Orissa Review * August - 2008

Utkal Ratna Biswanath Mishra : The Forgotten Pioneer of Oriya Movement

Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo

Pangs of poverty and fetters of society often stand it were, took an organized and definite shape in as stumbling blocs on the path of a man's growth early twentieth century with the formation of Utkal and evolution. But even then there are some who Union Conference (Utkal Sammilani) in 1903 courageously transcend their poverty and by Sri Madhusudan Das. resolutely defy the fetters of society. Through their Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das was the sheer will power and staunch determination they prime -mover and the god -father of the Oriya grow and evolve into greater heights of personal movement. But along with him, there were also excellence and even carve out a niche for them many others who under his overall leadership and in the public life of their country. direction did their very best to actualize the dream Biswanath Mishra born in the 19th century of the Oriya movement. Biswanath Mishra was Orissa belongs to that rare breed of individuals one such forgotten pioneer of the Oriya movement who even though born in a poor family could not who represented and epitomized the early wave only dream but even actualize his dream of of Oriya nationalist consciousness or as has been becoming the first Barrister of Orissa with requisite said "Jatiprana Sindhura Adya Taranga". qualification acquired from England. He remained Biswanath Mishra was not only the first steadfast in his determination and defied also all Barrister and a pioneer of Oriya movement , he social fetters the backward looking and had also many other feathers to his cap. He was, conservative forces of the time who frantically as it were, a sober and liberal social reformer, a sought to hinder his education either in the Puri learned and efficient lawyer, a torch bearer of Zilla school or even when they tried to checkmate women's awakening, a well- wisher of student his ambition to visit England and acquire the community and an advocate of education, an Barrister qualification. Apart from becoming the effective parliamentarian and a matured politician. first Barrister of Orissa- a rare feat of the time, he Leaving aside all this, he was over and above, a also played a dedicated role in the Oriya very good man, a nice person, and an adorable movement for amalgamation of Oriya - speaking and lovable personality. tracts scattered under different provinces under one administration and in the formation of Orissa The life and struggle of Biswanth both for as a separate province. This Oriya movement, as his personal a growth and evolution and with

45 Orissa Review * August - 2008 regard to his role in the public life of Orissa in the It was in this social terrain, Biswanath had Oriya movement makes an interesting reading. The to traverse and fight a battle royal to become the story of his life is, in a way, quite thrilling and first Barrister of Orissa. inspiring. It is more so when one thinks of the b) The Political Scenario present society and crippling social ethos in the 19th century where he sought to grow and evolve Biswanath, as has been said, was born in in the midst of all odds. the latter part of the 19th century on 18.10.1878. At the time of his birth Orissa did not have a SOCIO - POLITICAL SCENARIO distinct political identity of its own. What was The life and struggle of Biswanath and his called Orissa division at the time consisted of role can perhaps be better appreciated if one only the three districts of Cuttack, Puri and keeps in mind the socio - political scenario of the Balasore which were tagged with the province time. of Bengal.2 a) The Social Scenario The Oriya country which Biswanath saw under British rule during his time was a Biswanath was born on 18.10.1878 in new dismembered Orissa with Oriya people being Someswarpur Brahman Sasan under Sakhigopal "territorially fragmented."3 and tagged on to the police station in the Puri district. It was a time tail ends of different provinces. As regards this when society was heavily caste-ridden, outlook dismembered Oriya country, it has been said: extremely narrow - superstitions and blind beliefs "Orissa was conquered by the British in a 1 ruled the behaviour pattern of people. In those piecemeal manner by 1803 and kept politically days the highest ambit of educational ambition divided under three provinces, the Orissa Division was up to middle vernacular level. Beyond this, consisting of the coastal districts (Balasore, higher English education in the matric level was Cuttack and Puri) in Bengal, the Ganjam and more or less a forbidden zone frowned upon in Vizagpatnam districts in Madras and the the Brahmin sasans of Puri in general and new Sambalpur district with adjacent feudatory states Someswarpur in particular. It was considered to in the Central provinces."4 be sinful, ignoble and defiling by the conservative Brahmin Pundits and it was religiously enforced This political dismemberment had by them. When anybody ventured to violate this disastrous effect on the homogeneity of the Oriya norm he was put to stringent social boycott and race and prejudicially affected the culture, 5 ex-communicated. Over and above those who language and its all round development. ventured to cross the seven seas and visit England As a matter of fact, the hostile attitude of for higher education were treated as a set of the Bengalies in Orissa division, Hindi-speaking sinners, a fallen and unholy lot to be abandoned people in Sambalpur, the Telgus in Ganjam and by the society. It was considered to be a great Vizagpatnam placed the Oriya language and sin beyond redemption. Though the present culture in jeopardy. 'This was the political scenario generation may possibly look at his with a sense of Orissa which Biswanath Mishra was exposed of amused smile, it nonetheless was the social to when he grew and evolved. In view of this sad reality of the time. scenario, the problem that agitated the minds of

46 Orissa Review * August - 2008 enlightened Oriyas was the amalgamation of expressed the desire of their people to be Oriya- speaking tracts into one administrative amalgamated in a common administration.8 unit and then the formation of a separate province On the 2nd of April 1903 a meeting of the of Orissa. Orissa Association was held at Cuttack under It led to an organized movement a sustained Madhu Babu's leadership which resolved to constitutional struggle for many years to achieve submit a memorial to the Governor General of the said objective. The agitation for amalgamation India praying him to transfer to the Orissa Division, of Oriya- speaking tracts aroused and moulded the Oriya-speaking portions of the districts of public opinion in the province and helped much Ganjam, Vizagpatnam, Sambalpur, Chota for the growth of political consciousness of the Nagpur, and Midnapore so far as this could be 9 people in the early decades of the twentieth done, having regard to territorial contiguity. century.6 In 1903, the Utkal Union Conference or the Utkal Sammilani which was the brainchild of A birds eye of the main contours of the Madhu Babu and the foremost national institution Oriya movement is submitted below keeping in of the Oriya race met at Cuttack on December, view our objective to mainstream Biswanath's 30th and 31st with representatives from role in the movement. Midnapore, Sambalpur and Ganjam along with Two years before Biswanath's birth in the feudatory Chiefs of Talcher, Keonjhar, and 1876, Raja Baikuntha Nath Dev of Balasore and Dhenkanal. The first resolution related to the Sri Bichitrananda Patnaik possibly for the first time administrative union of the Oriya tracts10 apart memorialized to the British Government for Union from many other resolutions in the said of all the Oriya-speaking tracts under a single Conference. administration. This was the scenario of the Oriya During the latter half of 1902, a memorial Movement when Biswanath was a youngman of signed by hundreds of Oriyas was submitted to 25 years. Influenced and inspired by Madhu Lord Curzon , the then Governor General of India Babu, the architect of Oriya nationalism and wherein the memorialists prayed the government impelled by his own urge and dedication of India to bring together the scattered divisions Biswanath played his part in the Oriya movement inhabited by Oriya-speaking peoples i.e. Ganjam until his death in 1933 in far off Simla. But in Madras, Sambalpur in the Central Provinces unfortunately, he was not there to see the separate and Orissa in Bengal, under the government of Orissa Province which came into existence on Bengal or under anyone government.7 Early in 1st April, 1936. 1903, a small band of enthusiasts gathered in the Biswanath Babu and His formative years of town of Rambha established the Ganjam Jatiya life and struggle. Samiti (National conference). It held its first Formative Years roughly refer to the period meeting at Berhampur in the ensuing Easter with from early school days up to the college level by participation of persons from Orissa and other which time one's personality is formed, shaped Oriya Speaking tracts. The meeting unitedly and moulded.

