The establishment of a distinct province holds great significance in the history of contemporary Odisha. After 1568, Odisha fragmented into multiple regional kingdoms. The Bhois from Khurda, the Bhanjas from Ghumsur and Mayurbhanj, as well as the Chauhans from Sambalpur, slowly gained political significance. Subsequently, Odisha emerged as an independent province under British rule, facilitating the establishment of the state of Odisha.
The East India Company gradually took control of Odisha, starting with the Southern region, followed by the coastal areas, and finally Sambalpur along with the nearby territories. This narrative reveals that British dominance could not be enforced on a unified Odisha.
The Odia-speaking population was classified into three distinct administrations overlooked, unimportant, and minority communities. Odisha, nonetheless, became an independent province on April 1, 1936. The establishment came to be because of the persistent guidance of Madhusudan Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhra Meher, Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Lingraj Panigrahi, and numerous other leaders. The resolution for the establishment of Odisha was initiated by the Odia Movement in the 19th century.
Odia Movement
It was a movement by Odia-speaking individuals aiming to unite Odia-speaking regions to protect the rightful interests of their community and to maintain and promote the Odia language and culture.
As a result of the British division, Odia-speaking regions were effectively incorporated into four provinces: Bengal, Madras, Central Provinces, and Bihar, diminishing the status of linguistic minorities within these areas.
Because of these factors and the influence of linguistic majorities, the Odia movement was initiated by the notable leaders of Odisha. It resulted in the development of socio-political groups and public organizations in Odisha during the 19th century.
Role Of Utkala Sammilani In Odia Movement
In 1855, Henry Ricketts, the Commissioner of the Odisha Division, suggested merging Sambalpur with the Odisha Division. In 1868, Sir Stafford Northcote, the Secretary of State for India, proposed that the Odia-speaking regions be consolidated into one administrative unit for improved governance.
It was instrumental in both the Odia Movement and the establishment of the separate province of Odisha. It was established during the inaugural Odia National Conference that took place on 30th-31st December 1903.
With Madhusudan Das at the helm, the Uktal Sammilani persisted in convening annually at various locations across Odisha. The main goal of Utkal Sammilani was to unite Odia-speaking regions.
The Sammilani was also focused on the overall advancement of Odias and addressed matters such as industrial growth, education expansion, revitalization of cottage industries, social improvements, agricultural development, and the advancement of Odia language and literature.
Merger Of Sambalpur With Odisha Division
Sambalpur and the adjoining Feudatory States, included in Central Provinces in 1862 for administrative convenience, were shown as a part of 'Natural Odisha' in Grierson's survey and as 'Odia country' in Government Records.
The Chief Commissioner of Nagpur issued a notification on 15th January 1895 replacing Odia by Hindi as the language of the offices, courts, and schools. This order was made effective from 1st January, 1896. There was a sharp reaction from the Odias against the notification.
The Sambalpur Hitaisini, a pre-Independence journal published by Nilamani Vidyaratna protested against the order of replacing Odia by Hindi as unjust.
A memorial was presented to Viceroy Curzon in 1900. It suited the Viceroy's interests when the memorialists of Sambalpur wanted the inclusion of the Sambalpur tract with the Odisha Division of Bengal. He was planning for a territorial reorganization of provinces like the Partition of Bengal.
Curzon directed the contemporary Chief Commissioner of Nagpur, Andrew Fraser to conduct an enquiry. Fraser recommended for inclusion of Sambalpur with Odisha and the restoration of Odia as the official language.
A circular, (famous as Risley Circular), was issued restoring Odia as an official language in Sambalpur and the adjacent Feudatory States and transferring them to the Odisha division in 1905.
