son of SriKrishna and Jambavati was overly proud of hishandsome appearance and once ridiculed thedivine sage Narada. Narada who even ordinarilywas known as a mischief maker, took recourseto an unsaintly scheme to avenge himself. By acunning device he led Samba to the secret bathingplace of his step mothers who were struck withhis personal charm and wanted to enjoy hiscompany. Slipping quietly Narada led Krishna tothis spot. Incensed at his son's apparent lack ofpropriety, Krishna cursed him to be smitten withleprosy which would obviously affect his beauty.Panic-striken Samba plead his innocence, but asthe curse could not be withdrawn, he was advisedto practise penance in the Maitreyavana/Mitravana, near the Chandrabhaga river for 12years to propitiate Surya (Sun God), the healerof all skin diseases to cure him of his disease.Samba acted upon the advice. After 12 years ofsevere penance Samba succeeded in pleasing theSun God and was cured of his illness. In gratitude,he decided then and there to erect a temple inhonour of the God. Next morning, while Sambawas taking bath in the Chandrabhaga hediscovered an image of Surya standing on a lotuspedestal holding two lotuses in his both hands.He carried the image to his Ashrama (hermitagein the Mitravana) and installed it in a temple builtby him. According to the Bhavishya Purana5 asthe local Brahmins did not agree to worship theimage, Samba brought eighteen Maga/ Magha

families (the sun worshippers) from Shakadvipa(Iran) who not only performed the rituals, but alsopopularized the cult of sun worship in this part ofthe country. Scholars tries to identifyChandrabhaga with the Chenab river in Punjab,a tributary of the Indus and thus, locates the sitein the Punjab (modern Multan). They even saysthat the shifting of the legend to Konark was doneobviously at a period when the locality became acenter of Sun worship, the motive behind it beingno doubt, to augment the sanctity and fame of thenew center by making it the site of Samba's originaltemple".6 This argument of the scholars on thefollowing grounds, however, is far fromsatisfactory. Firstly, when a river originally isknown as Chandrabhaga in Orissa, there is noneed to identify it with the Chenab of Punjab.Secondly, the Mitravana, has been identified withthe Konark area, and thirdly, sun worship appearsto have been very popular as early as sixth/seventh century AD in Orissa. The BrihatSamhita, a work of the 5th century A.D.mentioned that the countries of Odra, Kalinga(ancient names of Orissa) and their people areunder the direct influence of the sun. Both thePrachi Mahatmya and the Kapila Samhita(chapter-III) have identified Tapovana, othername of Maitreyavana with the present site ofKonark or Arka Kshetra7. The Kapila Samhitafurther refers to it as Ravi Kshetra. TheBrahmanda Purana and the OriyaMahabharata of Sarala Das have relate thatSamba propitiated the Sun God at Konark8.From a general view point if one analyse thelocation of Konark which is at present even in anisolated location one can arrive at the conclusionthat Samba's Maitreyavana could be no other thanthe modern Konark in Orissa. A. Chatterjee9, anofficer of the Dept. of Archaeology, Govt. of Indiawho had been at Konark for several years (in the1950's) on the basis of unearthing of a small brick


9


temple at the South-Western corner of the presenttemple compound, is of the assumption that it isthe one which possibly was built by Samba. Fromthe above analysis it seems to be more appropriateand convincing that the place of Samba's penancecould be none other than the present Konark inOrissa. Further, although Samba is a Puranicfigure on the basis of surviving architectural,iconographic and stylistic evidences of theMahagayatri or Mayadevi temple which accordingto T.Donaldson,10 'originally dedicated to Surya,and not to his consort' it is evident that the temple(Mayadevi) was erected prior to the Surya Deulof Narasimha I. Thomas Donaldson11 furtherstates that it is quite possible that the temple (late11th or early 12th century) was converted to theworship of Devi after the construction of the SuryaDeul with its Puja-image being replaced by animage of the goddess or consort of Surya".

The Greek sailor, Ptolemy12 (c.2ndCAD)in his Geography has referred to it asKannagara. From his geography it appears thatlike Palur, being situated on the coast of the Bayof Bengal, Konark prospered as a great centerof maritime trade, and had contact with far offcountr ies of South East Asia. Recentarchaeological excavations at Kuruma, a ruinedBuddhist monastery, north-east of Konark (8 km)and at Khalkatapatna, an ancient sea-port, 11 kmsouth-east of Konark on the left bank of the riverKushabhadra substantially attested to the maritimeimportance of Konark.13 It is also apparent thatin ancient times both the rivers Chandrabhaga andKushabhadra were quite navigable and mighthave served as the link channel with the sea fornavigation and transport of huge blocks of stonefor the construction of the Sun temple. It is alsoevident that at the time of construction of thetemple the sea was quite nearer which might havereceded only in the recent past owing to thetectonic movement. The depiction of a giraffe,

purely an African animal in the sculptures of theSun temple at Konark evidently proves that thearea had overseas commercial link, even with faroff Africa. Its depiction in the temple suggests thatin those days either people of Kalinga might havegone to Africa and saw the giraffe or one giraffemust have been brought to Orissa by somemerchants enabling many to see it. On the Beki(parapet) of the Jagamohana of the Sun temple,the Martanda Bhairavas are also shown asdancing on boats. Alberuni,14 in the 11th centuryA.D. refers to a place named 'Arku-tirtha'southward of Prayag towards the coast. Arku-tirtha of Alberuni has been identified with ArkaKshetra or Konark, the site of the magnificentsun temple. Konark is also known as ' BhaskaraTirtha', so Arku-tirtha of Alberuni is no doubtthe Arkakshetra or Konark.

Various theories have been propoundedregarding the purpose of selecting the site anderection of such a mammoth monument at Konark.There is no doubt about the fact that the placeenjoyed religious sanctity from the earliest times.According to one observation it was the motherof Narasimha Deva who suggested him "forbuilding a very large temple for Sun God atKonark, the only among the important fourKshetras that was still without a big shrine."15

Surya (Sun God) is believed to be the healer ofdiseases, especially leprosy, and the bestower ofwishes from very early times; and it is not unlikelythat the temple is a worthy thanks - giving of thepowerful ruler Narasimha Deva following eitherhis recovery or the fulfillment of his prayer, perhapsfor a healthy son. On the basis of this it can besupposed that Narasimha himself was sufferingfrom leprosy and upon being cured of this afflictionby the grace of the Sun God he built a temple ingratitude. From another angle it is said thatNarasimha built the temple out of gratitude uponbeing blessed with a son by the boon of the Sun


10


God. From an analysis of the first theory, i.e.Narasimha suffering from leprosy seems to beuntenable while the second theory receives somesupport from the fact that he named his sonBhanudeva (Bhanudeva means Sun God), the firstsolar name in the royal line.

Konark, however, is renowned throughoutthe world for its imposing temple of the Sun-God,aptly extolled as the most exquisite memorial ofSun Worship in India. Narasimha Deva I,popularly known as Langula Narasimha, (AD1238-1264), the great Ganga monarch whosekingdom was extended from the Ganga in thenorth to the Godavari in the south and under whomOrissa witnessed the zenith of prosperity iscredited to have constructed the colossal SuryaDeul (Sun temple) at Konark. The temple wasdedicated to the Sun God (Arka), popularlycalled Biranchi-Narayana.16 Although there is nomention of it in records of Narasimha himself, acopper plate inscription (verse 86) of NarasimhaII, dating to Saka year 1217 (1295 AD) recordsthat "king Narasimha built at Kona-kona, a placeof great renown, a temple for the Sun to live inwith the other gods"17 which is also repeated inthe laudatory verses of succeeding Ganga rulers.King Narasimha of the verse has been taken tobe Narasimha I of the Ganga dynasty, who,according to chronology ruled in Orissa from1238 AD to 1264 AD. In the Madala Panji18 itis recorded that Langula Narasimha Deva laid thefoundation of the temple in the third anka. It isalso mentioned that he appointed ShivaiSamantara Mahapatra as superintendent forbuilding the temple. According to the BayaChakada (a palm-leaf manuscript whichdescribed the building operation of the temple),work commenced on the temple towards the endof the fifth anka of Narasimha's reign and endedsome twelve years, ten months, and fourteen dayslater during his eighteenth anka.19 The image of

Surya accordingly was installed on Sunday, theseventh day of Magha Sukla Paksha (MaghaShukla Saptami), 1258 AD. On the basis ofsome sources, traditionally, however, it is believedthat 1200 shilpins (artisans / craftsmen)completed the grand monument after long 12 yearsand the consecration of the temple was held onSunday which fall on Magha Shukla Saptami.The name of the chief architect (Sutradhara) wasBishu Maharana.

In literature and tradition Narasimha-I isreferred to as Langula Narasimha or Langulia (onehaving a tail). The exact significance of the epithetLangulia is not known though it has beenspeculated that perhaps he had a protuberanceof the spinal cord, or a physical deformity of somekind, which he wanted to get removed by buildinga temple dedicated to the Sun God. But it is awell known fact that Narasimha was a healthyperson and an energetic ruler, and was renownedfor his strength and skill in all athletic exercises. Itis then presumed that "the epithet became popularas the king was compared to an angry lion whichusually shows a raised tail".20 In the Ekavali ofVidyadhara,21 a court poet of Narasimha, the kingis compared to the lion avatara ( incarnation) ofLord Vishnu. Some scholars, however, surmisedthat the temple was erected as a memorial by theambitious monarch to commemorate hissuccessful military campaigns against the Muslims.This speculation is plausible on the basis that theconstruction of the temple apparently began soonafter Narasimha-I's military success against theMuslims and that there is a preponderance ofmilitary activities appearing in the decorativeprogramme of the temple. K.C. Panigrahi22

observes, "His (Narasimha's) victory over theMuslims of Bengal and his acquisition of thesouthern districts of western Bengal must haveenormously raised his prestige in the eyes of thecontemporary Hindu rulers and augmented his


11


resources, which in all likelihood enable him toundertake the construction of a stupendousstructure like the temple of Konark, designed toexhibit his power, prestige, opulence, devotionand perhaps to commemorate his victory also".Abul Fazal23 in corroboration to this, even statesthat it is a 'mighty memorial to posterity". Further,the Gangavamshanucharita of VasudevaSomayaji (18th Century AD) states thatNarasimha to surpass Anangabhima III who hadbuilt the Jagannath temple at Puri as well as toearn undying fame, built the sun-temple in an overambitious scale.24 It may be also mentioned thatNarasimha I in order to obtain the support andloyalty of his subjects among whom Sun Worshipwas popular, constructed this gigantic monumentat Konark which was famous for sun worship.Prior to him the Kesharis and his Gangapredecessor constructed the Lingaraj temple andthe Jagannath temple respectively for the samepurpose. From the above analysis it is gleanedthat the principal motive for erecting such a colossalstructure were both devotional and to acquirefame and glory (kirti rupena). The temple playeda significant role in the socio-cultural life of theOrissan people through out the medieval period.The sanctity and glory of this temple as awonderful monument has spread far beyond thelimits of Orissa. The Vaishnava saint Chaitanya(1486 to 1533 AD) in course of his sojourn visitedthis place. In admiration of the monument, AbulFazal25 in his Ain-I-Akbari (Sixteenth century AD)mentions, "Near Jagannath is a temple dedicatedto the Sun. Its cost was defrayed by twelve yearsrevenue of the province. Even those whosejudgement is critical and who are difficult to pleasestand astonished at its sight".

This wonderful monument unfortunately atpresent is in a state of ruin. It is said that theKalasa, which was of copper and thePadmadhavaja (the lotus finial) have been carried

away by the Muslims in course of their attack onthe temple after the death of Raja Mukundadevin 1568 AD. In the 18th century the chlorite pillar,called Aruna stambha was shifted to Puri by theMarathas who planted it in its present site in frontof the Jagannath temple. About the collapse ofthe main tower scholars have various speculations.Some ascribe it to the subsidence of thefoundation and others to a shock of earthquakeor lightening while some others doubted if theconstruction of the temple was ever completed.But the theory of non completion is quiteuntenable and it is sure that the temple wascompleted and was under worship for many years.Vachaspati Mishra says in his Tirthachintamani(a work of 13th CAD) that one should make threecircumambulations round the temple of the Sunand then, with flowers in hands and speechrestrained, enter into the temple and worship thesun.26 Adikabi Sarala Das (15th CAD) in hisMahabharata has clearly mentioned that sun wasworshipped at Konark during his time.27 Similarly,at no part of the plinth of the temple there is anysign of sinking or unequal settlement because ofthe weak foundation. Lightening can also hardlyaffect such a mammoth edifice. We have also noconcrete evidence to corroborate such views. Ithowever, appears that the structure crumbleddown gradually followed by the desecration ofthe temple. Though the temple is in a dilapidatedcondition, its beauty and charm attract touristsand visitors, from far and wide through out theyear. It is indeed, a splendoured gem of Orissanart. It's beauty can not be described in a fewwords. It is to be seen, enjoyed and savoured,not once but again and again, for it is truly a thingof beauty, a joy for ever. The place is so sacredthat every year on the occasion of the MaghaSukla Saptami (the seventh day of the bright halfof the month of Magha in January-February),the great festival of the Sun God or the


12


Chandrabhaga Yatra thousands of pilgrims flockto Konark from far off places to take bath in theChandrabhaga, view the rising sun from the beachand worship the Navagrahas (nine planets) insidethe temple complex. The remaining structure ofthe sun temple and the ruins around profoundlytestify till today the boundless creativity of theOrissan artists and their impressive invaluablecontributions to the treasury of Indian art andbuilding technique.

Notes and References :

1. Sir Richard Carnac Temple (ed.), The Diaries(1675-1680) of Sir Streynsham Master, (Publishedin 1911 under Indian Record Series), I, p.56 andII, p.93; Debala Mitra, Konark, New Delhi, 1992,p.3.

2. N.K. Sahu (ed.), History of Orissa, vol.I, Calcutta,1956, p.283 ff; D.K. Ganguly, HistoricalGeography and Dynastic History of Orissa,Calcutta, 1975, p.24.

3. Debala Mitra, op.cit, p.3

4. Ibid, pp.3 & 4; N. Senapati(ed.), Orissa DistrictGazetteers, Puri, Cuttack, 1977, p.752;T.Donaldson, Konark, New Delhi, 2005, p.21.

5. Debala Mitra, op.cit, p.4.

6. Ibid.

7. T.Donaldson, op.cit, p.7

8. Ibid.

9. A.Chatterjee, Konarka at a Glance, Calcutta,1990, p.9.

10. T. Donaldson, op.cit, p.9

11. Ibid.

12. R.C. Majumdar, The Classical Accounts of India,Calcutta, 1981, pp.366-367,375; A.K. Pattanayakand B. Patra, 'Maritime Trade of Kalinga-A studybased on the foreign Accounts' in Proceedings

volume (XIX) of South Indian History Congress,1999, p.369.

13. B. Patra, 'Khalkattapatna: An Early Medieval portof Orissa,' in: Orissa Review, February, 1999, pp.19-21.

14. E.C. Sachau (ed.), Alberuni's India, vol.I, NewDelhi, 1993, p.200.

15. T. Donaldson, op.cit, p.19.

16. N.Senapati, op.cit, p.752.

17. Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. LXV,1896, pp.229-271; Quoted in: K.S. Behera, Templesof Orissa, Bhubaneswar, 1993, p.72.

18. A.B. Mohanty (ed.), Madalapanji (Oriya),Bhubaneswar, 2001, p.23.

19. T.Donaldson, op.cit, p.19.

20. Ibid, p.23

21. Ibid.

22. K.C. Panigrahi, 'New Light on the History ofKonark', in: Journal of Bihar Research Society,vol. XL III, parts III-IV, 1957, p.3; also in: Historyof Orissa (Hindu period), Cuttack, 1995, pp.413& 414.

23. H.S.Jarrett (trans.), The Ain-I-Akbari by AbulFazal Allami, vol. III, Delhi (first Reprint), 1989,p.141.

24. T. Donaldson, op.cit, p.23 ; K.S.Behera, op.cit,p.73.

25. H.S. Jarrett, op.cit, p.140

26. N.Senapati, op.cit, p.754.

27. Ibid.

Dr. Benudhar Patra is a Lecturer in the Deptt. of History,Govt. College (GCM), Sector-11, Chandigarh (U.T.),Pin-160011.


13


A Little Known Sun Temple At Palia

Harekrushna Aich

The glorious heritage of sun worship is very oldand dates back to one of the early civilizations ofthe world-"the Indus Civilization." Besides, thelegendary anecdote behind the celebration ofSamba Dasami on which day people offerdevotional offerings to Surya is another traditionof sun worship. The standing testimony of Suntemples in India viz., Modhera in Gujarat,Martanda in Kashmir,Osian in Rajasthan confirmsit. In Orissa, besides the world famous SunTemple at Konark we find two more Sun Temples,one at Buguda in Ganjam and another at Palia inBhadrak District. The Sun Temple at Palia ispopularly known as Biranchi Narayan Temple.

Village Palia, which is located 15 km southof Bhadrak on the way from Bhadrak toChandabali occupies a significant place in thecultural map of Orissa. Today, the standingBiranchi Narayan Temple speaks about theheritage of Surya Upasana in Orissa.

Biranchi Narayan is another name of SunGod, the god of light and lustre. The existingtemple is dedicated to god Biranchinarayan whois enshrined as a crudely four-faced image of Sun.A square sized stone slightly tapering towards thetop contains four carved images of Sun god inrelief on the four sides of a slab.1 The figures holdtwo lotuses in two hands as usual. The imagesare sculpted as standing on chariots drawn byseven horses.

In general the temple exhibits the Kalinganstyle of temple architecture.2 Architecturally, thetemple consists of a deula, its bada or the wallportion pierced by an entrance portal on all four

sides. The temple stands on a platform which is3'3" high and decorated with crudely carvedwheels on its sides, imitating the chariot of Surya,suggesting influence from the sun temple atKonark. The manner in which the pistha juts outin front of the rahas indicates that the originalground plan incorporated nisa- shrines in frontof the parsva-devatas which suggests that thetemple dates to the 13th century or so.3 Thearchitectural fragments of the jagamohana andpossibly a natamandira (dancing hall) scatteredin front of the temple, are the essential architecturalfeatures of Orissan temple architecture duringGanga period. 4

The bada of the temple is 20 feet squareand has a pancha-ratha plan. The pabhaga is2'10" high. The jangha is divided into talajanghaand upara jhangha by a set of mouldings knownas bandhana. The talajangha is 2'6" and the uparajangha 2'4" in height.5 The decorative programmeis completely obliterated by plaster or replacedby plain stone. Except for a few vidala and alasa-kanya motif inserted into the anuraha recessesthere are no surviving traces of sculptural imageson the bada. The rahas have been transformedinto doors spanned by cusped arches withmakaras at the sides and a kirtimukha at theapex surmounted by a small mastaka consistingof a ghanta, amalaka and kalasa all devoid ofornamentation. The face of the arch is relievedwith scroll work consisting of floral rosettesframed by a meandering vine and decorated witha few hamsas; the design being quite modern.The conception of a four doors shrine with framingtoranas again suggests influence from Konark


14


where the jagamohana was conceived with fourdoors framed by toranas.6

Baranda devides the bada portion fromthe gandi. The gandi continues the pancharathaplan of the bada. The pagas are heavily plasteredand the underlying decorations, if any, are notvisible. At the base of the kanika and anurathais modern Kirtimukha mask above a caityahousing a face which possibly covers a kiritadesign generally found in the 13th century temples.At the base of the raha is a set of horizontalmouldings which serves visually as a pabhagafor a large anga-sikhara which extends half-way up to the gandi. The anga-sikhara is tri-ratha in plan and has a projecting gaja -kranta.Above the anga-sikhara is a pida-mundi,torana design or a large Hanuman on the varioussides; all modern motifs and near the top of theraha, a second gaja-kranta.7 There we finddopichasimhas and bekibhairavas in the bekiwhich probably dates from the 13th centurythough the latter are normally associated withSaiva temples. Above the raha on the frontfacade the image of Garuda is inserted into thebeki. The khapuri covering the amalaka isextreamely pronounced and surmounted by asecond, small amalaka. A chakra appears onthe finial. There are in addition numerous modernfigure motifs carved on the anuratha and kanika,most of them being erotic.

The peculiarities of the temple are the twodoor- jambs of the eastern door. Probablyoriginally they belong to a Saiva temple and re-used in the present temple at the time ofrenovation. The sculptures and carvings of the twodoor- jambs bears close resemblance to the Sivatemples of Bhubaneswar and Khiching of the 10thor 11th century A.D.8

The dvarapalas that have survived are alsodifferent. In the best-preserved set the guardstwist their body and rest on an uplifted foot onthe blade of an axe while one arm crosses thebody to rest on the handle of the weapon, a rareOrissan pose which appears only in a few

temples.9

The temple has the unique distinction of fourdoors, absence of jagamohana, provision of aplatform and installation of the God BiranchiNarayan facing to all directions.

The most interesting remains at Palia arethree detached images now loosely placed withinthe sanctum, all of chlorite and having unusualiconographic and stylistic features.10 The first isa ten -armed Mahisamardini accomplished withher usual attributes engaged in killing the demon.Stylistically the image can be ascribed to the late11th or early 12th century. The other detachedimages are rare Orissan examples of VishnuAnantasayana and Krishna Govardhana.11

Architecturally, the temple can be dated tothe 13th century or so. The temple was renovatedand reconstructed in the beginning of the 20thcentury by the generosity of a local zamidar.12

References :1. Bhadrani-Oriya version-(Bhadrak, 2001), P.139.2. Glimpses of History & Culture of Balasore,

(O.S.M., 1988), PP.109-110.3. T.E.Donaldson, The Hindu Temple Art of Orissa,

Vol.- II (Leiden, 1986), P. 695.4. K.S. Behera, Temples of Orissa, Orissa Sahitya

Akademi, (BBSR,1993), PP.52-54.5. Bhagabat Tripathy, Archaeological Remains of

Balasore District, (Utkal University, 1996), P.249.6. K.C. Panigrahi , History of Orissa (Cuttack, 1985),

P. 410.7. T.E. Donaldson, Op-cit.8. Glimpses of History and Culture of Balasore,

Op-cit, P. 110.9. T.E. Donaldson, Op-cit, P. 696.10. K.S.Behera & T.E. Donaldson, Sculpture

Masterpieces from Orissa, (New Delhi, 1998),P134.

11. Ibid.12. S.C.De, Some Antiquities of South Balasore,

O.H.R.J., Vol - I , (1953), No.4, P.262.

Harekrushna Aich is a Research Scholar in theP.G.Department of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology, UtkalUniversity, Vanivihar, Bhubanesawar.


15


Orissa has a good deal of well-known traditionof Oshas, Bratas and Melas. The ceremony andsanctity of these traditional religious festivities areunparalleled. But these days, such occasions seemto become less lively and some of them aregradually perishing too. Thus, I would like to makeit known to the world, especially to themodernised Oriyas who are least aware of it.There are atleast 18 major Oshas in a year. Theyare Budhei Osha (known as Budhei-Sudheiobserved on wednesdays in the month of Bhadraband goddess Bimala or Tarini is worshipped withthe establishment of the idol of Buddhibaman in asila), Chaitra Mangala Osha (observed onTuesday in the month of Chaitra and goddessMangala is worshipped), Alana Osha (observedin the month of Ashwina and goddess Lakhmi isworshipped), Shani Osha or Tota Osha(observed every Saturday, Lord Shani isworshipped in a mango grove), Janhi Osha orTulsi Puja (observed in the month of Aswina,moon god and Tulsi are worshipped finally on theday of Kumar Purnima), Bata Osha (where thebhogas are covered with a branch of Bajramuli,Lord Jama is worshipped). Dutiya Osha orPuajiuntia (known as Dutibaman Osha,observed in Ashwina, worship of Sun God,making the sand effigies of fox and eagle, thebranch of Apamaranga is collected for thepurpose), Danda Panhara (observed in the

month of Pausa, worship of Lord Shiva), SathiOsha (observed in Bhadraba, goddess Sathi isworshipped), Kanji Anla (observed inMargasira, goddess Sathi is worshipped with otherpuja items like bitter kipper, kanji, radish curry,poi plant, Balunga and plant of saru), Sukutuniosha or munibara bani, (Lord Shiva and Parvatiare worshipped), Nisha Mangalabara Osha(observed in the month of Ashswina and Mangalais worshipped), Margasira Gurubara orDhanamanika (observed in Margasira andgoddess Lakhmi is worshipped), Benatia osha,Purnima Osha, Bada Osha, (observed in themonth of Kartik, Lord Shiva is worshipped).

