About Odisha
History • Government • Freedom Struggle • Famous Personalities • Culture
Odisha at a Glance
History of Odisha
Kalinga — The Ancient Kingdom
Odisha was known as Kalinga in ancient times. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in eastern India. The Kalingas had a thriving maritime trade with Southeast Asia (Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo), which is still celebrated during Boita Bandana every year.
Emperor Kharavela of the Chedi dynasty (2nd century BCE) was Kalinga's greatest ruler, as described in the famous Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri caves near Bhubaneswar.
Kalinga War — The Battle That Changed India
The devastating Kalinga War (261 BCE) between Emperor Ashoka and the Kalinga kingdom resulted in over 100,000 deaths. The horrific bloodshed transformed Ashoka — he abandoned violence, embraced Buddhism, and became "Ashoka the Great". The Dhauli Shanti Stupa near Bhubaneswar marks this historic event.
This single war changed the course of Indian and Asian history, spreading Buddhism across the continent.
Temple Dynasties — Bhaumakara, Somavamshi, Ganga, Gajapati
Several powerful dynasties ruled Odisha and built magnificent temples:
- Somavamshi Dynasty — Built the Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
- Eastern Ganga Dynasty — Built the Jagannath Temple (Puri) and Konark Sun Temple
- Gajapati Dynasty — The Suryavamsha Gajapati rulers expanded the kingdom to include parts of Andhra, Bengal, and Jharkhand
This era is considered the Golden Age of Odisha, producing architectural marvels that stand to this day.
Fall of the Gajapati Kingdom
The last Gajapati king Mukunda Deva was defeated by the Afghan general Kalapahada in the Battle of Gohiratikra (1568). This marked the end of independent Odia rule, and the region came under Mughal and Maratha control.
British East India Company Takes Over
The British East India Company seized control of Odisha in 1803 after defeating the Marathas. The region was divided between Bengal and Madras Presidencies, leading to decades of administrative neglect and cultural suppression of the Odia language.
🏳️ Formation of Odisha Province — Utkal Divas!
After decades of struggle, Odisha became a separate province on 1st April 1936 — the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis. This day is celebrated as Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) every year.
The movement for a separate Odisha was led by Madhusudan Das (Utkal Gourab), Gopabandhu Das (Utkal Mani), Fakir Mohan Senapati, and Krushna Chandra Gajapati.
🇮🇳 Independence & Merger of Princely States
After independence, 26 princely states (garjats) of Odisha merged into the Indian Union between 1947-49. Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab became the first Chief Minister of independent Odisha.
Orissa → Odisha — Name Change
The Indian Parliament passed the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill in 2011, officially renaming the state from "Orissa" to "Odisha" and the language from "Oriya" to "Odia" — reflecting the correct pronunciation.
Odisha's Freedom Struggle
Jayee Rajguru
First Martyr of OdishaRoyal Guru of Khordha, who led resistance against the British. Brutally executed — tied to horses and torn apart. His sacrifice predates 1857.
Buxi Jagabandhu
Paika Rebellion LeaderCommander-in-Chief of the Khordha king. Led the Paika Rebellion of 1817 — armed uprising of Paika warriors against British rule (recognised as India's First War of Independence by GoI in 2017).
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
INA FounderBorn in Cuttack. Founded the Azad Hind Fauj (INA). "Give me blood, I shall give you freedom" — India's most iconic freedom fighter.
Gopabandhu Das
Utkal ManiFreedom fighter, poet, and social reformer. Founded "The Samaj" newspaper. Coined the motto "ମୋ ପରାଣ ଉତ୍କଳ ଜନନୀ" (My life is for Utkal). Instrumental in the separate Odisha province movement.
Madhusudan Das
Utkal GourabFirst Odia graduate and barrister. Called the "Grand Old Man of Odisha". Led the political movement for a separate Odia-speaking province.
Laxman Naik
Tribal Freedom FighterLed the Quit India Movement in Koraput. Executed by the British on 29 March 1943. Later awarded "Tamrapatra" by the Government of India.
Krushna Chandra Gajapati
Maharaja of ParalakhemundiFirst Premier of Odisha (1937-39). Key architect of the separate Odisha province. Founded Berhampur University.
