Business Enertenment Health International National Sports Technology Travel Oriyas Abroad
Name of the
King/Dynasty
Ashoka
Political &
Military Achievements
A major turning point in
world history took place in Odisha. The famous Kalinga war that led
emperor Ashoka to embrace non-violence and the teachings of Buddha
was fought here in 261 B.C. His last conquest was the State of
Kalinga on the east coast of India in the present-day State of
Odisha. Kalinga prided itself on its sovereignty and democracy;
with its monarchical-parliamentary democracy.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
In ancient times, it was
the proud kingdom of Kalinga. Kalinga was a major seafaring nation
that controlled and traded with most of the sea routes in the Bay
of Bengal. For several centuries, a substantial part of South Asia
& Southeast Asia was under its cultural influence. The temple
at Angkor, What is a fine example of Odishan-influenced Indian
architecture. Some parts of Southern and South Eastern Asia such as
Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Java, Sumatra, Bali, Vietnam and Thailand were
colonized by people from Odisha.
Asoka’s desire for the
good administration of Kalinga has been reflected in these special
Rock Edicts which are otherwise known as Kalinga Edicts. He
appointed a council of officers to assist the Viceroy in his
administration. He appointed like Pradesikas, Rajukas, Yuktes &
Nagaraka for smooth administration.
Science &
Technology
During this period
buildings were made of some perishable materials like
timber.
Religion &
Philosophy
Ashoka was a devotee of
Lord Buddha. The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is the most popular of
the relics left by Ashoka. Made of sandstone, this pillar records
the visit of the emperor to Sarnath, in the
3rd century B.C. It has a four-lion capital (four
lions standing back to back) which was adopted as the emblem of the
modern Indian republic. Ashoka was the sponsor of the third
Buddhist council.
Name of the
King/Dynasty
Coronation of king
Kharavela. According to the inscriptions, Kharavela belonged to the
Mahameghavahana family of the Chedi clan.
Political &
Military achievements
It is revealed from Line-4
of the Hathigumpha inscription that Kharavela in the second year of
his reign dispatched a strong force comprising cavalry, elephantry,
infantry and chariotry to the western quarter without caring for or
bothering about Satakarni. The Hatigumpha inscription records the
events of his 13 years reign chronologically. In the eighth year he
undertook his first expedition to the north and destroyed
Gorathagiri.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
In the very first year of
his coronation ( His Majesty) caused to be repaired the gate,
rampart and structures of the fort of Kalinga Nagari, which had
been damaged by storm, and caused to be built flight of steps for
the cool tanks and laid all gardens at the cost of thirty five
hundred thousand (coins) and thus pleased all his subjects. The
carvings of Khandagiri & Udayagiri describe the lighter side of
the life like music, dance, sporting in lotus lakes.
Science &
Technology
In the fifth year he
brought into his capital a branch of the canal which had been dug
by a Nanda king. The house hold articles of daily use furniture
mainly comprise table, seat, bench, plate, umbrella & toilets.
The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela refers to the education
training and military accomplishments of princes. They should
acquire through knowledge in the field of correspondence, currency,
state regulations & laws.
Kharavela Nagar is an
important commercial district of Bhubaneswar and home to the city’s
first mall. With the rise of industry, in particular IT and higher
education, the history of ancient Kalinga and in particular
Kharavela is being revived as Odisha’s golden age.
Religion &
Philosophy
Kharavela’s religion and
religious views are reflected in the Hatigumpha inscription. The
twin hills of Udayagiri & Khandagiri comprise a number of rock
– cut monuments of the ist century. He brought back seated Jina
which had been formerly taken to Magadha by a Nanda king. Kharavela
was thus a staunch Jaina, but he was tolerant of all religious
sects and respected the Brahmins and the Ajivikas. He laid emphasis
on the principle of Ahimsa which was a cardinal principle of
Jainism.
Name of the King/Dynasty
Political &
Military achievements
Samudragupta during his
Southern campaigns conquered South Kosala. It indicates that
Samudragupta’s conquests affected only the Sourthen part of Odisha.
Samudragupta’s invasion not only affects the political condition of
Kalinga but also give the cultural orbit of the Gupta
empire.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
Some of India’s most
magnificent works of art were produced during the Gupta era. The
famous cave paintings at Ajanta, the Sarnath Buddha, the Deogarh
Dashavatara Temple panels and the Udaygiri Varaha Cave are some
marvelous products of the Gupta age. Another example of Gupta Arts
are their clothing. The clothing included colorful silks, rayon,
and cotton.
