HISTORY OF BOUDH
The region Baud recently formed Boudh a district on January 2nd 1994 is located in the central part of Odisha.It is surrounded by the river Mahanadi in the North.To its South is located Phulbani district, western boundary touches Sonepur district and eastern boundary touches Nayagarh district. It lies between 20.22’ N and 20.50’ N latitudes and between 83.34’ E and 84.49’ E longitudes. The district extends over a territory of 3,098 sq. Km (1.99% of the state) and is inhabited by 441,162 people with sex ratio 991 Females per 1000 Males (2011 Census).It ranks 22nd in size and 29th in population among the thirty districts of Odisha.
Pre-History – Physiographically, the Middle Mahanadi valley lies between the northern uplands and the south-western hilly regions of Orissa and stretches from the Hirakud Dam Reservoir to about the Tikarpada gorge.Boudh occupies a strategic position in the Middle Mahanadi valley. A number of Exavations have been taken by the Archeologists in this area which revealed early settlement of the Pre-Historic people.The area is a self-contained geographical entity, which probably had sufficient range of ecological variability providing the year-round requirements of the nomadic hunter-gatherers.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL IN BOUDH :
ASURGARH :- Archaeological site Manamunda-Asurgarh is situated by the side of the confluence of river Tel and Mahanadi on the right bank in Boudh district.Exavation conducted by the Post- Graduate Department of History, Sambalpur University in 1981 and 1990 unravelled material culture of the site extending from 4th century BC to 5thcentury AD. The important finds from the excavation include a Mauryan imperial silver punch-marked coin of the 3rd century BC, iron objects of Knife, dagger, spearhead, arrow, axe, nail, door clamps, sickles, potteries of red ware. As Asurgarh is situated in the territorial limit of Boudh, there might be the extension of the similar early settlement in Boudh.
BAUNSUNI:-
Rise of Mandala States and Boudh under the Early Bhanjas:-
The Hitory of Boudh from the ancient period till the first quarter of 8th century is obscure. However light streamed on its history with the rise of Mandala states. In mediaval Orissa there were large number of Mandala States like Kongoda Mandala, Khinjali-Mandala, Svetaka Mandala, Kodalaka-Mandala, Yamagartta-Mandala, Khijjinga-Mandala etc. Emerged out of political necessity. They enjoyed a great degree of autonomy and Authority under the sovereignty of the Bhaumas. The Bhauma rulers strengthened their supremacy with their capital at Guheswara Pataka (Jajpur)being encircled by these Mandala states.
Khinjali Mandala was established by the Bhanjas in the middle of the eighth century AD in Sonepur, Baud and Angul regions. The bhanjas were originally a tribal people and later they got themselves merged in Hindu Culture and religion.They claimed that were descended from solar race of Vasistha gotra. It is probable that a branch of Bhanja family migrated to Khinjali Mandala where they founded a kingdom.From the records of Bhanjas of Khinjali Mandala,we know that these Bhanjas were egg-born (Andaja-Vamsa-Prabhavah).The inscriptions issued from Dhrtipura are generally found in the Sonepur,Baud and Dasapalla regions.Prof.N.K.Sahu suggests that it might be the town of Baud.”The rich antiquities of Baud town,”he observes “warrant a strong supposition that this place was the head quarter of Bhanja kings of Khinjali Mandala before it assumed its Buddhistic significance.”Presently Baud is named as Boudh on the basis of Buddhistic significance.There is fairly a good number of inscriptions of different kings of this branch from which we are able to construct a genealogical history.The pedigree of this branch runs as follows:-
1. SIlabhanja- I alias Angadi (730 AD- 755 AD)
2. Satrubhanja- I alias Gandhata (780 AD – 800 AD)
3. Yuthasukhadeva alias Ranabhanja-I(800 AD – 858 AD)
The dynasty was founded by Silabhanjadev also called Angadi. He was succeeded by his son Satrubhanja who is also Known as Gandhata and Nettabhanja. Satrubhanja Founded the town of Gandhatapati identified with modern Gandharadi near Boudh. After his son Ranabhanja became the ruler of Khinjali Mandala. During his early carreer he was a devout Vaishnava and later on was inclined to Saivism probably under the influence of his queen Vijaya Mahadevi who was a Kadamba princess. Vijaya Mahadevi built the temple Vijayasvara Siva in the village Vahirabada on the bank of Mahanadi. King Ranabhanja built the twin temple of Sidheswar Siva and Nilamadhava Vishnu at Gandhatapati(Gandharadi).
Silabhanja’s charter has not been discovered till date. In the record of his successors he has been described as a powerful king. The Madras museum plates reveal that Silabhanja had acquired proprietory right over a village named Tadesvara in Khindarisringa Mandala which comprised the four estates of Dharakota, Shergada, Badagada and Sarada in Gamjam district. Sonepur Charter gives that Satrubhanja, the son of Silabhanja was ruling over Ubhaya- Khinjali Mandala. Mahanadi was line of demarcation between the Mandalas. Uttarapalli comprised of the area adjacent to Birmaharajpur and Boudh and Phulbani area constituted Dakshinapalli. Further rayara visaya of the inscription has been identified with present Rohela village near Binika. All these suggest that the Khinjali Mandala was an extensive territory covering Boudh, sonepur and Phulbani distrcts.
