Paralakhemundi Estate

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Parlakhemundi estate
Zamindari of British India
1309–1951
Gajapati Palace.jpeg
Gajapati Palace, built by Great Grand father of Krushna Chandra Gajapati. It is the residence of the rulers of Parlakhemundi.
Flag of Parla khimedi.gif
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History
History 
 Established
1309
1951
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Blank.png Eastern Ganga dynasty
Blank.png Gajapati Empire
Badakhemundi Estate Blank.png
Sanakhemundi Estate Blank.png
India Flag of India.svg
Today part ofIndia

Parlakhemundi estate was a Zamindari of Odisha in the British Raj period .Before odisha province formation it was under Madras Presidency.The state was ruled as an independent kingdom till 1769.The royal family belong to the Krishnatreya gotra Odia Kshatriya and traced their lineage to Eastern Ganga Dynasty.It was a zamindari estate lying in the southwestern portion of Ganjam district, covering an area of 615 square miles. [1] It was bounded in the south by the district of Vizagpatnam and on the west by the jeypore zamindari and the tribal agencies of the Eastern Ghats.

Contents

They were a branch of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty that survived as the rulers of the Paralakhemundi estate, currently part of the Gajapati district, Odisha. [2]

History

A panoramic view of Jagannath temple, Puri A panoramic view of Jagannath temple, Puri.jpg
A panoramic view of Jagannath temple, Puri

The Khemundi kingdom was established by a branch of the Eastern Gangas before the reign of the Suryavamsa Gajapatis, who had ruled the Kalinga region with the dynasty chiefs calling themselves as Chandravamshis. [3] This is traced to the foundation of the Khemundi kingdom by Narashingha Deba, a son of the Eastern Ganga monarch Bhanudeva II during the early 14th century. His descendants would inherit the Khemundi territory while the main Imperial Eastern Ganga line would end after being overthrown by the Suryavamshi Gajapati Empire. During the 16th cen, the Raja of Parlakhemundi, Subarnalinga Bhanu Deba granted parts of the Khimedi areas to his son Ananga Kesari Ramachandra Deba, whose son Chodanga Deba in turn divided the zamindari among his sons, splitting into two branches- Pedda Khimedi (Badakhemundi) and Chinna Khimedi (Sanakhemundi) in 1608. [4] [5] Two scions of the Bodokhemundi family were also instrumental in the foundation of the princely state of Hindol in 1554. [6]

Parlakhemundi came under British influence in 1768. [5] The Paralakhemundi zamindari state has played much of an important role in assembling the Odia speaking parts, propagating modern education system, building state infrastructures etc. [3] A a large part of the estate now lies in Andhra Pradesh, even though the Gangas were based in Odisha.

The last king of Paralakhemundi, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, played a key role in the Odisha state movement and is regarded as one of the architects of an independent united Odisha State and also went on to become the first Prime Minister of Orissa Province formed in 1936. The present-day Gajapati district of Odisha which was earlier a part of the historic Ganjam district was named after him. [7] [8] [9]

Rulers

The rulers of this line include: [4]

Khemundi Kingdom

Rulers of Paralakhemundi

Rulers of the Paralakhemundi state following the establishment of the Bodokhemundi and Sanakhemundi branches:

Related Research Articles

Kalinga is a historical region of India. It is generally defined as the eastern coastal region between the Mahanadi and the Godavari rivers, although its boundaries have fluctuated with the territory of its rulers. The core territory of Kalinga now encompasses central and southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh. At its widest extent, the Kalinga region also included parts of present-day Chhattisgarh, extending up to Amarkantak in the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganjam district</span> District of Odisha in India

Ganjam district is a district in the Indian state of Odisha. Ganjam's total area is 8,206 km² (3,168 mi²). The district headquarters is Chhatrapur. Ganjam is divided into three sub-divisions Chhatrapur, Berhampur, and Bhanjanagar. The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1908 lists Ganjam, along with the Thanjavur and South Canara districts, as the three districts of the Madras Presidency where Brahmins were most numerous. As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gajapati district</span> District of Odisha in India