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Biswanath Babu was born in a poor and Biswanath's father Sri Kulamani Mishra ordinary Brahmin family and his father Kulamani inspite of his poverty was an enlightened man of Mishra of Someswarpur Brahman Sasan was a his days with an independent and fearless mind. priest of small means and limited income, Otherwise he would possibly not have been able Biswanath's early life started with this to defy the aforesaid dictate and dictat of the background. conservative pundits of his village who were bent As regards his early school life, it upon thwarting his son's education in the Puri comprised of his study in the Village Chatasali, Zilla School. Those traits of his father's character Primary School and his passing out from the which Biswanath perhaps imbibed foreshadowed Borbei Middle Vernacular School in his area. his independent and fearless stance in the Oriya movement vis-à-vis the British and in his fearless In the foregoing pages, it was indicated exposure of the lapses and deficiencies of British that the highest ambit of educational ambition in rule in India on the floor of the Central Legislative those days was upto this Middle Vernacular level Assembly. and no young man of his Village till then had gone for higher English education in the High School In Puri Zilla School he studied from 1897 or Matric level which as per existing social norm to 1902 under conditions of acute hardship and was considered sinful, ignoble and defiling. pinching poverty. It could not however overpower his determination to creditably get through the In those day's Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Entrance/Matric examination in 1902 with a Das, the first graduate, the first MA and the first scholarship of Rs. 10/- PM. This spirit of staunch advocate of Orissa was the ideal and role model determination to fight and transcend all obstacles of young people. One popular song concerning and accomplish his goal with almost the spirit of a him which often sprang from their lips seems to fighter became a distinct facet of his character have inspired and impressed Biswanath. The said and personality. It was subsequently evident even song was, "I will read and read; compete with more vibrantly during his days in Ravenshaw Madhu Babu and mount the black horse". College, Cuttack and in his visit to England to Accordingly, Biswanath inspired by acquire the Barrister's qualification. Madhu Babu and backed up by his father, Kulamani Mishra took admission in Puri Zilla Days in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack : - School which however was unbearable to the Sign-Post of his future role in the Oriya dominant conservative leadership. They now Movement. imposed a fine of Rs.20/- on Kulamani Mishra Biswanath's ambition to go ahead in life propelled by no means a small amount of those days along him to take admission in Ravenshaw College, with social boycott with a warning that he should Cuttack where he studied for two years during forthwith cancel Biswanath's admission in Puri 1902 and 1903 for his F.A. Examination. This Zilla School which as per their interpretation sojourn of two years in Ravenshaw Collage, unceremoniously violated the aforesaid social Cuttack was an important phase of his life. Apart norm (which considered English education as from affirming his staunch determination to sinful, ignoble and defiling). complete his studies in the midst of all hardship

48 Orissa Review * August - 2008 and poverty, it became a signpost-a future Biswanath did not declare his mind and goal indicator foreshadowing his life-long dedication orientation, he seems to have decided that after in the cause of the Oriya amalgamation movement passing his F.A. examination, he was to jump into and also formation of Orissa as a separate the life's struggle with two distinct motives namely province. Regarding his struggle and determination (a) Service of the nation and (b) Taking care and at Ravenshaw College Cuttack, it has been said : looking after his family. "He stayed at Cuttack in a private mess with his This service of the nation which he was school friends Damodar Rout and Sankar determined to take up was what destiny ordained Sarangi. To pay for a cook was difficult for them him and which foreshadowed his life and work.13 so they cooked in turns. Even apart from that, Biswanath took up tuition in private houses as Role of Biswanath in the Oriya there was no hope of any help either from his amalgamation movement and formation of father or any other source."11 Orissa as a separate province. This inspiring trait of being self reliant and Biswanath's participation in the Utkal Union prepared to fight all adversity and adverse situation Conference of 1903 under the inspiration of to reach his goal characterized his life and work. Madhu Babu had set the stage for his role in the It is rightly said ." where there is a will there is a Oriya amalgamation movement. At that time way" Gopabandhu had also formed his 'Young Utkal Association' at Cuttack to actively inspire the In his final year in F.A. Examination in students community in the service of their country' 1903, Madhu Babu's Utkal Sammilani had just which also inspired Biswanath.14 started its work. Madhu Babu's inspiring words at the time virtually surcharged the whole Biswanath's role in the Oriya movement atmosphere in Orissa, with a surge of Oriya may be mainstreamed under the following heads nationality feeling in the mind of the youth. That to inject a systematic and scientific precision. was also the time when Madhu Babu was a) Teachership in Rasulkonda Training organizing and motivating the students to join and School (1904)-Apprenticeship for the service dedicate themselves in the amalgamation of Orissa. movement. Among the inspired and motivated In those days Ganjam was under Madras students who came forward to extend their help, Presidency. When after a lot of agitation Oriya Biswanath was most prominent one. In the was introduced as medium of instruction in conference of the Utkal Sammilani in 1903 at Schools and colleges of Ganjam it was an irony Cuttack, Biswanath worked as a sincere and that sufficient number of Oriya teachers were not dedicated volunteer and attracted the attention available in this land of Upendra Bhanj of and admiration of the Sammilani leadership.12 hallowed memory who was a great icon of Oriya It is said " His discipline, sobriety, manners literature. To add to this problem, a set of Telgu and sense of duty attracted the attention of teachers who claimed to be bi-lingual experts in delegates and more particularly the delegates both Telgu and Oriya virtually made a ridiculous and spectators of Ganjam. In this Session, though mockery of Oriya language and culture acting like