Very interestingly Satrubhanja has taken the sectarian epithet Parama-Vaishnava(a devotee of Lord Vishnu) but the inscription starts with an adoration of Lord Vairava. It may be interpreted as: the personal religious persuasion was Vaishnavism but popular inclination was towards Saivism. The king wanted to respect both the sentiments. Might be there were two prevalent strands or currents of religion, the king did not want to be on the side of one against the other. Rather he attempted at a cyncretism between the two.
Ranabhanja succeeded his father Satrubhanja-I on the throne of Khinjali Mandala. He had a very long reign of 58 years. Inthe records of his first part of his reign, he has been described as Parama Mahesvara in his 9th regnal year and Parama Vaishnava from 11th regnal to 26th regnal year. But in 54th and 58th regnal years he was again Parama Mahesvara. He had another epithet Stambhesvari-lavdha-randhi-prasada. But he used the conventional invocatory verses in praise of Siva- Nataraja in all of his grants.
Ranabhanja had become powerful towards last part of his reign and assumed the title Maharaja unlike his predecessors as revealed in his Boudh Grant. The contemporary political situation indicates that the Bhaumakaras, the suzerain authority of the Bhanjas, have started declining in power towards the second half of 9thcentury AD. The Bhaumakaras failed to keep their feudatories. Due to the distance factor from Toshali to Khinjali, the Bhaumakaras could not maintain the status of suzerain power. However the Bhanja rule in Khinjali Mandala could sustain for long period. If Toshali was away, Koshala was nearer. The Somavamsi king Janmejaya I attacked Khinjali Mandala. Ranabhanja crushed the sword with Janmejaya I alone without getting help from the Bhaumakaras. He was defeated and killed in battle. Thereafter the Bhanja family shifted to Vanjulavaka(BHanjanagara). Khinjali Mandala was under Somovamsi rule in the name of Odra-Desa.
BOUDH UNDER THE LATER BHANJAS
Boudh region constituted Khinjali Mandala in 8th and 9th century AD with its capital at Dhritipura(Boudh) under the Bhanja dynasty. The Somovamsis of Kosala conquered it in later half 9th century AD and made it the second province of their kingdom in the name of Odra-Desa. The Ganga emperor Chodagangadeva occupied it in about 1100 A.D. After defeating the kalachuris and capturing Kosala from them, the Ganga emperor Anangabhimadev III in 1220 A.D made an administrative unit known as Paschimadesa coprising Sonepur and Boudh region. Literary evidences speak of a Brahmin ruler Gandhamardanadeva of Boudh visaya. He adopted Anangabhanja, a prince of the Bhanja family of Keonjhar as he had no sons to succeed him. Anangabhaja became the founder of the rule of the later Bhanja dynasty of Boudh in the early part of 14th century A.D.The later Bhanja rulers belonged to Kasyapa Gotra of solar race and changed their title Bhanja to that of Dev.Peacock was their royal emblem.
The early history of the later Bhanja dynasty is Known from two copper plate charters of Kanaka Bhnja and Solan Bhanja. When Bhanudev III(1352-1378) was the imperial Ganga ruler of Orissa, the history of Boudh region is obscure. The later Ganga rulers and the Gajapati rulers were busy in northern and southern military campaign against the muslim ruler of Bengal in the north and the Vijayanagara and Bahamani rulers. They paid their least attention towards south Orissa. Therefore they were left to their own fate to rule. A chronological history of the later Bhanjas is not possible due to lack sources. The genealogy of the 44 Bhanja rulers according to Boudh Rajavamsavali is given below.