Science &
Technology
The most significant
achievements of this period like Education included grammar,
composition, logic, metaphysics, mathematics, medicine, and
astronomy. These subjects became highly specialized and reached an
advanced level. The Indian numeral system?sometimes erroneously
attributed to the Arabs, who took it from India to Europe where it
replaced the Roman system?and the decimal system are Indian
inventions of this period. Aryabhatta’s expositions on astronomy in
499, moreover, gave calculations of the solar year and the shape
and movement of astral bodies with remarkable accuracy. In
medicine, the Gupta’s were notable for their establishment and
patronage of free hospitals. It was during this empire that
philosophers in India first proposed that the earth was not flat
but was instead round and rotated on an axis by viewing a lunar
eclipse.
Name of the
King/Dynasty
Sailodbhava
dynasty
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
The Sailodbhava period was
an age of creativity in Odisha art and architecture. A number of
Saiva temple of Bhubaneswar, such as, Parsurameswar, Satrughnaswar
& Bharateswar.
During this time cultural
influences from North as well as South came to Odisha.
Name of the
King/Dynasty
Huen-T sang visit
kalinga
Political &
Military achievements
During this period
Sasanka, king of Gauda conquered Utkala.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
The Chinease pilgrim says
that kalinga produced large dark elephants. It was one of the
famous trades in Odisha. Kalinga people were basically headstrong
in disposition and fast and clear in speech. The language and
manner of the kalinga country had been influenced by the
neighbouring people of Andhra country.
Religion &
Philosophy
About the religious
condition of the Kalinga the Chinese pilgrim says that,
Brahamanical religion and not Buddhism, was the main religion of
Kalinga.
Bhauma -Kara dynasty
Political &
Military achievements
Sivakara Deva I was the
founder of the dynasty. His empire extended up to Kangoda undivided
Puri and Ganjam districts and Northen part of Kalinga.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
For better administration
Bhauma divided their kingdom in to such administrative units as
mandalas, visayas and gramas. Visaya roughly called as modern
districts. Elephants as one of the chief commodities of trade in
Odisha of the Bhauma period
Religion &
Philosophy
Bhaumakara’s were
Buddhist. The Bhauma ruler followed the policy of toleration
towards all religious sects like saivism, vaishnavism & sakti
cult. Madhaba Devi built the Hameswar saiva temple at Jajpur.
Mohini Devi was a saiva and built the Mohini temple of
Bhubaneswar.
Name of the
King/Dynasty
The famous Lingaraj temple
at Bhubaneswar was built by Jajati keshari (Somavanshi) king in
sixth century. Lalatendu keshari completed the construction of
Lingaraj temple with all features of kalinga
architecture.
Rajarani temple was built
by Indraratha, the then governor of Kalinga.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
This 11th century temple
is considered to be the ultimate in Odisha’s temple architecture.
The temple is dedicated to “Tri Bhubaneshwar”, or Lord of the three
worlds also known as Siva.It is adorned with beautiful sculptures,
which have been carved on the spire. Lingaraja temple is
approximately 54.8 metres high and enshrines a huge statue of Lord
Shiva, made up of granite. The idol is 8 feet in diameter and is
placed on a platform that is about 8 inches above ground. The
harmony of the two sects is seen in this temple where the deity is
worshipped as Hari-Hara, that is, Vishnu and Shiva.
The Rajarani Temple at
Bhubaneswar was built between the 10th an 11th century from reddish
gold sandstone known as Rajarani in the local parlance. It is also
contended that the temple was initially known as Indreswara Temple
devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva.
Science &
Technology
This magnificent temple,
dedicated to Shiva, represents the quintessence of the Kalinga type
of Hindu architecture. Along with the Rajarani Temple, it is the
pinnacle of the architectural exhibition at Bhubaneswar. It
contains a profusion of sculptural work. It is built of red
sandstone which gives it a darkest color.
Religion &
Philosophy
On the eastern side of the
temple, lies its solitary entrance point, which is commonly known
as the ‘Simhadwara’ or the ‘Lions’ Gate’. One of the oldest temples
of Bhubaneshwar, Lingaraja has 150 smaller shrines inside its huge
courtyard. Lingaraj temple is basically made up of four parts,
namely the main temple, the ‘Yajna Shala’, the ‘Bhoga Mandap’ and
the ‘Natya Shala’. Along with Lord Shiva, it also enshrines Lord
Vishnu, in the form of Saligramam idol. The main gates of the
temple have Lord Shiva’s Trishul on one side and Lord Vishnu’s
Chakra on the other.