49 Orissa Review * August - 2008 quacks in a doctor's role. This language crisis in Biswanath attended the Utkal Union Ganjam needed a broader Oriya movement to conference of 1904 as a delegate of Ganjam while facilitate the entry of more and more of Oriyas as working as a teacher at Rasulkonda teachers who were to see that Oriya language (Bhanjanagar). In this Conference he played a grows and develops properly as it should. That Pro-active role with the maturity of a statesman. is what Biswanath believed as a lover of Oriya This pro-active role was unlike his place as a language and culture. Under the circumstances, volunteer at the Utkal Union Conference of 1903 Biswanath with a view to contribute his bit joined at Cuttack when he was only a silent listener. as a Oriya teacher in Rasulkonda (Bhanjnagar) By now he had acquired a sense of Self - training school in 1904. This teaching assignment Confidence as a teacher activist in the public was also part of an unwritten agreement which domain. This emboldened him to become Gopabandhu had with people like Barrister articulate and firmly put forward his view. Biswanath Mishra, Harihar Acharya, Pandit In the course of supporting the proposal Godavarish, Pandit Nilakantha and Pracharaka for amalgamation of Oriya -speaking tracts under Ananta Mishra. Accordingly they were not to one political administration, Biswanath apprised enter government service but to dedicate the delegates of the pitiable state of affairs of themselves in the service of their country and to Oriya language and its teaching in Ganjam under see that it is in a better condition before their death. Madras presidency. Over and above, they were also called upon to contribute one fifth of their income for public Another memorable dimension of his service.15 personality which smacked of his maturity as a leader in the Oriya amalgamation movement came This teacher assignment to him was in bolder relief in the conference. This was marked virtually an apprenticeship a training ground for in his passionate plea for unity in the Oriya the service of our people. It not only put him in movement at a time when Madhu Babu and young the active service of our Oriya brethren and in Gopabandhu almost came to a clash with regard the service of Oriya language and culture in to their divergent perceptions. Ganjam; it also made him confident to play a pro-active role in the Oriya movement with This conflicting situation developed like this. required maturity and statesmanship. Young Gopabandhu in a booklet entitled "Prayer" proposed that Sambalpur along with all Oriya - In another way, his teachership at speaking tracts should be put under Madhya Rasulkonda is said to have opened his eyes to Pradesh. As against this, Madhu Babu desired the unspeakable torture of Oriyas by the anti-Oriya that all Oriya -speaking tracts including Ganjam brigade of Ganjam then under Madras and Sambalpur should be tagged with Bengal Presidency. He now felt strongly on the need of under one administration. In this encircling gloom having a language -based separate province for of disunity and clash of perceptions, Ganjam held Orissa. Here onwards, the Oriya Nationalist aloft the flag of unity spearheaded by Biswanath. movement and thought of separte Orissa province acquired a strong foundation in his heart and He was firmly supported by distinguished psyche.16 personalities of Ganjam like late Narasingh Das

50 Orissa Review * August - 2008 of Ghumsar, late Harihar Panda, lawyer of Aska Ganjam district which was then under Madras and late Sashibhusan Rath, Editor of Asha. presidency with large Oriya-speaking tracts and Making a fervent and passionate appeal for unity where the Oriyas were more or less treated like in the greater and larger interest of the Oriya second class citizens by the hostile anti-Oriya amalgamation movement, Biswanath said "The brigade must have been in his mind's eye as huge Oriya Bhukhanda or the large and far - regards his right place of work. long Oriya - speaking territory spread from Being an enlightened Oriya of the Oriya Mahendra mountains to Meghasan. It is not the country and a devotee of amalgamation, he must proper time or the right moment to raise this have also been aware that it was Ganjam which question on whether to tag this huge Oriya had first given the Deshmishrana call18 and was Bhukhanda or territory with Madhya Pradesh or the pioneer of the Oriya amalgamation movement. Bengal. Let us now close this debate. Let it be With this mindset he consulted with Madhu left unto the future".17 Babu on this matter. It was finally decided that he Biswanath's plea for unity earned the would work as a lawyer in Aska in the district of admiration of the delegates and was adopted with Ganjam which provided ample scope for work overwhelming support. It may be said that this to further the Oriya cause and movement. successful effort of Biswanath prevented an early In cooperation with the eminent leaders rupture in the Oriya movement which had to of the Oriya movement at Aska (like Sri Harihar traverse miles ahead in its struggle for Panda, lawyer, Sri Madhusudan Panigrahi, Sri amalgamation and formation of a separate Orissa Batakrushna Mohapatra and Sri Abhimanyu province. Biswanath certainly deserves Patnaik). Biswanath now took up the leadership recognition for his successful role as a trouble- of the Oriya movement in Ganjam. shooter when the Oriya movement was in a state of crisis. As the chosen leader of the Oriya movement his most important task was to spread Lawyer Biswanath and His Work at Aska in and boost up the Oriya movement in the nook Ganjam District. and corner of Ganjam. It was Madhu Babu's view Biswanath Babu passed the lawyer's that a few people sitting at Cuttack and shouting examination of Madras Presidency in 1906 and slogans for amalgamation of Oriya speaking tracts he had to decide now about the right place of will virtually serve no purpose. He felt rightly that work in view of both his need and dedication. unless the huge mass of Oriya people living outside Orissa division of Cuttack, Puri and He had left his teaching job at Rasulkonda Balasore districts were actively involved in the and became a lawyer because he felt that as a Oriya movement, we can not hope to succeed in lawyer he can more effectively play his role in our struggle to amalgamate all the Oriya-speaking the Oriya amalgamation movement apart from the tracts under one administration. Madhu Babu need of earning money which he and his large when advising Biswanath to work at Aska as joint family badly needed for maintenance and lawyer had this in mind. It was certainly important sustenance. that the vast mass of Oriya people living in Ganjam