1. Anangad Dev
2. Aniruddha Dev
3. Balabhadra Dev
4. Damodara Dev
5. Jagannath Dev
6. Dhananjaya Dev
7. Padmanav Dev
8. Basudeb Dev
9. Banamali Dev
10. Gobinda Dev
11. Abadhuta Charana Dev
12. Sadananda Dev
13. Raghunath Dev
14. Narasingha Dev
15. Pitambara Dev I
16. Mrutyunjaya Dev
17. Gopinath Dev
18. Bhubaneswara Dev
19. Mukunda Dev
20. Ramakrushna Dev
21. Gadadhara Dev
22. Gangadhara Dev
23. Ramachandra Dev
24. Hararudra Dev
25. Pratap Dev
26. Arjun Dev
27. Birabara Dev
28. Bishalakshya Dev
29. Sidheswara Dev
30. Chandrasekhara Dev I
31. Madana Mohana Dev
32. Banamali Dev
33. Damana Dev
34. Rajendra Dev
35. Nilambara Dev
36. Sarangadhara Dev
37. Tribikrama Dev
38. Madhusudana Dev
39. Jagateswara Dev
40. Biswambhara Dev
41. Chandrasekhara Dev II
42. Pitambara Dev II
43. Jogindra Dev II
44. Narayana Prasad Dev
BOUDH UNDER MUSLIMS- Afgan Rule-(1572 A.D-1576 A.D) There is paucity of records to give a clear picture of the relation of the Muslims with Boudh. Since the Muslims of Bengal had protracted struggle with the Mughals of Delhi for possession of Orissa, Boudh was almost side-tracked unless there was a plan of the Muslims to approach cuttack through Jhadkhand or through Barmul pass. Yet the Raja of Boudh found it expedient to maintain good relation with the Muslim power. During the rule of Raja Pratap Dev some Muslim officers with their contigents were passing through the state towards Puri. Some of them caught fever and a party was forced to halt there for about a month. Raja Pratap Dev provided them hospitality and helped them in their treatment. This friendly behaviour of the Raja own for him the goodwill of the Muslim authority and secured for him from the Muslim power the title “Swasti Sri Dhirlakhya Dumbadhipati Jharkhand Mandaleswar”which was used by the rulers of Boudh till the time of Raja Banmali Dev.
BOUDH UNDER MUGHALS (1576 A.D-1707 A.D)
Though Orissa was under the Mughal rule from 1576 A.D to 1707A.D, no records regarding the reign period Boudh State are available during this age. Therefore it is difficult to construct a complete political history of Boudh State. Basing upon the literary records, the reign period of few Rajas are given below.
SIDHESWAR DEV (1600A.D-1630 A.D.)
Sidheswar Dev became ruler of Boudh in 1600 A.D. During his time Boudh State was extended from Kamai muhan near Kontilo in the east to Udandi muhan in the west. Sidheswar Dev failed to rule the eastern tract properly due to long distance from the headquarter. He made a gift to this portion including dasapalla to his younger brother Narayan Dev on the condition that he should govern it under the orders of the Raja and that only cases of minor importance should be disposed of by him, those of greater importance being sent up to the chief. Narayan Dev fulfilled this condition for some time, but gradually began to exceed his power by disposing of serious cases himself. Hearing this Sidheswara Dev decided to take action against his brother. Narayan Dev took shelter under the Raja of Kendrapada. A council of sardars and the people was called by Sidheswara Dev and it was resolved unanimously to recover the possession of Narayan Dev by force. However Narayan Dev submitted to the Raja of Boudh and agreed to comply with the condition. He was allowed to take the possession of Dasapalla tract. But after the death of Sidheswara Dev, Narayan Dev ruled Dasapalla independently. Thus Dasapalla was separated from Boudh State in the first half of seventeenth century A.D.
War with Balabhadra Dev: Balabhadradev, the third ruler of chauhan dynasty ascended throne of Sambalpur in 1605. His reign period was glorious. He wanted to expand the territory of Sambalpur state. His covetious eyes fell on Boudh. The Jaya Chandrika of Prahallad Dubey narrates that he had a toe fight with Sidheswaradev of Boudh. Sidheswaradev was very strong in arm and ammunition. Balabhadradev could not defeat Sidheswaradev easily. The war lasted twelve years. Being failed in his mission, Balabhadradev had to the help of Bhikha Raya, his feudatory chief of Sarangagarh. With his help, Sidheswardev was defeated. He was captured and pardoned. He had to cede Sonepur which now came under the sway of Sambalpur. Sidheswaradev was succeeded by Chandrasekharadev I, Madanamohanadev, Banamalidev, Damanadev. A strip of territory lying between the Kharang river on the west of Boudh Amaimuhan was given by Raja Madana Mohan Dev as dowry to his daughter who married in the Chauhan royal family of Patna State.
BOUDH UNDER THE NAIB NAZIMS OF BENGAL(1707 A.D-1751 A.D) During the Naib Nazims of Bengal, the ruling chiefs of Boudh were Rajendradev, Nilambaradev, Sarangadharadev, Tribikramadev, Madhusudandev, Jagateswardev. A land grant was issued by Madhusudandev to a Brahmin named Kalpataru Purohit of Jogiberuni to enjoy rent free land.