There are atleast 32 Bratas, observed inOrissa in a year. They are Santoshi Mata Brata(observed with fasting on every friday in whichgoddess Santoshi is worshipped and pickle is noteaten), Sudasa Brata (observed in Kartika,goddess Lakhmi is worshipped), Kedar Brata (inwhich Kedarnath is worshipped, with 21 forestflowers and 21 betel nuts), Sumbadasami Brata(the sun god is worshipped), Radhastami Brata(worship of Radha), Somanath Brata (observedin Bhadrab, Lord Shiva is worshipped), KukkutiBrata (observed in Bhadrab, Lord Shiva andParvati are worshipped), Pandu Osha Brata(observed in Margasira and worship ofJudhisthira), Sabitri Brata (observed in Jyestha,Lord Jama is worshipped), Nagala Chaturthi

The Perishing Tradition of Osha, Brata andMela in Orissa : An Overview

Pratap Kumar Dash


16


(in Kartik, worship of Shiva), SankataChaturthi (observed in the month of Magha,worship of Shiva and Parvati), RabinarayanBrata (observed inMargasira and worship of thesun god), Balitrutiya or Tija Brata Katha(observed in Bhadrab and Lord Shiva isworshipped, Sambara Dasami (observed in themonth of Pausa, worship of Shiva), ShibaratriBrata (observed in Phalguna and worship ofShiva), Rai Damodara Brata (in Kartika andworship of Jagannath), Shri KrishnaJanmastami Brata (in the Bhadrab and worshipof Lord Krishna), Ananta Brata (In the monthof Ashwina and worship of Ananta murti orBasuki), Pusa Rabibara Brata (in the month ofPausa, worship of the sun god), Binayaka Brata(in Bhadrab and worship of Lord Ganesh),Skanda Sasthi Brata (observed in Chaitra),Magha Brata, Guru Panchami Brata (inAshwina), Guru Purnima Brata (in Pausa) RoosiPanchami, Baisakha, Sita Nabami Brata (inJyestha) Ramba trutiya (in Jyestha, BipattariniBrata, Gouri Brata, Kartika Brata. There arealmost seven Melas observed these days. Peopleobserve them in the specific days of a week whichare not over lapped with each other. They can doit round the year. The Melas include Trinath mela(observed on Sunday and worship of Bramha,Vishnu and Maheswar), Sanishchara Mela(observed on Saturday and worship of Shani),Nabagraha Mela (worship of the nine grahas ona specific day in consultation with the Purohit),Tarini Mela (observed on Tuesday),Panchanana Mela or Akhandalamani Mela(observed on Monday), Astasambhu Mela(worship of Lord Shiva) and Hanuman Mela(observed on Saturday).

The source of these Oshas, Bratas andMelas goes back to the ancient times. Some ofthem are directly derived from Bhagabat (Kartikaand Janmastami Bratas), where as most of them

are derived from The Ramayana, TheMahabharata and Shiva Purana etc. Howeversome of these are traditionally observed. Thelanguage of most of such writing are in the ninelettered lines in couplet. But some are describedin prose too. Some of these books are written bya few identified persons whereas most of thewritings are written by anonymous writers. Theliterature of such religious books mostly refer tofolk traditions and settings. Besides we have aseries of pujas like Baluka puja, which areobserved rightly too. Mostly the Oshas and theBratas are observed by women of Orissa. Butthe Melas are observed by all the family members.Most of such Oshas, Bratas and Melas areobserved traditionally. They are highly religiousalthough some unreasonable systems are there.Each Oriya family must wait eagerly to such anoccasion in a year. These constitute the essenceof Oriya tradition. Most of such occasions areobserved by bramhin families. Even people ofother castes also observe them with a greatersanctity although they depend upon a bramhin toperform the puja at times. However, the adventof modernity has already hampered suchtraditions. People in various parts of Orissaobserve them as a traditional part of seasonalworshippings and some also observe it farcically.This seem to become gradually less pompus andlack of life.

The get-together on such occasions implya lot to the people of Orissa. This amounts to agreater cultural unity and establishes goodrelationship among the neighbours variously.These Oshas are usually observed in certain placeswhich are called as kothi. But still some Oshasand Bratas are observed at the altar or even inthe temple of gods and different type of food itemssuch as fruits like coconut and banana are takenas bhogas commonly. Along with hulahuli andharibol sound, these pujas are performed in


17


religious congregations. But in case of Yajnya orJagar Melas, at the end, a homa is arrangedwhere a coconut is burnt as a matter of religiousritual.

In such occasions the idols or photos ofthe particular gods and goddesses are welldecorated and installed in the proper direction(usually eastward or westward). Different flowersand incense sticks etc are also set. But someoccasions are there when specific things arearranged as in case of Shanischar mela iron nailsand teal oil are essential. For Trinath mela, betel,betelnut and sacred thread are required. It is arule that in the time of Janhi Osha, none of thegirls would snatch janhi or its flower. Most of suchoccasions are vegetarian in nature too. Cakes areprepared from unboiled rice and biri, where askhiri can be prepared from unboiled rice andmolass or sugar. People prepare these bhogasusing ghee and not any edible oil as ghee is takenas a pure product. In Alana Osha, no salt is eaten.In case of the worshippings of Vishnu, the use ofTulsi is there where as in case of the worshippingsof Shiva, Parvati or Kali, bela leaves are used.For all the goddesses, vermilion is required. Incase of goddesses Mangala and Kali, China roseis important, where as in case of goddessesLakshmi, white flowers as well as lily like flowersare arranged. For Shiva Gayasa and Dudura areimportant flowers. Such occasions are oftenassociated with pure dung of a cow as dung ismarked auspicious. Panchamuruja (made of aspecific stone and colours of five kinds) andpancha mrita (raw milk, ghee, curd, honey andmolass) are often sprinkled for makings the altarpure. A Purna Kumbha is set with pure waterand a small branch of mango with more than sixleaves kept on it and is placed on the right side ofthe altar to mark the auspicious moment.

In such Oshas, Bratas and Melas mainlyLord Vishnu or Krishna, Lord Shiva and Adishakti

or Mangala or Durga and goddess Lakshmi areworshipped. But as the ancient Oriya people hadfaith and honour for several other gods,goddesses, stars and planets, they used toworship the sun on the occasions of SambaDasami and Rabinarayan Brata. They worshipLord Jama or Pluto on the occasion of JamaDutiya Brata Osha and Sabitri Brata. LordGanesh is worshipped for the auspicious purposeson the Ganesh Brata. Ananta or Basuki thebearer of the earth is worshipped in the AnantaBrata. Snake, the Bahana of Lord Shiva isworshipped on Nagala Chaturthi. The moon isworshipped on Kumar Purnima. Lord Hanumanis worshipped in Hanumana mela. Even the nineplanets or Grahas are worshipped in thenabagraha mela. In some occasions, instead ofphotos or effigies, stone idols (as inBudhei osha),turmeric idols (as in sathi osha), sand (as inBaluka Puja) are made for worship.

These occasions are set in a year as perstrict astrological calculations as mentioned inPanji. Preparation of cakes and sweets, invitationto neighbours and relatives, distribution of bhogasamong them are the other ceremonious parts ofthem. Some special food items are prepared toobserve these festivities. On sudasa Bratamandas are prepared. In Manabasa, Khiri,Khechudi, Kakara and Chakuli are prepared. InSankata Chaturthi Bundi is prepared from friedunboiled rice. In Dutiya Osha, many varieties offruits and vegetables are arranged for bhoga andare used in the following day to prepare a currycalled ghanta. We find that the fruits likejambila, naranga, kerandakoli, padma puskar(from padma) are required on the occasion ofDutiya Osha. In Danda Panhara hints about thefood items in Orissa are given. Dudha gainthala,mula kanji, muga manda, muga paiti, fish-pepper curry etc. are mentioned in the same book.It is further mentioned in this book that when a


18


child gets birth, its fifth day is celebrated aspanchuati, sixth day as sathi ghar, 7th day asuthiari, 10th day as Dushi Bandapana and 12thday as Bara Patra.

Apart from instructions regarding religiousfaith, these books also suggest some of theimportant things like prohibiting killing of bramhins,not commiting adultery, not to kill cow, to donatewealth and money to bramhins and poors, toestablish love and faith among husband and wifemutually and to adopt the vedic duties ofDharma,Kama, Artha and Moksha. These books speakof loyalty of family life as well as to other socialinstitutions. Thus, such an important under currentof Oriya culture ought to be saved by Oriyasadmidst all oddities.

Notes1. Sila - a flat and sized stone meant for preparing

spice paste.

2. Kanji - a kind of curry prepared with brokenrice, raddish, sour - rice- water and bhursungaleaves.

3. Poi - a creeper used in curry.

4. Balunga - riceless paddy stalks.

5. Saru - a common vegetable which growsunderground.

6. Kothi - a particular place of worship, especiallysmall temples or a particular room where all gatherfor worship.

7. Jachagnya - offering made for certain fulfilmentof wish.

8. Hulahuli - the enchanting of auspicious soundmade by women while worshipping.

9. Haribol - making a sound together by men inthe name of god.

10. Homa - a major part of puja that takes place withoffering of sal wood, pure ghee, pured in ashruba on a small sand heap at the altar.

11. Gayasa - a kind of wild flower.

12. Dudura - a kind of bell - shaped flower

13. Panji - a book containing astronomicalcalculations regarding festivals, ceremonies andcultural informations of our tradition.

14. Manda - a kind of stuffed cake, round shapedhaving either coconut or mung in its centre,prepared either from flour or unboiled powderrice.

15. Kakara - a flattened cake of the kind of manda.

16. Chakuli - a flattened and thin cake prepared inan earthen pan called palama, prepared from biriand rice.

17. Bindi - a cake of handful size prepared frompowdered fried unboiled rice, molass, coconutscraps.

18. Ghanta - A widely liked curry of mixedvegetables.

References :1. Shree Radharaman Panji, Radharaman

Pustakalaya, Cuttack.

2. The Oshas, Bratas and Melas, published byDharmagrantha Store, Cuttack.

3. The Oshas, Bratas and Melas, published bySaraswati Vidyabhandar, Cuttack.

4. The Osha, Bratas and Melas, published byTripathy Pustakalaya, Berhampur.

5. The Oshas, Bratas and Melas, published byTarini Pustakalaya, Berhampur.

6. The Oshas, Bratas and Melas, published byBinapani Pustak Bhandar, Cuttack.

7. The Oshas, Bratas and Melas, published byOrissa Jagannath Company, Cuttack.

Pratap Kumar Das is a lecturer in the Department ofEnglish, Ranpur College, Ranpur in the district ofNayagarh, Orissa.


19


The heart is a beating muscle that pumps oxygenrich blood to the body through a network ofarteries. As the blood moves through the arteries,it exerts pressure against the walls of the arteries;this force is called blood pressure. Blood pressureis expressed as two numbers, systolic pressureand diastolic pressure. Abnormally high pressurewithin the arteries is called hypertension, or highblood pressure. People with mild to moderatehypertension may not experience any symptoms.If left untreated, hypertension can eventuallydamage the heart and blood vessels. Millions ofpeople worldwide suffer from hypertension or highblood pressure. Living a heart healthy way intoday's high stress, fast food world is not easy.Most cases of high blood pressure have no cure,but the overwhelming majority can be controlledand managed with diet and medication. This paperpresents a full picture of hypertension and itsrelated issues.

Introduction

Psychosomatic disorders are disorders thathave physical symptoms, caused or can beworsened by emotional factors. Hypertension isthought to be a psychosomatic disorder, a formof cardiovascular disease. The cardiovasculardiseases are medical problems involving the heartand blood circulation system. Hypertension canadversely affect the heart and blood circulation

system having serious consequences likecongestive heart failure and atherosclerosis.Heart

A muscular organ that maintains circulationby pumping blood throughout the body. It consistsof two upper chambers called the atria, and twolower chambers called the ventricles. Electricalsignals make heart contract to pump blood.Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measure of the pressureor force of the blood against the walls of the bloodvessels or arteries. The pressure is measured inunits called mm Hg (a measurement that is shortfor millimeters of mercury).

Since the pressure changes when the heartcontracts and relaxes, blood pressure is expressedas two numbers :-

The systolic pressure represents thepressure when the heart contracts and forcesblood into the blood vessels. This is the higher ofthe two numbers and is usually expressed first(e.g. a blood pressure of 120 / 70 means thesystolic pressure is 120 mm Hg.).

The diastolic pressure represents thepressure when the heart is relaxed. This is thelower of the two numbers and is usually expressedsecond (e.g. a blood pressure of 120 / 70 meansthe diastolic pressure is 70 mm Hg).

Hypertension

Soma Panda


20


Blood pressure varies considerablythroughout the day. It is usually lower while weare at rest, and higher when we are active. Evenlying down or standing up can change the bloodpressure. Other things, such as emotions,pregnancy, smoking, the general environment andmedication can change the blood pressure.

An acceptable blood pressure is less than140 mm Hg for the systolic reading and less than90 mm Hg for the diastolic reading. For peoplewith diabetes or kidney disease, an acceptableblood pressure is less than 130 mm Hg for thesystolic reading and less than 80 mm Hg for thediastolic reading. A single or occasional bloodpressure reading greater than 140/90 mm Hg (or130/80 mm Hg for people with diabetes or kidneydisease) does not necessarily mean we have highblood pressure. If our blood pressure is high whenit is measured, we shall likely to tell to have ourblood taken again at a later date. Our doctor willnot make a diagnosis based on one high readingalone. By keeping a record of our blood pressureon an ongoing basis, we and our doctor candecide whether or not our blood pressure is inthe normal range.

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is acondition in which a person's blood pressure iselevated. High blood pressure is a sign that theheart and blood vessels are being overworked.Normal blood pressure for adults is consideredto be below 120/80 millimeters of mercury.Generally, blood pressure above 140/90 isconsidered to be high for adults.

A new category called pre-hypertension isbeing used to refer to individuals with bloodpressure between 120-139 / 80-89. Suchindividuals are typically not prescribed medication,but they are advised to adopt lifestyle modificationsto help keep blood pressure from rising. Lifestyle

modifications might include weight loss, diet,exercise, reducing salt intake and quitting smoking.

High blood pressure or hypertension isparticularly dangerous because it is widespread.According to statistics compiled by the AmericanHeart Association, 25 percent of American adultshave high blood pressure. Of those 30 percentdo not know they have it, which is why it hasbeen sometimes called the "Silent Killer". Another36 percent of American adults have poorlycontrolled blood pressure. Pre-hypertension ispresent in about 22 percent of American adultsor about 45 million people.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension:

The majority of people with mild tomoderate high blood pressure cannot tell whentheir blood pressure is too high. In fact, aboutone third of hypertensive people are not awareof their condition. If symptoms are present,patients may experience chest pain (angina),shortness of breath or other symptoms related toheart disease or underlying damage. Hypertensionmy cause any of the following,* Fatigue* Confusion* Nausea or upset stomach* Vision changes or problems* Excessive sweating* Paleness or redness of skin* Nosebleeds* Anxiety or Nervousness* Palpitations ( strong, fast, or obliviously

irregular heartbeat )* Ringing or buzzing in ears.* Impotence* Headache* Dizziness


21


Types of Hypertension:

Generally, hypertension or high bloodpressure is classified according to its cause. Highblood pressure that has no known cause is calledprimary, or essential. Between 90 to 95 percentof causes of high blood pressure are primary .There is no known specific cause. High bloodpressure that is caused by another disease orconditions is known as secondary hypertension.In secondary hypertension the cause of the highblood pressure is known and it usually disappearsonce the underlying condition is controlled orcured. Some of the underlying conditions includesleep apnea, kidney or endocrine disease,pregnancy, cocaine use, smoking, stress, verystrenuous exercise, long term over use of alcoholetc. Reno vascular hypertension is a secondaryhypertension caused by kidney disease.

There are also a number of other termsphysicians use to describe high blood pressure,including malignant and labile or transient.Malignant, or accelerated hypertension is a suddenrise in diastolic blood pressure to over 125. Thisvery high diastolic blood pressure can beassociated with damage to the brain, heart, eyesand kidneys. Labile or transient hypertension is atemporary rise in blood pressure during stressfulsituations. One type of labile hypertension occurswhen people get nervous at their physician's office(white coat hypertension)

Some of the other types of hypertensionare isolated and resistant. Isolated SystolicHypertension(ISH) indicates that only the systolicblood pressure is elevated. ISH occurs mainly inolder people because systolic pressure increaseswith age, whereas diastolic pressure can declineafter age 55. Resistant hypertension is high bloodpressure that doesn't respond to typical treatmentsand therapies. Because of this, it is difficult tocontrol and often requires lifestyle changes and

two or three medications. People with resistanthypertension are urged to work closely with thephysician who manages their conditions and tocarefully follow all of the physician's ordersregarding diet, exercise and medications.

Causes and Risk Factors of Hypertension:

In 90 percent cases, the causes ofhypertension are unknown. Essential hypertensionis associated with the following factors:-

* Heredity* Race* Sex* Age* Obesity* Sodium Sensitivity* Alcohol consumption* Oral contraceptives* Physical inactivity or lack of regular

exercise* Certain drugs such as diet pills or

amphetamines* Family history* High cholesterol levels* Smoking* Stress does results in a temporary increase

in B.P.

In 10 percent cases, the hypertension isattributed to kidney disease, a hormonalimbalance, a narrowing of the artery, to a kidneya tumor of one of the adrenal glands, or someother anatomic or physiologic abnormality.Secondary hypertension usually disappears whenthe problem is controlled.

Description of Hypertension

If high blood pressure is left untreated itcan cause serious problems on the part of thepatients. Hypertension patients are at increasedrisk of:-


22


* Heart disease (e.g. heart failure, suddencardiac death, cardiomyopathy )

* Stroke

* Enlarged heart

* Hardened arteries ( atherosclerosis )

* Aortic aneurysm ( a weakness in the aorticwall where it balloons out to more than 1.5times its normal size and is in danger ofrupturing), often resulting in sudden cardiacdeath.

* Kidney failure (Uremia)

* Retinopathy ( eye disease that leads to lossof vision )

The risk of developing one or more of theseserious health conditions increases as bloodpressure rises . To help physicians and patientsbetter understand the dangers associated with highblood pressure, blood pressure measurementshave been ranked into categories based onincreasing severity. The following categories applyto adults ( age 18 and over ) who are not takingmedicine for high blood pressure and do not haveserious short term illness:-St ag e Systolic Pressure Diastolic pressure

Optimal Under 120 And Under 80

Pre hyper- 120-139 And 80-89tensive

1 140-159 And 90-99

2 160-179 And 100-109

3 180-209 And 110-119

4 210 or above And 120 or above

Although 120 / 80 is considered ideal,researchers at the NHLBI report that the risk ofdeveloping coronary artery disease can begin atblood pressure little higher than 115/75 mm Hg,and that risk doubles with each 20/10 mm Hgincrement.

An important exception to the informationlisted above is noted among patients with diabetesand kidney disease. These patients will requiretreatment if their blood pressure is above 130/80. Research has found success with a new drug,indapamide. For individuals with high bloodpressure and diabetes, the drug was seen to lowerblood pressure without affecting blood sugarlevels.

Diagnosis of Hypertension

The diagnosis of high blood pressure beginswith the physician taking a patent's full medicalhistory. During the medical history, the physicianwill ask whether high blood pressure runs in thefamily and what the patient's dietary habits havebeen like (e.g. salt intake). The physician will alsogive the patient a physical examination, which willinclude checking the patient's blood pressure inboth arms while standing and lying down. In somecases, the physician may ask the patient to takehis or her own blood pressure at home with thehelp of blood pressure monitors and bring in adaily log of blood pressure measurements. Thisstrategy will help establish the patient's normalblood pressure pattern and to rule out white coathypertension. It has also been shown that, in adultsof 65 years of age and older, blood pressure maydrop somewhat in the first two hours after eating.This may result in an inaccurate blood pressurereading if taken during that interval.

Typically, blood pressure is measured bywrapping an arm cuff (attached to asphygmomanometer) snugly around the patient'sarm and then using a stethoscope to listen to thebrachial artery located at the inside elbow on thesame arm. The cuff is pumped full of air untilcirculation is very briefly cut off. Then some airwill slowly be let out of the device, loosening thecuff's grip on the arm and releasing the blood toflow freely again. As the air is let out, the examiner


23


watches the numbers coming down on a simplemonitor (Sphygmomanometer) and waits until heor she first hears the heartbeat. The number atwhich that occurs is the systolic pressure. Theexaminer remembers this as the numbers continueto come down on the monitor and notes thenumber at which he or she last hears the heartbeat.The number at which that occurs is the diastolicpressure. Other blood pressure measurementdevices may also be used. Some use mercurymanometers to measure the pressure and othersemploy digital readouts.

The cut-offs from normal levels to highblood pressure, with varying degrees of severity,are as follows:-Optimal : Systolic less than 120; diastolic less than120; diastolic less than 80

Normal : Systolic less than 130, diastolic less than 85

High normal : Systolic 130-139, diastolic 85-89

High B.P. :

Stage 1 (Mild) systolic 140-159, diastolic 90-99

Stage 2 (Moderate) systolic 160-179, diastolic 100-109

Stage 3 (Severe) systolic 180-209, diastolic110-119

Stage 4(Profound) systolic 210 or above,diastolic120 or aboveTreatment of Hypertension:

Depending on the severity of high bloodpressure, the physician may recommend lifestylemodifications, or lifestyle modification inconjunction with medications. Numerous studieshave shown that lifestyle modifications cansignificantly alter blood pressure. The treatmentoptions for hypertension include non-drug therapyand drug therapy.Non-Drug Therapy* Quitting smoking- This is perhaps the mostimportant thing a smoker can do to promote hisor her own health.

* Losing weight - Loss of weight in theabdominal area can immediately reduce bloodpressure and help reduce the size of the heart.Weight loss accompanied by salt restriction mayallow mild hypertensive to reduce or eliminate theirneed for medications.* Eating of healthy diet and avoidance of saltyfoods which will help reduce the blood pressure.Getting adequate amount of vitamins and mineralslike vitamin C, E, B and minerals such aspotassium, magnesium and calcium are helpful forreducing blood pressure. Limiting salt intake to2,000 milligrams (2 grams) per day also help.Individuals should consult with their physicianbefore supplementing their diet.* Engaging in regular aerobic exercise -Exercising three to four times per week is helpfulfor regulating high blood pressure, keeping in mindthat the regularity of the exercise is more importantthen the intensity of the workout. Individuals shouldconsult with their physician before starting anexercise program.* Reduce alcohol consumption also help inthe reduction of blood pressure.* Using stress management techniques -Getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.

Emotional factors may play important rolesin the development of hypertension. Studies haveshown that cognitive-behavioral therapy,transcendental meditation, active religious faith andparticipation in religious activities are all associatedwith reducing blood pressure to healthy levels.* Having a pet may also lower bloodpressure.

Acupuncture and biofeedback have beenfound to be helpful in lowering blood pressurefor some people.

Women are also encouraged to discuss withtheir physicians the increased risk of high blood


24


pressure that results from taking birth control pills,particularly if they are over the age of 35.

Drug Therapy

In addition to the above lifestyle changes,patients are often prescribed blood pressurereducing medications. These medications include:-

* Diuretics or "water pills"- Medications thatpromote the formation of urine in the kidneys,causing the body to flush out excess fluids andminerals, especially sodium. These are often thefirst medications given to reduce high bloodpressure. Though commonly used, they may haveunwanted side effects, such as low potassiumlevels (hypokalemia). A few to name are thiazide,hydroclorathyazide, chlorathalidon, andindapamide.

* Alpha blockers and Beta blockers -Medications that inhibit alpha and beta receptorsin various parts of the nervous system. These helparteries to relax, thereby decreases the force ofthe heartbeat and reduces blood pressure. Betablockers are especially useful in patients with heartdisease.Examples of alpha blockers are terazosin,and doxazosin and that of beta blockers arepropranolol, atenolol, nadolol, pindolol, andtabetolol.

* ACE inhibitors (Angiotension ConvertingEnzyme) - These medications are vasodilatorsthat help to reduce blood pressure by inhibitingsubstances in the blood that cause blood vesselto constrict. Recent studies suggest that this classof drugs may be superior to others in preventingstroke and heart diseases. A few examples arecaptopril, enalapril,and lisinopril.

* Angiotension II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)- This new class of drugs is showing good resultsand great promise in reducing complicationsrelated to high blood pressure. Although betablockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics are

currently used most often in the treatment of highblood pressure, ARBs may be prescribed moreoften in the future.

* Calcium Channel Blockers - These arevasodilators that inhibit the flow of calcium intoheart and blood vessel tissues, which reducestension in the hearth, relaxes blood vessels andlowers blood pressure. However, most studieshave not shown that these agents reduce the riskof death from high blood pressure, and some ofthese medications may increase the risk of deathfrom high blood pressure. Some examples arenifedipine, nicardipine, verapamil, and diltiazem.

Though some of the newer medicationshave been shown to lower both blood pressureand the risk of heart disease, they had not beentested against each other until recently. This wasaddressed with the Antihypertensive and hipid-Lowering treatment to prevent Heart-Attack Trial(ALLHAT). Begun in 1994, involving more than42,000 individuals and the largest such trial todate, the important study showed that "Iraditional"diuretics were more effective in treating high bloodpressure. Participants with high blood pressurewere randomly given diuretics, calcium channelblockers, ACE inhibitors or alpha blockers.