51 Orissa Review * August - 2008 under Madras Presidency and separated from help and co-operation of kings and zamindars of their Oriya brethren should he sensitized and Ganjam who undeniably wielded great influence. activated to contribute their mite for the success His strategy clicked and he could earn the good of the Oriya movement. will and cooperation of kings of Dharakot, Khallikote, Badagada, Sankhemudi and In those days, required number of teachers Badakhemudi and also the help and cooperation were not available in Ganjam to teach Oriya. of eminent persons of Takkali, Suringi and Chikiti. Biswanath being a proud Oriya and a lover of Oriya language and culture brought in a number In view of the increasing vigour and of educated young men from Puri and Cuttack to momentum of the Oriya movement in Ganjam solve this problem. under Biswanath's leadership, he certainly needs recognition along with other leaders like late As a devotee of the Oriya movement, he Harihar Panda, Batakrushna Mahapatra and wanted to utilize the services of those who would Sashibhusan Rath. It of course strengthened the be teachers and make them the vanguard to hands of Madhu Babu and immensely empowered spread the message of Oriya nationalist feeling. him to fight for the Oriya cause with greater vigour For that he even put those young educated to be and strength. This fearless work of Biswanath in teachers in his own residence for a few days in the Pre-Satyavadi period in Ganjam and before order to sensitize and train them. Gandhiji's non-cooperation movement in the early During this stay, he sensitized and years of twentieth century when British rule in India motivated them to create and bolster up Oriya was at the height of its power and when fear nationalist feeling in the nook and corner of reigned the length and breadth of India is certainly Ganjam along with their teaching assignment. memorable. It was perhaps his fearlessness which What deserves mention is that those young emboldened people to raise their voice before educated people were employed as teachers by concerned authorities of Madras government. In different kings with whom Biswanath had a good sensitizing the people and internalizing in them a rapport. As it were, his sincerity and dedication spirit of pride as an Oriya nationality or even in in the Oriya movement earned for him the good emboldening them to raise their voice, Biswanath will and support of many kings of Ganjam. certainly played a remarkable role. In this respect, Through these inspired and motivated he was perhaps one of the pioneers to have laid teachers, the message of the Oriya movement the foundation of the Oriya movement along with spread and reached the grassroots. Consequently, his ideal and model Utkal Gourav Madhusudan the Oriya movement in Ganjam acquired intensity Das who was the God-father of the Oriya and momentum as is evident from the increasing movement. number of Ganjam delegates at the conferences Another memorable and pioneering work of the Utkal Sammilani and their active which Biswanath did during his Aska phase of participation in all its activities and proceedings. work as a lawyer was with regard to the use of As a leader and strategist, he sought to widen Oriya language in courts of Ganjam. At a special and expand the base of support for the success meeting of the Ganjam Utkal Samiti, it was of the Oriya movement. For that he sought the resolved to request the Oriya pleaders of Ganjam

52 Orissa Review * August - 2008 to use the Oriya language in all the petitions, Sammilani, regarding a letter of Government of applications and statements submitted by them India rejecting the proposal to include Oriya- to the different courts of Ganjam. This proposal speaking tracts of Madras Presidency in the was moved by him and seconded by Harihar proposed Bihar-Orissa province. Panda. The star of Utkal in its issue of January Against this a protest meeting was 13, 1906 praised this work. It was called 'a self- organized on 22.9.1912 at Berhampur under the denying ordinance-a sacrifice of self-interest for leadership of Biswanath. It was attended by four what was considered to be beneficial to their thousand people of Ganjam reflecting a wonderful country'. upsurge of Oriya consciousness. This proposal for the use of Oriya language This well-attended protest meeting was an in courts,ushered in a movement in Ganjam. It epitome of his leadership and dedication. was reiterated in the meetings of the Utkal Sammilani in Ganjam and in different other Biswanath's Visit to England to Qualify as a forums. It is said to have succeeded when the Barrister and His Work for the Oriya Cause Governer of Madras issued orders that in all In September 1910 Biswanath Babu courts of Ghumsur, Oriya was to be used in place visited England and came back to India as a of Telgu. Biswanath of course had left Aska by qualified Barrister in July 1912. then to start his legal practice at Calcutta after becoming a Barrister in 1912.19 This ambition of becoming a Barrister sprang from his dedication to the cause of Oriya The above-said special meeting of the movement. As has been said : 'Leaving aside his Ganjam Utkal Samiti also adopted another leadership at Aska if he went to England to qualify proposal to establish a student scholarship fund as a Barrister, it was to make him more able and for Oriya students. capable to serve the cause of Orissa.20 Thus, Biswanath's leadership and work left In the second week of October 1912, he its imprint in the following directions - visited England for the second time to collect the (a) Strengthening of the Oriya movement in Barrister Diploma and stayed there for about one Ganjam. month. (b) Struggle for use of Oriya language in the During this short stay of one month at courts of Ganjam. England, the only thing that pre-occupied his mind was the question of amalgamation of Oriya- (c) Establishment of a students scholarship speaking tracts under one administration and what fund. best could be done to articulate the voice of Non-Inclusion of Oriya-Speaking tracts Oriyas in the corridors of power at England. In under Madras Presidency in the proposed this connection he appears to have been inspired Bihar-Orissa province and Biswanath's by Madhu Babu who during his second visit to Protest (1912) England in 1907, apprised the British authorities The Collector of Ganjam in his letter dated of the Oriya demand for amalgamation articulating 11.8.1912 intimated to the Secretary, Utkal the voice of Oriyas.

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Following the foot-prints of Madhu Babu, said that if Oriyas would have been an agitation he sought to carry forward his work and articulate launching people, they would have made their the voice of Oriyas. voice heard in every ear. Possibly Biswanath had those words in mind which propelled him to do In this connection, what deserves specific his best to articulate the voice of our Oriya mention is his work at England in connection with brethren in the corridors of power which mattered. the movement for amalgamation of Oriya- Speaking tracts under one administration. In his The first Oriya Barrister in Calcutta High letter to daily Asha on 18.10.1920 he wrote "My Court and His contribution to the Oriya work in connection with the movement for Movement. amalgamation of the Oriya-Speaking tracts under Biswanath Mishra was the first Barrister one administration needs no special mention. Not of Orissa.23 Though Madhu Babu M.A.B.L. is only here, but while in England also, I carried on popularly called as Madhu Barrister and was the the agitation and secured sympathetic guide and preceptor of many Barristers like V.V. consideration at the hands of responsible Giri, he did not qualify as a Barrister with the statesmen. As a result of my labours, Mr Mac requisite qualification obtained from England. Callum Scott, M.P. advocated the cause of Oriyas On his return from England as a Barrister, in the House of Commons and Mr. E.S. Biswanath started his legal practice at the High Montague, then Under Secretary of State was Court of Calcutta which at the time was the Capital convinced of the desirability of the formation of of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.24 one province for the Oriyas."21 During this phase of his life, his legal During this time, he is also said to have met practice was virtually subordinated to his over- Emperor George-V. Normally, it used to be more riding mission of dedicating himself to the cause or less a formal meeting. Those who qualified as of the Oriya movement. Barristers, they met the king and shook hands with him. But in case of Biswanath it was little bit The Oriya movement, was a very broad of an exception. On the request of some privy movement which not only worked for amalgamation of Oriya-speaking tracts and councilors on his behalf, His Majesty, the Emperor formation of Orissa as a Separate province, it also gave him some more time as a special case where aimed at a total upsurge of our national life as he briefly put up before him the question of Oriyas. It called upon its devotees and adherents amalgamation of Oriya-Speaking tracts under one to embody in them and inject in our Oriya brethren administration.22 an immanent love and swaviman (Pride) for our This shows that the range of his influence language and culture and devote to the and area of his amalgamation work was not development and flowering of the Oriya race in confined to Ganjam or the Oriya country different areas of life. In the light of this parameter, comprised of Cuttack, Puri, Balasore, it extended Biswanath's contribution during his Calcutta phase far beyond into England where he articulated the of life may be mainstreamed broadly under the voice of Oriyas. Lord Curzon during the time had following heads:-