BOUDH UNDER MARATHA RULE (1751 A.D-1803 A.D) The Maratha contact with the territory of Boudh was felt more than under Muslim rule. The reason for this was that the Maratha administration at Cuttack was controlled by the supreme government at Nagpur and there was a regular march of Maratha troops from Nagpur through Barmul pass or other routes in western Orissa. As this vital communication link between Raghuji Bhonsla Raja of Nagpur and Cuttack passed through the territory of the Raja of Boudh, Boudh drew special attention of the Maratha Government at Cuttack. The Raja of Boudh like the other Rajas of Western Orissa was paying tribute(peshkush) regularly to the Maratha Government and is found to have maintained friendly relation with the Marathas. Once some Maratha officers went to sonepur for collection of peshkush, but some people at sonepur entered into a conspiracy to kill them. At sudden rising of the people, the Marathas were frightened and fled to Boudh for shelter. The insurgents of Sonepur continued to chase them even into the territory of Boudh. As a friendly gesture to the Maratha Goverment, the Raja of Boudh imprisoned these miscreants and sent them to Nagpur. The ruler of Nagpur was very much pleased with such friendly behaviour of the Raja of Boudh and conferred him the title”Swasti Sri Prabala pratapaditya Pratapadansamparnna Jharkhand Badshaha”. But such friendly relationship was strained between Boudh and the Maratha Government in 1800 A.D. Vinkoji, the younger brother of Raghuji, came from Nagpur to pay a visit to Jagannth at Puri and was expecting reception from the Raja of Boudh on the way. The Raja Biswambar dev did not pay any such honour and thus fell a victim to the wrath of Vikoji. As a result he sent a detachment from cuttack to punish the Raja. Biswambara Dev was defeated. He was allowed to rule as a feudatory Raja by paying regular tribute to the Marathas.
BOUDH UNDER BRITISH RULE (1803 A.D-1948A.D)
BISWAMBARA DEV (1778 A.D-1817 A.D)
The State Boudh(old name Baud) being situated in the Barmul Pass which separated Orissa proper from Central Provinces, Boudh was always looked upon as a buffer state occupying a strategic position and its chiefs were looked upon and treated as allies rather than vassals of the paramount power and no tribute or Nazarana was ever demanded from the chiefs. The Boudh chief Biswambar Dev had then a powerful army, the help of which was sought after by the Paramount Power in quelling disturbances in his own territory or any subordinate states. In appreciation of such help, the Boudh was rewarded with proud titles of honour.
The modern history of Boudh begins from 1803, the year saw the occupation of Orissa by the East India Company. The Marathas expelled from Orissa by the British power. Major Forbes chased the Marathas who retreated to Nagpur Barmul Pass. Barmul Pass was captured by the British on 2ndNovember 1803 and that closed the entry of Marathas to Orissa for all time to come. Colonel Harcourt, who commanded the troops of the East India Company, called upon the Chiefs to enter into treaties with the British Government. Treaties were executed by most of the chiefs in 1803 but owing to the peculiar position then held by the Boudh State further negotiations were necessary and it was in the next year in 1804 that the then chief Raja Biswambar Dev executed treaty engagement tendering his allegiance to the East India Company. Boudh was enjoying a higher position and status than the other states of Orissa. There was no mention of tribute or peshkus in the treaty, nor any restrictions imposed on the ruler as to the internal administration of the Boudh State. Hence the State was obviously intended to enjoy full internal autonomy.
Separation of Panchara Pragana :
During the reign of Biswambar Dev, the territory of Panchara Pragana extending from river Bagh to river Mehruni was ceded to Sonepur State in 1780-81 A.D. It is variously said that the transfer of the area was a reward for some help or payment of dowry or repayment of a loan on the condition that the Raja of Sonepur was only to enjoy the revenue right of the Pragana. But the Raja of Sonepur occupied it permanently violating the condition. The matter was settled by the superintendent of Tributary Mahals in favour of Sonepur. Since then Panchara tract remained as a part of Sonepur State till the merger of Princely States in 1948 A.D.
CHANDRASEKHARA DEV II (1817 A.D-1839 A.D)
Chandra Sekhara Dev II succeeded the Gadi of Boudh State in 1817 A.D. he executed a Kabuliyat to pay Rs 3,750 (Kaldar Sicca) to the British for a period of five years i.e. from 1821 to 1825. After the transfer of Boudh from the Raja of Nagpur to the British, Raja of Boudh had to execute another agreement for the payment of the same amount as paid previously to the British. But there was a considerable reduction in the amount of Peskash to the British after the alienation of Athmallik from Boudh.
Separation of Athmallik : The State which was known as Athmallik is alleged to have been once a part of Boudh and not an independent State. For the collection of rents in that portion of Boudh which lay to south of the Mahanadi the khonds and Sudhas were appointed Sarbarakars of muthas and a similar arrangement was in force for the tract lying to the north of the river and known as Athmallik, where a single Sarbarakar was in charge of collection. The only difference was that the former being in charge of comparatively small areas were called sardars, while the later was called samanta, on account of greater importance of the charge. There was no material difference between them, nor was the samanta of Athmallik vested with greater powers. The Athmallik samanta was the sardar of eight maliks, just as there are in Boudh officers called satmalik and Baramalik who are in charge of seven and twelve muthas respectively. On the death of a Sarbarakar or Samanta, his successor on paying a nazar was recognised receiving a sari from the Raja in return. In former days Athmallik apparently had no distinct purohit (priest and spiritual guide) of its own, but under the order of the Raja of Boudh, one used to go there from Boudh. On the British conquest of Orissa the chief went to Sambalpur to make his submission and have his tribute settled.