Gajapati district is a district of Odisha State in India. It was created from Ganjam District on 2 October, 1992. Gajapati district was named after Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb, the King of the Paralakhemundi estate and the first Prime Minister of Orissa, who is remembered for his contribution in the formation of a separate state, and inclusion of his estate in Odisha. The district headquarters at Paralakhemundi, formerly a Zamindari, has been clustered within a radius of approximately 5 kilometers around the geometric centre of Paralakhemundi. The District is a part of the Red Corridor. As of 2011 it is the third least populous district of Odisha, after Debagarh and Boudh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paralakhemundi</span> Place in Odisha, India

Paralakhemundi shortly known as Parala is district Headquarter of Gajapati district and one of the oldest Municipality established in 1885, in the Indian state of Odisha. Majority of the people in the town speak Odia. The city and the District share its boundaries with Andhra Pradesh. The adjacent town of Pathpatnam is separated by the River Mahendra Tanaya.In later medieval period it became capital of Paralakhemundi Estate of Eastern Ganga Dynasty kings of Khemundi Branch. The town is well known for being an ancient cultural center of Odisha and birthplace of noted personalities including poet Gopalakrusna Pattanayaka, statesman Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, lexicographer Gopinatha Nanda Sharma and historian Satyanarayana Rajguru. This town is also known for its century old temples, monasteries, palaces and heritage buildings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Ganga dynasty</span> Medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty

The Eastern Ganga dynasty were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century. Eastern Gangas ruled much of the modern region of Odisha in three different phases by the passage of time, known as Early Eastern Gangas (493–1077), Imperial Eastern Gangas (1077–1436) and Khemundi Gangas (1436–1947). They are known as "Eastern Gangas" to distinguish them from the Western Gangas who ruled over Karnataka. The territory ruled by the dynasty consisted of the whole of the modern-day Indian state of Odisha, as well as major parts of north Andhra Pradesh, parts of Chhattisgarh and some southern districts of West Bengal. Odia language got official status in their regime following the evolution of the language from Odra Prakrit. The early rulers of the dynasty ruled from Dantapuram; the capital was later moved to Kalinganagara, and ultimately to Kataka and then to Paralakhemundi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dharakote</span> Village in Odisha, India

Dharakote is a semi-urban village and former princely state in Dharakote Block of Ganjam district in the Indian state of Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagannath Temple, Dharakote</span> Hindu temple in Odisha, India

Dharakote Jagannath Temple is a Jagannath temple located in Dharakote of Ganjam district in the Indian state of Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krushna Chandra Gajapati</span>

Krushna Chandra Gajapati KCIE, also known as Captain Maharaja Sri Sri Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayana Deva KCIE, was a key personality and regarded as the architect, founding father of an Independent Odia Language speaking state Odisha. He was a scion of Paralakhemundi Estate and the owner of Delanga estate of Puri district of Odisha. His family belonged to the great Eastern Ganga Dynasty. He was the first Prime Minister of Orissa. The present-day Gajapati District of Odisha was named after him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orissa Province</span> Province of British India (1936–1947)

Orissa Province was a province of British India created in April 1936 by the partitioning of the Bihar and Orissa Province. Its territory corresponds with the modern-day State of Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindol State</span>

Hindol State was one of the princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. Its former territory is now part of Dhenkanal district. The state's former capital was the town of Hindol, Odisha. Until 1947, it was not part of British India but was subject to the suzerainty of the British crown, under the Orissa States Agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soroda Estate</span>

Soroda Estate present day Sorada or Surada, was a zamindari in the North-Western side of Ganjam district of Odisha, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhanja dynasty</span> Ancient dynasty originated in fhe Utkala Kingdom

The Bhanja dynasty is a dynasty that originated in the northern and central regions of modern Odisha before the Gupta Empire became an imperial power. The dynasty, of ancient local Kshatriya lineage as documented by Hermann Kulke, succeeded the Vindhyatabi branch of the Nagas of Padmavati, who ruled from the Keonjhar district of Odisha and included Satrubhanja of the Asanpat inscription. The Bhanj later became feudatories of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty.