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(a) Bolstering up a sense of Oriya with the Oriya movement for amalgamation of nationality and unity. Oriya-speaking tracts under one administration. Biswanath at Calcutta rendered memorable (b) Associating 'Garjat Rajas and Maharajas' service to the Oriya cause by trying to create and who were sympathetic to Oriya movement bolster up a spirit of Oriya nationality and bring in particularly in Cultural and educational domains. unity among the Prabasi Oriyas or Oriyas living What he had in mind was to appeal them for in Calcutta. In this respect, Biswanath is contributions for introducing M.A classes in considered to be a pioneer. As a matter of fact, Calcutta, for introduction of law classes in his residence at Calcutta first in Bahubazar and Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and introduction then in Dharmatala became the hub of activities of Science streams and improvement of library and the meeting point of students, youth, the facilities. zamindars and kings in the furtherance of the Oriya In this connection, the proposals passed in cause. the meeting of the Utkal Samiti (Utkal Union) (b) Meetings and tours and evolution of during 1913-1914 at Calcutta under his inspiring his strategy. presidentship shows his love and concern for Orissa and his efforts to actualize the Oriya Soon after he joined the High Court at movement. Calcutta Biswanath concentrated his mind and attention on the Oriya movement. Along with The proposal related to the establishment Gopabandhu, Braja Sundar Das and Sashibhusan of a university in Orissa, introduction of B.Sc. and Rath he attended a meeting in 1913 at Barhampur. B.L Classes, in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and The meeting regretted that inspite of repeated a vote of thanks to Raja of Kanika and to M.S. prayers to govt to amalgamate Oriya-speaking Das, C.I.E for assuring to provide scholarship to tracts, Oriya people still remained scattered and Oriya students studying M.A and law under Patna separated. The meeting reiterated its appeal to university. the government to bring Ganjam and also other The aforesaid dreams which Biswanath Oriya-speaking tracts lying scattered in different dreamed of did not go in vain and came to be provinces under one administration. realized with the munificent contributions of kings Thereafter, he undertook a marathon and and Maharajas. What deserves mention is that strenuous tour to Aska, Rasulkonda and finally the Maharaja laboratory in Ravenshaw College was made possible by contributions from to Kharsuan to organize and activate the Oriyas Maharaja of Mayurbhanj. The Kanika library was through sensitization and brain-storming. also established by the contributions of the king His marathon tour in those scattered Oriya- of Kanika. speaking tracts led him to conceptualize a two Significantly, M.A in Oriya was opened point strategy to facilitate achievement of the Oriya under Calcutta University with the help of Sonepur goal. The two-point strategy consisted of : Maharaja along with a chair for research in Oriya (a) Forming a powerful Oriya students language and literature in Santiniketan of R.N. organization and inviting and associating students Tagore.

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Not small achievements are these at that member of Central Legislative Assembly and took point of time. It speaks eloquently of the man and oath of office on March 15, 1922. his convincing and captivating personality. It was As a member of Central Legislative this which could make it possible to promote larger interest of Oriya students. Assembly, Biswanath appears to have shown a remarkable degree of independence with a Subsequently when Orissa was separated fearless disposition. from Bengal and tagged to Bihar, Biswanath had to leave Calcutta to Patna for his legal practice. He was no sycophant of British rule hoping In the meanwhile, he attended different to get into a high profile post under them sacrificing conferences of the Utkal Sammilani. Finally he his independent stance. That he was no sycophant came down to Cuttack for his legal practice and or admirer of British rule is evident from his was elected as president of Students' Society or Budget speech reflections on increase in salt tax, the Chhatrasamiti of which Sri Jadumani critical references on lavish expenditures of British Mangaraj, Sri H.K Mahatab and Sri N.K. Officers in India and their hypocrisy and 25 Choudhury were members. They were also autocratic style of functioning. baptized by him to devote to the Oriya cause. But what is of relevance to our purpose is Biswanath attended the Utkal Sammilani Biswanath's question of 28 February 1922 on Session at Puri (1913) and the Utkal Sammilani Orissa's struggle for amalgamation of Oriya- Conference at Parlakhemudi in 1914. speaking tracts and the response of the In the Conference of 1913 at Puri held government. under Madhu Babu's presidentship he highlighted the injustice meted out to Orissa under British rule On 20.2.1920, Honourable Sachidananda whereby Oriya-speaking tracts were scattered Sinha had introduced a proposal to unite Oriya- under different provinces apart from giving his speaking tracts under one administration and the unstinted support to the proposal for introduction home member had given a definite assurance that of engineering education in Orissa. he would seek the opinion of different local In the Conference of 1914 at governments. The pointed questions that he asked Parlakhemundi he reiterated the demand for on this assurance to extract answer unmistakably amalgamation and demanded that Oriya language show his dedication to the Oriya movement. and literature be taught in Oriya-speaking tracts As a member of central legislative lying scattered in different provinces. assembly, he frantically sought to move the It was not only in Sammilani platform but government pressurizing it to take early action on in other forums too he championed and the issue of amalgamation. spearheaded the cause of Orissa and the interest of Oriya People. A report was published in Utkal Dipika on 8.7.1922 regarding Biswanath's proposal to be Biswanath and his role in 1920s as a member moved in the coming assembly. The said proposal of Central Legislative Assembly : was: This legislative assembly recommends the Consequent upon the resignation of Nemai Governor General to please seek approval of the Charan Mitra, Biswanath was elected as a Secretary of State and his Majesty, the Emperor

56 Orissa Review * August - 2008 to amalgamate the Oriya-speaking tracts lying In Orisa, some of the leaders did not scattered under four provincial governments consider it proper and desirable to boycott the namely Bihar-Orissa, Madras, Madhya Pradesh Commission but rather press the Oriya demand and Bengal under one administration and put them for amalgamation and formation of Orissa as a under a government or Deputy governor as separate province. considered desirable.26 In that group was Barrister Biswanath Biswanath and the report of Philip-Duff Mishra who led by Braja Sundar Das welcomed Commission (1924) the Commission at Patna with the placards which read "We welcome you Simon." They submitted The government of India in 1924 instituted a memorandum to the Commission demanding a a Commission under Mr. C.L. Philip, the political separate Orissa province. In a way, it clicked. agent of native states in Orissa and Mr. A.C. Duff, The Commission in its report showed a favourable the Collector of Vizagpatnam district to enquire attitude when it pointed out that Bihar and Orissa into the general feeling of the Oriya-Speaking province provided the most artificial and defective people of Madras Presidency on the question of unit of all provinces of India from linguistic and their amalgamation with Orissa. cultural points of view. Barrister Biswanath Mishra was an When the whole of India boycotted the important adjunct of the Commission and moved Simon Commission during our struggle for with them to assess the feeling of the people. freedom, welcoming the Simon Commission by This Commission submitted a favourable those Oriya leaders like Biswanath might at the first sight appear to be narrow provincialism. But view pointing out that the general feelings of the then the other side of the spectrum with regard to Oriya-Speaking people under Madras the then Congress attitude for the aspiration of Presidency are " entirely in favour of Oriyas and their struggle for a long time to amalgamation."27 amalgamate the unjustly dismembered Oriya- It has been said that Biswanath's Speaking tracts and putting them under a separate association influenced the Commission to give a province needs to be taken note of. report favourable to the Oriya aspiration. "The In this connection the Nehru Committee responsibility of determining whether the Oriya- report of 1928 under Motilal Nehru deserves speaking tracts were amalgamation friendly or mention. This report which recommended a otherwise was vested with Biswanath Mishra who separate Sindh province but blissfully ignored the was to do that by touring with and interacting with Oriya claim created a sense of resentment and them"28 even a spirit of rebellion against this step-motherly The Simon Commission and Biswanath attitude of the Congress based on sheer discrimination. People like Biswanath were no Meanwhile in 1927-28, the Simon less than patriots who like others also dreamt of Commission came to India to propose further a free India but then, the interest of Orissa at that constitutional reforms and was boycotted point of time and the prime and paramount throughout India as per Congress directive. consideration of how to seize the time and