After the Raja had returned home, Laximidhar Deo samanta also went to Sambalpur and got a separate tribute fixed for Athmallik by representing the British Officer that Athmallik was independent of Boudh. He continued however to make an outward show of allegiance to Raja of Boudh. After the death of Laximidhar Deo Samanta his son Ramachandra Deo Samanta also took the sardari sari from Raja Chandra Sekhara Dev of Boudh. All this time the Athmallik samanta had continued to pay tribute to British Government and had obtained receipts from it and no objection had yet been raised on the part of Boudh.
Till 1819 A.D, the Raja of Boudh had jurisdiction over Athmallik. But that year the British made a separate Kabuliyat with the Samanta of Athmallik. The territory of Boudh together with Athmallik was included in South-West Frontier Agency till 1837A.D, when they were transferred to the Orissa Division. The chief of Athmallik was then officially Known as Zamidar and was being addressed as Samanta. In 1874-75, during Pitambara Dev, the chief of Athmallik was officially recognised as Raja and he was allowed to have the hereditary title of Raja. In 1890 A.D, the then Raja Narandra Dev Samanta was given the title of Maharaja as a personal distinction on account of his good administration. But Athmallik was not treated as a separate State till 1894 A.D when the chief was granted a Sanad, the terms of which were identical with those contained in the Sanads of the other chiefs of Orissa. Thus the period of Chandra Sekhara Dev II witnessed the process of vivisection of Boudh State.
The Kandha Uprising (1837 A.D-1846 A.D) :
Boudh State was transferred from South-West Frontier Agency to the Superintendent of Tributary Mahal, Cuttack in April 1837 A.D. Chandra Sekhara Dev II, the Raja of Boudh imposed some more taxes on the people of Lowland. He tried to realize the same taxes from the Kandha inhabitants of Highland(Kandhamal). But the kandhas considered themselves as the owners of the soil and they would not part with their land on any ground what ever. They apprehended that their land would be appropriated by the British. They were also very much vexed with exaction of forced labour and undue imposition of taxes. Further Chandra sekhara Dev II made an attempt to “to subject certain lands hitherto held by the Kandhas rent free to assessment.” But the universal complaint of the Kandhas was against the imposition of any land revenue or taxes which they and their ancestors have not been in the habit of paying. Besides the oppression from the British authorities and Raja, the Kandhas suffered miserably by the native agents who were appointed by British authorities. Inorder to realize money from them even their cooking utensils were carried away forcibly. The Raja had a nominal authority over the Kandhas. On the other hand, the Kandha chief glorified themselves in a turbulent independence and did not mind the orders of the authorities. While the British Authorities imposed maximum on the Kandhas, their condition gradually worsened. When the oppressive rule was no longer tolerable, the Kandhas violently revolted against the British authorities. The Raja Chandra Sekhara Dev II became helpless. The rebel Kandha chief Nabaghana Kanhar with the help of Veer Kanhar was able to establish a revolutionary Government. Boudh practically remained in state of anarchy.
Chandra sekhara Dev II was a great patron of literature. He himself was the auther of” Prema Manjari”,” Sangita Sataka”, “Damayanti Bilasha”
PITAMBARA DEV II (1839 A.D-1879A.D)
Pitambara dev II succeeded the Gadi of Boudh State in 1839 A.D. his reign period was full of turbulent. Nabaghana Kanhar and Veer Kahnar being supported by Chakra Bisoi of Ghumusar established a revolutionary Government in Boudh State. It became a matter of grave concern for British Government. Further The British Authorities decided to abolish the human sacrifice known as Meriah. The kandhas offered the human blood to their goddess “Dharani Penu” for high yielding of crops. It was an age old religious practice of the Kandhas. G.E.Russel,Campbell, Henry Ricketts made attempts through persuation to stop such evil practice. But Meriah system was so deep rooted that any attempts made by the British for its suppression created sharp reaction among the kandhas. In such circumstances, Boudh State was placed under Meriah Agency under S.C.Macpherson. As a result the Kandhas of Boudh State rose violently against S.C.Macpherson the Meriah Agent under the leadership of Nabaghana Kanhar. Symultaniously there arose anti-British uprising of the Kandhas in Ghumusar,Chinakhemundi,Dasapalla, Patna State.