Veer Surendra Sai
RevolutionarySambalpur's greatest freedom fighter. Rebelled against British rule for 32 years. Imprisoned at Asirgarh Fort, where he died. A true lifelong revolutionary.
Sachidananda Routray
Poet & Freedom FighterJnanpith Award-winning Odia poet. Joined the freedom movement as a student. His poetry "Baji Rout" immortalised a child martyr.
Baji Rout
India's Youngest MartyrKilled by British police at age 12 for refusing to ferry soldiers across the Brahmani River at night. The youngest known martyr of India's freedom movement.
All Chief Ministers & Ruling Parties (1937–Present)
| # | Chief Minister | Party | Tenure | Constituency | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Independence (Premier of Odisha Province) | |||||
| 1 | Krushna Chandra Gajapati | INC | 1937–1939 | — | First Premier of Odisha. Architect of the separate province. |
| 2 | Biswanath Das | INC | 1939–1941 | — | Later became Governor of Uttar Pradesh. |
| Post-Independence Chief Ministers | |||||
| 3 | Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab | INC | 1946–1950 | Angul | 1st CM of free Odisha. Oversaw merger of 26 princely states. Built Hirakud Dam foundations. |
| 4 | Nabakrushna Choudhury | INC | 1950–1956 | Bhadrak | Land reform champion. Started Bhoodan movement in Odisha. Gandhian leader. |
| 5 | Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab | INC | 1956–1961 | Angul | 2nd tenure. Inaugurated Hirakud Dam (1957). Expanded education. |
| 6 | Biju Patnaik | INC | 1961–1963 | Puri | Iconic leader & aviator. Started industrialization. Founded Paradip Port & Rourkela Steel Plant expansion. |
| 7 | Biren Mitra | INC | 1963–1965 | Sonepur | Short tenure. Continued infrastructure development. |
| 8 | Sadashiva Tripathy | INC | 1965–1967 | Berhampur | Last Congress CM before first non-Congress government. |
| Coalition / Opposition Era (1967–1980) | |||||
| 9 | Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo | Swatantra | 1967–1971 | Patnagarh | First non-Congress CM. Formed Swatantra-Jana Congress coalition. |
| — | Biswanath Das | INC | 1971–1972 | — | Congress returned. Short tenure. |
| 10 | Nandini Satpathy | INC | 1972–1976 | Dhenkanal | First woman CM of Odisha. Pioneered social reforms. Youngest CM at age 41. |
| 11 | Binayak Acharya | INC | 1976–1977 | — | Briefly served during Emergency period. |
| 12 | Nilamani Routray | Janata Party | 1977–1980 | — | Janata wave post-Emergency. Implemented rural development. |
| Congress Returns (1980–1990) | |||||
| — | Janaki Ballabh Patnaik | INC | 1980–1989 | Bhubaneswar | Longest-serving CM (9 years continuous). IT City Bhubaneswar vision. Modernized administration. |
| — | Hemananda Biswal | INC | 1989–1990 | — | Brief tenure before Janata Dal rose. |
| Janata Dal / BJD Era (1990–2024) | |||||
| 13 | Biju Patnaik | Janata Dal | 1990–1995 | Ganjam | 2nd tenure at age 74. Revived Panchayati Raj. Reserved 33% seats for women in local bodies (first in India). |
| — | Janaki Ballabh Patnaik | INC | 1995–1999 | — | 2nd tenure. Managed 1999 Super Cyclone aftermath in later years. |
| — | Hemananda Biswal | INC | 1999 | — | Brief caretaker CM during late 1999. |
| 14 | Naveen Patnaik | BJD | 2000–2024 | Hinjili | Longest-serving CM in Odisha history (24 years, 5 terms). Son of Biju Patnaik. Modernized Odisha — transformed disaster management (zero deaths in Cyclone Phailin), launched KALIA, Mo Sarkar, 5T governance. Made Odisha a hockey hub. |
| BJP Government (2024–Present) | |||||
| 15 | Mohan Charan Majhi | BJP | 2024–Present | Keonjhar | 1st BJP CM and 1st tribal CM of Odisha. BJP won 78/147 seats in 2024 elections, ending 24 years of BJD rule. |
Current Government (2024–Present)
Shri Mohan Charan Majhi
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Since: 12 June 2024
1st BJP CM and 1st tribal CM of Odisha. MLA from Keonjhar.
