CREATION OF ODISHA PROVINCE

Introduction

The creation of the separate province of Odisha on 1st April 1936 was not merely a redrawing of boundaries. It marked the culmination of a long, sustained struggle rooted in the unique linguistic, cultural, and historical identity of the Odia people. Odisha holds the distinction of being the first state in India formed on a linguistic basis, inspiring future linguistic reorganization in independent India. This historic event was the result of relentless efforts by dedicated leaders, reformers, and common people who fought to protect their language, heritage, and self-respect from colonial neglect and administrative fragmentation.

 

Background: Odisha Before 1936

1. British Conquest of Odisha (1803)
   • Odisha came under British rule in 1803 after the defeat of the Marathas.
   • It was then divided and annexed into different British-administered regions without any consideration for its linguistic and cultural unity.
2. Odisha Fragmented
   • Odia-speaking regions were distributed among four different provinces:
     • Bengal Presidency
     • Bihar and Orissa Province
     • Madras Presidency
     • Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh)
3. Marginalization of Odia Language and Culture
   • Odia people became minorities in the provinces they were placed in.
   • The Odia language faced neglect in education, administration, and public life.
   • Odia identity was at risk of being submerged under Bengali, Hindi, and Telugu domination.

Factors Behind the Demand for a Separate Odisha Province

1. Linguistic and Cultural Identity

• The Odia language is one of the oldest languages in India, with a rich literary heritage.
• Odias feared linguistic extinction due to dominance by other languages in administration and education.

2. Economic Discrimination

• Odia regions were economically backward and suffered neglect in terms of development.
• Resources were diverted to more dominant regions in Bengal and Bihar.

3. Administrative Inconvenience

• Odias were ruled by different provincial governments, leading to administrative confusion and lack of unity.
• Developmental initiatives and governance were inconsistent across Odia-speaking regions.

4. Rise of Odia Nationalism

• The Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Union Conference) became the platform for Odia leaders to articulate their demand for a separate province.
• Utkal Sammilani’s efforts united Odias across fragmented regions, bringing their cause to the national stage.

Role of Utkal Sammilani (1903)

• Founded by Madhusudan Das, fondly called Utkal Gourab (Pride of Odisha).
• Objective: Unification of all Odia-speaking areas into one province.
• Organized annual conferences to build public consciousness.
• Played a critical role in mobilizing people, sending petitions, and negotiating with British authorities.
• Became the nerve center of the Odia movement, promoting cultural pride and regional unity.

Key Personalities in the Creation of Odisha Province

Name	Contribution
Madhusudan Das	Pioneer of the Odia unification movement; founder of Utkal Sammilani.
Gopabandhu Das	Social reformer, educationist, and political leader; strengthened the nationalist and Odia identity.
Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo	Played a key role in political negotiations and the formation of the new province.
Nilakantha Das	Promoted the Odia language, literature, and education.
Fakir Mohan Senapati	Father of Modern Odia Prose and novelist; worked to revive Odia literature.

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  Important Events Leading to the Formation

  1. Formation of Bihar and Orissa Province (1912)
  • Odisha was clubbed with Bihar, but Odias remained neglected within this arrangement.
  • Further fueled the demand for a separate province.
  2. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
  • Brought limited provincial autonomy, giving Odias a platform to voice their concerns.
  • Strengthened the argument for linguistic reorganization.
  3. Simon Commission (1927) and Joint Select Committee Recommendations
  • The Simon Commission recommended linguistic provinces in principle.
  • The Joint Parliamentary Committee (1934-35) finalized the formation of the Odisha Province.

  Creation of Odisha Province (1st April 1936)

  • The Government of India Act, 1935 paved the way for new provinces.
  • Odisha became a separate province on 1st April 1936, carved out of Bihar and Orissa Province.
  • Included six districts at inception:
    • Cuttack
    • Puri
    • Balasore
    • Sambalpur
    • Koraput
    • Ganjam
  • Cuttack became the capital of the new province.

  Significance of the Creation of Odisha Province

  1. First Linguistic State
  • Odisha became India’s first linguistic province, setting a precedent for other linguistic movements across India.
  • Inspired the State Reorganization Commission (SRC) post-independence.
  2. Revival of Odia Language and Culture
  • Gave a new lease of life to Odia language, literature, and cultural identity.
  • Educational reforms promoted Odia medium schools and publications.
  3. Political Empowerment
  • Odia people finally gained self-rule within a united province.
  • Local leadership emerged and took charge of provincial administration.
  4. Economic Development
  • Separate administrative machinery led to focused development efforts in Odisha.
  • Infrastructure, education, and public health saw significant improvements.

  Challenges After Creation

  • Regions like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and other princely states were not part of Odisha in 1936.
  • It took further political negotiations post-independence to merge these princely states into Odisha by 1949.

  Conclusion

  The creation of Odisha as a separate province in 1936 was a monumental step in the assertion of linguistic and cultural identity in India. It was a victory for Odia nationalism, achieved through peaceful, democratic movements spearheaded by visionary leaders like Madhusudan Das and Gopabandhu Das. Odisha’s example served as a blueprint for the linguistic reorganization of Indian states in the post-independence period. Today, Odisha celebrates Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) every year on 1st April, remembering the sacrifices and relentless efforts that led to the birth of modern Odisha.

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