History of Odisha and Odia Nationalism.

History of Odisha and Odiya nationalism

MODERN HISTORY OF ODISHA

With the advent of modern era, Odisha came under European powers like Portuguese and British. Although, Portuguese were the first European to build factories in Odisha, but it's the British East India Company which ruled over Odisha. They captured Odisha in a strategic way. The phase of Odisha history is dynamic because of the resistance and revolt faced by British Administration. It includes the contribution of Odisha in national struggle for Independence of India.

Modern History of Odisha begins with the advent of European powers in the state. The Portuguese were the first to establish their settlements in Pipli but were soon overpowered by the Britishers. After the winning the Battle of Buxar in 1765, British rule was firmly established in Odisha. However it was marked by various rebellions. These were Paika and Khurda Rebellion. Many tribal uprisings also occurred in Odisha like Ghumsar and Bhuyan Uprising. The impact of the Revolt of 1857 was felt in Odisha also as many people participated in it. But in 1866, Odisha was struck with a great famine. The death toll estimated to be one million. After this, the Britishers came up with educational reforms. Many socio-religious movements started in Odisha at that time like Satya Mahima Dharma, Brahmo Movement, etc.

The Portuguese in Odisha

The first Europeans to enter Odisha were Portuguese. They established their settlements at Pipli in Balasore district around 1625 AD. Their community flourished in the sixteenth century. They build churches and some factories. The Britishers could not establish their settlements properly due to the presence of Portuguese till seventeenth century. Then from the middle of seventeenth century Britishers became powerful.

British Rule in Odisha

• In 1765, after the Battle of Buxar, East India Company General Robert Clive acquired the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha from Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.
• The British East India Company obtained the Northern Circars (Division of British India’s Madras Presidency) consisting of Chicacole (Srikakulam), Rajahmundry, Ellore and Guntur in which the present undivided Ganjam district was included. The British East India Company also got Midnapore, which was a part of Odisha.
• Thus, the British authorities acquired Oriya speaking tracts, both in South and in the North. This facilitated them to conquer Odisha with ease. The first settlement was made in Harishpur (present day Jagatsinghpur).The British Conquest of the Regions of Odisha
• Puri In 1803, a British Colonel Harcourt marched from Ganjam to capture Puri. On 18th September, 1803 Puri was captured by the British.
• Cuttack After capturing Puri, the British forces on 24th September, 1803 began the march towards Cuttack. The Harcourt’s artillery force defeated the Marathas and by 14th October, 1803 entire Cuttack was under the British Rule. The capitulation of Barabati fort by British, marked the end of Maratha rule in Odisha.
• Baleshwar on 22nd September, 1803, the British captured Baleshwar under Captain Morgan. On 17th December, 1803, the Battle of Laswari ended by the Treaty of Deogarh, Raghuji Bhonsle of Nagpur surrendered Cuttack and Baleswar which include Mughalbandi, Garhjat, the coastal part of Odisha and Balasore to the East India Company. Thus beginning the British rule in Odisha under Lord Wellesley.
• Sambalpur In January 1804, Major Broughton, conquered Sambalpur by defeating Maratha Governor Tantia Pharnavis. With the departure of Lord Wellesley, Governor General Barlow, a pacifist restored Sambalpur to the Marathas. In 1849, British annexed it again with the application of the Doctrine of Lapse of Lord Dalhousie.

British Administration in Odisha

• Odisha was divided into three administrative units under British administration. First was Province of Cuttack under Bengal Presidency second was Ganjam and Koraput under Madras Presidency and third was Sambalpur was under Central Provinces.
• All the three kind of land settlements, viz Zamindari, Ryotwari and Mahalwari were implemented in different parts to assess and collect land revenue. The short term settlements proved disastrous to the Oriya tenants as well as zamindaris. The Bengali zamindars exploited the tenants of Odisha. British also controlled the economic and military base of Odisha.

Movements in Odisha against British

The Britishers collected heavy taxes from peasants in Odisha due to which people were against the British rule. Many revolts broke out in different places of Odisha due to defective administration of the Britishers. Some of the rebellion are discussed below:

Paika Rebellion

It is also known as the Khurda Rebellion. This was the first uprising against the British rule in Odisha also known as first war of independence in Odisha. In 1817, Paik of Khurda and people of some areas of Odisha revolted against the Britishers, which came to be known as Paika Rebellion. Causes of Paika Rebellion were as follows:

• The cause for rebellion in Khurda in 1817 was the land revenue policy of the Britishers. The Paik enjoyed rent free land tenures for their military service on a hereditary basis. These service lands were taken away in the settlement by Major Fletcher.
• The land revenue policy of the British affected the zamindars as well as the tenant farmers.
• Other causes of the rebellion were salt monopoly, deprivation of the local servants from the British administration, the unsympathetic attitude of the ruler towards the ruled, etc.