padmasri Satyanarayana Rajguru (1903-1997) was an Indian litterateur, epigraphist and historian. He was a curator and epigraphist at the Odisha State Museum and was a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, Bharati Bhushan award, Ganjam Sahitya Sammilani award, Odisha Sahitya Academy Award and Sarala Sanman. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gajapati Palace</span> Historic Monument in Paralakhemundi

Gajapati Palace located at Paralakhemundi, of Gajapati district, Odisha, is the fort of Gajapati rulers where they used to stay. Nowadays the property is under the protection of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The palace is one of the rich architectural and cultural heritage of India. This palace was built for a purpose of permanent residential abode for the Gajapati Rulers of Paralakhemundi Estate belonging to the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

Parlakimedi Light Railway (PLR) was the first narrow gauge railway line between Naupada to Paralakhemundi end extended to Gunupur in states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Established by Maharajah of Paralakhemundi in 1899. The line was initially owned by Gajapati Maharaja of Paralakhemundi Estate. This is the first narrow gauge section railway station of Odisha.Founded by Rajah Saheb GCIE Gourachandra Gajapati Narayan Dev ,father of Maharajah Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagannatha Gajapati Narayana Deo II</span> King of Paralakhemundi estate

Jagannatha Gajapati Narayana Deo II was the Odia monarch of the Paralakhemundi Estate in the southern part of today's Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh. He was from the Eastern Ganga dynasty of the Khemundi Ganga Branch from the year 1736 CE to 1771 CE. He had ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen and at a time when Odisha was torn apart due conflicts between external powers like the Mughals, Marathas, French and British for control of the territory. He invaded khurdha Bhoi dynasty king Birakishore Deva and Vizianagaram estate King Pusapati Vijayarama Raju II and defeated the both kings. He made the last great attempts on his own to revive the lost glory of Odisha and its unique Hindu culture that revolved around the tradition of Jagannath worship. He had defied the authority of the Nizam of Hyderabad and maintained his own sovereignty. He was one of the first rulers who indulged in conflicts with the new European colonists in the eastern part of India. He was also effort bound till the end of his life in framing strategic diplomatic plans to free the ancient land of Odisha from external aggressors and revival of its lost Eastern Ganga Dynasty-Gajapati glory from the past.

Kalyani Gajapati or Kalyani Devi is the current head of the Parlakhemundi Ganga dynasty. She became the first woman to head the Ganga dynasty of Paralakhemundi.

Badakhemundi estate, also known as Pedda Khimedi estate, was a zamindari in the Ganjam district in the British period. It was an offshoot of Parlakhemundi. It had an area of 505 km2 and a population of 40,650 inhabitants (1871) in 194 villages.

Gajapati is a regnal title from the region of modern Odisha in the Indian subcontinent. The word ‘Gajapati’ in Odia refers to "Gaja" meaning elephant and "Pati" meaning master or husband. Thus Gajapati etymologically means a king with an army of elephants. The institution of Gajapati kingship as a title was used by the Eastern Ganga dynasty and was used by succeeding dynasties, with the patronisation of Lord Jagannatha as the imperial deity of the Odia cultural realm.

References

  1. "Dynasty of Tiger – Indian Princely States". CRW flags.
  2. "Parla Khimedi (Zamindari)". members.iinet.net.au. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 Panda, Harihar. "(1) (PDF) THE ROYAL STORIES OF ODISHA: GANGAS OF PARALEKHAMUNDI". Academia.edu. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  4. 1 2 ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS GAJAPATI (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 2002, p. 51
  5. 1 2 W, Francis (1988). Gazetter of South India Volumes 1–2. Mittal Publications.
  6. ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS DHENKANAL (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 2014, pp. 37–38
  7. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (PDF), Odisha Review, retrieved 31 December 2020
  8. http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2010/April/engpdf/56-57.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  9. Padhy, S. C. (2005–2006), "Formation of Orissa Province and Role of Oriyas in Berhampur", Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Indian History Congress, 66: 1030–1040, JSTOR   44145916 , retrieved 31 December 2020

General references