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Balasore district was part of the ancient Kalinga
which later became a territory of Toshala or Utkal, till the death of
Mukunda Dev. It was annexed by Moghuls in 1568 and remained as a part of
their suzerainty up to the middle of eighteenth century, to be precised up
to 1750-51.Then the Marahattas occupied this part of Orissa and it became
a part of the dominion of the Marahatta Rajas of Nagpur.The East India
Company ceded this part through a treaty called treaty of Deogaon in 1803
and it became a part of Bengal Presidency up to 1912.But the first English
Settlement came into existence in Balasore region in 1634 while Sahajahan
was the emperor at Delhi. The first of English factories was established
in this region in 1640.During this period Dutch and Danish settlements
were also founded inthis region. Balasore as a separate district was
created in October,1828 while it was in the Bengal Presidency.With the
creation of Bihar province,Orissa was diverted along with Balasore
district from Bengal to Bihar.But with the creation of Orissa as a
separate State on 1st April,1936 Balasore became an integral part of
Orissa State.The national movement of independence surged ahead with the
visit of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. Similarly Praja Andolan was initiated
against the ruler of Nilagiri State.The state of Nilagiri merged with
state of Orissa in January,1948 and became a part of Balasore district.In
3rd April,1993 Bhadrak Sub-division became a separate district and from
this day Balasore remains a district of Orissa with two Sub-divisions
namely Balasore and Nilagiri having 7 Tahasils namely
Balasore,Soro,Simulia,Nilagiri,Jaleswar,Basta & Baliapal and 12 Blocks
namely Bhograi, Jaleswar, Baliapal, Basta, Balasore, Remuna, Nilagiri,
Oupada, Khaira, Soro & Bahanaga. The name of the district is being derived
from the name of the town, which is old and important. The name Balasore
is recognised from the Persian word BALA-E-SHORE which means “TOWN IN THE
SEA”. The historical legend ascribes that the district has been named as
per the LORD BANESHWAR (LORD SHIVA) of the town., which subsequently
changed to Balasore during MUGHUL Rules.
The district Balasore accounts for people of different religions viz :-
Hindu,Muslim,Sikh, Christian etc. with many a caste, creed and
community.The copper coin Collected from Bhograi and the collection of
statue of Lord Budha from places like Avana,Kupari,Basta & Ajodhya magnify
the existence of Budhaism in Balasore and it is expected to be popular
during “ Bhoumakar ”.The statue of Lord Jaina at Jaleswar,Balasore & Avana
hints about Jainism at Balasore and expected to be popular in 10th –11th
century. Balasore is highly famous as for “ Saibapitha ” .Many a temples
of (LORD SHIVA ) are seen in various places of Balasore.The temples of
Lord Shiva are highly popular at Chandaneshwar Baneshwar Jhadeshwar
Panchalingeshwar Bhusandeshwar, Maninageshwar . District Balasore has got
fame as “ Saktapitha ” as found from “Bhudhar Chandi” of Sajanagarh,”
Danda Kali” of Khantapara and “ Chandi Mandir “ of Kharjureshwar.The Sun
temple of Ajodhya, Seragarh, Nilagiri & Bardhanpur Gifts picture about
“Sun Devotee “. Vaishnab Dharma was popular from Gupta dynasty.
Vishnu temples at different places of Balasore and Khirochora temple (
built during 2nd Narasingha Dev ) highlights the facts.The two Jagannath
temples at the heart of Balasore & Jagannath temple at Nilagiri ,Mangalpur,Gud,Jaleswar,Kamarda,Deuligan
& Baliapal magnify the culture of Balasore. Many a
Masjids,Churches,Gurudwar ( at Remuna ) etc. identify about different
religion and place of workship at Balasore.
The famous festivals like Makara Sankranti, Raja Sankranti,Ganga
Mela,Durga Puja,Kali Puja,Gonesh Chaturthi,Saraswati Puja,Laxmi
Puja,Bishwakarma Puja,Chandan festival,Car festival, Maha Shivaratri,Dola
Purnima, Idd, Moharrum ,Christmas Day etc.are performed with pump and
ceremony by the people of Balasore. Balasore is famous for the most
attractive and enjoyable game “ Akhada ” played during Durga Puja by
Hindus & during Moharrum by Muslims.
The pre Independence Political Scenerio of Balasore is highly commendable
and people of Balasore had played dynamic role for separate Orissa
province and also for freedom movement.“Inchudi Salt Revolution ( Lavana
Satyagrah)” and “Srijang Satyagrah ” for non-payment of Revenue Tax are
famous in National Scenerio as part of struggle for freedom movement.
Education plays an important role in Balasore both before and after
Independence. At present many a primary & secondary schools both in
English and Regional language medium are imparting School Education. Many
a Degree Colleges Law College,College of Education,Engineering School and
Colleges,Song & Music colleges,Art and Craft Colleges,Industrial Training
Institutes, Management Colleges & Computer Institutes are found at
different parts of District. Fakir Mohan University of Balasore is in a
rappid progressive stage.Balasore is also highly repute in the field of
Drama , Theatre ,Music & Litreture. The Radha Govinda Theatre ,Bharati
Theatre ,Sunhat Theatre & Juvenile Theatre were highly reputed before
Independence and the institutions like Srashtha,Fakir Mohan Natya Parishad,
Fakir Mohan Sahitya Parishad, Chadrabhaga, Nrutya Sangeeta Kala Mandir,Sai
Kala Mandir etc. after Independence are highly repute in the field of
Culture.
Balasore is highly popular in 1st part of the 17th century for port
culture. Pipilli, Sartha, Chhanua & Balasore were important ports the then
time.People form this place were going abroad especially to Lacadive and
Maldiv iland through sea root with the help of boat for business purpose.
People of Balasore had also played dominant role for language revolution
in making separate Orissa province. The important news papers “
Bodhadayeenee “ and “Balasore Sambad Bahika ”, by the efforts of Vysa Kabi
Fakir Mohan Senapati had shown the seeds for Oriya language revolution and
for development of Oriya literature.The Orissa cultural history will ever
remember the contribution of Raja Baikuntha Nath Dev, Vysa Kabi Fakir
Mohan and Rai Bahadur Radha Chran Das for their long efforts in making
Orissa a separate Province and to magnify Oriya language and literature.
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