Events of Paik Rebellion

• The leader of this uprising event was Bakshi Jagabandhu, a former General of the armed force of the Khurda Raja.
• The tribals of Banapur and Ghumusar accepted Bakshi Jagabandhu as their leader and they bravely marched towards Khurda to fight against colonial power with high ambition.
• On 29th March, 1817 the Paika rebellion began in Khurda. The Paikas of Khurda under the leadership of Bakshi Jagabandhu joined the Chuhars of Ghumusar. They burnt the government buildings and sacked the government treasury of Khurda. They burnt and broke down the public and private buildings as well.
• They denounced the British authority and proclaimed Raja Mukundadeva as their ruler.
• Many Muslim fighters also supported Bakshi Jagabandhu. Among them, the prominent one was Dumuduma, Dalabehera, Mirhaidar Ali of Jadupur. Impact of Paik Rebellion
• The leaders of Khurda-Godabarish Mishra, Godabarish Mohapatra, Prananatha Patnaik, Sachi Routray, Gangadhar Paikaray, Gokul Mohan Rai Chudamani and Purna Chandra Mohanty were greatly inspired and became fearless freedom fighters.
• In 1825 Bakshi Jagabandhu surrendered and Britishers started bringing administrative reforms.
• In administrative field, changes were made and Odiyas were employed in the government services.
• Changes were also introduced in the field of Judiciary. The price of the salt was reduced and more salt was made available for the smooth purchase by the people. British government reduced the revenue burdens of the local zamindars.

Revolt of 1857 and Odisha

The Great Indian Revolt of 1857 is one of the greatest events of Modern Indian History. The effect of this revolt was seen in Odisha also. Impact of Revolt of 1857 on Odisha

• In Odisha, the impact of the great revolt was also felt. A great nationalist from Odisha, Vir Surendra Sai and his life-long struggle during the revolt was remarkable. Another Nationalist, Rama Krushna Samanta Singhar, the zamindar of Ballia also dedicated his life to the revolt. Raja Arjun Singh of Parhat and his dewan Jagu also actively participated in the anti-British activities.
• The Tributary Mahals of Odisha became silent during the great revolt of 1857. The kings of Tributary Mahals rendered their support to the British Government.
• Rajas of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar provided good service to British during the mutiny of 1857. The ruling chiefs of the two native states were rewarded with the title of Maharaja by the British Government.

Leaders Associated with the 1857 Revolt

• Chandan Hajuri He was also known as Chakhi Khuntia. He played a great role in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. He maintained a direct contact with rebel leadership but was arrested from Gaya. He is known for his role of spreading the message of Revolution through his literary works.
• Surendra Sai In 1833, the Sambalpur region revolted against British rule under Surendra Sai. Surendra Sai challenged the motives of the British Government on the grounds of Doctorine of Lapse. When the Sepoy Mutiny began, he was in Hajaribagh Jail. He broke free in 1857 and joined the revolt.
• Ramakrushna Samantasinghar He was the successor of great poet, Abhimanyu Samanta Singhar. In August, 1857, with the support of Khandayats, he revolted against the Sunset Law introduced by Lord Cornwallis.

Tribal Uprising in Odisha

The tribal uprising in Odisha was the result of the British Policy of Intervention in their religion and social reforms introduced by the British. The missionary activities carried in different tribal area largely contributed to the tribal uprising. Some important tribal uprising in Odisha were as follows:

Ghumsar Uprising

• The tribals of Ghumsar led by Dora Bissoi was against the British authority. They started the Ghumsar Uprising in 1835. Major causes behind the uprising were the Suppression of Meriah (human sacrifice) in the Khond dominated area, land revenue collected from people through Coercive method and the dissolution of the Bhanja ruling family.
• Dora Bissoi was a ‘Maliah Bisoi’ or ‘Head Agent’ of the Khonds of Ghumasar area. But he was arrested by the Britishers from Angul. The uprising after the arrest of Dora Bissoi was led by Chakra Bissoi.

Bhuyan Uprising

• Ratna Naik of Keonjhar organised the tribals to fight against the British Government. He raised them to fight against Dhanurjay, the new king who had taken away their rights and privileges. Therefore in April 1868 Ratna Naik along with Bhuyan Sardars broke out the Bhuyan Movement.
• Ratna Naik wanted to place Brundaban Bhanja as king but he was captured and awarded capital punishment with six others.

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