There is an annual chariot
festival in the temple in April on the 8th day of the waking moon
in the month of “Chaitra”. Festivities continue for four days. The
tribal fair held in January off gives an opportunity for one to see
excellent tribal performances and crafts exhibition.
The sculptural images of
the temple are elegant and lively, especially the beautiful female
figures which are in amorous dalliance, as well as engaged in such
activities as holding children, looking in mirrors, and playing
with pet birds. On the lower register of the duel, on the corner
projections are found the famous ‘Guardians of the Eight
Directions’.
Jagannath temple was constructed at about last part of 11th century or first part of 12th Century. Chodaganga Dev had begun this huge structure and one his successor Ananagabhima Dev III completed it or added the Jagamohan to it.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
The name Jagannath (Lord
of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat
(Universe) and Nath (Lord of).
Science &
Technology
The main temple is a
curvilinear temple and crowning the top is the ‘srichakra’ (an
eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. Also known as the “Nilachakra”, it
is made out of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. The temple
tower was built on a raised platform of stone and, rising to 214
feet above the inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates
the surrounding landscape. The pyramidal roofs of the surrounding
temples and adjoining halls, or mandapas, rise in steps toward the
tower like a ridge of mountain peaks.
Religion &
Philosophy
The art and architecture
of Odisha reached the zenith of glory in the Ganga period. The
temples of Odisha conform to the Indo Aryan Nagara style of
architecture, with distinctive features specific to this region.
The best known of these are the Jagannath temple at
Puri.
Name of the
King/Dynasty
Jayadev
Political &
Military achievements
Jayadeva was born in
Kenduli Sasan (formerly Kendubilva), in the Prachi valley, Khurda
district in Odisha. Kenduli Sasan is a village near the famous
temple city of Puri. At the time of Jayadeva’s birth, Odisha was
under the rule of Ganga dynasty king Chodaganga Deva.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
Jayadev institutionalized
the Devadasi system in Odishan temples. Devadasis were women
dancers specially dedicated to the temple deity, and as a result of
the great poet’s works, Odishan temples began to incorporate a
separate Natamandira, or dance hall, within their precincts for
Odissi dance performances.
Religion &
Philosophy
The Gita Govinda is the
best known composition of Jayadeva. It is a lyrical poetry that is
organized into twelve chapters. Each chapter is further sub-divided
into twenty four divisions called Prabandhas. The prabandhas
contain couplets grouped into eights, called Ashtapadis.
Name of the
King/Dynasty
This temple was built in
1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest
temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. It took
16 years to complete. 1,200 artisans and 12,000 labourers were
employed on the task. In its original form. the total height of the
temple was 227 feet.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
Konark is also known as
Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona – Corner
and Arka – Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri
or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra. The
entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with
24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and
elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard
the entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the
main entrance.
Science &
Technology
Konark is one of the most
sublime monuments of India, famous as much for its imposing
dimensions and faultless proportions as for the harmonious
integration of architectural grandeur with plastic
allegiance.
Religion &
Philosophy
The Sun temple belongs to
the Kalinga School of Indian Temples with characteristic. The nata
mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved.
Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are
carvings in the erotic style. There are images of animals, foliage,
men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are
three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the
sun at dawn, noon and sunset. The two huge horses of stone that are
seen at Konark, regarding Narasingha Deva victory over
Bengala.
Muslim rule in Odisha.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
Islam’s impact was the
most notable in the expansion of trade. The first contact of
Muslims with Odisha, was the Arab attack on a nest of pirates near
modern-day Bombay, to safeguard their trade in the Arabian Sea.
Around the same time many Arabs settled at Indian ports, giving
rise to small Muslim communities. the growth of these communities
was not only due to conversion, but also the fact that many Hindu
kings of south India (such as those from Cholas) hired Muslims as
mercenaries.
Science &
Technology
With the growth of
international trade also came the spread of manufacturing
technology and an urban culture. Technology & developments was
actually brought into India by Muslim invaders. Water-wheel for
irrigation were imported during the Muslim period. The use of
ceramic tiles in construction was inspired by architectural
traditions prevalent in Iraq, Iran, and in Central Asia.
Rajasthan’s blue pottery, Chinese pottery which was imported in
large quantities by the Mughal rulers.
Religion &
Philosophy
Muslim rule saw a greater
urbanization of Odisha and the rise of many cities and their urban
cultures. The great achievement of Muslim rulers’ in Odisha were
trade resulting from a common commercial and legal system extending
from Morocco to Indonesia.