During the rainy season of 1846 A.D, the Kandhas deserted their villages and fled to the inaccessible parts of jungle carrying all their grains and valuable articles with them. At this juncture Chakra Bisoi took the leadership. On the advice of Chakra Bisoi, the influential leader of the Kandhas of Boudh sought the help of Somanath Singh, the Raja of Angul. The Raja assured him his full support for the cause of the Kandhas. He even agreed to lend his troops for that cause and sent emissaries in different directions to enlist support of the kandhas. Thus the chief Kandha leaders like Chakra Bisoi, Nabaghana Kahnar,Veera Kahnar, and Maheswar Kanhar jointly instigated the people of neibouring territories to rise against the British Government. They burnt the villages and forced inhabitants to desert the open ereas and take shelter in inaccessible jungles
In October 1846 the Govrnment decided to break off the connection of the Raja of Angul with the Kandhas. On 15thJanuary 1848, the Angul Field Force under the command of Col. Campbell marched for that purpose. On 22nd January Angul was captured by the British. Somanath Singh was sent to Hazaribagh as a state prisoner and Angul was directly managed by the British authorities. Captain Macpherson started military operation and burnt the empty villages. The made no sign of submission although alltheir principal places were in military possession of the British troops. The camp of Macpherson was often attacked by the Kandhas led by Chakra Bisoi, Veera Kanhar and others. In such a situation the Government of Madras immediately dispatched experienced military troops to Ghumusar and Boudh. Captain Dunlop led the Paik Companies and they compelled the Kanhar families to surrender. Veera Kanhar and Nabaghana Kanhar surrendered and were later on placed in confinement. But A.J.M. Mill suggested for the release of these Kandha chiefs in order to achieve the desired goals in the Kandha land. He further pleaded that in order to abolish the human sacrifice in the Kandhistans, the policy of the Government should be to seek the cooperation of the Raja of Boudh, Pitambara dev II. However, by the zealous exertion of General Dyce, Col. Campbell and Captain Dunlop, the situation in Boudh came under their control. With some exceptions most of the influential leaders in Boudh completely submitted to the British Authorities.
On 15th February 1855 E.A.Samuells issued a proclamation for all the Kanharas, Malikas, Majhis, Dehuris, Pradhans etc. Of Boudh Meliahs to put an end their insurrectionary activities and attempts were made to settle them as ryots. The British Government proposed to bring Boudh under their direct management. Raja pitambara dev II was asked either to agree to the Government offer or to barter the territory for a pension. The Raja refused to surrender his estate. However he agreed to pay an additional tribute of Rs300 per annum towards the expenses of the British Government for suppressing the disturbances. He was even prepared to pay all demands by instalments.
After restoring peace and order in Boudh State, Kandhamal was separated from Boudh State and put under the direct management of British Government in 1855. The Raja PItamabara Dev II submitted several petitions for amalgamation of Kandhamal to Boudh State to British Government. But the Governent paid a deaf ear to his petitions. E.A.Samuells, the superintendent of Tributary Mahals issued proclamation on 15th February 1855 declaring that “ the khonds would consider themselves no longer the control of the Rajah of Baud and that thenceforth they would be treated as subject of the Sircar, was issued without the sanction or authority or approval of the Government of Bengal or of the Government of India and as such it is ultravires and invalid and therefore can not extinguish or effect the claim of the memorialist(the Raja) for the restoration of the Khondmals.”
According to the Memorials of Boudh State:- “When the superintendent send, parwanas to the Boadh Raja asking him to quell these disturbances, the raja invariably says in reply that his orders are not obeyed in the Khandmals and that he has no power over that place. Relying upon this reply the government at their own expense have brought sepoys again in order to quell the disturbances in the Khondmals. If this tract is again made over to the Raja, it will go to ruins. This can not be allowed. The prayer seems to be astonishing. What does the Raja think ? When the Sircar at great expense twice restored order in the Mals and to the unfitness of the Raja, disturbances twice reappeared will such a thing be done for the third time ? Does the Raja think that the Government will repeatedly incur heavy expenses and throw away the money ? If it is a fact, as the Baud Raja writes, that he has some right in the Khondmals, then he is answerable for the murders, dacoities, incendiarisms, thefts that are being committed during the last five years by the Khonamal men. Under these circumstances it will be necessary for the Sircar to remove the Raja from the Baud State and to pass proper orders regarding his offences. If the Raja has no right or possession in the Khondmals it is quite improper for him to make this petition. On the other hand he should be very glad that the Sircar has taken possession of the Mals in order to remove the disturbances. The prayer of the Raja in his petition that the Sircar after removing the disturbances and paying all the money will make over to him the right to receive rent from Bargichha and others or any other portion of the Khondmals is not fit to be granted. If he had any intention of receiving the rent from Khondmals, he should have first removed all these disturbances. He has not done this. The Sircar do not for themselves demand any rent from this place. They have taken over the charge of the Khondmals in their own hands in order to protect their own territory Ghumsur. Whether the Khondmal will in future be amalgamated to Ghumsur or retained in Cuttack will be for them to decide. Up to now no order has been passed to this effects.”
Pitambara Dev II was a generous and pious king.He provided hospitality to the cholera affected tourists in the vicinity of Rameswar temple when they returned from Puri during Nabakalebara. He built Sri Gobindji temple and Radhakrishna image and started the work of the construction of Lord Jagannath at Boudh.