Results coming five years later revealedthat, compared to the other classes of drugs inthe study, diuretics were not only significantly moreeffective in lowering high blood pressure, but alsoin lowering the risk of cardiovascular events. Infacts the alpha blocker category was terminatedin March 2000 due to a higher rate ofcardiovascular events and hospitalizationcompared to diuretics. Based on these findings,the ALLHAT researchers concluded that drugtherapy to lower blood pressure should beinitiated with diuretics.

The ALLHAT researchers did recognizesome limitations to the study. Commenting on the


25


significantly lower blood pressure attained withthe diuretic - controlled group (compared tocalcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors) thebenefit may have been secondary to overatebetter blood pressure control in that group andperhaps not just from the diuretic itself. Indeedother studies have shown a marked and significantbenefit from ACE inhibitors, specifically ramiprilin reducing the progression of atherosclerosis,preventing strikes and heart attack, and prolonginglife in patients with vascular disease, high bloodpressure, diabetes and heart failure.

The majority of patients with high bloodpressure will need to take medications for the restof their lives in order to control the condition. Insome cases, two or three antihypertensives maybe given. Recent studies have shown that such acombination of drugs not only lowers bloodpressure but also may reduce the risk of strokeand ischer heart disease. Other researches havesuggested that some patients with only slightlyelevated blood pressures may eventually be ableto stop taking medications and control theirconditions through lifestyle changes alone. The twomost important lifestyle changes tracked by thestudy were weight loss and maintaining a low-salt diet strategies such as exercise, diet plan andespecially changes in drugs should be discussedwith a physics before they are attempted.

Researches have also been exploring thegenetic roots of high blood pressure. Identifyinggenes that cause high blood pressure in aparticular patient could help physicians toprescribe the most effective antihypertensive drug.Hypertension is likely to be related to multiplegenes.Hypertension in Children

Formerly considered an adult disease, highblood pressure is being diagnosed in more andmore children. Recent studies have found that the

average blood pressure of Indian metro politanadolescents and teens is on the rise - a disturbingtrend considering the long term impact of highblood pressure on risk of heart disease.

The levels of blood pressure consideredto be higher different for children than for adults.Children's blood pressure readings are measuredaccording to their height, gender and age.Physicians also take into consideration thatchildren tend to express extreme of emotion,which affects blood pressure.

In recent years, obesity and beingoverweight have become a major health problemamong adolescents and children. This is thoughtto be contributing to a rise in blood pressure acrossall age groups. These children are likely to becomeadult heart disease patients. Other conditions arekidney disease and endocrine disorders.

Medication is usually not prescribed unlessthe child has significant high blood pressure ororgan damage. A child with high blood pressureshould be treated by a pediatric cardiologist or apediatrician with special knowledge andexperience in the treatment of high blood pressurein this age group. It is also called PediatricHypertension.

Conclusion

Hypertension is one of the most commonworldwide diseases afflicting humans. Despite itswide-ranging reach and potentially seriousconsequences, high blood pressure is relativelyeasy to diagnose and can be controlled, eitherwith medications or lifestyle modifications.Hypertension is the most important modifiable riskfactor for coronary heart disease, end-stage renaldisease, and peripheral vascular disease. Leftuntreated, high blood pressure will graduallycontinue to rise over the years, causing the heartto overwork itself to the point where serious


26


damage can occur. Therefore, health careprofessionals should identify and treat patients withhypertension and promote a healthy lifestyle andprevention strategies to decrease the prevalenceof hypertension in the general population.

References:Books

Carson,R.C.; James.N. Butcher, and James, C. Coleman,(1988), Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life, Scott,Foresman & Company, Boston, U.S.A.

Carson, R.C.; James N. Butcher, and Susan Mineka,(1999), Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life, Allyn& Bacon,A Pearson Education Company, NeedhamHeights, MA 02194.

Davison, Gerald C. and John.M. Neale, (1994),Abnormal Psychology, John Willey & Sons, Inc., U.S.A.

Holmes, David. (1991), Abnormal Psychology, HarperCollins Publishers, U.S.A.

Mohan, Harsh (2005), Textbook of Pathology, JaypeeBros.Medical Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Robbins, Dr. S.L.and Dr. R Cotran, (2005), Robbins andCotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, Reed Elsevier IndiaPvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

Soma Panda is a Post-Graduate student in the UGCAdvanced Study Centre in Psychology, UtkalUniversity, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar - 751007.

Lalitgiri


27


Sanskrit Scholars of Orissa

Jayanti Rath

The contribution of Orissan scholars in the domainof Sanskrit literature is inormous. They haveshown their excellence in different branches ofknowledge, i.e. Grammar, Politics, DharmaSastras, Kavyas, Poetics, Astrology, Astronomy,Tantra, Dance, Music, Architecture, Arithmetic,Geography, Trade Routes, Occult Practices, Warand War Preparation, Temple Rituals and so on.They have enriched it immensely.

Vishnu Sharma, the famous another ofPancha Tantra, is the earliest known Sanskritscholars of Orissa. He was the court poet andpriest of Ananda Sakti Varman, the ruler ofMathara dynasty. The Matharas were ruling overOrissa in 4th and 5th Century A.D. PanchaTantra is considered to be one of the mostoutstanding work of India of early period. Butprior to this Upanishadas in Altharva Veda andPaippalada Samhita were written in plenty inOrissa.

Bhatta Narayana, the author of VeniSamhara drama flourished during the rule of kingMadhavaraja of Sailodbhava dynasty. He refersto the deity of Parusottama in his work. There isa clear reference to the Rasalila of Sri Krishnawith Sri Radha on the bank of Yamuna in thiswork. Very nicely he has depicted Radha's flightfrom the Rasakunja, Krushna's pursity of Radhafollowing her foot prints and Radha enjoying thefun of it.

The famous drama 'Anargha Raghava'has been written by Murari Mishra. The dramadeals with the story of Ramayana. The earliestreference to car festival of Orissa is found in thiswork. He describes about the assemblage of alarge number of people near Tamila-StuddePurusottama Kshetra, which is situated at thesea-sore. Murari Misra approximately belongedto 8th century A.D, because he was referred toby Raja Sekhar of 9th century A.D. in his KavyaMimamsa.

Satananda, a great astronomer of Orissahas left indelible mark in the field of Sanskrit study.His work Bhasvati was once accepted as anauthority on Astronomy and severalcommentaries were written on this work byscholars of different parts of India which beartestimony to its popularity. His time is clearlymentioned in the last verse of 'Bhasvati'. It stakesthat Satananda of Purusttama (Puri), the son ofSankara and Sarasvati finished this work in theYugabda (kha= O), (kha= O), Asvi-2, Veda-4or 4200 year e.g. Yugavda 4200 which is equalto 1099 A.D. This fact is corroborated by thefirst verse of this work, which states that,Satananda, a devotes of Murari or Vishnu wroteBhasvati for the benefits of the students. Whenthe year Sasi (1), Paksha (2) Kha (0) and Eka(1) 1021 of the Saka era had already expired.Saka year 1021 can be taken as 1099 A.D.


28


Besides 'Bhasvati' he was author of two otherworks namely "Satananda Ratnamala" and'Satananda Sanigraha'. 'Satananda Sanigraha'was a work on Smrti as it is quoted only in thelater Smrti works of Orissa.

Sri Gita Govinda, a love lyric by poet SriJayadev is one of the most important work inSanskrit Literature. It has got the larger numberof imitation and commentaries written by scholarsof different parts of India. The all-pervadinginfluence or Sri Gita Govinda over-shadowedthe religion, literature, art, iconography and musicof Orissa in the pre-Chaitanya age. Written insimple Sanskrit with the immense musical appealit attracted the common mass. Towards middleof the 12th century, Jayadev, appeared as a greatluminary in the literary horizon of Orissa. It washe who more than any body else emphasized theworship of Radha along with Krishna in theVaisnava pantheon. His name is mentioned asSadhu Pradhan Jayadev in the Lingaraj Templeinscription of Raghava, the imperial Gangamonarch. In the tradition recorded in the literature,Jayadev was born in the village of Kenduvilva,present Kenduli in Puri district, Consisting of 12cantos, Sri Gita Govinda has a strong dramaticstructure. Even as pure poetry, it has few parallelfor its richness of metaphors, similies andalliterations. Apart from its musical aspect, theplain reading of the words of this magnificent workis a sensuous experience.

Govaradhana Acharya, who is well-knownfor his work "Arya Saptasati" is also a poet ofOrissa. 'Arya Saptasati was widely circulated inIndia and has got commentaries written byscholars of different provinces.

Udayana Acharya, the younger brother ofGovardhan Acharya has earned reputation bywriting first Commentary on Sri Gita Govindaof Sri Jayadev which is called 'Bhava Bibhabini'.

According to Orissan tradition Udayana was anintimate friend and admirer of Jayadev and bothhailed from same area in the Prachi valley of Puridistrict. Udayana has also written a Commentaryon Naishadha of Sriharsha. It would not be outof place to mention here that Kaviraj NarayanaDas, another prominent poet of Orissa hascomposed a commentary on Sri Gita Govindacalled Sarvanga Sundari Tika. It was written inOriya alphabets of 18th century and its languageis Sanskrit.

Bhopadeva, the famous Grammarian of13th century, flourished during the rule of Gangadynasty. He was an ardent devotee of Siva andVisnu. So in his work Mugdhabodha, he hastaken several names of Visnu and Siva in thesubject (Karta).

Vidyadhar, the famous author of 'Ekavali',claims a distinct place in the stream of Sanskritliterature.'Ekavali' is a work on Alankara, wherehe has sang the eulogy of his patron kingNarasimhadev I (1236-1264 A.D.), the superbbuilder of Sun Temple of Konark. Consisting of1314 verses,'Ekavali', vividly describes king'sdecisive victory of the muslim army of Raadhaand Varendra in a prolonged warfare. It alsodescribes the King as "Silpajaa" Vidyadhar issileant about his parents and gotras. In thecolophon at the end of each chapter, he has calledhimself 'Mahamahesvara' or a great devotee ofLord Siva 'Ekavali' of Vidyadhara served as amodel for 'Prataparudra Yasobhusanam' ofVidyanath, who like Vidyadhara wrote all theverses in praise of his patron Prataparudradev,the Kakatiya King of Warangal, who ruled up to1328 A.D. Other work like 'NandarajaYasobhusanam," "Raghunath Bhupaliyam" and"Alankara Manjusala" resemble the 'Ekavali'of Vidyadhara. The only known Commentary on'Ekavali' is "Tarala" by famous commentatorMallinath. Besides Ekavali, Vidyadhara is said


29


to have written 'Keli Rahasya' and "RatiRahasya". Krishananda, a court poet ofNarasimhadeva IV is the author of'Satrudayananda'. Consisting of 15 cantos, thiswork depicts the story of Nala. The poet hasnarrated the human characters and naturalsceneries in an elegant style.

Among the Sanskrit poets of medievalOrissa, the name of Sridhara Swami is taken withmuch reverence. He was the Mahanta ofGovardhan Math of Puri. Probably at A.D.1400,he wrote a commentary on the Bhagavata Gita -the "Bhagavata Bhavartha Dipika", which is byfar the most famous exposition of the work. Inthis work he has attempted to combine theAdvaita teaching of Sankara with theemotionalism of the Bhagavata. He was livingeither during the time of Narasimhadeva III(1327-1353 A.D.) or Narasimhadeva IV (1378-1414 A.D.)

Visvanath Kaviraj is another most eminentSanskrit poet of Orissa. He is generally placed inthe reign of Bhanudev IV (1414-1434 A.D). Hismost outstanding work "Sahitya - Darpana" is awell-Known Sanskrit work in India. He wrotethe following other works:- 1. Raghava Vilasa(Mahakavya), 2. Kuvalaya Charita Kavya,3. Prabhavati Parinaya Natika,4. Chandrakala Natika, 5. Prasasti Ratnavali,6. Kavya Prakasha Darpana, 7. NarasimhaVijaya, 8. Malati Madhukara.

He is a master of elegant style and adept indelineating various sentimental moodes. For hisbrilliant contribution to Sanskrit Literature he wasgiven the honourable t itle 'AlankarikaChakravarti', "Vividha VidyadharKamarnav".

Kavichandra Ray Dibakara Mishra, and hiswife Mukta Devi composed "Abhinav GitaGovinda". The name of his father was

Vaidesvara. The authership of this work iscredited to Gajapati Purusottoma Dev, which isnot correct. The other work written by this authoris "Bharatamata Mahakavya". From thedescription of this Mahakavya, it is known thatthe poet was honoured as a court poet ofKrisnananda Raya (1409-1530 A.D.) king of theVijaya Nagar kingdom. Dibakara Mishra comesof a family of poets. His father, uncle and brotherwere all poets with Sanskrit works to their credit.

Kavidindima Jivadevacharya (1478-1550A.D.)wrote Bhakti Bhagavata Mahakavya. Hebelonged to Vatsa gotra. In the introduction ofthe epic he has given a brief account of Orissa'smonarchs from Chodagangadeva uptoPurusottama deva. His " Bhaktivaivan" is anallegorical drama like "Prabodha Chandrodaya"of Krishna Misra . He has also written a playentitled 'Ushavati' named after the heroine whoobstructed Arjuna in the protection of thesacrificial horse of Yudhisthira and who ultimatelymarried Arjuna in the presence of Narada andSri Krisna. Jivadeva was the son of RajaguruTrilochanacharya and Ratnavali.

These two great poets adorned the courtof Gajapati Parusottamadeva and GajapatiPrataparudradeva. This was a period of floweringof Sanskrit literature in Orissa. A good numberof Sanskrit works of high standard emergedduring this period.

Jayadev Acharya, the son of JivadevAcharya composed two plays viz, Piyusa Lahariand Vaisnavamata. His style of depiction ismelodies.

Two great works on Dharma Sastrasnamely 'Sarasvati Vilasa ' and "Pratipaalantam" were compiled by Lala LakshmidharBhatta and Rama Krisna Bhatta respectivelyduring the reign of Prataparudra dev.


30


Raya Ramananda, a high dignitary ofGajapati Prataparudra dev, has written aninteresting drama 'Jagannath Vallabha" in fiveacts. This play as well as another play written bythe poet entitled 'Govinda Vallabha' deals withthe Lila of Sri Krishna.

Madhavi Dasi, The niece of RayaRamananda was a poetess of Vaisnavita faith ofSri Chaitanya School. She is the author of aSanskrit drama called Purusottama Deva.

Tuka, the daughter of EmperorPrataparudradeva, who married KrisnadevaRaya has left to us several Sanskrit verses whichhave been quoted in "Rasa Kalpadruma" ofJagannath Misra.

Gangadhar Mishra, a poet of earlyseventeenth century has authored ' KosalanandaMahakavya", consisting of 1200 verses and 21candas; This kavya gives a brief history of theChauhan rulers of Balangir, Sonepur andSambalpur. He is a descendant of Sambhukara,a famous poet of Puri.

"Prabodha Chandrika", a work onSanskrit Grammar by Vaijala Deva, a ruler of theChauhan dynasty of Patna is very popular inOrissa. From the verses of "PrabodhaChandrika" it is known that Vaijala Deva wasthe son of Vikramanka or Vikramaditya, theconsort of Chandravati and the father of Hiradhar,for whom this Grammatical work was composed.Taking the literary evidences "Jaya Chandrika"and 'Kosalananda Mahakavya', into account,Vaijala Deva may tentatively be placed in the firstquarter of 18th Century A.D. Being an ardentdevotee of Lord Ramachandra, Vaijala deva hasgiven most of the examples in the name ofRamachandra. So this work is otherwise calledas Rama Vyakarana.

Kavichandra Visvanath Samantaraya wasa great scholar, a reputed teacher and a gifted

poet of Orissa. He was highly respected in thelearned society and received honour in royalcourts. From the literary evidences it is knownthat Visvanath Samantaray pleased RajaManasingh who came to Orissa with otherchieftains of the Mughal Court by his poeticattainments of high order. While returning fromOrissa Raja Mansingh took the poet with him andintroduced him to Badshah or Akbar, the greatMughal emperor. His name finds mentions in theAin-I-Akbari written by Abul Fazl.

Krishna Dasa Badajena Mohapatra, hasbeen accepted as an authority by the latter writersof Orissa on the science of music. His work 'GitaPrakasha' is a treatise on music. He was the courtpoet of Gajapati Mukunda deva (1559-1568A.D.). He was probably sent as an envoy ofGajapati to the Court of Akbar, when an alliancewas made between the two. Abul Fazal giveshighly commendable remarks on his scholasticmerit. He writes "Mahapatra was un-rivalled inthe field of India poetry and music. Theimportance of 'Gita Prakasha' lies in the factthat here the author while explaining variousRagashas given examples, stanzas from different poemsin Sanskrit, Oriya and Hindi (Vrajaboli) mostlycomposed by himself. This suggests that KrishnaDas Mohapatra had mastery over the saidlanguages. Scholars engaged in research on thedevelopment of music in Oriya art and Vrajaboliliterature will find ample materials in this work.Markandeya Mishra, otherwise known asMarkandeya Kavindra or MarkandeyaKavichakravarti was a contemporary of GajapatiMukundadev. He was the author of "DasagrivaVadha" Mahakavya and "Prakrta Sarvasvam".In "Prakrta Sarvasvam" the poet eulogizes hispatron Gajapati Mukundadev in glowing terms.In the introductory part of "Prakrta Sarvasvan"he frankly admits to have composed the workafter consulting the work of Sakalya, Bharata,


31


Kohala, Vararuchi, Bhamana, Vasantaraj andothers. From the last section of this work it isknown that he finished the work in the villageVirapratapapur of Puri district where he used tolive. From the colophon of the "Dasagriva badhaMahakavya", it is known that he was the son of'Mangala Deva of Kasyapa lineage and was thegreatest poet of the age for which he bears thetitle Kaviraj Chakra-Chakravarti. The wholestory of Ramayana has been depicted in theDasagriva badha Mahakavya' in twentysargas. The style of composition of this workseems to be simple, lucid and expressive. He isalso the author of a Sataka named "Vilasavati".

Haladhara Mishra was a clebrated Sanskritpoet of Orissa who flourished during the periodof Gajapati Narasimhadev of Khurdha (1623-1647 A.d.) Vasantotschhava Mahakavya andSangita Kalpalata these two works arecomposed by him."Vasantotschhava Mahakavya"is divided into 22 Kantos. It describes the carfestival of Lord Jagannath during the springseason, which was introduced by the GajapatiNarasimha dev along with the car festival, whichis traditionally being observed in 2nd day of brightfortnight of the lunar month of Asadha. In thebeginning of the work the poet has given a briefaccount of the family of his patron beginning fromthe reign of Gajapati Ramachandradev, thefounder of the dynasty and ending withNarasimhadev, his patron. Sanskrit grammarcalled "Haladhara Karika" is most probablywritten by this author. He was born in therenowned family of Sambhukara Misra.Haladhara wrote "Sangita Kalpalata" in spiritof competition, with Krsna Das, who was veryfamous by his time. There are seventeenStabakasin total in this work. In his other work "HariharaPrakasha" we find the name of some new authoras Vana Nagar Harichandan, Anangabhima,Madhupur Narendra, Ananga Bhramarbar,

Gajapati Mukunda, Gajapati Ramachandradev,Gajapati Prataparudra or Rudra Dey, MenakaDei, Kanala Patamahadei all of whom belongedto Orissa.

The name of Hari Nayak. the author of"Hari Nayak Ratnamala" and "Vishan PrakashPrabandha" are not to be over looked anywaywhile discussing the Sanskrit scholars of Orissa.That he is respectfully referred to seventeen timesin 'Sangita Narayana' of Gajapati Narayana dev,tustifies the fact that he was a authority in the fieldof music. He most probably belonged to Orissa,

"Sangita Narayana", a brilliant treatise onIndian music was composed by Gajapati NarayanDev, an enlightened and powerful ruler of theParala Khemundi Raj family. It had largecirculation not only in Orissa, but also in theadjoining states of Andhra and Bengal. Theauthorship of "Alankara Chandrika" also goesto his credit. Taking the contemporary literaryevidences into account, the author may beassigned to 17th century A.D. He has quoted theworks of a number of eminent authors in his"Sangita Narayana". Bharata, the father ofIndian Music and Drama is one among them. Hewas the son of king Padmanav Dev.

The Guru or Preceptor of GajapatiNarayana Dev was Kaviratna PurusottamaMisra. He was the son of Ananda Misra ofSandilya Gotra. He wrote a number of books ofhigh standard which deserve attention of scholars.'Yanaka Bhagavata Mahakavya' , 'NiladriSatakam ' "Subanta Pradipika", Tika of'Anargha Raghava Natakam ',"Ramachandrodaya Prabandha"',TalaSanigraha' are some of his notable works. Helived from 1606 to 1680 A.D. KaviratnaPurusottama was blessed with a worthy son andsuccessor. He was Kaviratna Narayana Misra.Narayana was a versatile genius. He was having


32


profound knowledge in Kavya, NatakaVyakarana, Alankara, Sangita. HisManoharini Tika on Harisadutan which was thefirst commentary on this popular work had widecirculation in Orissa and Bengal. It is believed thatthe real author of 'Sangita Narayana' wasKaviratna Narayana, through the authorship isattributed to Gajapati Narayana Dev.

'Gangavamsanucharitam',written byBasudev Rath Somajati , is an important work inSanskrit both from literary and historical point ofview. It depicts the history of Ganga kings ofKalinga. This work was composed sometimesbetween 1761-1770 A.D..

Since the beginning of seventeenth centurydescription of the Lila of Radha Krisna becamethe predominant feature of the Sanskrit literatureof Orissa. Agnichit Pandit Nityananda,Raghuttama Tirtha and Harekrusna KavirajBrahma who flourished in Orissa in 17th centurywrote Kavyas entitled 'SriKrisna Lilamrta',Mukunda Vilasa, and Radha Vilasa,respectively, the main theme of which was the lilaof Radha Krusna.

Poet Nityananda has also written about thelila of lord Siva and Pravati. He belongs toKaundinya gotra. He wrote this work under thepatronage of Gadadhar Mandhata, the ruler ofNavadurga or Nayagarh state. GadadharMandhata was a devout worshipper ofLadukesvar Siva. "Srikrsna Lilamrta" ofNityananda is an imitation of 'Sri Gita Govinda'of Jayadev. It has been in eight sargas. From someverses and colophon of this work it is assumedthat the poet composed this work under thepatronage of Vanamate Jagadev, a ruler ofKhandapalli (Khandapara) Kingdom.

The ruling period of both these patron ofthe poet, Gadadhar Mandhata and Vanamali

Jayadev are assigned to first quarter of 18thcentuary A.D.

We get lot of information about VanamaliJayadev from two other Sanskrit works of Orissanamely "Haribhakti Sudhakara Rupakam" byDinabandhu Misra and "Rasagosthi Rupakam"by Anadi Kavi. Anadi Kavi was a court poet ofVanamali Jayadev. He was a dramatist of highorder. That he wrote the Manimala Natika duringthe 51 Anka of Gajapati Vira Kesari Deva, theruler of Bhoi dynasty of Khurdha is known fromthe post-colophon of the said work. It has beencopied by one Sadasiva, a disciple of the poet.Kavi Anadi was also inspired by NarayanaMangaraj, the minister of Padmanav Dev, rulerof Khemundi. The last year of his reign fell in 1713A.D. So it can be said with certainty that KaviAnadi belongs to the first quarter of the 18thcentury. From the description of Manimala Natikait is known that poet Anadi was born in theBharadvaja gotra. His father Satamjiva was theauthor of a Giti-Kavya named 'MuditaMadhava'.

Kavichandra Raya Dibakara Mishra, thefamous poet of the period of GajapatiPrataparudradev was the ancestor of poet Anadi.

"Mukunda Vilasa Mahakavya" anotherimitation of "Sri Gita Govinda" was written byJatindra Raghuttama Tirtha. He was mostprobably the head of the famous Govardhan Mathof Puri, where the presiding deity is Sri Gopal.The work was completed in Grah (9), Vasa (8),Sara (5) and Chandra (1) in 1589 Saka Yearwhen Vasa (8), Rasa (6), Rishi (7) and Veda (4)or 4768 Kaliyuga year was current. Thecorresponding year of both is 1667 A.D. Thework is divided into twelve Sargas, each havinga separate raga. The poet has tried to make thelanguage of the Kavya simple, flowing andmelodious.


33


Kavibhusana Govinda Samantaray, adescendant of the great poet VisvanathSamantaray, flourished in the state of Banki underKhurdha kingdom in the middle of 18th centuryat the time when Vira Kisora Dev was the rulerof Khurdha. Like most of the contemporaryOrissan poets, he was a staunch follower of theGaudiya school of vaisnavism. He wroteSamruddha Madhava Nataka in the model ofSri Gita Govinda and in imitation of Sanskritdrama Vidagdha Madhava, written by RupaGosvami in the middle of 18th century. A greatscholar and poet as he was he might have writtena number of books. But till date two other majorworks of the poet namely "Suri Sarvasvam" and"Vira Sarvasvam" have come to the notice ofthe scholars.