57 Orissa Review * August - 2008 opportunity and facilitate the cause of As he is reported to have written : "The amalgamation and formation of Orissa as a sub-committee formed by the Simon Commission separate province rankled their mind and psyche. has neither been able to consider the Oriya claim That determined their decision to welcome the justly nor in the best possible manner. More Simon Commission. particularly, their recommendation with regard to the Oriya-speaking people of Madras presidency The Major Attlee Sub-Committee and are careless and inadvertent. They have cited no Biswanath reason as to why Vizag agency and Sompenth, The Simon Commission which took a Parlakhemundi and Tekkali taluks of Ganjam favourable view appointed a sub-committee should be excluded from the proposed Orissa under Major Attlee as chairman which province."31 29 recommended a separate province for Orissa. O' Donnell Boundary Commission (1931) The Attlee sub-committee which toured the and Biswanath different Oriya-Speaking areas met at In the meanwhile, the demand for a Visakhapatnam the delegates of Oriya-Speaking separate Orissa province was put forward people living under Madras Presidency. Among forcefully by Parla Maharaja Krushna Chandra the Oriya delegates led by Bikramdev Burma, Gajapati during the First Round Table Conference Barrister Biswanath was the most prominent. in January, 1931. Consequently, a boundary He was not a mere delegate but the Commission was appointed by the government master-brain behind the preparation of the under the chairmanship of Sir Samuel O' Donnell memorandum which was submitted to the sub- to determine the boundary of the proposed Orissa committee espousing the claim of Oriyas.30 province. The two other members of the Commission T.R. Phockun and H.M. Mehetta Barrister Biswanath was a dedicated strongly pleaded for the inclusion of Jeypore and champion and advocate of the proposed Orissa Parlakhemundi in the proposed province. But province which as per his visualized ideal and chairman Sir O' Donnell held a different and conviction should include all Oriya-Speaking contrary view. areas which deserved to be included. He was It is said that the British policy of divide shocked to find that the sub-committee had not and rule and the anti-amalgamation brigade recommended some Oriya-Speaking tracts of spearheaded by a few of Parlakhemundi and Madras presidency to be included in the separate Jeypore influenced the chairman to hold a contrary Orissa province. view. He expressed his sense of deep concern in Biswanath eventhough at the time was an article entitled "Madras, Oriyas and Simon elected to the 4th central legislative assembly is Commission' reflecting his views on the nun- said to have protested this anti-Oriya view and inclusion of certain Oriya-Speaking tracts under fought strongly against this inner act of betrayal. Madras Presidency in the proposed Orissa So far as amalgamation of Oriya-speaking tracts province. of Ganjam was concerned, he was the main

58 Orissa Review * August - 2008 exponent and champion. Hence, his word and Is it after how many years ----- twenty, deed with regard to the amalgamation of Ganjam thirty or hundred? Immediately means immediately and Koraput was extremely valuable. to us. That is what we understand but not after hundred years or so. Honourable members sitting Biswanath's Second Term of Membership in in the treasury benches have not taken any action Central Legislative Assembly and His Role on the issue of Orissa. They have not mooted as 'Mr Orissa' any proposal to take immediate steps for the Barrister Biswanath Mishra was elected in formation of a Orissa province".32 September1930 to the Central Legislative Biswanath not only questioned the sincerity Assembly in place of Pandit Nilakantha who and seriousness of the government with regard to resigned to join the Salt Satyagraha movement of amalgamation of Oriya-speaking tracts and Gandhiji. formation of a separate Orissa province, he also As a member of the Central Legislative underlined the urgency of immediately forming a Assembly, he sought to advance and expedite the boundary Commission. formation of Orissa as a separate province. Biswanath's appeal in this connection Pleading for Orissa's claim with critical reflections appears significant in view of the appointment of on British policy and hypocrisy, he referred to O' Donnell Commission in 1931 to determine the the British policy of inaction to carry out the boundary of the proposed Orissa province. recommendations of the Simon Commission for Love of Orissa and a concern for its interest formation of a separate Orissa province. was the running theme of his speeches between With a sceptic look on the various British 1930-1933 on the floor of the Central Legislative declarations and their lack of sincerity to Assembly. His conceptualization of Oriyas as a implement them he is reported to have said.: nationality also epitomizes the vision of a broad and enlightened nationalist. In 1932, while "Honourable members ! In 1903, Lord Curzon delivering his speech on the railway budget and made a declaration that Oriya-speaking areas style of functioning of the railway board, would be put under the administration of one Biswanath as a vanguard and champion of province." "In 1917, we got to hear some such Orissa's interest enquired from the railway declaration with an assurance that a new province member the percentage of his Oriya brethren would be formed shortly." "Now the Simon employed in the BNR railway. Commission says, "Orissa province should be immediately formed." Justifying the need of a fairdeal to Oriyas with regard to their employment under BNR Almost like a fearless critic with a note of railway he said. "Honourable members ! Oriya- sarcasm, he continued : "We are not very much speaking areas constitute a far-flung area from used to English words and the style of their Bilaspur to Parlakhemundi, from Khargpur to expression. If they say something to be done Jharsuguda where there are more than eight shortly or after a few days, what does it exactly railway lines. Even then, one does not find one connote ? percent of Oriyas in the railway jobs of BNR