Pitambara dev II established many new villages. During his time “Boudharajavamsavali” was composed in 1870 A.D by Pandit Padmalochan Rajguru who was rewarded with gold , grain, cloth etc. for his notable literary work.
JOGENDRA DEV (1879 A.D-1913 A.D)
Pitambara Dev II was succeeded by his eldest son Jogendra Dev on 5th October 1879 A.D to the Gadi of Boudh State. His younger brothers were-Baidyanath Dev and Kartikeswara dev. Kartikeswara dev was adopted by Raja Bhagirathi Mahendra Bahadur of Dhenkanal and came to be known as Dinabandhu Mahendra Bahadur.
Jogendra Dev married the two daughters of the Raja of Sonepur; Suryamani Devi in 1880 and Saudamini Devi in 1884.He had five daughters and one son, Narayana Prasad Dev from his queen Saudamini Devi.
Jogendra Dev was a benevolent and generous ruler. His reign period has been marked as glorious for all round development in the state. He popularized education by opening schools throughout the state. English education was for the first time introduced by him into the state in 1884. A vernacular school was opened at Ramgarh in 1885.Many lower and Upper primary Schools were opened in different places across the state. The Upper English School was established in the capital Boudh in 1912 A.D. with its fine building and commodious hostel, dedicated to the memory of the King Emperor Edward the VII. Now this school has been upgraded and named as Jogendra Dev High School. About 57 schools were established during the reign of the Raja Jogendra Dev. His activities in the cause of education drew the approbation of the then Superintendent of Tributary Mahals of Orissa.
Jogendra Dev first introduced the allopathic treatment in Boudh. He paid attention for the development of agriculture by digging ponds, tanks, canals. A number of graingolas (grain godown) were set up in mostof the villages to help the people in the time of drought. New roads were constructed for easy communication. Two police stations and seven outposts were established for maintenance of peace and order in the state.
Jogendra dev completed the construction work of the Jagannath temple as well as the palace which stands till now in the name of “Jogendra Vilas Palace”. He died in March 1913, leaving the state in sound financial condition. During his life time he memoralized to the British Government for several times for restoration of the Kandhamal but to no effect. This was a great blow to him in his declining years.
NARAYAN PRASAD DEV (1925 A.D-1948 A.D) :
Narayan Prasad Dev, the last chief of Boudh State was born on 14th March 1904.His father died while he was a minor of nine years old. Therefore Boudh state was managed by court of wards. Dewan was in charge of the administration. Narayan Prasad Dev was sent to the Raj Kumar College at Raipur for education. He had all along a very brilliant career in the College, not only in the academic line but also in games and sports. He passed the diploma examination in 1922-23 and had the distinction of taking the first place in examination over all candidates from all the Raj Kumar Colleges in India. After leaving the College in 1922-23 he was put under training in administration in his own State. He was given a sound training in law and procedure and vested with magisterial and civil powers. His work during the training period was much appreciated by the political officers, as the following extract from the remarks of the Assistant Political Agent, dated 18.12.1923 will show :- I was very much impressed with the progress made by the Minor Chief and especially the activity which he shows in going to every part of the State and the keen and intelligent interest which he is showing in every branch of the administration.The Raja married Rani Satyabati Devi, the daughter of Raja Bibhudendra Deo Samant of Athmallik.
Raja Narayan Prasad Dev was installed to the Gadi on 31st March 1925 at the age of 21. He opened a Tanary, and an Industrial Training Center in Boudh State. He established three Middle English Schools at Purunakataka, Manamunda and Kantamal and two Primary Schools, one for boys (N.P.Dev Primary School ) and another for girls in the capital Boudh. A new road was constructed from Manamunda to Ghantapada with its extension to Khadang river during his time. The publication of “Purnachandra Bhasakosa” was his most remarkable literary achievement for which Rs5000.00 was spent from royal treasury. The book was printed in the Jagadish press.The Raja developed the Jagati village and renamed it Narayan Nagar.
In 1894, 1908 and 1915, Sanads were issued which restricted the powers of the Rulers in criminal jurisdiction, imposition of taxes, transit duties, settlement and collection of land revenue, the administration of justice and arrangements connected with excise, salt and opium etc. . Accordingly Raja Narayan Prasad Dev became mere figurehead in the State when real power was exercised by the Political Agent. The Raja was instructed to send a copy of the budget to the Political Agent each year. This reduced the power of the ruler to a considerable extent and for all practical purposes, it appears, the state was under the grip of the political Agent.
PRAJAMANDALA MOVMENT :-
Although the British Government imposed restrictions by Sanads and Treaty Engagements, the rulers of the Garjats became tyrant and oppressive. People were exploited through several means like Bethi (free labour), Beggari (free service in carrying the baggages of the officials on tours) , Magan (free gift to royal ceremonies) and Rasad (free supply of ration to officials). The Raja Narayan Prasad Dev of Boudh State was no exception to it. As a result many uprisings were organised by the people in many places in Orissa against the maladministration of the Rajas. All those uprisings were suppressed brutally by the Rajas being supported by the Paramount British power.