Kavichandra Kamal Lochan Khadgaray,grandson of Kabibhusana Govinda Samantaraywas also a poet of great merit. He composed"Sangita Chintamani" and "Gita Mukunda" inimitation of 'Sri Gita Govinda'. Palm-leafmanuscripts of two other works of KamalaLochana Khadgaray namely "Vraja Yuva Vilasa"and "Bhagavatllila Chintamani" in Oriyacharacter (Sanskrit language) have been found insome villages in the district of Puri. Vraja YuvaVilasa contains seventeen Sargas. It describesthe lila of Sri Radha, Sri Krishna and the Gopisin a charming style. There is clear evidence tobelieve that he was the court poet of Raja ofKhurdha. He was fortunate enough to get thepatronage of Bhonsle of Nagpur. Sometimebefore 1803' the manuscript of "BhagavatlilaChintamani" was first noticed in the town of Puriby Late Mahamahopadhyaya Sadasiva Misra, afamous Sanskrit poet of Orissa. This workcontaining 1500 Sanskrit slokas written in Oriyacharacter is the Commentary of SrimadBhagabat Gita. Kamala Lochana might have

flourished in the last decade of eighteenth century.He was an Oriya Brahmana of Bharadvaja gotra.

Among the Sanskrit scholars of Orissa thename of Baladev Vidyabhusana is reckoned withgreat regards. He was born in the 18th centuryA.D. in a village near Remuna of Balasore district.He wrote in Saka 1658 (1764 A.D) a tika onRupa Gosvami's 'Stavamala'. Baladev studiedgrammar, poeties etc. from a famous Pandit onthe other side of Chilika lake. Then he studiedNyaya and Veda and went to Mysore to studyVedanta, where he was initiated by theTatvavadins and argued with many pandits.Then he came to stay at the Tattvavadin Math ofPuri. After some time he was initiated by RadhaDamodar, a sisya of Rasikananda Deva Gesvamiand studied Sat Sandarbha. Afterwords Baladevbecame a Sanyasin and was known as EkantiGovinda Das. The authorship of'Govindabhasya' is assigned to him.

Raghunath Das, son of Basudev andgrandson of Srinivas was a reputed Sanskritscholar of Orissa of early eighteenth century. Hiscontribution to different streams of knowledge isimmense, though his works have been brought tolight lately as a result of intensive research. "KalaNirnaya", 'Sradha Nirnaya' these two works on'Dharma Sastra were composed by him. 'NyayaRatnavali' written by him is a work on philosophy.He wrote a tika on 'Amarakosa' for the benefitof his two grandsons Narayana and Sadasiva'Vardhamana Prakasha' and Karaka Nirnaya'are the two works on grammar written by theauthor. The former is a tika on grammar entitled"Vardhamana Vyakarana" by VardhananaMisra. He has completed a menuscript on evilomens called Utpata Tarangini. His manuscript"Sahitya Bhusana" is an imitation of 'SahityaDarpana' of Visvanath Kaviraj. His contributionto tantric literature is no less. He has composed


34


'Banadurga Puja' "Katantravistarakshepa" ontantra. A work on metre named "Bhuttavali" isalso attributed to him. A work on Ayuveda named'Vaidya Kalpalata" written by him has also beenfound. Some more manuscripts authored by himare Nigudhatha Prakasanam, SoniyamDasakar. Bilapa Kusumanjali. SanskritManjari were also the works of the author.Besides, he has written a good number of tikasi,e Nilodaya tika, Raghuvamsa tika,Sisupalabadha tika, Bhaktikavya tika. Theanalysis of all these manuscripts clearly indicatesthat he was highly proficient in Kavya, Kosa,Alankara, Vyakarana, Chhanda, Tantra,Darsana and Ayurveda. All these works giveample testimony to his vast range of study ofSanskrit. He may aptly be called the Mallinath ofOrissa. He wrote most of his works in the firstpart of the 18th century. Like the famous'Meghadutam; of Mahakavi Kali Das, a duta-kavya was also written in Orissa. that is Abda-dutam. The author of this work is KrsnaSrichandan. The work consists of 36 folios andcontains 149 verses. In this, Ramachandra, theprince of Ayodhya, while living in banishmentconveyed his sorrowful yearning through the cloudto his beloved wife Sita, who had been carriedaway by Demon king Ravana trecherously andconfined her in the Asoka bana of Lanka. Dueto the separation from Sita Ramachandra wasoverwhelmed with sorrow and lost the power ofjudgment. One day, during rainy season whileobserving eagerly the clouds floating over theMalyavanta hill, he requested them to convey hismessage to Sita. The poet adopted Mandakrantametre and the same style as found in the'Meghadutam' of Kalidasa. The 'Abdadutam'has got a very nice commentary in Sanskrit named"Manorama" written by one Bhimadharma Devwho was perhaps the patron of the poet. KrsnaSrichandan was the worthy son of Narayana

Mangaraj who was the son of RamachandraMangaraj, the minister of Khemundi Raj family.Krsna Srichandan might have composedAbdadutam in the first quarter of 18th centuryor earlier.

In the history of Sanskrit litrature we cameacross the name of Yogi Praharaj Mohapatra, whowas well-versed in medicine, music, art andastrology from his work "Vidya Hrdayananda",it is known that king Vikrama Dev's capital wasNandapur, in the Koraput district of Orissa. Hisother work on Smrti called "SamkhiptaSmrtidarpana" has long been noticed. Accordingto Dr.Mahamahopadhyaya H.P Sastri, YogiPraharaj Mohapatra flourished in the middle ofthe 18th century. He was scion of an influentialBrahmin family, who for many generations werethe spiritual guides of Rajas of Orissa.

Purusottama Dev, the author of theLaxicons called 1. Trikanda Sesha, 2. Haravali,3. Ekakshara Kosa, 4. Dvirupa Kosa earnedirrefutable fame as a lexicographer. From severalwords that he used in his works, it is assumedthat he belonged to the southern part of Orissasituated near the sea-shore, which was adjoiningthe Vaitarani area in the Rshikulya valley, not farfrom Mahendra mountain.

Tantricism held its sway over the people ofOrissa atleast from the beginning of the 7th centuryA.D which marks the decline of traditionalBuddhism. Many Sakta temples were raised, thepresiding deities of which were Brahmanical intheir forms. So also many Puranas, Tantras andreligious codes dealing with Tantric philosophywere composed or compiled during this period.Among the manuscripts written in Orissa onTantra, Sarada Saidarchhana Paddhati byGodavara Misra, Durgotschava Chandrika byVardhamana Mahapatra, BhuvanesvariPrakash by Basudev Rath, Vidya Padhati by


35


Krisna Mishra, Banadurga Puja by Raghunathwhich deserve attention.

Durgayajna Dipika, written in Sanskritlanguage and Oriya character by JagannathAcharya is a famous work on tantra. The authorhas quoted a large number of tantric and non-tantric texts in this work. From the colophon ofthe work we know that the work was copied bySri Manguni Mohapatra during the 8th Anka ofGajapati Divya Singh Dev (1695 A.D). On thebasic of this script the manuscript may be assignedto the 17th century A.D.

Tarinikula Sudha is another Sanskritmanuscript written by an Oriya author namedRamachandra Udgata. It is a small manuscript of88 folios, written in Oriya character and Sanskritlanguage. It is copied by the scribe Kesava Rathwho probably flourished in 18th century A.D. Inthe Mangalacharana slokas Ramachandra hasoffered worship to Lord Lingaraj of Ekamra. Theauthor has quoted Rudra Yamala Kalika stuti,Kula Chudamani, Kumari Tantra, KalikaPurana, Tantra Chudamani, Uttara Tantra,Daksina Murti Samhita and so many othertantric texts in this work. The exact tithi and barain which the copy of this manuscript wascompleted by the scribe is 18th October, 1779,Monday, Mahanavami in the lunar month ofAsvina during the 53 regnal year of Vira KishoraDev (1779 A.D) on the basis of manuscript thedate of the scribe of the manuscript the date ofthe author may tentatively fixed in the 18th centaryA.D.

All these manuscripts of Oriya tantricauthors clearly testifies to the popularity of tantriccult in Orissa.

A host of Smrti writers emerged in Orissasince the beginning of imperial Ganga rule in the12th century A.D. They have made distinct and

substantial contribution towards the developmentof Dharmasastra literature of India as a whole.The most notable among the smrti writers ofOrissa was Sambhukara Vajapeyi who was heldin high esteem by many contemporary andsubsequent smrti writers of India.

Sambhukara Vajapayi was a contemporaryof Narasimha Dev II, the Ganga ruler who ruledover Orissa from 1279-1303 A.D. He declinedto receive any material gift of the king Orissa isproud of this illustrious son who has left immortalworks on Dharmasastra like SraddhaPaddhati, Vivaha Paddhati, SambhukaraPaddhati, Srotadgyana Paddhati, AgnihotraPaddhati , Dasapuranam Sesthi, DurvalaKarma Paddhati, Smarta Ratnavali. In apeculiar situation he made pensive meditation andattained voluntary-death at the age of seventy. Theyear was 1330 A.D.

Vidyakara Vajapeyi, the son ofSambhukara Vajapeyi, enhanced the glory of hisfather by his remarkable works i.e NityacharaPaddhati was subsequently called as VidyakaraPaddhati and reached the peak in the field ofDharma Sastra literature for about threecenturies. It was quoted in the famous "Madana-Parijata" of Visvesvara Bhatta (1360 A.D).

Mahamahopadhyaya AgnichitNarasimha Vajapeyi, a brilliant scholar and authorof "Nityachara Pradipa", earned great name andfame for his scholarship and learning through thegrace of the Goddess Siddhesvari, whom he usedto devoutly worship. He acquired mastery oversix sastras or Darsana. By Vanquishing famouslogicians of Gauda by his argument in the royalcourt, he could please the Gajapati king MukundaDev, who showed him great favour. To eliminatethe poverty of his kith and kins he accepted giftof land from the king and to their great joy, he gotthem settled down in a Brahmana Sashan. He


36


compiled a work 'Samaya Pradipa' to show therightful path of Dharma to the common people.Proficient in Vedanta, an eminent Smrti writerand great poet he wrote eighteen works, oneighteen branches of knowledge. He obtainedSiddhi by practice of Yoga. He could pleaseDilisvara (Emperor of Delhi) by his mastery overlearning and eloquence. Varsha PradipaChayana, Bhakti Pradipa, Pratistha Pradipaand Bhasya Pradipa are some of his publishedworks. Narasimha Vajapeyi flourished in the 16thcentury.

The study of Sanskrit scholars of Orissawill remain incomplete without mentioning thename of Mahamahopadhya Samanta ChandraSekhar, the great astronomer and the author of'Siddhanta Darpana'. A great devotee of LordJagannath he has written several beautiful versesdepicting the grace of the deity of KhandaparaRaja family. This great astronmer lived from 1835to 1940. Besides Siddhanta Darpana he hadsome other notable work to his credit i.e."Darpana Sara", 'Darsa Dipika etc.

In Darpana Sara he has mentioned certainrules to study the movements of planets, tomeasure the mountain and process of making awatch dealing with the occurrence of Amavasyaand Samkranti, two important tithis.

A good number of Sanskrit manuscriptshave been discovered relating to the rites andrituals and site of Lord Jagannath temple. Mentionmay be made of Jagannath Sthala Vrittanta.

"Silpa Prakas", an Orissa text on templearchitecture written by Ramachandra Kaulacharaclaims special attention. This work has beentranslated into english by Alice Boner and SadasivRatha Sarma. In this text he has described theessence (tattva) of Kamabandha according tothe doctrine of Silpa Vidya "Desire is the root of

the universe. From desire all beings are born.Primordial matter (mula Bhuta) and all beingsare reabsorbed again through desire. A placewithout love images (Kamakala) is a place to beshunned (tyaktamandala). In the opinion ofKaulachara, it is always a base, foresake placeresembling a dark abyss which is shuned like theden of death. We also come across a Sanskrittext by Divakara Dasa which gives an interestingaccount of five rasas.

There are two epics entitled 'RukminiParinaya' ascribed to the ruling chief Visvanathdev Verma of Athgarh (Cuttack district) andLaksmana Parinaya written by BhubaneswarRatha Sarma (1905), both depicting episodesfrom Srimad Bhagavatam.

Madhusudana Tarkavachaspati theCommentator of Dhvanyaloka and SahityaRatnakar describes in the beautiful Sanskritslokas, the genealogy of ruling chiefs of Bamra,who traccs their origin to Chodagangadev.

Biswanath Mohapatra, is the author ofKanchi Vijaya Mahakavya. It describes themarriage of King Purusottama deva of Orissa(1407-1497) with the princess of Kanchi.

Pandit Chandrasekhar Misra ofKhandapara has given the genealogy of the kingsof England in his Kavya British Vansanucharitam.

In recent times Pandit Prabodh KumarMisra, Pandit Sudarsan Acharya, Pandit ChandraSekhar Sarangi, Dr Prafulla Kumar Misra, DrHarekrusna Satpathy, Pandit Gopal Krushna Dasand a good number of poets are engaged in writingbeautiful verses in Sanskrit. The interest for studyof Sanskrit language and literature is graduallyincreasing. This would certainly connect us withour glorious past and widen our horizon ofknowledge and consciousness.


37


Books1. Dr H.K Mahtab - Chief Editor, Special Volume,

dedicated to K.N. Mohapatra, The OrissaHistorical Research Journal, Bhubaneswar, 1982.

2. Winternitz - History of Sanskrit Literature Vol I &Vol II.

3. Macdonell - History of Sanskrit Literature.

4. Dr S.N. Dasgupta & Dr S.K. De - History ofSanskrit Literature Vol - I.

5. Keith - History of Sanskrit Literature.

Articles1. Dr K.B. Tripathy - Contribution of Utkal to Sanskrit

Literature ( A general study published in Side lightson History and culture of Orissa. Ed by Dr M.NDas Vidyapari, Cuttack 1977.

2. Banamali Rath - A study on the unknown andlittle known works of Visvanath Kaviraj, O.H.R.J.Vol-III, No3/4, Oct- 1959, Jan - 1960.

3. Pandit Nilamani Mishra - Poet Krushna Srichandan,O.H.R.J. Vol X No- 3, P 51.56.

4. K.C. Acharya - Forgotten works Known toMarkandiya Kavindra O.H.R.J. Vol. XII. No.1, 1964,p.44.50.

5. Dr. M.P. Dash - Two Unknown Tantric Authors ofOrissa, O.H.R.J. Vol.XII. No, P. 51-56.

6. P. Acharya - A short note on Sridhar Svami andBaladev Vidyabhusana, O.H.R.J. Vol.XIII, No.1,April 1965.

Jayanti Rath is the Curator-in-charge, Numismatics,Orissa State Musum, Bhubaneswar.


38


Men and women are like two wings of a nation.As the bird cannot fly with one wing while theother being paralysed so also the nation cannotprogress without effective participation of thewomen for the greater cause for the advancementof the nation. When we recall our history ofnationalism we cannot turn aside the leading roleplayed by the women pioneers in the freedomstruggle of Orissa. While remembering the womenwho break the new ground and left their footprintsin the memoirs of the State we can never forgetthe name of Rama Devi, who is not only sourceof inspiration but an idol of womanhood for everywoman of Orissa. When one cast his glance intothe history of Independence Movement of Indiait became more prominent that along with menthere were thousands of women who took arevolutionary role in the freedom struggle of thecountry and Rama Devi was one among them.The clarion call of Mahatma Gandhi awakenedthousands of women leaders in Orissa as well asin India who jumped into the Indian IndependenceMovementu with tremendous courage and vigoursacrificing all their comforts and luxury. Theirworks and self-sacrifices provide a rich insightinto our glorious past when they lived upon.

When Sarojini Naidu, Anne Besant,Sucheta Kripa1ini, Aruna Asaf Ali, PanditaRamabai, Bijayalaxmi Pandit who solemnlycontributed their lives for the independence of the

country at the national level at the same time inOrissa women leaders like Rama Devi, MalatiChoudhury, Shyamali Mohapatra, Sarala Devi,Sarojini Devi and Kuntala Kumari Sawat etc hadtaken leading part in the freedom struggle. Theattempt and vision of the women freedom fightersfor gathering momentum to the struggle ofindependence is really remarkable.

Among the women freedom fighters inOrissa Rama Devi occupied a unique andunparallel position who played an outstanding rolein the freedom movement of the state. Thoughshe belonged to a very rich jamindar family shequit all her luxury and comfort for the cause ofindependence. She took active part in SaltSatyagraha, Khadi Movement, Bhoodan andGramdaan Movement of Vinobaji and wasimprisoned several times by the BritishGovernment. Still she did not lost her courageand tenacity towards accomplishment of her tasksand duty for the nation. She marched in bare feetfrom village to village in different corners of Orissaand hold meetings to spread the ideals of MahatmaGandhi, which motivated thousands of women inOrissa to come forward to take part in thefreedom struggle of the State. Women in hugegatherings in villages listened her inspiringspeeches and joined her in enormous number tostrengthen the spirit of nationalism. Thousands of

Freedom Struggle and Rama Devi

Dr. Chinmayee Satpathy


39


women followed her who not only offered theirornaments, cloths and money in huge amount butalso joined the struggle for independence and itbecame a mass movement against the autocraticrule of British Government in India.

Ramadevi had taken birth on 3rdDecember 1899 in the lap of Basanta KumariDevi and Gopal Ballav Das in Cuttack district.From her childhood Ramadevi was moreinfluenced by Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das,Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhabe and JayprakashNarayanan and after all by her parents. On 11thNovember 1914 she got married to GopabandhuChoudhury the son of Sri GokulanandaChoudhury who happened to be one of the closefamily friends of her father at that time. Unlike herfather-in-law, the mother-in-law was a staunchconservative woman of that time but stilleverybody loved her due to her good manner andpolite behaviour. But she couldn't confine herselfwithin the four walls of her in-laws house for along time. The problems and miseries of thecommon men had driven her into the commonplatform where she was determined to give selflessservice for them for the whole life.

The political career of Ramadevi startedin the year 1921 when she joined the movementof National Congress along with her husband wholeft his service in the same year. They took part indifferent meetings of National Congress indifferent parts of the State. At that time the NonCo-operation Movement was started in thecountry and subsequently the entire familyincluding her brother-in-law NabakrushnaChoudhury and his wife Malati Coudhury alsotook part in the National Movement. After joiningNational Congress she used to wear only khadileaving apart the luxury sarees, cloths andornaments. In her first meet with Mahatma Gandhiat Cuttack in the year 1921 in Orissa she offered

a hand woven cotton bundle to Mahatma whenhe could visualize the extraordinary potency andspirit of the woman for nationalism and patriotism.

She took active part in Salt Satyagrahain different corners of Orissa in the year 1930.Due to stringent prohibition of British Governmentin Cuttack to continue the movement she went toInchudi and Srijang in Balasore District alongwithKiranbala Sen and Malati Devi where thousandsof women joined with them in the movement ofSalt Satyagraha, which is popularly known asInchudi Satyagraha. In the same year in the monthof November police arrested Ramadevi andPranakrushna Padhiari at Swaraj Ashram whenSarala Devi was in Vellore Jail and Malati Deviwas in Bhagalpur Jail. Afterwards they werereleased from Jail after Gandhi Irwin Pact wassigned. Some days latter she met Simanta Gandhiin the Karachi Session of Indian NationalCongress and there she requested Dr RajendraPrasad to hold a meeting of Indian NationalCongress in Orissa.

Again she was arrested in the year 1932and kept in the Hazaribagh jail After being releasedfrom jail she engaged herself in the services ofHarijan through the institution called AsprushyataNibarana Samiti by the instruction of Gandhi foreradication of untouchability. There after theinstitution was renamed as Harijan SewaSangha. Ramadevi convinced people not to treatHarijans as untouchables and not to consumeliquor. In the year 1934 Gandhiji had started hismovement from Puri where Ramadevi was activelyassociated with Gandhiji in his works. In the year1938 a meeting was held in the presence ofGandhiji, Kasturba, Maulana Azad, RajendraPrasad and Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel in Orissaand Rama Devi was actively associated with it.She moved from village to village to collect moneyfor the meeting and made it a success. After the


40


death of Kasturba Gandhi, Gandhji assigned herwith the work of the representative of KasturbaTrust's of Orissa Chapter. In the AugustRevolution of 1942 the entire family of Rama Deviincluding her husband Gopabandhu Choudhurywere arrested.

She started an Ashram at Bari, whichGandhiji had named as Sewaghar. There thevolunteers of the Ashram were engaged in variouskinds of works like Khadi work, awakening ofwomen in different issues, Basic Education,Spreading the National Language, renderingservices to Harijans, cleaning the toilets, SelfServices, Adult Education, Drug De-addictionand increasing self employment of common menthrough Dairy Development, Bee keeping, leatherworks and delivering health services to thepatients. The workers of the Sewaghar met itfrom their own earnings through weaving cotton.Rama Devi used to supervise all these works ofthe Ashram herself. She was a unique andextraordinary personality, motherly, affectionateand stoic in character who did not react either inpain or in pleasure. She loved to give her serviceto the poor and downtrodden and completelydedicated herself for the service of others.

Rama Devi After Independence

On 21st August 1947 Utkal KhadiMandal was established and Rama Devi becomean active member of it. She laboured hard for thedevelopment of the institution. There after shestarted a Teacher's Training Centre andestablished a Balwadi at Ramchandrapur andintroduced a Sishu Vihar Yojana for the welfareof the children. In 1950 she established a TribalWelfare Centre at the Dumburugeda for thewelfare of the Scheduled Tribes. Rama Deviherself was supervising these works with muchstress and strain. In 1951 Rama Devi and MalatiDevi went to Koraput to give service to the famine

affected victims at Koraput and gave reliefs tothem. She had also started Gramdan movementin these areas. She could not stand still after seeingthe painful situations of the people and immediatelyrushed to the affected areas and renderednecessary services to the affected victims withoutany hesitation. During famine and flood shestretched her helping hand for the services of theaffected and abandoned victims in different partsof Orissa. The natural calamities where shedelivered her services were flood in Balasore,cyclone in Kendrapada, famines in Cuttack,Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapada andPhulbani. During these difficult circumstances shetook the help of Jayprakash Narayan andrendered services through Utkal ReliefCommittee. She also took active part in peacekeeping through Hindu Muslim unity and alsosupported Student Movements.

Being influenced by the ideals ofSarvodaya Movements of Vinobaji, Rama Devialong with her husband Gopabandhu Choudhurystarted their foot march in the year 1952 indifferent corners of Orissa like Ganjam, Gunpur,Bisam Cuttack, Bhawanipatna, Sambalpur,Balangir, Brahmagiri etc. and covered 2000 milesand spread the ideals of Bhoodan Movements inthe entire Orissa. The main aim of the march wasto collect surplus land and in this process theycollected 1000 acres of land from people andre- distributed land to the people who werelandless. Subsequently they were associated withVinobaji in the year 1955 when he came to Orissa.She presided over the meeting of All IndiaSarvodaya Convention held at Pandarpur. In theyear 1962 in Indo China War this brave womenhad moved courageously to give selfless serviceto the Indian soldiers affected in the War. Duringemergency in the year 1975 alongwith HareKrushna Mahatab Nilamani Routray, Rama Devicame forward to protest the situation. During that


41


time when freedom of press was curtailed RamaDevi introduced a newspaper in her own signatureto spread the message to all quarters of people inOrissa. The newspaper was published from GramSewak Press, which was subsequently closed bythe Government and was declared unlawful. RamaDevi persuaded common mass to fight againstinjustice.

Among her spectacular achievements arethe establishment of the Cancer DetectionCentre, Sishu Vihar at Cuttack. She was awardedwith many awards and honors for her selflessserviceto the mankind. She also received manyawards for her benevolent and philanthropicdispositions. She was awarded honorary

doctorate degree from Utkal University andfelicitations from Jamunalal Bajaj Foundation. On22nd July 1985 the great soul took her last breathbut the ideals she imprinted in the heart of millionsof common people will remain alive for all thetime to come.

Dr. Chinmayee Satpathy, Social Activitist, BJB Nagar,Bhubaneswar.

Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar


42


The constitution of Orissa Order-1936 got theapproval of the British king on 3rd March, 1936.It was announced that the new province wouldcome into being on 1 April, 1936 with Sri JohnAustin Hubback I.C.S. as the Governor. On theappointed day in a solemn ceremony held at theRevenshaw College Hall, Cuttack, Sir John AustinHubback was administered the oath of office bySir Courtney Terrel, the Chief Justice of Biharand Orissa High Court. The Governor read outthe message of good will received from the BritishEmperor George VI and Lord Linlithgow, theViceroy of India for the people of Orissa. Thus,the long cherished dream of the Oriya-speakingpeople for years became a reality.