Formation Of Bihar-Odisha Province
Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy suggested the separation of the Hindi and the Odia areas from Bengal. The Odisha Division was added to Bihar and Bihar-Odisha Province was created in 1912, while Ganjam and Vizianagaram areas remained under Madras Presidency/Province,
The Odias disliked 'the birth of the twins', Bihar and Odisha in which the Biharis would dominate. After the formation of Bihar-Odisha Province, the Sinha Resolution, Philip-Duff Committee, and Boundary Commission played a significant role in creating a separate Odisha Province.
Sachchidanand Sinha Resolution Of 1920
Sachchidanand Sinha on 20th February 1920 moved a resolution in the Imperial Legislative Council. He recommended formulating a scheme for the amalgamation of Odia-speaking tracts to the British Government of India. It became famous as the Sinha Resolution.
Philip-Duff Committee Of 1924
In December 1924, the British Government of India convinced the Madras Presidency to establish a committee called the Philip-Duff Committee to investigate the merger of Odia-speaking regions (Ganjam).
The Philip-Duff Committee recommended merging Odia-speaking regions for improved administration. In 1927, this suggestion was presented to the Simon Commission. The recommendation was approved by the commission. It recommended that the government establish a Boundary Commission to define the territorial limits of the Odia province.
In 1930, the topic of merging Odia-speaking regions was also raised during the Second Round Table Conference in London by Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati of Paralakhemundi. A memorandum was submitted to the British Government advocating for a distinct Odisha Province.
Boundary Commission Of 1931
The Boundary Commission was constituted in 1931 with Samuel O'Donnel as Chairman, HM Mehta and TR Phukan as members; and Raja of Paralakhamundi, SN Sinha, and N Raju as associate members representing the Odias, the Biharis, and Telugus respectively.
The Boundary Commission recommended a separate province which would include Odisha Division, Angul, Padampur, Khariar Estate, the greater part of Ganjam district, and Vizagapatam. The new province would have an area of 33,000 square miles and a population of 82,77,000.
Creation Of Separate Odisha Province
Following the report of the Joint Select Committee, a clause was included in the Government of India Act, 1935, establishing the new state of Odisha. The province was officially established on April 1, 1936. It consisted of just six districts. On that same day, Sir John Hubback was sworn in as the inaugural Governor of Odisha.
The new province signified the conclusion of the dismemberment period and the onset of an era focused on consolidation and future accomplishments.
Merger Of The Princely States Of Odisha
The elections took place for the Odisha Provincial Legislative Assembly, where the Congress secured a majority. Harekrushna Mahatab took office as Prime Minister of Odisha on April 3, 1946. The British Cabinet Mission came to India that year, and Mahatab raised matters concerning the integration of the 'Garajat' states with the newly formed Odisha province.
A meeting of the Prajamandal took place on the night before independence on August 10, 1947. The individuals demonstrated a strong wish to unite with Odisha, and this proposal was officially approved at the conference.
Nilgiri state lacked internal tranquility. With Sardar Patel's approval, Harekrushna Mahatab directed the Balasore Magistrate and Odisha's Revenue Minister to assume control of the Nilgiri State's administration.
On December 14, 1947, Mahatab called a meeting in Cuttack to discuss the merger of the Garajat (Princely) States. Sardar Patel recommended to the rulers that agreeing to merge their individual states would be advantageous for everyone involved. This conference is renowned for being called the Cuttack Conference.
On December 23, 1947, under the Extra Provincial Jurisdiction Act, the management of the Garajat States was handed over to the Government of Odisha. It started functioning on January 1, 1948. Mayurbhanj was the sole Garajat state that integrated into India on October 16, 1948, and in 1949, the Central Government transferred that state to the Odisha Government.
Saraikela and Kharasuna stayed independent (separated) from Odisha and were incorporated into Bihar. The integration of the Princely States into Odisha was made feasible through the diligent work of Harekrushna Mahatab and the assistance offered by Sardar Patel and VP Menon from the Indian Central Government.
On September 30, 1946, a proposal was presented in the Odisha Legislative Assembly to relocate the capital of Odisha from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar.
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