In course of time the sporadic uprisings took the shape of popular democratic movements with the formation of “All India States People’s Conference” in December 1927. The Orissa States People’s Conference held its first session at Cuttack in 1931 under the presidentship of Bhubanananda Das. Sarangadhara Das and some others made fresh attempts to reorganise the movement in 1936-37. The conference enquired about the People’s grievances and asked the ruling chiefs to consider demands of representative government. However the chiefs resorted to repressive measures and suppressed the movements.
After the formation of Congress Ministry, The congress leaders encouraged the people of the feudatory states. With the result Prajamandal or People’s associations were formed in a number of feudatory states of Orissa. The leaders of Prajamandal submitted the charter of demands i.e. abolition of Bethi, beggari, Magan, Rasad and collection of illegal taxes to the ruling chiefs .But the Chiefs were not prepared to recognise such organisations and rejected the demands of the people outright.
Prajamandal Movement turned to be more organised popular movements inspite of repressive measures of the Chiefs. The years 1938-39 saw the culmination of the movements. The Boudh Prajamandal Committee was constituted in 1930 under the presidentship of Damodar Danduasi. Bhagaban Panda, the close associate of Sarangadhar Das was the secretary of the committee. The other members were:-Dasarath Pradhan- Vice-President, Madhab Kanhar, Durga Charan Panda, Narayan Pradhan, Dukhu Dalbehera. Sarangadhar Das came to Boudh on 18thNov. 1946 to attend the meeting at Baghiabahal. Bhagaban Panda and his followers extended a warm welcome to Sarangadhar Das at Manamunda ferry Ghat. He was accompanied by some members of Sonepur Prajamandal Committee. The police guards took recourse to disperse the mob and blocked the Ferry Ghat Road but failed. Sarangadhar Das reached at Baghiabahal and addressed to the large gathering which instilled the spirit of protest in the minds of the people against the oppressive rule of the Raja. The Raja Narayan Prasad Dev declared the meeting illegal and started repressive measures to foil the meeting. The state police resorted to lathi charge which forced Arjun Menuli, Jagannath Khataua, Shyam Sundar Pradhan, Brundaban Biswal to surrender. Madhab Kanhar was threatened of imprisonment but he bravely replied “we will keep our unity even at the cost of our lives”. Danduasi also defied the order of the Raja, stating that “Boudh Prajamandal Committee had taken the oath of achieving freedom from the clutch of feudal rule”. The Raja in fact failed to suppress the popular organisation.
The Boudh Prajamandal Committe held its second meeting at town Hatapada on 19th Nov.1946. By the order of the Raja, the State Police and Guards attacked the mob and started lathi charge. The people who attended the meeting ran here and there out of fear and the meeting was dispersed. Some members of the committee were injured. Durga Charan Panda was severely wounded and taken to the hospital immediately. The news was published in Prajatantra to create sensation against the activities of the Raja. With the support of the State Congress leaders, the people of Boudh State continued their movement till India achieved Independence.
SECRET ASSOCIATION :-
In 1930 a secret association was formed with a view to organise an agitation in the Boudh State against the oppressive and tyrannical rule of the Raja, his state officials and against the increase of land revenue, forced labour (Bethi). The active member of this secret association were Rai Sibakumar Deo, near relation of the Raja; Prahallad Bisi, a High School teacher; Prem Sankar Pattnaik, a congress and social worker; Krupasindhu Meher, Muhammad Azim Khan, Chakradhar Mishra, Basa Karna, Gouri Shankar Rajguru, Shasi Sekhar Mishra, Chintamani Tripathy and some others. They published news about the oppressive rule of the Raja and his officials and criticised the enhancement of land revenue and the practice of forced labour. The Raja came to know about the formation of this secret organisation and adopted severe measures to suppress the agitators. Rai Sibakumar Deo was put under house-arrest with confiscation of his properties. Prahallad Bisi, Prem Shankar Pattnaik, Chintamani Tripathy and Balaram Mishra were physically assaulted and humiliated. False cases were filed against them. Some of them namely Prem Sankar Pattnaik, Chintamani Tripathy and Shasi Shekhar Mishra were imprisoned. Muhammad Azim Khan was forced to surrender his property. The association, as result of such high-handed measures adopted by the Raja, could not proceed any further. This marked the end of an early attempt to start popular agitation in Boudh State against the misrule of the Raja.
The secret association coupled with Prajamandal movement made the Raja unpopular in the State. Even he was disliked by his own kith and kins after the arrest of Sibakumar Deo. Expecting the upcoming danger for his life, he fled to Calcutta and breathed his last on 30th Agust 1956.
Boudh State was merged with the Orissa province on 1st January 1948. Kandhamal which was separated from Boudh since 1855 was attached to Boudh with its headquater at Phulbani. Among the thirteen districts of Orissa, Phulbani continued to enjoy the status of a district till 1994.