Despite staunch opposit ion toGovernment of India Act, 1935 election to theprovincial legislatures were held from 18 to 23January, 1937. One of the objectives of theCongress was to fight against the Government ofIndia Act, 1935 and to replace it by a constitutionmade by the people of India themselves. Thisencouraged the people of the new province toagitate for Civil Liberties and responsibleGovernment.

In the year 1938 the Congress haddeclared at the Haripur Session that the goal ofPurna Swaraj also included the independenceof princely states. There was unrest and chaos in

different parts of the princely states in Orissa. In1938 Praja Mandals (Peope's Association)were formed and under their banner strugglesbegan for securing democratic right. In the princelystate of Talcher a movement against feudalexploitation made significant advance. There wasunrest at Dhenkanal also where the Ruler triedhis best to suppress it. In October 1938 sixpersons including a 12 years old body named BajiRout died as a result of firing. There was anoutbreak of lawlessness and the situation becameserious in January 1939 when the Political AgentMajor R.L. Bazelgatte was killed by the mob on5 January, 1939 at Ranpur. The troops were sentto crush the people's movement. There was unrestin Ranpur State in April, 1939 which was brutallysubdued.

An Enquiry Committee was constitutedin 1937 under the Chairmanship of Dr.Harekrushna Mahtab to investigate the conditionof the native states and it submitted its report onJuly, 1938. It was mentioned in the report that inmost of the states people suffered from worstoppression. One of the importantrecommendations of the committee was to cancelthe Sanads granted to the ruling chiefs and mergetheir territories with the province of Orissa. TheStates Enquiry Committee Report was submittedto Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy, during his visit toOrissa in 1939.

Integration of Princely States : A Study

Balabhadra Ghadai


43


The Viceroy remarked that there was noprecise geographical boundary as such betweenthe province of Orissa and the Feudatory Statesand the people were closely linked in variousways. The idea of integration of states was implicitin the enquiry report.

Prior to the transfer of power, H.K.Mahtab the Premier of Orissa Province had madeserious attempts to solve the problems of Orissa.He met the members of the Cabinet Mission on6th April, 1946 and wrote to Stafford Cripps :"You know I am very much interested in theamalgamation of the 26 Orissa States with theProvince of Orissa. I hope you will continue toexercise your influence with the authoritiesconcerned to bring this about as immediately aspossible. It seems to me none is willing to get outof the route he has put himself in, I think a vigorouspush is necessary to get the entire thing out ofroute. Where we say independence we mean thiskind of vigorous push. I hope you will be able tosupply this to India this time "As there were somany important matters before the CabinetMission it could not look to the specific problemof Orissa. In the statement of Cabinet Missionissued on 16th May, 1946 it was howevercontemplated that a satisfactory solution to theproblem of the Indian States would be achievedby mutual negotiations. Mahtab tried his best toconvince the rulers of Orissa States about thebenefits of mutual co-operation and wrote to thempersonal letters on 10th May, 1946 and again on29th June, 1946. He was convinced that theamalgamation of the States with the province onterms agreed upon by the parties concernedwould best serve the interest of both the Provinceand States. Therefore, he appealed to the rulersto join with the province and bring about acommon administration.

The rulers of the Orissa States did notshow any interest to merge their States with the

Province. On the otherhand, in July 1946 theymet in a conference at Alipore and decided toform a feudal union of the Chhattisgarh and OrissaStates. But Mahtab did not give up the hope ofsome understanding and again met the rulers ofOrissa States on 16th October, 1946 atSambalpur and initiated a discussion with them inthe presence of the Political Agent about thenecessity of one administration for the States andthe Province. During the discussion which lastedfor about six hours Mahtab emphasised onadministration of law and order, food and cloth,control of river system, development ofcommunication, organisation of public health,development of education etc. But the longdiscussion yielded no satisfactory result. The rulersof Orissa States were bent upon maintaining theirseparate identities and did not like to amalgamatewith the province.

With the attainment of independence thereemerged two opposing forces in the States ofOrissa. While one demanded merger of the Stateswith the Province, the other demanded theformation of popular ministries under the aegis ofthe Feudal Rulers. The Regional Council of theA.I.S.P.C. amply aided by the provincial Govt.of Orissa championed the cause of the merger.H.K. Mahtab the Premier of Orissa sincerely triedto state the activities of the anti-merger group.

On 20th November, 1947 a meeting washeld in Delhi in the official chamber of theSecretary to Government of India, Ministry ofStates, to discuss on the problem. In this meetingMahtab and the Regional Commissioner ofSambalpur were present. In the meeting tentativeconclusions were reached: first, the Eastern StatesUnion should not be recognised by theGovernment of India, Secondly, that the B and Cclass States should be asked to agree to commonadministration of certain subjects by the ProvincialGovt. and thirdly, the Ministry of States should


44


call a meeting of the rulers of B and C class statesat Cuttack sometimes in December, 1947.

Sardar Patel, the Minister of States, V.P.Menon the Secretary of the States Departmentand other reached Cuttack on 13th December1947. They met the rulers of Orissa States on14th December. The Minister exhorted the Rulersto voluntarily relinguish all power and authority,as they had no resource to build up a stableGovernment. After lot of hesitation initially 25Rulers affixed their signatures in the mergerdocument. Only Mayurbhanj was left out of theagreement on the ground that the ruler had thenset up a Government composed of popularrepresentatives and so could not make anycommitment without consulting his Minister. TheGovt. of India then delegated to the Govt. ofOrissa the power to administer the Orissa Statesin the same manner as the district in that province.

The merger of the 25 states came into force from1st January 1948. The only state that was left outof the merger scheme was Mayurbhanj. But incourse one year, the Ruler himself got disgustedwith his own Government and pleaded for a takeover of the State. On 1 January 1949 the statewas merged with the province of Orissa. The twostates of Saraikela and Kharasuan which wereoriginally integrated with Orissa were finallytransferred to the Government of Bihar throughthe arbitration of the Government of India. ThusDr. Mahtab's leading role in the field of integrationof Princely States has made his name indelible inthe minds of millions of people of Orissa for alltime to come.

Balabhadra Ghadai is the Principal of M.K. College,Khiching, Mayurbhanj, Orissa.

Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik going round the Biju Patnaik SwimmingPool Complex at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar after inaugurating it on 4.3.2006


45


In India there were at least twenty six feudatorystates with a pre-dominant Oriya-speakingpopulation.1 In fact these states were notsovereign. They were being ruled by the chiefsunder British paramountcy. As per the Sanadssigned by Lord Elgin, the then Viceroy andGovernor General of India, the Chiefs of theTributary Mahals of Orissa were formallyrecognised as Feudatory chiefs in 1894.2 Theirsons and successors were entitled to suchprivileges and liable to obligations. But it wasclearly pointed out in the sands that no successionshould be valid until it had been recognised byHis Excellency the viceroy and Governor Generalin Council.3 In the revised Sanads issued by LordMinto in 1908 the British relationship with theFeudatory chiefs was redefined. As per theSanads the Feudatory Chiefs were directed topronounce justice 'fairly and impartially' to allalike. They were also directed to consult thecommissioner of Orissa Division in all importantmatters of administration and comply with hisdecisions.4 Thus the Feudatory Chiefs wereallowed to rule their States strictly under the BritishParamountcy.

The administrative set-up of the Stateswas further overhauled in 1933 in order to bringthe States directly under the Government of India.The Eastern States Agency, comprising of twentysix Feudatory State of Orissa and fourteen States

of Central Province, was created. Itsheadquarters was first situated at Ranchi and thenshifted to Calcutta. The Agency was administeredby a Resident to be controlled by the PoliticalDepartment, Government of India. Thisarrangement continued till the end of the Britishrule in India.

But inspite of the British instruction notto oppress the States subjects, the FeudatoryChiefs were found to have resorted to arbitraryrule and defective administrative system which ledto large scale suffering of the common peoplethere. This state of affairs provoked seriousreactions amongst the people. They were allergicto the illegal and forcible exactions like Rasad,Magan, Bethi and Begari. There were resistancemovements in the states against these exactions.But they were suppressed by the Rajas (as theFeudatory Chiefs were called) with strong hands.

During the Non-cooperation and CivilDisobedience Movements against the Britishrulers in India, organised by the Indian NationalCongress, the Feudatory States of Orissaremained calm. They were indifferent towardsthese national movements as they were strugglingfor their own survival vis-a-vis the arbitrary anddespotic rulers. During the Civil DisobedienceMovement of 1930-32 attempts were made toorganise the people of the States. Accordingly,

Oriya-Speaking Feudatory States and theirAmalgamation with Orissa

Dr. Hemanta Kumar Mohapatra


46


the 'Orissa States People Conference' wasconvened at Cuttack. But it attracted littleresponse and was of no success. The secondsession of the Orissa State Peopl's Conferencewas also held at Cuttack on 23 June, 1937 underthe presidentship of Dr. Pattavi Sitaramaya. Heencouraged the States people to form CongressCommit tees and start a mass contactprogramme.5 The conference urged upon therulers of the States to abolish illegal exactions. Italso appointed a committee with Satish ChandraBose, Balwant Rai Mehta and Brajasundar Dasas its members. Sri Sarangdhar Das was theconvenor of this committee. This committee wasto investigate and report on such illegal practices.6This conference was an august beginning in thepath of formation of political association in theStates. The awekening of the people in the Statesreceived a further impetus with the formation ofthe popular Congress Ministry in Orissa in themonth of July, 1937.

In this background, a new movementnamed Prajamandal Movement started in theStates in 1938. Prajamandals or people'sAssociations were formed in most of the Statesand the leaders of these associations put forwardcharter of demands which include the abolition ofnumerous feudal exactions.7 Their charter ofdemands included civil liberties like right to formfree associations, right to expression and freedomof press. They also wanted enactment of just lawsfor their agricultural holdings, for the utilisation ofthe forest products, abolition of monopoly tradepractices.8 The Prajamandals adopted agitationaltactices to get their demands redressed andconsequent revolts broke out in places like Nilgiri,Talcher and Dhenkanal. When these movementswere going on unabated, the Orissa States EnquiryCommittee was reconstituted in 1938 withHarekrushna Mahtab as its Chairman. The othermembers of the reconstituted committee were

Balwant Ray Mehta and Lalmohan Patnaik. Thecommittee submitted its report in 1939. Thefindings of this committee was shocking. The sadstate of affairs in the Feudatory States, thusrevealed, provoked serious attention in the countryand abroad. It unveiled the miserable plight ofthe subjects and exposed the ineffectiveadministration and prevailing lawlessness in theStates. The Committee suggested certainmeasures to restore normalcy in the States. Suchmeasures included the transfer of power ofsupervision over administration of the States fromBritish Resident to Provincial Government.9 Theserecommendations created a flutter in the Ruler'sdovecot and also amongst the Officers of thepolitical Department.10 The report of thiscommittee was also considered as the 'origin' ofthe idea of merger of the States with theprovince.11

Mahtab's Approach to the Problems in theStates :

Describing the role of Mahtab in thesolution of the problems of the States, Durga Daswrote, "Narrating the story of the first MergetPatel told me that the idea had originated withHarekrushna Mahtab."12 as the Chairman of theOrissa States Enquiry Committ ee, herecommended that the States be brought underthe Provincial Government. Mahtab took up thematter with the Governor General of India, LordLinlithgow when he came to Orissa in August,1939. Linlithgow admitted that there was nogeographical boundary between British Orissaand Orissa States.13 Mahtab also took up thismatter with Cripps when he came to India as thehead of a Mission in 1942. The PoliticalDepartment of the Government of India agreedthat the 'merger' was the only feasible solution ofthe emerging problems of the States.14 But no stepwas taken in this respect.


47


Mahtab also met the Cabinet Mission on6 April, 1946. As the prospective Prime Ministerof Orissa he put-forth his arguments in amemorandum substantiated by a speciallyprepared map showing how districts of Orissawere islands in an ocean of States.15 Thememorandum was published on behalf of theProvincial Congress Committee. It stronglyadvocated for amalgamation of the Garjats withthe province of Orissa. On 26 April, 1946 Mahtabwrote to Sir Stafford Cripps (then a member ofthe Cabinet Mission) showing his interest in theamalgamation of twenty six Orissa States with theprovince of Orissa.16 The Cabinet Mission wasdeeply impressed with his arguments and astatement was issued by the mission on 16 May,1946. In this statement it was contemplated thata satisfactory solution to the problems of the IndianStates would be achieved by mutualnegotiations.17

When this question of negotiationemerged, Mahtab took up the matter straight withthe rulers of Orissa States. He wrote to them on10 May, 1946 and again on 29 June, 1946 inorder to Convince them about the benefit of themutual cooperation. In the first letter herationalised his previous view of amalgamationstating that in the interest of both the states andthe province there should be some sort ofcoordination without which it was clear that neitherthe States nor the province could prosper in thatcircumstances.18 In the same letter he hoped thatif the resources of the States and the provincecould be pooled together in a reasonable way,Orissa would be one of the richest provinces ofIndia.

But in the second letter (29 June, 1946)Mahtab's argument was tilted towards his earlierconvinction of amalgamation of the States withthe province. To him the word "amalgamation" or"one common administration" all these expression

bear the same meaning and implications. It didnot mean subordination of one to the other. Heappealed to the rulers that in the interest of theStates, it would be best thing to merge with theprovince and bring about a commonadministration.19

But the reaction and response of the rulerswere not encouraging. Rather they tried tounderscore the fundamental issue by raising pettymatters and complicating the whole issue. Even apetty ruler like N.C.B.M. Mahapatra ofBaramba20 made a baseless counter attack sayingthat the British districts which formed the provinceof Orissa were one time States under the rulersand he suggested that all those should be restoredto their former position.21 P.K. Deo, theMaharaja of Kalahandi accused Mahtab for hisParsuram like attitude and warned him that unlesshe give up such attitude 'no fruitful decision canbe arrived at' in their meeting at this stage.22

The hostile attitude towards the rule wascompletely exposed when in the month of July,1946 they met in a conference at Alipore anddecided to form a Federal Union of Chhatishgarhand Orissa States. A Special Committee was set-up to expedite its formation. The British Residentof the Eastern States Agency was present in theconference and encouraged such a move.23

In spite of such hostile attitude of therulers, Mahtab did not give up hope of someunderstanding with the rulling chiefs. On 16October, 1946 he met some of them at Sambalpurand in the presence of the Political Agent tried toimpress upon them about the necessity of oneadministration for both the States and theprovince. Mahtab argued for 'joint planning andjoint administration.24 But nothing substantial cameout of the proceedings.

Mahtab left no stone unturned and tookup the matter with the Nawab of Bhopal, the


48


Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. Aprolonged discussion with him resulted in anagreement. It pressed for a friendly approach tothe problems before the Eastern States and theGovernment of Orissa. It was also agreed thatthere should be no interference from either sidein the internal administration of the other.

On the other hand rulers of the Stateswere bent upon maintaining their separate entitiesand were allergic to the idea of 'merger' or'amalgamation'. They considered HarekrushnaMahtab, the then Prime Minister of Orissa, astheir arch enemy. These Rajas and Maharajaswere living in fools paradise and deliberately overlooked the forceful writings on the wall. The onlyruler who could foresee clearly the future scenariowas the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj. He knew thatthe authority of the rulers was a farce and the realrulers were the Residents and the Officers in thePolitical Departments. He knew that the rulerswere nothing but anachronism and feudalisticrelics to the vast majority of the political mindedcountrymen. The people had no sympathy withthem. He was also of the opinion that the kingshipand democracy could never co-exist.

In another letter written to the Nawab ofBhopal he wrote in a note of sorrow that duringthe years of British suzerainty over Indian Statesthe rulers had come to depend more and moreupon the support of the paramount power andless and less on that of the people.26 In this criticaltime the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj realised thereality and could foresee that the best alternativefor the States was 'merger' with the province. Inhis own words "the only effective alternative, thatone can think of is voluntary liquidition of the rulerswhich though painful to contemplate to my mind,be found to be a welcome and peaceful solution,of the problem from the point of view of the rulerand his people as well as the country as awhole."27 But the Maharaja was a lone prophet

of sound reason. He was criticised in the ruler'scircle for his sound prophecy and suicidalutterances.

But outside the Princes' castles anti-royalpropaganda led by the Prajamandals was gainingground. The Prajamandals took a more offensiveline of action and demanded for the introductionof democratic rule. In some cases the demandswas made for complete amalgamation with theprovince of Orissa.

On 1 March, 1947 the first session ofthe Orissa and Central Province Regional Councilof All India State peoples' Conference was heldat Cuttack. Several resolution were passed whichurged upon the rulers of the Eastern States Agencyto abandon their schemes and devise ways andmeans for establishing mutual contacts with theprovince around. in order that, it was suggested,distinct and complete linguistic units under thefree and federated India might be carved out andadministrative, cultural and economiccollaboration might be established by way ofunified constitutional arrangement confering fulldemocratic rights to the people of the States.28

The Regional Council constituted a workingcommittee under the presidentship of SriSarangdhar Das to direct the Prajamandalmovements in a systematic way. But the rulersignored the regional councils of their people andproceeded to work out for forming a union oftheir own. The Orissa Legislative Assembly alsoshowed its solidarity with the people of the Statesand a resolution for amalgamation of all Oriya-speaking outlaying tracts was passedunanimously.29

But the rulers of the thirty nine Orissa andChhatishgarh States went ahead with their schemeto form a union of their own. Such a union wasformed and started functioning from 1 August,1947. The bigger States like Mayurbhanj and


49


Bastar and some of the smaller states keptthemselves out of this union. The union had anelaborate constitution. But in fact the constitutionwas a complete eyewash and transferred no realpower to the people.30

Lapse of Paramountcy and the ProblemsThereafter :

In the month of August, 1947 the Britishrule in India came to an end. The IndianIndependence Act, 1947 recognised theindependence of India and Pakistan. It alsoprovided for the lapse of paramountcy of theBritish crown over the so called sovereign IndianStates without passing them on to the succeedingindependent nations of India and Pakistan. Thuswhen India was made free in 1947, hundreds ofsmall and big territories under the Indian Princesbecame free to join India or Pakistan, or formthemselves into groups or remain completelyindependent. They might as well enter into treatieswith any other country if they so liked.

The institution of "paramountcy" was a'legal fiction' created by the British to maintaintheir hold in a foreign land without appearing tobe authoritarian.31 The illusion of a doublesovereignty one under the other was created inorder to make a compromise with professed faithin rule of law in democracy and at the sametimeto secure the loyal services of a number of IndianPrinces to maintain the empire in a distant land.

The lapse of paramountcy brought out tothe forefront certain problems which needed anurgent solution. After the lapse of the BritishParamountcy the real paramount power wasdivided into two i.e. India and Pakistan. If thePrinces would have choosen one of the newlyemerged paramount power, perhaps there wouldhave no problem. But unfortunately the rulerswanted to maintain their separate political entity.In the month of August it was seen that six hundred

independent States were strongly showing theirexistence inside India to confuse the future politicalscene and unity of the newly emerged independentcountry. One can very well imagine the severewarning it carried. In fact a number ofcomplexities and amazing situation was arising outof it. The rulers were becoming more and moreambitious but there was no room for their ambition.

Lapse of British paramountcy exposedthe rulers to the rising tide of democracy in theirStates. With the prop of British bayonet gone,the rulers were not even able to provide strongadministration in the states and were helpless inthe face of organised lawlessness on a mass scale.The democratic government of India was sure toshow favour to the process of democratisation inthe States and it would do nothing to retard thewave of democratic progress and safeguard theautocratic princes.

Situation in Eastern States and Its Effects inOrissa :

The Oriya speaking states were on theverge of collapse as far as administration wasconcerned. This deterioration in the law and ordersituation in the States had its impact on theprovince of Orissa. With the lapse of paramountcymost of the rulers of the Orissa States tried tofoment unrest among the tribal people to stemthe growing activities of the Prajamandals whohad been agitating for political freedom.32 Mostof the rulers neither had the resources nor hadthe will to give a sound administration in theirrespective States.

The existence of these States around thedistricts of Orissa had also created complexproblems for Orissa province. Orissa Governmentcould not afford to see a mass uprising of thetribals in the States with the ever present dangerof its spreading to other aboriginal pockets of theprovince. They could not contemplate with


50


equanimity political offenders and criminalsseeking refuge in the so called sovereign States.33

The Government of Orissa was also not in aposition to withstand any constitutionalarrangements under which their vital links ofcommunication would be under a constant threatof being cut off.34

The condition of the public health in theprovince was being endangered by primitivemedical and public health arrangements in theStates and the spread of infectious diseases. Therewas also constant influx of lepers to Orissa fromthe States presumbly with the hope to receivebetter treatment here.35

Serious difficulties were also experiencedin the matter of harnessing the rivers formultipurpose utilization of their water due to theinterference of the State rulers. For example aproposal to irrigate an area of Angul (KukudangProject) had been hanging for many years becauseit involved inundating a portion of Talcher State.36

Even a major river valley project i.e. Hirakud DamProject had to experience a good amount ofhardship due to the apathy and resistance of therulers of the States. It was established beyonddoubt that the then Maharaja of Patna State wasencouraging the anti-Hirakud Dam Movement inSambalpur. The State paper of Patna, 'PatnaDipika' was making sincere propaganda for Anti-Hirakud Dam agitation and was publishing articlesfavouring the merger of Sambalpur with PatnaState. The Maharaja of Patna State wrote to thePolitical Agent of Chhatisgarh States, "It wasMahtab who started this agitation foramalgamation of States with the province ofOrissa and only as a counterblast, the movementfor Sambalpur with the Eastern States andformation of Koshala province was launched."37

Finally there was the question ofemotional and cultural re-union of the Oriyas. All

the Oriya speaking people were anxious for therestoration of the uniform age old culture. Theartificial demarcations, they hoped, would bewashed away like wall of sand on the way of risingwaves of roaring sea of masses.

Taking all these problem into account theGovernment of Orissa prepared a secretmemorandum on 11 December, 1947. In thismemorandum 'complete merger' of the States withthe province was not suggested. In fact theGovernment of Orissa made it clear that they were'not anxious to absorb the States', but vitallyconcerned in their efficient administration.

Glossary

Begari - Free carriages of luggages of Raja or hisOfficers from camp to camp

Bethi - Free labour for construction of roads,royal palaces etc.

Garjat - The land constituted of mountainfortresses - later on used to denote the PrincelyStates.

Magan - Free contributions, both cash and kind,on the occasion of royal marriages and such otherfunctions.

Maharaja - Emperor, the ruler of a big (A class)Feudatory State.

Parsuram - A mythological Brahmin hero vowedto destroy the warrior (Kshetriya) class of theearth.

Prajamandal - An organisation of the people ofthe Indian States in the pre-independence era.

Rasad - Free supply of articles for food to theRaja or his relatives and officers in moffussilcamps.

Sanad - A document conferring privileges underthe seal of ruling authority.


51


References :1. See table 1.

2. C.U. Aitchison, Treaties, Engagements andSanads etc. (Govt. of India, 1931), Vol.I, p.323.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid, Vol.II, p.419.

5. Indian Annual Register, Vol.I, (Calcutta, 1937),p.356.

6. Ibid, p.358.

7. Orissa States Enquiry Committee Report,(Cuttack, 1939), p.2.

8. Talcher Prajamandal Committee (Ed.), History ofTalcher Prajamandal (Cuttack, 1950), pp.18-22.

9. The Samaj, (Cuttack), 2 August, 1939.

10. H.K. Mahtab, beginning of the Eng. Cuttack,1972, p.9 (Henceforth abbreviated as HMBE).

11. Ibid.

12. Durga Das, India from curzon to Nehru and after,(London, 1969), p.282.

13. Ibid.

14. Ibid.

15. HMBE, p.17.

16. Ibid, p.101, Mahtab to Stafford cripps, 26 April,1946.

17. The Amrit Bazar Patrika, 18 May, 1946.

18. HMBE, p.104; D.O. 49 (19) HPM, dated 9 May,1946, Mahtab to Rulers of Orissa States.

19. Ibid, p.207, D.O. 610 (19) HPM, dated 29 June,1946.

20. *For the area and population of Baramba seeTable-1 specified in Reference-1.

21. HMBE, p.114, D.O. No.A-2/C dated 2.7.1946,(NCBM Mohapatra to Mahtab).

22. Ibid, p.116, D.O. No.51 dated 18.8.1946,Bhawanipatna, P.k. Deo to Mahatab.

23. Ibid, pp.119-127, Minutes of Sixth RulersConference at Hastings House, Alipore,Calcutta, 16-18th July, 1946.

24. Ibid, pp.130-150.

25. Ibid, pp.50-54, Letter of maharaja of Mayurbhanjto the Maharaja of Dungarpur, dated 9 May, 1946.

26. Ibid, pp.41-48, Letter from the ruler ofMayurbhanj to the Nawab of Bhopal, dated19.91946.

27. Ibid, pp.46-47.

28. The amrit Bazar Patrika, 3 March, 1947.

29. Orissa Legislative Assembly Proceedings(OLAP), Vol.III, 1947, pp.245, 246.

30. Durga Das (Ed.), Sardar Patel's Correspondence(SPC), Vol.III, p.494, Katju to Nehru.

31. HMBE, p.3.

32. Report on the Administration of Police in theProvince of Orissa, 1947, p.6.

33. Suppl. to the Samaj, 1 April, 1987, p.56. SecretMemorandum submitted by the Government ofOrissa on 11.12.47 on the Constitutional Futureof Orissa States.