Shri Hari Babu Kambhampati
Since: 2023
Constitutional head of the State.
Shri K.V. Singh Deo
BJP
Since: 12 June 2024
Also handles Finance portfolio. Former Patnagarh MLA.
Smt. Pravati Parida
BJP
Since: 12 June 2024
First woman Dy. CM of Odisha. Handles Women & Child Development.
Odisha Legislative Assembly (2024)
Ruling Party Timeline
Famous Personalities of Odisha
Biju Patnaik
Legendary Leader & AviatorCM twice (1961-63, 1990-95). Freedom fighter who flew missions to rescue Indonesian leaders. Father of modern Odisha. Bhubaneswar airport is named after him.
Naveen Patnaik
Longest-Serving CMSon of Biju Patnaik. CM for 24 years (2000-2024, 5 terms). Transformed Odisha's disaster management, governance (5T), and international reputation.
Fakir Mohan Senapati
Father of Odia LiteraturePioneer novelist. "Chha Mana Atha Guntha" (Six Acres and a Third) is the first Indian realist novel. Also wrote the first Odia autobiography.
Sarala Das
Adi Kavi (First Poet)15th-century poet who translated the Mahabharata into Odia — the first regional-language Mahabharata in India.
Bhakta Salabega
Devotional Poet17th-century poet-saint. His bhajans to Lord Jagannath are still sung during Rath Yatra. The Rath stops at his tomb during the procession.
Laxmikant Mohapatra
Odissi Dance MaestroPadma Shri awardee. Legendary Odissi dancer and guru. Dedicated his life to reviving and preserving the classical Odissi dance form worldwide.
Kelucharan Mohapatra
Odissi Dance LegendPadma Vibhushan. The most celebrated Odissi guru — single-handedly reconstructed the Odissi dance form from ancient temple sculptures.
Dutee Chand
Sprinter — World ChampionFirst Indian woman to win gold in 100m at World Universiade (2019). Arjuna Award winner from Jajpur. Overcame gender discrimination to become a national icon.
Pramod Bhagat
Paralympic Gold MedalistWon gold in Badminton at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics (SL3 category). Padma Shri awardee from Bhubaneswar. Overcame polio to become world champion.
Dilip Tirkey
Hockey LegendFormer captain of Indian Hockey Team. Played 400+ international matches. Now President of Hockey India. From Sundergarh — Odisha's hockey nursery.
Pyarimohan Mohapatra
Architect of Modern BBSRIAS officer who transformed Bhubaneswar into a smart city. Drove infrastructure, beautification, and urban planning as BMC Commissioner.
Sam Pitroda
Telecom RevolutionBorn in Titlagarh. "Father of India's telecom revolution". Advisor to PM Rajiv Gandhi. Brought STD/PCO to every village. Changed India's connectivity.
Cultural Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage
- Konark Sun Temple — 13th century architectural marvel by Narasimhadeva I
- Chilika Lake — Largest brackish water lagoon in Asia
- Bhitarkanika — Mangrove ecosystem (Tentative list)
- Ekamra Kshetra — Bhubaneswar temple city (Tentative list)
Festivals
- Rath Yatra — Lord Jagannath's chariot festival (Puri)
- Raja Parba — Celebrates Motherhood & Earth (3-day festival)
- Nuakhai — Harvest festival of Western Odisha
- Boita Bandana — Maritime heritage (Karthik Purnima)
- Durga Puja — Grand celebrations across Cuttack
Art Forms
- Odissi — Classical dance (1 of 8 Indian classical dances)
- Pattachitra — Traditional cloth-based scroll painting
- Sambalpuri Saree — Traditional ikat weaving (GI tagged)
- Chhau Dance — Tribal martial art dance (UNESCO)
- Silver Filigree — Intricate silver work from Cuttack