As early as 1633, the British established a trade center at Hariharpur, one of the first of their settlements in India. Their subsequent establishment at Baleshwar on river Burhabalanga and at Pipli on river Subarnarekha developed into flourishing centers of trade as well as of power. These two Odisha harbors became the basis for future greatness of the British in Bengal.
Political &
Military achievements
After the Battle of
Plassey in 1757 and Buxar in 1764, the ambition of the British
empire-builders reached its logical height to acquire as much of
Indian territories as possible, and Odisha being so near to Bengal
automatically came under the orbit of that design. When Lord Clive
acquired the Dewani of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha from the Mughal
Emperor Shah Alam II on the 12th August, 1765. Within eight years
of the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British
Crown, Odisha came under one of the worst calamities in her
history, the infamous Na’anka famine of 1866-67.
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
In 1867, the government
raised the status of the Cuttack Zilla School to that of High
English School, affiliated to Calcutta University. It became a
College in 1876. It is from such a narrow scope for modern
education that the pioneers of Odia renaissance of the late 19th
century emerged for their role. Foundation of Ravenshaw college at
Cuttack was one of the epoch making events in Odisha
history.
Science &
Technology
India too saw rapid
development of all those technologies. Railways, roads, canals, and
bridges were rapidly built in India and telegraph links equally
rapidly established in order that raw materials, such as cotton,
from India’s hinterland could be transported more efficiently to
ports, such as Bombay, for subsequent export to England. Likewise,
finished goods from England were transported back, just as
efficiently, for sale in the burgeoning Indian markets.
Along with developments in education, modern consciousness also started emerging Odia movements.
Political &
Military achievements
The new consciousness also
found its expression in the literary activities of some of the
eminent writers who heralded growth of modern Odia literature.
Fakir Mohan Senapati (1843-1908) and Radhanath Ray (1848-1908) gave
a tremendous impetus to Odia literature through their numerous
works. Another remarkable feature of the latter half of the 19th
century was the rise of several socio-economic and cultural
societies all over Odisha for the purpose of unity of Odia people.
Among those societies were the Mutual Improvement Society of
Cuttack (1859) and the Utkal Bhasoddipani Samaj of Cuttack
(1867).
Art/Culture
& Music & Trade/Admin.
In 1838 the modern press
at Cuttack, famous as the Odisha Mission Press, started publishing
journals and periodicals to enlighten the people with contemporary
ideas and socio-economic and political issues of the province. Some
of the renowned journals were Utkal Dipika (1866) by Gouri Shankar
Ray from Baleshwar, Bodha-Dayinee and Samvad Vatika.
Science &
Technology
The new consciousness also
found its expression in the literary activities of some of the
eminent writers who heralded growth of modern Odia literature.
Fakir Mohan Senapati (1843-1908) and Radhanath Ray (1848-1908) gave
a tremendous impetus to Odia Literature through their numerous
works.
Religion &
Philosophy
The first result of this
‘Odia Movement’ was the transfer of Sambalpur district to Odisha in
September, 1905, followed by the transfer of the ex-states of
Gangpur and Bonai (Banei) from Chota Nagpur Division and the
ex-states of Patna Kalahandi, Sonepur (Sonapur), Bamra (Bamanda)
and Rairakhole (Radhakhol) from the Central provinces. The movement
continued till the goal was achieved. On April 1st, 1936, the new
province of Odisha came into being. But the Garhjats numbering 25
remained under the princely houses, thus making the administrative
union incomplete. It was with independence of India that the
princely states were amalgamated, with the exception.
Chandrasekhar
Political &
Military achievements
Samanta Chandrasekhar, of
Odisha, is a prominent figure of a classical Siddhantic Astronomer
of India, who survived into the 20th century. His full name was
Mahamahopadhaya Chandrasekhar Singh Harichandan Mohapatra Samant,
but he was better known as Pathani Samanta.
Science &
Technology
The year 2004 is a very
appropriate year to remember his work and, in particular, to put
together his observations of the 1874 Transit of Venus. Not just
observations – predictions too, as he was a Siddhantic Astronomer,
completely un-influenced by the western schools of
Astronomy.
Religion &
Philosophy
His lifetime Astronomy
efforts were summarized by him in ‘Sidhanta Darpana’, which was
published in 1899, by Calcutta University. The original manuscript
of 2500 Sanskrit shlokas was written in Odia script, on palm
leaves, by Samanta Chandrasekhar. Pathani Samanta’s observations
were completely non telescopic, and made with handmade instruments
– and the accuracy achieved seems extra ordinary. In theoretical
calculations and observations of the Transit of Venus, Samanta’s
achievement was land mark in the field of Astronomy.