34. Ibid.

35. Annual Report of the Department of PublicHealth in the States of Orissa, 1946, p.7.

36. HMBE, p.222.

37. Ibid, p.238, The Ruler of Patna to Political Agent,Chhatishgarh States - D.O. dated 10.02.1947.

38. Suppl. to the Samaj, 1 April, 1987, p.56.

Dr. Hemanta Kumar Mohapatra is a Senior FacultyMember of History in Orissa Education Service (CB)and he resides at 23, Ekamra Villa, Jaydev Vihar,Bhubaneswar 751015.


52


The period from 1947 to 1951 was for Ambedkara period a creative co-operation with theCongress Government. It is interesting to note thatonce Ambedkar became the Law Minister ofIndia, he fell in line with the views of Gandhi asfar as the emancipation of the Untouchables wasconcerned. He gave up the concept of separateelectorates and accepted that the ScheduledCastes were not a minority but were anunderprivileged part of Hinduism and requiredsafeguards for a temporary period to become anintegral part of their community.1

The greatest contribution of Ambedkarand the Congress, which represented the viewsof Gandhi, for the cause of the Scheduled Casteswas that in the Constitution of India, thefundamental rights including equality before thelaw were made applicable to all citizens of India,irrespective of caste and creed. It should not beforgotten that Ambedkar was the only memberof the Scheduled Caste in the ConstituentAssembly who was elected on a non-Congressplatform. The Constituent Assembly wasdominated by the Congress. Although Ambedkarhad a major role as Law Minister in the draftingof the Constitution, all the provisions were muchdebated and scrutinized by various luminaries.2 Itwould not be wrong to say, therefore that theprovisions of the Construction granting equal rightsto the Scheduled Castes embodied the dreams

Issue of Untouchability in Modern India

Tofan Bemal

of both Gandhi (through the Congress) andAmbedkar, who without doubt were the greatestemancipators of the Untouchables in modernIndia. "Both of them strove for the uplift of theScheduled Castes, but concentrated on differentareas and their work was complementary andsupplementary to each other. Ambedkar workedprimarily amongst the Scheduled Castes andfought for their political rights to secure for themsocial and economic justice.3 Gandhi workedprimarily amongst caste Hindus to bring about achange of heart towards the Scheduled Castesand to ensure that the Scheduled Castes remainedwithin the Hindu fold. In assessing their roles, itwould not be wrong to say that Ambedkar wasthe saviour of the Scheduled Castes while Gandhiwas the saviour of Hinduism. In their rivalryGandhi emerged the winner as even after his deathhis views were accepted by Ambedkar.4

The crowning glory of their mission wasthe Constitution of India which safeguarded therights of the Scheduled Castes. The provisions ofthe Constitution which embodied the dreams ofGandhi and Ambedkar are highlighted below:

(i) Equally before law : Article 14 providesthat the State shall not deny to any person equalitybefore the law or the equal protection of the laws.

(ii) Prohibition of discrimination ongrounds of religion, race, caste, sex or birth :


53


Article 15 provides that the state shall notdiscriminate against any citizen on these grounds.No citizen shall on these grounds be subject toany disability or restriction with regard to accessto shops, public restaurants, hotels and places ofpublic entertainment or the use of wells, tanks,bathing ghats, roads and places of public resortmaintained wholly or partly out of State funds orout of State funds or dedicated to the use ofgeneral public. Article 15(4) also provides thatnothing in this article shall prevent the State frommaking any socially and educationally backwardclasses of citizens or for the Scheduled Castesand Tribes.

(iii) Equally of opportunity in matters ofpublic employment : Article 16 provides thatno citizen shall on grounds only of religion, race,caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence orany of them, be ineligible for, pr discriminatedagainst in respect of any employment or officeunder the State. Article 16(4) also provides thatnothing in this article shall prevent the State frommaking any provision for the reservation ofappointments or posts in favour of any backwardclass of citizens which in the opinion of the Stateis not adequately represented in the servicesunder the State.

(iv) Abolition of Untouchability : Article 17provides that "Untouchability" is abolished andits practice in any form is forbidden andenforcement of any disability arising out of"Untouchability" shall be an offence punishable inaccordance with law.

(v) Freedom of Religion : Article 25provides that all persons are equally entitled tofreedom of conscience and the right freely toprofess, practice and propagate religion. Article25(2) provides that nothing in this article shallaffect the operation of any existing law or preventthe State from making any law providing for social

welfare and reform or the throwing open of Hindureligious institutions of a public character to allclasses and sections of Hindus. Explanation II toArticle 25(2) provides that the reference toHindus shall professing the Sikh, Jaina, orBuddhist religion, and the reference to Hindureligious institutions shall be construed accordingly.

(vi) Welfare State : Article 38 provides thatthe State shall strive to promote the welfare ofthe people by securing and protecting aseffectively as it may a social order in form all theinstitutions of the national life.

(vii) Protection from Injustice : Article 46provides that the state shall promote with specialcare the educational and economic interests ofthe weaker sections of the people and in particularof the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and shallprotect them from social injustice and all forms ofexploitation.

( viii) Welfare of Tribals : Articles 164provides that in the states of Bihar, MadhyaPradesh and Orissa, there shall be a minister in-charge of tribal welfare who may in addition be incharge of the Scheduled Castes and backwardclasses or any other work.

(ix) Right to Vote : Article 325 provides thatthere shall be one general electoral role for everyconstituency for election to either House ofParliament or either House of the Legislature of aState and no person shall be ineligible for exclusionin such roll or claim to be included in any specialelectoral role for any such constituency on groundsonly of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them.

(x) Adult suffrage : article 326 provides thatthe elections to the house of people and to thelegislative assemblies of states shall be on the basisof adult suffrage.

(xi) Reservation of seats for scheduledcastes : Article 330 provides that seats shall be


54


reserved in the house of the people for theScheduled Castes and the scheduled tribes asnearly as may be in proportion to their populationas ascertained at the last preceding census ofwhich the relevant figures have been published.Article 332 makes similar provisions in thelegislative assemblies of the states.(xii) Reservations for elections to betemporary : Article 334 provides that thereservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes andscheduled tribes shall cease on the expiry of 10years. (However, this provision has been amendedfrom time to time and now provides forreservations to cease on the expiry of 50 years.)(xiii) Reservations of elections to betemporary : Article 335 provides that the claimsof the members of the Scheduled Castes andscheduled tribes shall be taken into consideration,consistently with the maintenance of efficiency ofadministration, in the making of appointments toservices and posts in connection with the affairsof services and posts in connection with the affairsof the union states.(xiv) Special officer for Scheduled Castesand tribes : Article 338 provides that there shallbe a special officer for the Scheduled Castes andtribes to be appointed by the president. It shallbe the duty of the special officer to investigate allmatters relating to the safeguards provided forthe Scheduled Castes and tribes under theconstitution and report to the president on theworking of those safeguards at such intervals asthe president may direct, and the president shallcause all such reports to be laid before each houseof parliament.(xv) Scheduled Castes and tribes : Articles341 and 342 provide that the president after dueprocedure may by public notification specify thecastes, races or tribes which shall be deemed tobe Scheduled Castes or tribes as the case maybe. Parliament may by law include in or exclude

from the list of Scheduled Castes and tribesspecified in a notification any caste, race or tribe.Article 366 defines Scheduled Castes and tribesto mean such castes, races or tribes or parts ofor groups within such castes, races or tribes asare deemed under articles 341 and 342 to beScheduled Castes and tribes. The fifth schedulealso provides for the administration and controlof scheduled tribes in certain areas through tribesadvisory councils.

The system of separate electorates oncommunal lines granted by the British to religiousminorities was given up; instead, a system of jointelectorates with reservation of seats for ScheduledCastes and tribes was provided. Article 334 fixedthe period of reservation as 10 years from thecommencement of the constitution. Ambedkarhas proposed a longer period; however, heaccepted the period of ten years which was basedon general agreement among the partiesconcerned, stating : "it was considered necessaryto extend the period at the end of 10 years, itwould not be beyond their capacity or theirinterests to invent new ways of getting theprotection which they were promised here."5 Howfarsighted and right was Ambedkar, as thereservations, which were to cease after 10 years,have continued till this day. In essence, Ambedkarwas able to secure all the political safeguards hehad been demanding, except the concept ofseparate electorates.

The safeguards provided for theScheduled Castes in the constitution of Indiaamounted to the implementation of the Poona pact.Ambedkar had finally given up the concept ofseparate electorates.6 In a speech at theinauguration of Siddhartha college parliament on25 September 1947, be stated.

It is also interesting to note that afterindependence, Ambedkar like Gandhi stood


55


firmly for the unity for India. He favoredcentralized government, integration of Indian stateswith the union of India, Hindi as the optionallanguage for every province and joint electorates.7

When Gandhi talked of Swaraj, he meantthe achievement of the same ideals of liberty,equality and fraternity espoused by Ambedkar,which were ultimately enshrined in the preambleto the constitution of India. Gandhi's endeavourwas that socio-economic justice should beavailable to all classes, irrespective of caste, creed,or religion. Ambedkar wanted a separate identityfor the depressed classed first and swarajafterwards. To Gandhi this was placing the cartbefore the horse. To Gandhi, once swaraj wasattained, other freedoms would follow, whereasAmbedkar's suspicion was that afterindependence, nobody would bother about theupliftment of the depressed classes. Gandhiwanted to remove untouchables from the heartsof the caste Hindus and absorb the ScheduledCastes as an integral part of the Hindu community.Ambedkar wanted the Scheduled Castes toorganize themselves politically as a distinct entityand fight for their rights.8

Lealah Dushkin, in The Policy of theIndian National Congress, writes: "probablynowhere in the world is so large a lower classminority granted so much favourable treatmentby the Government as are the Depressed Classesof India today." This would not have beenpossible without the efforts of Gandhi amongstthe caste Hindus and Ambedkar amongst theScheduled Castes. The policies pursued byGandhi and Ambedkar, in the ultimate analysis,worked in conjunction with each other.

Both Gandhi and Amedkar were greatmen. While Gandhi was the Father of the Nation,Ambedkar was the Father of the IndianConstitution. While Gandhi was an apostle of

peace and non-violence, Ambedkar became aconvert to Buddhism, which preached universalpeace and non-violence. Both of them workedassiduously for the emancipation of the ScheduledCastes, though their means differed. For Gandhi,the change had to come primarily in the hearts ofcaste Hindus. He staked his life for retaining theScheduled Castes within the Hindu fold. Gandhiwanted political freedom before the rights ofvarious classes could be secured. Ambedkaragitated for separate electorates but showedgenerosity of spirit and gave up this demand tosave Gandhi's life. It is unfortunate that Gandhidied on 30 January 1948 and could not see forhimself the progress made by Scheduled Castes.Ambedkar was fortunate enough to se for himselfthe initial progress made by the Scheduled Castearising out of the safeguards provided in theConstitution.9

However, without a leader of Ambedkar'sstature, the Scheduled Castes are politicallyfragmented. Atrocities on them in the countrysidecontinue though the educated amongst them haveattained high positions in government or publiclife and fend for themselves. The reservations havebenefited a segment of Scheduled Castes whoare already economically better off. If theadvantage of the reservations goes to theeconomically backward scheduled castes, thesituation would be different. The progress ofreconstruction of their social and economic life istardy. The actual filling of reserved posts in thegovernments as well as the public sector continuesto lag behind on the pretext do class comingscheduled castes. No leader of Ambedkar'sstature has emerged. The Scheduled Castesfederation and its successor, the Republican Partyof Untouchability is a crime under theUntouchability Offences Act, 1955, the Act hasproved extremely difficult to enforce. To take acase of court is expensive, and there are no central


56


resources to assist in a prolonged lawsuit.Untouchability has not completely gone away fromIndian society and is still practiced in remotevillages in backward areas. Occasionally, thereare reports on atrocities on Scheduled Castes indifferent parts of the country.10

There is, however a major redeemingfeature. The condition and status of ScheduledCastes is not what it was half a century ago. Atransformation has taken place for the better intheir political consciousness, social intercourse,economic opportunity and style of living.11

India still has mile to go before thesecenturies old disabilities disappear but muchdepends on the Scheduled Castes too. They mustdevelop the spirit of independence and shelf help,a sense of their own self worth which compelsrespect. They must organize themselves andproduce honest and able leadership to keep thecaravan going. They must exploit the politics ofnumbers to their advantage and not allowthemselves to be fragmented politically.12

The constitution guarantees for theprotection and progress of the Scheduled Castesfor an initial period of ten years, were enshrinedas a result of the life long efforts of Gandhi andAmbedkar. It was their dream that during theseten years, the Scheduled Castes would makeadequate progress through education,employment and political development to becomean integral part of the Indian society, not taintedin any way. The complete emancipation of theScheduled Castes has yet to be attained, as isevident from the extension of the constitutional

guarantees for the past forty years. At a time whenuntouchability was widely practiced in India,Ambedkar and Gandhi envisaged their socialemancipation and worked with dedication for thisgoal. With each passing year, their version isnearing realization. However, the completeemancipation of the untouchables in modern Indiawill be achieved when the constitutionalguarantees are no longer required.

References :1. Keer Dhanjaya, Dr. Ambedkar Life and Mission,

p. 397.

2. Constituent Assembly Debate, Vol. XIV, p. 994.

3. Ibid. p. 995.

4. Krishnam Asha, Ambedkar and Gandhi, p. 185.

5. Constituent Assembly Debate, Vo1. XI, p. 994.

6. Ibid.. p. 995

7. Omvedt, Goil-Ambedkar towards on enlightenedIndia. Page-34.

8. Ibid., p. 36.

9. Krishnan Asha, Ambedkar and Gandhi, p. 196.

10. Ibid., p. 197.

11. V. R. Krishnan Iyer, Ambedkar and Dalit Future,p. 46.

12. Ibid., p. 48.

Tofan Bemal is a Ph.D Research Scholar, Department ofHistory, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa


57


Concept of organic farming has been derivedfrom the primitive practice of using wastes ofcattle-shed when farmers were cultivating theirlocal cultivars for crop production. At present thisconcept has been improved for use of variousenriched waste products of rural and urban areasas well as various bioinoculants. Organic farmingcan be defined as a production system, whichavoids use of fertilizers, pesticides and grothregulators of chemical origin but includes livestockadditives such as dungs, bones, hoofs and bloodand crop rotation, crop residues, green manuresetc. inorder to maintain proper soil fertility andreduce disease pest menace through enhancementof biological interaction. The government launcheda national programme for organic farming in 2000.

The beneficial effects of organic farminghave been realised for sustainable agricultureproduction, restoration of soil fertility, productionof quality foods, avoidance of pollution of soil,water and air including low cost technology.

With introduction of green revolution, useof chemical fertilizers although contributed 40%of crop production, continuous use of chemicalsin agriculture seriously jeopardized the soil healthand environment. Hence practice of organicfarming was thought of.

Organically applied plant nutrients maybe either major or microelements. Although majornutrients (N, P and K) and secondary (Ca, Mgand S) have given much emphasis still the role incrop production. In this advanced crop productiontechnology and samll deficient of any such tracenutrients decline crop yield considerably.

The important essential trace elementsinclude Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl and Ni whichhas been introduced newly. Mostly thesemicronutrients are available in synthetic forms,which are chemically manufactured. Theseinorganic chemical micronutrients are costly andimpart adverse effect on soil and food grains. Insevere deficient cases the grain production maybe reduced to meet the target. Thesemicroelements pollute the soil and decrease thequality of grains, vegetables, fruits etc.

The chief souces of micronutrients usedby farmers' level are organic matters available infarmhouses. These include FYM, compost, dungsof various animals, poultry manure, green manureand crop residues in farm fields. Content of totalmicronutrients in some organic sources are givenin Table 1.

Micronutrient ManagementThrough Organic Farming

Dr. S.K. SahuDr. P.K. Samant

Table - 1 : Miscronutrient content of the organics

Sl. Organics Micronutrients (mg/kg)No. Fe Zn Mn Cu B Mo1. FYM 1788 34 137 2.5 4.6 2.12. Pig Manure 1200 50 70 8.9 3.5 1.4


58


3. Poultry Manure 1400 90 210 7.1 5.0 3.14. Rural compost 3600 85 200 14 10.0 2.05. City compost 7000 400 560 150 15.0 9.06. Goat/Sheep manure 6500 2570 150 61 4600 3.57. Sewage sludge 8000 2459 262 643 9.0 6.08. Green Manure 140 17 80 3.2 20.0 0.29. Rice Straw 225 30 700 4.5 8.0 0.110. Wheat Straw 190 25 90 3.4 5.0 0.1

Requirement of various miscronutrientsapplied to arable crops through syntheticchemicals varied from 1kg (Mo) to 50 kg(Fe)per ha. Only few parts of these nutrients are takenup by the crops and the rest are lost. If addedthrough organically, these micronutrients areslowly available to the crops as per requirementand larger part is adsorbed in soil for the nextcrops.

A rice or vegetable farmer applyingcompost @ 10t/ha will provide 3.6kg Fe, 0.85Zn, 2.0kg Mn, 0.14kg Cu, 1.0kg B and 0.02kgMo/ha, which is equivalent to 19kg FerrousSulphate, 4.25 kg Zinc Sulphate, 6.7 kgManganese Sulphate, 4.2 kg Copper Sulphate,0.9kg Borax and 0.0385 kg AmmoniumMolybdate.

Experimentally it was found thatefficiency of chemically applied micronutrientfertilizers in soil is only 2-10% whereas availabilityof micronutrients applied through organic sources

is more than 10% and supply is continuous. Inthis respect application of organic manures to anycrop at larger amounts provide both major andmicronutrients. Major nutrients requiresupplementation from inorganic sources, whereasthe micronutrients through organics do not needsupplementation of inorganic micronutrientfertilizers. Crop removal of micronutrients can bemet through supplementing organics, which areecofriendly as well as congenial in cropproduction.

Experiments conducted on Zn applicationto rice crop through green manure and FYM at5t/ha showed significantly higher yield in a Zndeficient loamy soil than no Zn application andalmost equal yield to application of 12.5kg ZnSO4/ha and slightly lower yield than applicationof same at 25 kg/ha (Table 2).Table 2 : Yield of rice by application of Zn throughgreen manure and FYM in Zn deficient loamy soil.

Sl Treatments Yield (Q/ha)No. 1998 1999 Mean1. N60(P2O5)30(K2O)30kg/ha+Zn(O) 30.0 28.8 29.482. N60(P2O5)30(K2O)30kg/ha+ZnSO4(12.5kg) 31.5 32.0 31.713. N60(P2O5)30(K2O)30kg/ha+ZnSO4(25kg) 34.0 34.0 34.84. N60(P2O5)30(K2O)30kg/ha+Dhanicha 32.5 30.7 31.65. N60(P2O5)30(K2O)30kg/ha+FYM (5t/ha) 32.0 30.9 32.4

Dr. S.K. Sahu and Dr. P.K. Samant are working in the Department of Soil Science & Agriculture Chem., in OUAT,Bhubaneswar.


59


Water : The Fountain Head of LifeWhat is water ? The simple answer to this questionis that water is the simplest chemical of kitchen.Water (O.E. water, Ger. Wasser, Gr. hydor, L.udus, Sans. udan) is, in fact, natural most abundantand the most useful compound. For the growthand development of life support system, it isabsolutely essential to make water available in theacceptable quantity, quality and at the requiredtime and place. The Earth appeared like a preciousblue stone set in the blackness of outer space toastronauts for the first time. If inhabitants of othersolar systems were to visit this lovely, cool, blueplanet of ours, they might just call it "Aqua" ratherthan "Terra" because of great abundance of itsmost unique feature - liquid water in streams,rivers, lakes and oceans. Therefore, earth ispopularly called as "blue planet". The colour bluedenotes the presence of water which covers 71per cent of our earth's surface. Since water covers3/4th of our planet, it is readily available, yet wateris one of earth's most precious resources.Different kinds of physico-chemical processesoccur in solutions comprising water as the solvent.The simple molecule, H2O, aggregates to the liquidstate water which is the basic requirement forsustaining life.Distribution of Water on Earth

Millions of years ago life evolved in waterand water became a basic component of every

living cell. Although water covers over three-quarters of the surface of the Earth, 97 per centof this water resource is the oceans and is salty.The glaciers and icecaps lock away another twoper cent (Table-1). Even less than one per cent isthe fresh and usable water of lakes, ponds, riversand ground-water. Freshwater is, therefore, atreasure to protect and conserve. Freshwater isprecious not only because we need it to live, butalso because only about three per cent of all theearth's water is directly usable. Of this only about0.26 per cent is available as freshwater for peopleto use. Water is used for various purposes likeagriculture, livestock, industry and powergeneration and municipal and rural water supplier(Table-2).

Sources of Water

There are two important sources of watersuch as (a) Surface water and (b) Undergroundwater. The surface water includes the sources like(i) Rain water (ii) River water (iii) Lake waterand (iv) Sea water. The Sources of undergroundwater are (i) Spring water and (ii) Well waterfound in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and shallowground water sources, this small amount of wateris continually renewed by the restless and endlessmovement of water in the global cycle in its variousforms, viz, ice, water vapour, rain drops and snow.This constitutes the "hydrological cycle".

Water : The Elixir of Life and Wonderful Gift

Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty


60


Table 1 : Water resource by distributionSl . Water Source Water Volume Per centNo. in cubic miles to total

water

1. Oceans 317,000,000 97.24

2. Ice caps, Glaciers 7,000,000 2.14

3. Ground water 2,000,000 0.61

4. Freshwater lakes 30,000 0.009

5. Inland sea 25,000 0.008

6. Soil mosture 16,000 0.005

7. Atmosphere 3,100 0.001

8. Rivers 300 0.0001

Total Water 3,26,000,000 100

Source : Nace, U.S. Geological Survey, 1967.

Table 2 : Percentage use of water

Sl . Activity Percentage of useNo.

1. Agriculture 93.37

2. Livestock 1.08

3. Industries and Power generation 1.26

4. Municipal and Rural water supplies 3.73

Total 99.44

Source : Science Reporter, June, 2004.

In this awesome cyclical engine, water is movedconstantly among the aquatic, atmospheric andterrestrial compartments driven by solar energyand gravity. Apart from this, the knique physicaland chemical properties of water bear a directimpact on the globe's surface temperature, theatmosphere, and the interactions of life forms withtheir environment. Precipitation in the form of rain,snow, hail, dew and frast forms the ultimatefreshwater resource within a river basin and ispartitioned between the "green" and "blue" waterflows. The three most important securitydimensions of water, food and ecology are closelylinked together by the movement of water in thehydrological cycle.

Necessary of WaterSince the birth of river basin civilizations,

human societies have been developingtechnologies for capturing, storing, cleaning andredirecting fresh-water resources to meet theirneeds. Different kinds of structural solutions tosupply irrigation water in fields, control of floodand generation of power and electricity have beenin operation in our country since independence.Humanity today has been trying hard to reach thetwin goals of human and ecological security. Theformer includes easy access to safe domesticwater, food and environmental security witheffective protection from flood and drought. Thelatter implies the long-term protection of the goodsand services that we get from nature and thepreservation of the delicate life-support system.However, water is required essentially for thesatisfactory performance of the following.(i) Various life process for sustenance(ii) Circulatory fluid.(iii) Carrier of nourishing food and

micronutrients(iv) Removal of product of wastes.

Water is regarded as the origin and sustainerof life and held so sacred by the most ancientraces for which it is worshipped as God. Naturalwater for animal body and human in particularacts as (i) Tonic (ii) sedative (iii) Analgesic(iv) Spoliative (v) Diaphoretic (vi) Diuretic(vii) Eliminative (viii) Antipyretic (ix) Expectorant9x) Emetic (xi) Anacsthitic (xii) Haemostatic.According to Knipp, the father of modernhydrotherapy, water dissolves, removes andstrengthens which are three basic and principalattributes of water.Purified Water for Life

Water the nuclers for life support systemson earth. Unfortunately today the drinking water


61


is not safe because of various anthropologicalactivities and population pressure. The burgeoninghuman population and the demands for the variousconsumptive uses of water is creating a severestress on the water resources of our planet withincreasing water shortage and rising water qualityproblems in many parts of the world, ensuringuniversal access to safe, sufficient and affordablewater for all remains is an enormous challenge.Industrial effluents, human abuse and misuse andoveruse of chemicals, pesticides, dyes anddetergents are the important sources of polutants.The possible impurities are basically of (i) physical(ii) chemical and (iii) organic type (table 3).