59 Orissa Review * August - 2008 railway operating in this zone; people of other (c) the urgency of instituting a boundary areas are not satisfied with 20% of jobs, I will be Commission to determine the boundary of the happy if the company employs even 5% of Oriyas proposed Orissa province. under the existing situation." Questioned on the In those days, Orissa was virtually unknown percentage of Oriyas under BNR railway the and constituted a dark region to be blissfully honourable railway member gave an amusing and ignored. Orissa was hardly a topic or point of mind-defying answer that such a question was reference in the Central Legislative Assembly. It communal and did not deserve any answer. was rare and even fell in to the rarest category The response that Biswanath made being when Orissa became a matter of serious concern provoked by his vague and evasive reply brings on the floor of the Central Legislative Assembly. out and conceptualizes his broad and enlightened As has been rightly said : 'such a thing looked vision of Oriya nationality. As he said: like 'Haribol in Lanka' or perhaps like talking of "Honourable members ! Should I have to interpret God in the land of Satan. here the meaning of the word communal and But Biswanath did it and could do that. He community? sought to centralize Orissa and prioritize the In my view, Oriyas mean all people living concern of the Oriyas on the floor of central in Orissa may they be Hindus, Muslims, Brahmins, assembly. His motive was crystal clear. He Non-Brahmins, Christians and Jains. Orissa wanted to galvanize the members; build up support embraces all people living in Orissa.33 At this and thereby move the government and British moment was heard the cry : 'Bravo! Mr Orissa' authorities to take urgent steps and concede which Biswanath really was. Orissa's demand for a separate province as soon as possible. All roads for Biswanath led to Orissa. Accordingly, with or without context, he dragged The unseen power and planner has his own Orissa to the centre-stage of his deliberation in plan for everybody. Rightly or wrongly, we are the Central Legislative Assembly. It did not matter forced to move along that ordained plan and carry whether it was a discussion on Central Budget, it forward. Once the purpose of the divine plan is on railways or on the life style and functioning of served, there is an end to the span of our life. British officers in India. Somehow or other, he Barrister Biswanath who was not to be brought intelligently the question of Orissa and over-powered by pinching poverty and adverse drew the attention of members to hear him. So circumstances reached a high level of he was rightly called Mr Orissa. May be some of accomplishment and could have the honour of them did it derisively and some others becoming the first Barrister of Orissa. Right from appreciatively. But whatever it is, Biswanath the time he was baptized by Madhu Babu's ideal deserves to be rightly called Mr Orissa' for and idealism from his Ravenshaw College days, prioritizing (a) the interest of Orissa and that of he tried to serve Orissa and the interest of Oriyas. the Oriya People (b) the paramount need of As per his ideal and idealism, inclination and amalgamation of Oriya-speaking tracts and capacity, he did his best. He sought to develop formation of Orissa as a separate province and bolster up the spirit of Oriya nationality and

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Swaviman (Pride) among his people and his life Biswanath-the man : Remarkable traits of was almost a total dedication and devotion to his character facilitate the amalgamation of Oriya-speaking Biswanath's life of struggle and footprints tracts lying scattered under different provinces and of his work bring to the forefront remarkable traits formation of Orissa as a separate province. of his character. Eventhough any such probe But there came an abrupt and early end of appears to be out of the box in view of the main his life at the age of only fifty four when he died of thrust of the article, a few words on this man and heart failure at far off Simla. On his death, the his personality are given below taking a holistic statesman in its issue of September 21st 1933 view of the matter. said - Pioneer of Oriya movement, Mr. B.N. From his school days, Biswanath evinced Mishra Dead. Simla-September 19. a sense of determination as regards having higher English Education in Puri Zilla School which the Mr. B.N. Mishra, a member of the then conservative elements frowned upon. He had assembly representing an Orissa non- the knack of a fighter in his blood and veins to Mohammedan constituency, died of heart failure fight out all adverse circumstances to reach his at the Hindu Hotel this morning. He was in his goal. This was evident during his school days and seat at yesterday's sitting of the Assembly. days at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack where he Mr. Mishra was a Barrister of Gray's Inn prosecuted his education in spite of the pinching and a pioneer of the movement for the creation poverty which was more or less his ever-present of a separate province of Orissa. In his early days companion of those days. With an in-built in England, he devoted much time and patience capacity in him to weather any storm, he hardly to studying in the British museum the history of cared the conservative and backward-looking the Oriya people and their present territory and forces which sought to drag his feet when he the results of his prolonged researches are dreamt of visiting England and qualify as a Barrister embodied in a book' A short history of ancient of Gray's Inn. The conservative elements pounced Utkal' which he was noting to publish very soon. upon him and his family. Backed up by Mukti Mandap of Jagannath Temple of Puri, they As a Barrister he practiced successfully in enforced stringent social bycott for a long period Calcutta, Patna and Cuttack but for the past two of twelve years which continued till 1924-1925. or three years, the complaint which brought about Even then he was firm and unbending to realize his death compelled him to stay away from the his goal. What is remarkable is that in spite of courts. His home was in Cuttack where he leaves being so much tortured he held no grudge against a widower, five sons and four daughters. He society and those conservative elements. His entered the assembly when he won the seat sobriety and goodness finally changed them at a vacated by Pandit Nilakantha Das, the point of time and under circumstances which fall Congressman in 1930. At first he was a frequent beyond the purview of the article to be detailed. and humorous speaker. But ill health dogged him He was an unflinching advocate of Oriya for sometime before his death.34 culture and tradition. His almost two years sojourn

61 Orissa Review * August - 2008 in England hardly made any difference in his life Union Conference of 1917 held at Idga field of style and manners. It was vividly perceptible when Cuttack. In a way, it was a social revolution of this London-returned Barrister landed at the time. Sakhigopal railway station in 1912 not with a tie Conclusion and coat on but like a Dhoti-clad typical Oriya. He even defied all apprehensions of Gopabandhu Barrister Biswanath was not a freedom and many others of the Satyavadi grove School fighter. His sphere of action was not direct action when instead of using the ear-marked chair and and agitation. He was a liberal and constitutionalist. table for dining, he sat down on the carpet in the His field of battle was the public forum-the forum dining hall room and took his meal served on of either the Utkal Sammilani or that of Central plantain leaf along with students and teachers. Legislative Assembly. Through appeal, prayer, petition, memoranda, building up of public He was a very simple, sober and self- opinion, criticism and pressure on British rulers, effacing man. His sobriety was evident when he he wanted to achieve his goal. was conferred the title of Utkal Ratna at a meeting in 1914 or1915 which was held in Chikitipentha He was no sycophant of British rule in of Ganjam to felicitate and honour him. He India. Though not a freedom fighter, he was a considered it unreasonable to confer any honour patriot nonetheless and also a fighter to the core during a man's life time. It may create, he said, an of his being. He fought against the injustice and ego-boosting mindset and retard his growth. excesses of British rule in India and the acts of its Commission and omission on public forums and As a lawyer, he gave his hundred percent on the forum of Central Legislative Assembly. In in the interest of his clients and did not want them spite of all restraints and restrictions of British to undergo loss even when ill or ill-disposed. imperialism, he displayed a remarkable degree Over and above, he was a Karma Yogi of courage and independence. doing his very best as an Oriya activist dedicated He loved Orissa and the Oriya people with to amalgamation and formation of Orissa as a every fibre of his being. He was rightly called 'Mr. separate province. He was an ordinary man who Orissa.' He was a votary of Oriya language and could achieve extra-ordinary things under all culture. His life was almost a tiredless dedication constraints and adversity. It epitomized his staunch to the work of amalgamation of Oriya - Speaking determination and extra-ordinary will-power. In tracts and formation of a separate Orissa this respect, he remains a beacon-blaze- a hope Province. He sought to do his very best to be an and inspiration for all those who struggle under able disciple and lieutenant of Utkal Gaurav adverse circumstances for their growth and Madhusudan Das who was the architect of Oriya excellence. 'You can do it' that is what our "Mr nationalism and the God - Father of the Oriya Orissa"- this Barrister Biswanath radiates from movement. He was an embodiment of the early the other world for whom it concerns. Over and wave of Oriya nationalist consciousness or what above, he had a progressive mind with regard to has been said to be "Jatiprana Sindhura Adya women. At a time when women hardly attended Taranga and 'a pioneer of Oriya movement.' Like any public meeting, he took his wife to the Utkal Pandit Gopabandhu, another outstanding maker