Table - 3 : Possible impurities in waterSl. Category of Specific impuritiesNo. impurity

1. Physical Disagreeable colour, colour,taste, turbidity - floating andsuspended impurities.

2. Chemical Mineral constitutes rocks likebicarbonates, carbonates,sulphate, chloride, fluoride,sulphide, oxide, lead, orsenic,nitrite and nitrate etc. andpesticide residues.

3. Organic Traces of vegetable andanimal matters producingbacteriological agents whichcause water borne diseases.

Table 4 : Method of removal of impurities from water

Sl. Nature of impurity Method of removal ofNo. impurity

1. Floating matter Screening

2. Suspended impurities By redimentation with thehelp of coagulants anddecautation.

3. Micro organism and Filtration through sendcolloidal matters filters, carbon filters,

microu filters or reverseof mosis.

4. Pathogenic microbes Disinfection by boiling,(Bacteria) by chlorination, by

potassium permanganateand by ultraviolate light.

Since impurities are harmful for humanbody, purification is necessary to make the watersafe for human consumption. The drinking orpotable water, fit for human consumption shouldsatisfy the following essential requirements.(i) Water should be sparkling clear and

odourless.(ii) It should be pleasant in taste.(iii) It should be perfectly cool, reasonably

soft and its turbidity should not exceed10 ppm.

(iv) It should be free from objectionabledissolved gases like hydrogen sulphide.

(v) It should be free from objectionableminerals such as orsenic, lead, mercury,manganese (particularly heavy metals).

(vi) Its alcalinity should not be high nor thewater should be highly acidic. The pHvalue should be maintained between 6.5to 8.5.

(vii) Its total dissolved solids should be lessthan 200 ppm.

(viii) It should be free from disease-producing(Pathogenic) micro-organisms.

Method of Purification of Potable WaterA sound and disease free health needs

safe drinking water apart from proper foodsubstances. Impure water may be purified infollowing procedure (Table 4). different methodsmay be followed to remove different undesirablematerials present in water. However, purelydemineralised water is neither tasty nor potable.Certain minerals present in water are helpful formaintaining good health. Thus the organisationslike WHO and BIS have prescribed the optimum


62


level of essential minerals to be maintained inpurified drinking water.

Water for Sustainable Future

Water is everybody's property andbusiness. Ways of managing our water todayshould be taken up enthusiastically. This wouldmark a comeback to our origins where simple,well-planned, innovative and local methods areemployed to revive this natural gift from dayingon unnatural death. A gradual consensus ingrowing among scientists, water planners,governments and civil society that newapproaches need to be adopted within the nexttwo decades to avoid calamity. The supply, useand handling of our precious water resources willhave to be integrated across sectors and betweenregions sharing the same resource.

Repeated occurrences of water shortagescan only be averted if a comprehensive watermanagement strategy is worked out. TheGovernment, private organisations, schools andmass media could play a positive role by educatingthe public to use water wisely, recycle and not towaste the water resouces. Environment and watereducation should be available to men and womenin all parts of the country. Recycling andreclamation concepts need to be promotedstrongly to increase available water supply andbreak the population-water paradox. It is time,therefore, to plan for meeting our present andfuture needs with the water that nature has madeavailable to us to determine what desires can besatisfied within the limits of that resource and toensure that the natural ecological cycles arepreserved. It is our duty to remember "WorldWater Day" which is observed on 22nd Marchevery year which, in fact, reminds us to preservethe natural resource with appropriate use. Proper

use, care and consciousness for water wouldcertainly develop a sustainable green and blueEarth. We should rightly remember that "Water isthe elixir of life" for which right care and share isdesirable.

References :1. Anonymous (20040 Economic Survey 2003-

2004. Ministry of Finance. Economic Division,Government of India, New Delhi.

2. Anonymous (2004) Economic Survey 2003-2004, Directorate of Economics and Statistics.Planning and Coordination Department,Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

3. Bhattacharya, R.N. (2003) (Editor)Environmental Economics. Oxford UniversityPress, New Delhi, pp.1-278.

4. Indiresan, P.V. (2003) Vision 2020 : What Indiacan Be and How to make that Happen, ICFAIUniversity Press, Bydrabad, pp.1-161.

5. Kathpalia, G.N. and Kapoor, R. (2004) WaterPolicy and Action Plan for India 2020 : AnAlternative. India Vision 2020. PlanningCommission. Government of India, New Delhiand published by Academic Foundation, NewDelhi pp.739-778.

6. Kalstad, C.D. (2003) Environmental Economics,Oxford Univesity Press, New York, pp.1-370.

7. Sautra, S.C. (2001) Environmental Science. NewCentral Book Agency (P) Ltd. Calcutta, pp.1-904.

8. Schulze, G.G. and Ursprung, H.W. (2001)International Environmental Economics. OxfordUniversity Press, New York, pp.1-370.

Dr. Prafulla K. Mohanty is working in Post-GraduateDepartment of Zoology, Utkal University, Vani Vihar,Bhubaneswar.


63


Women Development and Biju Babu

Dr Tushar Kanta Pattnaik

" Behind every successful man there is a Woman,who provides inspiration and confidence. It alsohappened in the life of Napolean". Biju Pattnaikon being questioned how he perceives women.

Women constitute roughly half of theworld's population. But they are the largest"excluded category" in almost all respects. Theirrole in the socio-economic development wasunderscored in our country owing the varioushistorical and traditional forces. Even if theyconstitute almost 50% of the total population ,they are still swallowing in mire of illiteracy, poverty,obscurantism and exploitation so common intraditional society. Despite implementation ofseveral developmental programmes, the problemof women emancipation and securing a rightfulplace for them in the society continue to areas ofgreat concern. Since the status of women in thesociety inextricably interwined with the interplayof socio-economic forces which are mostly notpositive or supportive of women development, itis now being increasingly realized to bring thewomen apart with men to play an equal, activeand meaningful role in all spheres of national life.The Government of India as well as theGovernment of Orissa have embarked uponmassive welfare measures for the upliftment ofwomen especially in the rural and backwardsegments. In the post independence era, a numberof Acts have been adopted in India that affectwomen and their position.

History, repleted with myriad socialreformers, thinkers, Politicians who contributed

prodigiously for the upliftment of womendevelopment . Among them Biju Patnaik is a nameto worth mentioned. It was only during his secondspell as Chief Minister, which will be rememberedby posterity for the different steps he took for thedevelopment and empowerment of women. In away, Biju could be regarded as an ardent feministwho not only fought against women oppressionwith a strong administrative will but at the sametime was an ardent advocate of equal rights formen and women.

Biju wants to see the women to be selfindependent and mentally as well as sociallyequipped to do something for the state rather thanrunning after a Job. He once said " To look for ajob presents a servile mind, to step into the openworld presents a challenging mind". Biju Patnaikwas most emphatic about women education,which according to him is the main key to socialdevelopment and women empowerment. For himwomen education will contribute significantly tohealth delivery system. He once said in his addressat the meeting in National Development Council" On the health front, it is heartening to note thatadoption of multidisciplinary approach for tacklingproblems. It has been rightly stated that education,specially women education has great deal tocontribute to the health delivery system. Similarlyin our strategy for population control, it isaccepted that the focus should be on women'sstatus, female literacy, responsible motherhoodand control of infant mortality". .Biju Babu wasinstrumental in setting up a large number of girls


64


high schools, women's colleges, womenpolytechniques and women B.Ed. collegesthroughout Orissa including a good number ofsuch institutions in the tribal dominated areas.During his tenure as Chief Minister, a large numberof SC and ST girl students were provided withscholarship. Several concessions were declaredby Biju Babu for the privately managed butgovernment aided girls high schools and women'scolleges. He gave particular emphasis to scienceeducation, skill development and vocationaltraining of girls. During the international women'sweek 01 March to 08 March, 1994, massawareness camps were organized by State Socialwelfare Board to spread the message of equality,empowerment and entrepreneurship of women.He himself participated in a state level workshopon women and science and technology, apioneering step in post-independence era in thestate.

Biju Babu took a decision to raise theupper age limit by five years for women candidatefor various state government jobs and forappearing at various written examinations andinterviews in connection with recruitment. And hedid not stop at that. He went on to announce 305reservations for women in all categories ofgovernment recruitment. His government decidedto take over the management of all thegovernment-aided primary, middle and highschools, which benefited thousands of ladyteachers. More over he took a revolutionary stepby making a policy decision that all the posts ofprimary school teachers in Orissa henceforth shallbe reserved for qualified women candidate.Sabai Grass Development Corporation :

Biju Babu took a policy decision in 1994to set up a Sabai Grass DevelopmentCorporation. Sabai grass is used by womenbelonging to SCs and STs to produce householditems including ropes and rope-products. Oftenthese poor women are exploited by the

middlemen and unscrupulous traders. It wasdecided that the corporation would provideimproved varieties of Sabai seeds and necessaryimplements to women engaged in this cultivationand trade. The corporation would organizetechnical training to women for skill developmentand better education. Marketing of the productswould also be taken care by the corporation. Itwas decided that the state government and "Youth-Ending-Hunger" an international voluntaryagency would jointly operationalise thecorporation.Orissa Mahila Vikas Nigam :

With view to Implementing the Nationalplan for women's development, the governmentof Orissa under the chief minister ship of BijuPatnaik established the Orissa WomenDevelopment Corporation (Orissa Mahila VikasNigam) in 1991, which is currently working asthe apex state level women's co-operative body.It was a joint venture by the Government of India,the Government of Orissa and a number ofwomen's organization. Its main aims andobjectives are as follows :(i) To integrate all the development plans forwomen at stat district, block, gram panhayats andvillage level.(ii) To build women as a healthy social andeconomic force for nation building and to facilitatetheir individual and collective efforts.(iii) To train women entrepreneurs forindividual, co-operative and joint enterprises.(iv) To provide margin money to women foravailing loans from banks and other financialinstitutions.(v) To create a congenial environment for theimplementation for women developmentprogrammes.

This corporation has already completeda decade of its existence and is working as the


65


nodal agency to coordinate and monitor variouswomen development plans. Same of the majoractivities that are being undertaken by thecorporation include income generation schemesfor women groups, social training programmes,marketing assistance to women, organization ofWomen self help group, the notion of genderequality within the development paradigm andorganising meetings of women entrepreneur.

Another interesting area of operation ofthe corporation is its financial assistance and easyloan facilities to various women groups,educational institutions and NGOs to open "Women Study Circles" to impart examinationoriented coaching to women candidate appearingin different competitive examinations.State Commission for Women :

Biju Babu established the StateCommission for Women in Orissa in line withNational Commission for Women, another steptowards highlighting the cause of women andprotection of the rights and privileges of women.The commission is functioning as a apex bodywith the following main objectives :(i) To receive complaints of atrocities againstwomen and to create mass awareness against alltypes of atrocities including dowry torture anddowry death.

(ii) To establish coordination with humanrights protection cell for elimination of torture.

(iii) To involve Non-Govt. Organisations toflight against dowry problems and to rehabilitatedestitute and deserted women.(iv) To impress upon govt. for solution ofwomen problems with provision of minimumwage.(v) To ensure compulsory registration ofmarriage and to provide health care and maternityfacilities.

Mrs Ranu Mishra was the first chairpersonof SCW in Orissa, who was succeeded by Prof.Lopamudra Mohanty. Today the state can takepride in the hundred of success stories bringingrelief to the women in distress. Biju Babu wasdead-against the people who oppressed womenand committed atrocities on them, as he said " Iwill not like to hear a whisper about oppressionto woman. dream of a day when women willplay equal role with men. They will exercise withmen equal power and enjoy the same privilege.This should be my dream of tomorrow the 21stcentury.Fight against Dowry :

Many will remember the much publicizeddowry death when the in-laws of the victim werehandcuffed and paraded to the court premises. Itwas on his order that the police had meted outthis humiliating punishment. This action it may said,did create a fear in the minds of would-be dowryseekers and would-be bride killers. He also issuedinstructions that a government servant againstwhom a primefacie case of dowry offence ismade out shall be put under suspension and if hisresponsibility for offence is established, he shallbe dismissed from service.

Biju castigated vehemently the perniciousrepercussion of dowry in the contemporarysociety. As a measure to eradicate this social evil,anti-dowry campaigns were being arranged byvoluntary organizations for encouraging awarenessthrough workshops and seminars. During 1992-93, the total allocation was Rs. 0.57 lakh and theentire amount was spent for organising 27 streettheatres in Cuttack, Puri and Balasore districts.During 1993-94, an amount of Rs. 50 lakhs wasprovided in the budget with an outlay of Rs. 50lakhs in 1994-95. Biju appealed to the people inmist of his meeting to wipe out this unmitigateddevil from our society. In one of his independencemessage to the people, he said " I speak it with aheavy heart that we have not been able to force


66


ourselves from may social evils after forty sevenyears of independence. The malady of dowry hasstill its firm grip over the ignorant, the enlightened,the poor and the rich as well and puts no limit tobride death and bride torture in our society".Concern for Tribal Women :

Biju Babu was perhaps the only ChiefMinister of an Indian State who appointed fivetribal ladies as his " Unoffcial Advisiors" onprohibition, sustainable development, literary andimplementation of different anti-povertyprogrammes. He even told these lady advisorsthat they would have power at par with " police"and they are free to communicate with the ChiefMinister without any hesitation. Incidentally oneof the ladies, Mrs Sumani Jhadiani has beenrecommended of the National " Stree Shakti"award by the government of Orissa I 2001, theyear of Women Empowerment in India.Mahila Samrudhi Yojana :

Mahila Samrudhi Yojana was anotherwelfare step launched during the year 1993 withthe objectives of promoting self-reliance andeconomic development as well as independenceamong rural women. This scheme envisages thateach woman may deposit under the MahilaSamrudhi Yojana account up to Rs. 300/- in ayear to which the govt. would contribute 25% asincentive.Women's Reservation in Panchyati Raj :

Biju Babu was the first leader in India totake very bold step in regards to grass-roots leveldemocracy. It was during his first tenure as theChief Minister in early 1960s that he restructuredthe rural and urban local bodies and brought insuitable amendments to the existing Acts of 1948,1959 and 1960. But during his second term asthe Chief Minister, he was more passionate aboutwomen development through empowerment ingrass roof democracy as he once said " I havealways maintained that development will be of no

value until we improve the social conditions ofour mothers and sisters, 30% of the seats I havereserved for them in new Panchayat Raj system.I am confident that the mothers and sisters whorun their households so efficiently will run thePanchyati Samiti and Zilla Parishad with equalcompetence. Since almost half of the country'spopulation re women, any further negligence inthe field of women's welfare will be creatingawareness among women and assuring them oftheir legitimate rights and privileges".

He announced that for the first time in thehistory of independent India, women will be given33% reservation in the Panchyat Raj system. Andtrue to his word, he saw to it that the Orissa ZillaParishad Act of 1991 and the Grama PanchyatAct of 1992, were passed by the OrissaLegislative Assembly that provide for thereservation 33% for women including SC and STwomen.

So for the first time, more than 28thousand women were elected to the variousGram Panchayat , Panchayat Samitis and ZillaParishads. Biju Babu again saw to it that all theelected women representatives of P.R. shouldreceive adequate political and administrativetraining. Many of them started receiving training.Many of them started receiving training with thehelp of the State Institute Of Rural Development,the Orissa women Development Co-operativeCorporation and many other NGOs working indifferent parts of Orissa .

It may be pointed that Biju Patnaik'spolicies on reservation for women were followedby many other state governments in India thatculminated in the 73rd and 74th Amendment Actproviding similar provision for rural and urbanlocal bodies respectively.

Dr Tushar Kanta Pattnaik is a faculty member in theUtkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar.


67


The Hindu kingdom of Orissa lost its completepolitical identity after the demise of the last KingsMukunda Dev. The rules of the Afghans, theMughals, the Naib-Nazims, the Marathas broughtfurther instability and territorial vivisection. Furtherunder the British rule three major political divisionscame up. i.e, territories north of Chilika lake,territories south of Chilika Lake, and the westernhilly tracts. Gradually these divisions passed underdifferent situations. Finally, it took shape underthe adminitrations i.e., Bengal Presidency,Madrass Presidency and the Central Provincesas per the exigencies of the time without anyconsideration of race, language and culture. As aresult the Oriya people in these administrationbecame a negligible minority.

Following, the British occupation ofOrissa the land was subjected to administrativenegligence, mis-management excessive taxation,and oppressive of the currupt officials, whichbrought Economic devastation of the country, andcaused natural calamities i.e., famines and floods.As a result the Oriyas lost their own identity andculture. In the later part of the 19th century,however a big step was undertaken to strengthenthe Oriya language and culture against Bengali,Telugu, and Hindi Chauvinism. H.H. Risley,Secretary to Government of India in 1903-05once observed: When the people speaking adistinct language were distributed over areas too

small to constitute a substantial portion of aprovince they were neglected. After this statementthe leaders of the Oriya Movement got furtherencouraged and demanded a separate policiticalidentity of their own. Later on it could possibledue to the rise of middle class intelligentia and thegrowth of Mass Media, like press, and thedevlopment of new Science and Technology.

The local newspapers like, the UtkalDipika of Cuttack, Prajabandhu of Rambha,and the Sambalpur Hitaisini of Bamara playedan important role to create the nationalconciousness among the Oriyas under thetowering personalities of Shyamasundar Rajguruof Paralakhemundi, Nilamani Vidyaratna ofBamara,Gaurisankar Roy of Cuttack. Soon after1866, education made good progress in Orissa.The advancement of education introduced theOriyas to western knowledge to seek higher postsin administration.

The Oriya intelligentia became socially andpolitically concious. The elite class formed thecream layer of the society for the growth ofpolitical and social conciousness among thepeople. They took up the cause of the Oriyasand raised the cry, Orissa for Oriyas.

The language controversy surfaced tosubstitute Bengali for Oriya as medium with a series

Formation of Orissa as a Separate Province

Pareswar Sahoo


68


of attacks and counter-attacks involving Oriya vrsBengali in Cuttack,Balasore, Sambalpur andGanjam. To substitute Bengali, Hindi, Telugu inplace of Oriya was a mean attempt indeed.

Rajendra Lal Mitra suggested, "Even asa race, the Oriya s were not different from theBengalies. In his opinion Oriya language wasmerely an offsoot of Bengali. KantichandraBhattcharya, a teacher of Balasore Zilla schoolsupported the opinion of R.L Mitra and broughtout a booklet suggesesting Odia Ekti SwatantraBhasa Naye .

In the year 1876 Raja Shyamananda De,of Balasore, Babu Bichitrananda Das of Jaipurand Raja Baikunthanath De of Balasore submitteda memorandum to Lord Curzon for theamalgamation of all Oriya speaking tracts ofMadras, Bengal, and the Central Provinces. TheUtkal Sabha demanded for fixation of theterritorial limits where the Oriyas would be spokenunder one administration. But the attempt faileddue to Govt. Resolution No.237 dated 15thJanuary. Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna, the editorof Sambalpur Hitaisini called upon the peopleto protest against this unjust order of the Govt.through his poems and powerful writings.

During 1895-1905 the Odia andNavasambad advocated the merger of Ganjam,Ghumsar, Jaypore and other princely states ofSouth, Sambalpur and the other adjacent statesof Bamara, Bilaspur, Patnas, Sonpore, Raipur andother princely states in west, Chaibasa andSinghbhumi, stretching from the Suvarnarekha toTamluk in the north with the Orissa Division. Thereby a long cherished desire of the people to beunited with their own race could be fulfiled.

The creation of Orissa, as a separateprovince was taken up by a series of administrative

Committiees and Govt Resoluitions. In 1919,theMontegue Chemsford reforms gave a proposalfor granting of the constitutional and provincialautonomy to the Oriya speaking tracts. Nowonder the Montegue-Chemsfordrecommendation proved still-born. Besides, theSinha Resolution on 20th Feb.1920, proposedthe resolution in the council This councilrecommends to the Governor- General in Councilthat a mixed committee of officials and non-officials be appointed to formulate a scheme forthe amalgamation of the Oriya- speaking tractsat present controlled by the Governments ofMadras, Bengal and the Central Provinces withexisting Orissa Division of the Province of Biharand Orissa.

To strengthend the Sinha Proposal theGovernment of India appointed a Commissionconsisting of C.H Phillip and A.C. Duff in 1924.

The Commission visited the places likeVizagpattam, Paralakhemundi, Mandasa,Icchapuram, Chikiti, Sorada, Khalikote,Barahampur, Rambha in order to ascertain thedesire and opinion of the people and submittedto the Govt. that, There is a genuine and longstanding deep-seated desire on the part of theeducated Oriya classes of the Oriya speakingtracts to amalgamate with Orissa under oneadministration

On behalf of the Oriya speaking people,Krishna Chandra Gajapati, the Maharaj ofParalakhemundi, went to London to attend theRound Table Conference and presented aMemorandum in farour of creating the separatestate of Orissa. The Govt.of India announced intheir Resolution No. F.12. VI-31 of 18thSeptember 1931, the formation of a BoundaryCommission under Samuel O Donnell toexamine and report on administrative, financial


69


and other consequences of setting up a separateadministration and demarcate the boundaries ofthe proposed Orissa province. The Commissionvisited places and record 410 witnesses atJamsedpur, Chaibasa, Sambalpur, Raipur,Midnapur, Gopalpur, Waltair, Kakinada, andCuttack.

In determing the boundaries theyexamined several factors like, language, race,geographical position and the economic interests.The Orissa province was to include OrissaDivision, Angul, Padmapur, Khariar, Vizagpattamagency tracts. This proposal was recommendedby the Joint Select Committee under theleadership of Lord Linithgow. As per thisCommittee Berhmpur town, Jeypore estateReport, about 30% of Paralakhemendi stateincluding Paralakhimendi town, Jalantara wereincluded in the proposed Orissa province.

Thus after a long period of struggle theOriya people got re-united after centuries ofpolitical separation. On 1st April 1936, the newprovince of Orissa came into existence on linguesticbasic during the British rule in india with Sir JhonAustin Hubbak as the first Governor. A longcherished dream of Oriya people and their leaderslike Madhubabu came true.

References

1. A.K. Kulkarni.,(ed), Jedhe Shakavali Ani Kavina,Pune, 1999, p.239

2. P.K. Jena., Orissa - A New Province, Histories ofGovernment and Politics in Orissa From 1936-1949, Calcutta 1938, P-6

3. Ibid., PP-8-10

4. N.K. Sahu & Others., - History of Orissa, Cuttack,1980, P-439

5. Ibid.

6. Op.cit., P.K. Jena, ZP 10-15

7. Utkal Dipika 25. Dec. 1886.

8. N. Mohanty., Orissa Nationalism, Quest for aUnited Orissa (1866-1936) New Delhi,1982p-97

9. Amrita Bazar Patrika, 9th Jan, 1904

10. S.C.Bose, The Indian Struggle 1920-1942,Bombay, 1967, p.78

11. Ibid.

12. Ibid.

13. N. Rao., A Study of the Search for Identity of Orisssaand the Creation of a Separate Province,Bhubaneswar, 2001 p. 102.

14. Ibid.

15. Ibid.

16. Op.cit. N. Mohanty, p- 86.

17. R.B. Banerjee, History of Orissa Vols. I & II.Calcutta, 1930, P. 76.

18. Ibid.

19. Op.cit. N. Rao. P67

20. Ibid.

Pareswar Sahoo is a Ph.D. Scholar in the P.G.Department of History, Utkal University, Vani Vihar,Bhubaneswar - 751004.


70


In a world divided into two hostile camps engagedin cold war, many newely emerged sovereignstates of Asia, Africa and Latin America of thepost-war period decided to remain away fromthese camps, the cold war and its alliances. Theydid this with a view to maintain their independencein international relations. The policy, which guidedthe path of such states,came to be gradually knownas Non-alignment. The movement owes its originsto the Asian Relations Meeting of New Delhi(1947) and the Afro-Asian Conference atBandung, Indonesia (1955) where Prime MinisterNehru played a very dynamic role. As amovement, however, Non-alignment was formallylaunched at the Belgrade Conference. Thepioneers of the notion of Non-alignment werePandit Nehru of India, Marshall Tito ofYogoslavia, President Nasser of Egypt and withina span of four decades, the movement whichstarted with only 25 members at Belgrade, roseto 116 during the 13th NAM Summit held onFebruary 2003 in Kuala Lumpur.

The 44-Year old NAM has remained anobject of immense appleuse as well as ruthlesscriticism throughout its existence. The US dubbedit as immoral and non sense Even Stalin feltthat Those who were not with us were againstus . The Chinese Communist Supremo Maodeclared that a country must lean to be on one

side or the other and a third path does not exist .They despised the NAM ever since the latter wasreckoned as an important factor in internationalpolitics. Notwithstanding this criticism NAMremained a potent and powerful force in the coldwar era. It took bold stands on issues affectingthe newly independent and developing countriesand was decidedly, a force that neither of the twosuper powers could afford to ignore. The NAMas a movement of the small, newly-independentand developing countries has been determined tocarve out an independent path of developmentand not to remain an appendage of any colonisingpower or superpower. This objective helpedNAM in making a significant headway throughoutthe cold war era. The crusade against imperialismand racism met with greater success with largenumber of colonies the list of the UN and NAMas sovereign and Independent nation states. Theeconomic concerns were related to the North-South great economic divide, dubious role of theinternational Financial bodies, poverty and aboveall the vitality for a strong South-Southcooperation. The search was for a NIEOenvisaging the restructuring of the global financialand monetary structure on just and equitablegrounds. NAM played the role of cooling effectin ensuring global peace in the midst of cold warrivalry.

Is NAM Relevent Today

Siddhartha Dash


71


NAM has been subjected to moreruthless criticism in the post-cold war period thanin its long career. In the changed internationalscenario-the collapse of the former Soviet Unionand the end of the cold war, the question has beenposed as to whether NAM remains valid or not,it is often argued that since Non-alignment wasborn and brought up in the cold war context whyshould it not be renounced in the post-cold warworld ? Let us put forth a counter question. Thecold war is over. The War saw Pact has beendismantled, the Soviet Union has disappeared. Isthe North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)relevant ? The non-aligned countries represent thewill and voices of three-fourth humankind. In orderto visualise its cherished goal the NAM needs tobe especially innovative. The 21st century is forNAM s rebirth under new democratic philosophy.The tectonic shifts in international relations overthe last decade have challenged NAM to adoptitself to effectively tackle the new contemporarychallenges.

NAM should have a clear consensus onkey issues of common concern to all of us.Multiolateralism, reform of the UN system, globaldisarmament and combating global terrorismshould be the political elements of this agenda.The collapse of Bipolarity and the rise ofUnilateralism have given a unique cause to thisdeveloping body to strive for multilateralism ininternational relations. NAM should develop intoa major pole in a multi-polar world. The issue ofreforming the UN structure for a just world orderhas been going for long. The NAM should striveto restore the central role of the UN in the globaleconomic issues, development and maintenanceof peace and security in the world. Non-discriminatory, time-bound nuclear and generaldisarmament should be the objective towardswhich the movement should endeavour. The entire

world today is facing a unique crisis in transnationalterrorism, which is striking country s political,economic and social edifice with immunity. Themembers within the NAM framework needs towork out a realistic strategy to counter this dangerin collaboration with the international communityin a war footing.

Perhaps the most important role forNAM today lies in framing a concrete economicagenda for a just and fair international economicorder. The globalisation and liberalization trendsworldwide have generated complex economicproblems. The rich-poor divide has widened. TheWTO rules and procedures have failed to provideadequate economic gains to the third world. WTOsummits have failed to reach a consensus on manyissues. Its role in WTO negotiations to advanceand protect the trading rights and opportunitiesof developing countries and in muscling up theirnegotiating position and skills would be the chiefconcern. It should strive to reform and reorientthe globalization process through a strongdevelopmental agenda. NAM has an effectiverole to play in this regard provided membercountries try to see the benefits from a unifiedangle without any partisan considerations.

South-South cooperation should becomea major economic plank of the movement. Its rolein the present century would be strengthened bymore South-South cooperation, which wouldmean, by and large, collaboration between andamong the NAM countries and defending theirinterests from fast expanding economic andtechnological power of the North.

NAM should develop a progressiveagenda on the fundamental values of democracy,human rights and multiculturism. The preservationand consolidation of democracy throughout itsmembership is a major challenge.


72


NAM's spectrum could be furtherenlarged with the increasing concern worldwideover environmental issues over green house gasemissions, health concerns especially AIDS, drugtrafficking, rising instances of poverty andunemployment mostly within the NAM membersand LDC countries, the rising digital dividebetween the rich and poor and fight against allshades of extremise, xenophobia, ethnicnationalism, regional wars.

To quote M.S. Rajan, Non-alignment isa dynamic policy and retains its continuingrelevance in world affairs by adapting itself to thechanging international context and the needs ofnon-aligned community of nations. Peter Willetts,another advocate of Non-alignment, holds theview that "whether if will be a bipolar, multipolaror unipolar world, Non-alignment will have aplace in it as an independent foreign policy." Wecan conclude in the words of former PrimeMinister P.V. Narasimha Rao : "The pursuit ofnonaligned foreign policy is ever more relevant(today) than ever before. Nonalignment basicallyconsists of the espousal of the right to nations toindependence and development, regardless of thebloc phenomenon. Whether there is one bloc ormore at a given moment, the urge for a nonalignedcountry would continue to be to maintain itsindependence, to take decisions according to itslight, not tagging along itself, in advance toothers . . . . ". He added : "Chimera of hegemonymust not be pursued". This was, apparently, a

warning to the United States in the post-cold warunipolar world.

Suggested Reading

Bandyopadhya, J. "The NAM and InternationalRelations", India Quarterly, New Delhi, april -June 1977.

Calvocoressi, Peter, "World Politics since 1945"(New York, 1982). 4th edn.

Mehta, J.S., "Non-alignment - MissionAccomplished", Indian Express, September 3,1991, P.6.

Parmeshawaran, T.V., "Third World and NAM",Third Concept, Vol.8, No.89, New Delhi, July1994.

Rajan, M.S., "Non-alignment : Dichotomybetween theory and practice in Perspective", IndiaQuarterly, January - March 1980.

Raman P. "New Role for NAM", The Tribute(Chandigarh) April 2, 1999, p.8.

Willetts, Peter, "Non-aligned Movement, PopularPrakashan, Mumbai, 1978.

Siddhartha Dash lives at N4/205, IRC Village,Bhubaneswar 751015.


Message ofShri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Hon'ble Vice-President of IndiaOn the Occasion of Orissa Day - 2006

I am happy to know that 'Orissa Day' is being celebrated on 1st April to mark its formationDay. My greetings and good wishes to the people of Orissa on this historic occasion.

Richly endowed with great and varied natural resources, mines and minerals, art and crafts,secular social traditions and peace loving people, Orissa has preserved some of the finest aspects ofIndia's glorious cultural heritage. These resources can be optimally harnessed for the State's rapid andsustained progress.

Orissa, today, is on the path of economic resurgence. The growing investment profile of theState is an index of its progress. Its initiative of economic reforms in several core sectors of economy,I hope, will equip the State to discharge its special responsibility towards removal of poverty andunderdevelopment. The India of tomorrow, I am sure, shall derive its strength from the success of theState.

I wish the celebrations all success.

New Delhi (Bhairon Singh Shekhawat)20th March 2006


I am happy to learn that the Government of Orissa is celebrating 'Orissa Day' on 1st April.

Orissa is a many splendoured state endowed with a rich cultural heritage that includes a tradition

of painting, dance, architectures and sculpture. On this important Day, the people of the State should

resolve to work hard for the overall development and prosperity of their state and make it a role model

for development.

On this occasion, I extend my greetings to the people of Orissa for their onward progress and

prosperity and wish the Celebrations all success.

New Delhi (A.P. J. Abdul Kalam)

March 24, 2006

Message ofDr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

His Excellency the President of IndiaOn the Occasion of Orissa Day - 2006


The creation of Orissa as the first State of our country, on the basis of language, on April 1,1936 constituted a landmark in our historic quest for the linguistic reorganization of States. The peopleof Orissa and indeed the whole nation owe a debt of gratitude to the vision of Utkalmani GopabandhuDas, Madhusudan Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati and other stalwarts who spearheadedthe movement for a separate State and which was strongly supported by none less than MahatmaGandhi. The rich history of the State, its magnificent literary and cultural heritage and its exquisitehandicrafts have fascinated the rest of the world. The progress and development of Orissa in diversefields testify to the industry and hard work of its people and their determination to make it more modern,prosperous and vibrant. I am sure that the celebration of the Orissa Day will further inspire the Governmentand the people of the State to work for its greater advancement.

I have great pleasure in extending my greetings and good wishes to all those associated with the

celebrations of Orissa Day for its success.

New Delhi (Manmohan Singh)

March 22, 2006

Message ofDr. Manmohan Singh

Hon'ble Prime Minister of IndiaOn the Occasion of Orissa Day - 2006


Dear Sisters and Brothers,

It is a matter of great privilege for me to address you all on this sacred occasion of UtkalDivas.

The 1st of April is a memorable day to the people of Orissa and all Oriya-speakingpeople. Seventy years ago, on this day the dream of the Oriyas to have a separate state of theirown was materialised with the creation of the province of Orissa. Orissa is the first state in thewhole country to be formed on the basis of language.

On this auspicious occasion, we proudly remember the relentless efforts put by manyillustrious sons and daughters of this land, who contributed a lot for the formation of a separatestate for the Oriyas. In paying our humble tributes to Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, UtkalmaniGopabandhu Das, Maharaja Krushnachandra Gajapati Dev, Maharaja Shriram Chandra BhanjaDeo, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati, Swabhav Kabi Gangadhar Meher and many others, weremember their self-less sacrifice and continue to be emulated by their lofty ideals.

Ancient Orissa was known for her rich martial traditions as well as maritime, culturaland architectural heritage. With a luminous literary tradition, the expressions of Oriyas havealways reflected their strong cultural identity. The Orissan art in the forms of textiles, paintings,stone, horn and filigree works reveals consummate skills and exquisite beauty the Oriyasperceive.

Orissa s image as harbinger of peace has been boldly outlined. It is the sacred landfrom where the message of peace spread over to other parts of the world after the historicKalinga War. Oriyas as a race have always been honoured with crowning glory.

Orissa s vast reserve of the natural resources is yet to be fully harnessed. My Government,therefore, has adopted the mode of constructive approach to set up new industries in the fieldof mines and minerals. A record number of MOUs have been signed with many Steel Majorshaving great reputation in the field of international trade and industry. Proper utilization of thesenatural resources will usher in an era of prosperity to the State.

Message ofShri Rameshwar Thakur

His ExcellencyThe Governor of Orissa

On the Occasion of Utkal Divas - 2006


Paradigm of development has usually experienced the dichotomy betweenindustrialization and resettlement. However, my Government has strong determination and firmcommitment to ensure suitable resettlement and rehabilitation of the people affected in theprocess of industrilization. The policy of the State Government targeting the rehabilitation andresettlement of the people in industrial belts will certainly set examples in the whole country forbringing meaningful solutions to this longstanding problem.

My Government has accorded top priority to developing the agriculture sector, becausemore than 70% of the State population are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Thegrowth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in agriculture and allied sectors throughcomprehensive re-examination of the agriculture strategy, development of irrigation especiallyminor irrigation, conservation and utilization of biological resources, diversification of high yieldingcash-crops and cost effectiveness while increasing productivity are some thrust areas alreadyidentified for speedy implementation.

There has been perceptible progress in empowering women economicallythrough Self Help Groups, universalisation of Integrated Child Development Schemes, adoptionof multi-pronged approach for development of rural Orissa and also improving the standard ofliving of the common man. For improvement in health status of the people my government isstriving hard to strengthen the service delivery mechanism at the field level in health sector.Schemes are being implemented, guaranting employment for rural workers.

We are living in an era of information. The world is now moving into a convergencemode because of potential of the Information & Communication Technology and its impact onother sectors. Sustainable development and use of ICT hold the key to faster growth and preparethe state to gain a competitive strength in the globalised economy. My Government is, therefore,strengthening its effort to enhance common man s access to IT enabled services.

Good governance has become the order of the day. In its commitment to providetransparent, accountable and responsive administration my Government has sincerelyimplemented the Right to Information Act, 2005 in the state. The system of governance isexperiencing a gradual transformation towards transparency with the arrival of this Act. Citizen saccess to information on activities of government departments and other public authorities hasbeen rapidly increasing and the government is coming closer than ever before to the people.

To-day s Orissa promises plethora of possibilities. Reaching the threshold of an economicboom the state is all poised for unprecedented growth and prosperity. On this auspiciousoccasion let us join hands to accelerate this pace of progress.

Vande Utkal Janani.


Message ofShri Naveen Patnaik

Hon'ble Chief Minister of OrissaOn the Occasion of Utkal Divas - 2006

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

On the auspicious occasion of Utkal Divas, I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to

you all.

Utkal Divas is an important and sacred day for all of us. On this day, Orissa emerged as a

separate province. I pay tribute to all illustrious sons of Orissa who made significant contribution towards

the formation of a separate state of Orissa. I also pay tribute to those who contributed a lot for the

growth and development of the literature and culture of Orissa.

Orissa has a glorious history and a rich tradition. In past days, the race of Oriyas had earned

name and fame in the whole world. The kings of Orissa extended the boundaries of their empire by

conquering different States. The sculptors and architects of Orissa had built beautiful temples. The race

of Oriyas was quite advanced in the fields of industry, trade, dance, music and many other fields.

We have now resolved to build a new and prosperous Orissa by reviving our glorious past. It

is planned to set up new industries in harnessing abundant natural resources of Orissa. More particularly,

many Industries are going to be set up in Steel and Aluminium sector. By this exercise, the revenue will

be mobilised and new employment opportunities will be created for our youths. The State Government

has signed MOUs with 43 companies to establish Steel and Aluminium industries in the State. There

will be 58 million tonnes production from these industries. Thirteen companies have already started

partial production by now. 7000 people have been provided direct employment by this. In the process

of industrialisation much emphasis will be on the protection of environment and a well planned rehabilitation

policy will be put in place for those who have lost their land and home.


Agriculture constitutes the mainstay of our economy. Our Government is laying much emphasis

on agriculture-based industries for the development of agriculture. We are according priority to floriculture,

horticulture, fruit and spices cultivation in our programmes. We are also giving much emphasis to provide

market facility to the farmers.

Our population mostly comprises 25% tribals. Our tribal culture has enriched the culture of

Orissa. My Government has initiated many programmes for development of the tribal area as well as

increasing the income of tribals. The progress of our state primarily hinges on the development of

farmers, workers, poor, sheduled tribes and scheduled castes. I am, therefore, attaching much priority

to these sectors.

The Mission Shakti Programme has been operated on full swing for empowering the women.

By creating a new consciousness among the women, this programme has turned into a mass movement.

We have planned to take forward this scheme in the coming days.

My Government is emphasising on the development of tourism, IT and Infrastructure. The

development of rural areas has also been accorded top priority. The programme of rural connectivity,

supply of drinking water, provision of education and health facility are also going on full swing. My

Government has decided to provide all-weather connectivity to all villages having 1000 population and

villages having 500 population in tribal areas in our State. A master plan has been prepared for this

programme. Another master plan has been prepared to irrigate 35% cultivable land in each block of

our State. Steps are being taken to develop Gopalpur and Dhamra Ports.

My aim is to build a prosperous Orissa. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath and all your good

wishes this aim will be fulfilled. On this auspicious occasion of Utkal Divas, let us take solemn pledge to

build a progressive and prosperous Orissa.

Vande Utkal Janani


On the auspicious occasion of 71st Utkal Divas, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all

sisters and brothers of Orissa.

The mother and the motherland are always revered. The race of Oriyas have always maintained

their rarity and dignity over the ages. The history of this race has been endowed with crowning glory.

The art and sculpture of this race are incomparable. The Odissi dance and music are completely of its

own. Earlier, Orissa was known as Kalinga, Utkal, Kangoda and Kosala. With a rich heritage and a

great culture, once Orissa had carried the great Indian cultural values to the entire eastern part of the

globe. The maritime trade of Sadhabas still remain distinct in Java, Sumatra, Indonesia, Bali and other

Islands as a glorious chapter.

Seventy years ago, the separate province of Orissa came into being on this sacred day. This is

an historic moment. Despite many odds, the relentless struggle and the dream of great sons of Orissa

like Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das, Utkalmani Gopabandhu, the King of Parala, Krushna Chandra

Gajapati Narayan Deb, the King of Mayurbhanj Sriramchandra Bhanjadeo, Pandit Nilakantha Das,

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan, Gangadhar Meher, Godabarish Mishra and many

others was at last realised with the creation of a separate State of Oriya-Speaking people. The day,

therefore, is quite sacred and memorable for all of us. I offer my sincere tribute to those heroes of

Orissa, whose selfless sacrifice caused the formation of a separate province. The depiction of history

on the stone continues to emulate us. Our art, culture, sculpture, dance and music have special significance.

Message ofShri Debasis Nayak

Hon'ble MinisterInformation & Public Relations,

Sports & Youth ServicesOn the Occasion of Utkal Divas - 2006


Lord Jagannath of Orissa represents the synthesis of all religions. Utkal or Orissa is the epitome of

consummate art and valour. Our State holds out varieties of natural spots, extended sea shore, perennial

rivers, mountains and many other tourist spots. There is a challenge before us to fully harness these

natural resources. To face this challenge boldly, there has been sincere effort to transform these resources

into the well being of the people as well as prosperity of the State.

While remembering the selfless sacrifice rendered by the great sons of Orissa in the formation

of a separate state, the people of Orissa resolve to work hard and take the State towards a dignified

place in the whole political and geographical map of India as a move towards strengthening the great

socio-cultural ethos inherited from the time immemorial.

On this auspicious occasion, I earnestly appeal to the sisters and brothers of Orissa to revive

our past glory and pride and to take solemn pledge for transforming the state into an advanced and

prosperous one.

Vande Utkal Janani


ORISSA REVIEW VOL. LXII NO. 9 APRIL - 2006

DIGAMBAR MOHANTY, I.A.S.Commissioner-cum-Secretary

BAISHNAB PRASAD MOHANTYDirector-cum-Joint Secretary

SASANKA SEKHAR PANDAJoint Director-cum-Deputy Secretary

Editor

BIBEKANANDA BISWALAssociate Editor

Debasis PattnaikSadhana Mishra

Editorial Assistance

Manas R. NayakCover Design & Illustration

Hemanta Kumar SahooManoj Kumar Patro

D.T.P. & Design

Raju SinghManash Ranjan Mohanty

Photo

The Orissa Review aims at disseminating knowledge and information concerning Orissassocio-economic development, art and culture. Views, records, statistics and information publishedin the Orissa Review are not necessarily those of the Government of Orissa.

Published by Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Orissa,Bhubaneswar - 751001 and Printed at Orissa Government Press, Cuttack - 753010.

For subscription and trade inquiry, please contact : Manager, Publications, Information & PublicRelations Department, Loksampark Bhawan, Bhubaneswar - 751001.

Five Rupees / CopyFifty Rupees / Yearly

E-mail : iprsec rediffmail.comVisit : http://orissagov.nic.inContact : Ph. 0674-2411839


CONTENTS

Movement for Special Province of Orissa Dr. Janmejaya Choudhury ... 1

A Movement for Restoration of Oriya Language Pabitra Mohan Barik ... 5

Antiquity of Arkakshetra Konark Dr. Benudhar Patra ... 7

A Little Known Sun Temple at Palia Harekrushna Aich ... 13

The Perishing Tradition of Osha, Brata and Mela inOrissa : An Overview Pratap Kumar Dash ... 15

Hypertension Soma Panda ... 19

Sanskrit Scholars of Orissa Jayanti Rath ... 27

Freedom Struggle and Rama Devi Dr. Chinmayee Satpathy ... 38

Integration of Princely States : A Study Balabhadra Ghadai ... 42

Oriya-Speaking Feudatory States and TheirAmalgamation with Orissa Dr. Hemanta Ku. Mohapatra ... 45

Issue of Untouchability in Modern India Tofan Bemal ... 52

Micronutrient Management Through Organic Farming Dr. S.K. Sahu, Dr. P.K. Samant ... 57

Water : The Elixir of Life and Wonderful Gift Dr. Prafulla Ku. Mohanty ... 59

Women Development and Biju Babu Dr. Tushar Kanta Pattnaik ... 63

Formation of Orissa as a Separate Province Pareswar Sahoo ... 67

Is NAM Relevent Today Siddharth Dash ... 70


EDITORIAL Orissa Review

1st of April is a historical, memorable and great day for the people of Orissa as 70 years ago, Orissawas born as the first State of India formed on the basis of language, i.e. Oriya. From the days of thegreat epic Mahabharata Kalinga has got a distinct identity. Magadhan Emperor Asoka's conversionto Buddhism in the land of Kalinga in the 4th century B.C. is a historic event. Emperor Kharavela'sconquests far and wide brought glory for the Kalingan people as a virulent political and military powerin the 1st century B.C. Till the 2nd half of the 16th century A.D. Orissa was reckoned as a distinctentity, but ultimately it lost her independence to the Mughals, the Marathas and lastly the British in1803.

The Oriya language as an ancient language was recognized due to the highest glory it achievedthrough the writings of Adikavi Sarala Das, Balaram Das, Atibadi Jagannath Das, Achyuta, Yasobanta,Sishu Ananta and many others in the 15th-16th century A.D. But the entity of the Oriya language andliterature was threatened when Kantichandra Bhattacharya wrote a book, titled "Uriya Ekti SwatantraBhasa Naye" and tried to prove it to be a dialect of the Bengali language. This provoked the elite Oriyaslike Fakir Mohan Senapati, Madhusudan Rao and Radhanath Ray, the Great Trio of Oriya Literatureto produce literary works vigorously, which put tremendous pressure on the British Government torestore Oriya language in schools, courts and offices of the Oriya-speaking regions. The languageagitation in Orissa in between 1866 and 1903 had a tremendous impact on the Oriya-speaking people,who started thinking about the need for living unified in a separate province called Orissa, but notscattered here and there facing humiliation and losing their very identity. Besides the Great Trio of OriyaLiterature, others who contributed to the cause were doyen of Oriya literature like Gangadhar Meher,Nilakantha Dash, Godavarish Mishra, Kuntala Kumari Sabat, Nanda Kishore Bal and many others.

In making the Oriyas conscious about their own cultural identity many newspapers took leadingrole foremost among them are Bodhadayini edited by Byasakabi Fakir Mohan in 1868 followed byUtkal Dipika, Barta Lahari, Sambalpur Hiteisini, Utkal Darpan, Prajabandhu, Ganjam Oriya Hitabadiniand many others. The continuous writings of writers and elites in these newspapers and periodicalsmade the Oriyas living in Bengal Division, Central Provinces and Madras Presidency conscious as aresult of which a delegation consisting of Madan Mohan Mishra, Braja Mohan Patnaik, BalabhadraSupakar, Sripati Mishra and Mahant Bihari Das of Sambalpur went to Simla and Nagpur to appeal theViceroy and the Chief Commissioner respectively for restoration of Oriya language in the courts and


other offices of Sambalpur district. They got favour from Sir Andrew Fraser, the Chief Commissionerof Central Provinces due to whose noble gesture Oriya was restored in 1903 and the languageagitation came to an end. But the germination of making the Oriyas an united and strong race lead tothe formation of a political organisation called Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Union Conference) under theable leadership of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, Maharaja Shriram Chandra Bhanj Deo ofMayurbhanj, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Dev of Parlakhemundi, Raja Rajendra NarayanBhanj Deo and many others. The first session of this organisation was held on 30th and 31stDecember,1903 at Cuttack in which delegates from outline Oriya tracts numbering 335 and 5 OriyaChiefs attended. During the following year, 381 branches were formed which spearheaded themovement for creating a state for Oriyas on a linguistic basis. By 1st January, 1921, 17 conferenceswere organised and during the last conference at Chakradharpur on 30th and 31st December,1920and 1st January, 1921 Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das played an important role by moving a resolutionwhich was passed as a result of which the Utkal Sammilani merged in the mainstream of the nationalmovement. Many dedicated persons participated in this long drawn struggle for establishing theOriya identity strongly in the national scenario. Those great sons of Orissa are to be remembered forall the time to come. Due to their selfless sacrifice, on 1st April,1936 Orissa State was formed as the1st state on linguistic basis in India, consisting of six districts only. After India attained Independenceon 15th August 1947, due to the vigorous effort of Dr. Harekrishna Mahtab, Sardar Ballav BhaiPatel travelled to Cuttack and in his presence on 14th December,1947 the feudatory Chiefs of Orissasigned the agreement of merger, and twentyfive states of Orissa were merged in Orissa Province witheffect from 1st January, 1948. Only one state, namely Mayurbhanj was left as it was having a governmentof people s representatives. But after one year Mayurbhanj volunteered to merge itself with Orissa on1st January, 1949, thereby enabling the dreams of the Oriya people to come true.

After Independence, Orissa is marching ahead along-with other States of the Republic ofIndia on the path of progress. In the 21st century Orissa has emerged strong and vibrant, fightingagainst poverty and illiteracy, addressing problems of the sizeable SC, ST and general people livingbelow the poverty line, raising their living standards, prioritisation of the development of KBK andwestern Orissa districts, removal of regional disparity and ensuring harmonious development of theState. The present government is trying its best to bring transparency in governance, strive hard tomake Orissa a destination in tourism, mines and industry, Information Technology and many othersectors. In the auspicious occasion of Utkal Divas we have to take pledge to make Orissa a prosperousand leading state of India, and to reaffirm our commitment to improve the quality of life of every oneliving in the State.


movement for special province of orissa

Business