62 Orissa Review * August - 2008 of modern Orissa, he was not there in life to see Mishranka Smruti Sansad, Purighat Cuttack, the separate Orissa Province on 1st April, 1936 Orissa, 1977. for which he worked so hard along with many 3. Two Bachelors of Arts, The Oriya Movement, Published by H.H. Panda, Secretary, Oriya Samaj, others But the Orissa of his dreams - the Ganjam, Aska, 1919 P.2. comprehensive Orissa of his vision including all 4. P.K. Mishra, 'Growth of Oriya Nationalism -1868- Oriya -Speaking tracts that lay scattered under 1921' Ed. Bind S. Das, Glimpses of Orissa, Punthi different provinces was not realized. Many Oriya- Pustak, Calculta, 1986 P.220. Speaking Oriyas still remain outside Orissa in the 5. 'The History of separate province and neighbouring provinces where Oriya language and Amalgamation movement in Orissa", Orissa culture is said to belittled by the dominant linguistic Review special Issue, 1.4.1961, Orissa State Archives, Bhubaneswar. majority. It devolves on all of us to see what best could be done for our own brethren- for the sake 6. Dr. Janmejay Choudhury, 'Utkal Sammilani and unification of scattered Oriya Speaking tracts', of the dignity of our language and culture in areas Orissa Review April 2005 P.17. outside Orissa. 7. Two Bachelors of Arts, Op. Cit., P.24. Biswanath like many other great souls of 8. Ibid. pp. 24-25. the Oriya movement (Utkalmani Gopabandhu 9. Ibid. pp.27-28. Das, Maharaja K.C. Gajapati Dev, Maharaja 10. Ibid. P.30. S.C. Bhanjdeo, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Sri 11. Manmohan Mishra, 'Jatipranasindhura Adya Ramchandra Mardraj etc)led by Madhu Babu did Taranga', Utkal Ratna Barrister Biswanath his best for us- for our interest as Oriyas to facilitate Mishra Smruti Sansad, Purighat Cuttack, 1978, the formation of a separate Orissa province. The PP.60. area of his dedication went beyond Ganjam and 12. Chintamani Das, 'Odishara Prathama Barrister Orissa stretching far to the shores of England Biswanath Mishra', Samaj dated. 24.09.1968. during the early years of the Oriya movement. 13. Man Mohan Mishra, Op.Cit. P.63. But unfortunately he is more or less unknown - 14. Chintamani Das.'Jatira Namasya Odishara nay forgotten as a pioneer of Oriya movement. Prathama Barisster Sri Biswanath Mishra', Utkal Ratna Barrister Biswanath Smarane, Barrister Let us remember this 'Mr Orissa' and draw Biswanath Smruti Sansad, Purighat Cuttack, lessons from his life and struggle. To forget those 18.10.1976. P.43. forefathers like him is an injustice to our ownself 15. Ram Mohan Mishra Op. Cit., PP.68-75. -our own blood and to our own Oriya Swaviman 16. Arun Kumar Mishra, 'Amara Namasya Barrister of which we should be proud of. Biswanath Mishra', Utkal Ratna Barrister References: Biswanath Smarane, 12.09.1977. Op.Cit., P.31. 17. Man Mohan Mishra, Op.Cit. PP.77-78. 1. Chandra Sekhar Rath 'Pandit Gopabandhu', Sookruti, Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar, 1995, 18. Dr. Sreerama Chandra Das, 'Deshapremi P.4. Biswanath, Op. Cit., P.9. 2. Dr. Sreeram Chandra Das, 'Deshapremi 19. Man Mohan Mishra Op. Cit., P.129. Biswanath', Utkal Ratna Barrister Biswanath 20. Dr. Sreeram Chandra Das, 'Deshapremi smarane, Utkal Ratna Barrister Biswanath Biswanath', Op.Cit., P.9.

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21. Surya Kumar Mishra, 'Barrister Biswanath', Utkal 29. Dr. Shreeram Chandra Das, 'Orissa' Publications Ratna Barrister Biswanath Smarane, Biswanath Division, Govt. of India, July 1997 P.16. Mishranka Smruti Sansad, Pruighat, Cuttack, 30. Man Mohan Mishra, Op. Cit. P.215. 12.09.1977. P.21. 31. Ibid. P.217. 22. Man Mohan Mishra, Op. Cit., P.129. 32. Ibid. P.228. 23. Dr. Radhanath Rath, 'Matamata', in the book of Man Mohan Mishra dt. 17.11.1978. 33. Ibid. PP.252-254. 24. Dr. Mahadev Mishra, 'Utkal Bandhu Barrister 34. Brahmananda Panda, 'Jatira Eka Mahan Sadhaka, Biswanath, Utkal Ratna Biswanath Mishranka Utkal Ratna Barrister Biswanath', Utkal Ratna Smarane, Barrister Biswanath Smruti Sansad, Barrister Biswanath Smarane, 12.09.1977. Op. Cit. Cuttack, 18.10.1976. P.20. P.17. 25. Ibid. P.20. 26. Man Mohan Mishra, Op. Cit. PP.173-180. 27. Madhubabu and Orissa in the Making, Orissa State Archives, Department of Culture, Orissa, 1999. P.299 (Appendix). Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo is working as a Reader in 28. Man Mohan Mishra Op. Cit. P.206. Political Science, in Ravenshaw Junior College, Cuttack.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab Annapurna Moharana

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