DDCE/History (M.A)/SLM/Paper-18 HISTORY OF ODISHA (FROM 1803 TO 1948 A.D.) By Dr. Manas Kumar Das CONTENT HISTORY OF ODISHA (From 1803 TO 1948 A.D.) Unit.No. Chapter Name Page No UNIT- I. a. British Occupation of Odisha. b. British Administration of Odisha: Land Revenue Settlements, administration of Justice. c. Economic Development- Agriculture and Industry, Trade and Commerce. UNIT.II. a. Resistance Movements in the 19th century- Khurda rising of 1804-05, Paik rebellion of 1817. b. Odisha during the revolt of 1857- role of Surendra Sai c. Tribal uprising- Ghumsar Rising under Dara Bisoi, Khond Rising under Chakra Bisoi, Bhuyan Rising Under Ratna Naik and Dharani Dhar Naik. UNIT – III. a. Growth of Modern Education, Growth of Press and Journalism. b. Natural Calamities in Odisha, Famine of 1866- its causes and effect. c. Social and Cultural changes in the 19th Century Odisha. d. Mahima Dharma. UNIT – IV. a. Oriya Movement: Growth of Socio-Political Associations, Growth of Public Associations in the 19th Century, Role of Utkal Sammilini (1903-1920) b. Nationalist Movement in Odisha: Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements in Odisha. c. Creation of Separate province, Non-Congress and Congress Ministries( 1937-1947). d. Quit India Movement. e. British relation with Princely States of Odisha and Prajamandal Movement and Merger of the States. UNIT-1 Chapter-I British Occupation of Odisha Structure 1.1.0. Objectives 1.1.1. Introduction 1.1.2. British occupation of Odisha 1.1.2.1. Weakness of the Maratha rulers 1.1.2.2. Oppression of the land lords 1.1.2.3. Establishment of British factories 1.1.2.4. Military importance of Odisha 1.1.2.5. Capture of Ganjam 1.1.2.6. The contract of 1765 1.1.2.7. Inquiry of Cotsford 1.1.2.8. Contract with Narayanadeva 1.1.2.9. Occupation of Puri 1.1.2.10. Diplomacy of Lord Wellesley on Jagannath 1.1.2.11. Bribe to the Marathas 1.1.2.12. Strategy of Campbell 1.1.2.13. Operation of Harcourt 1.1.2.14. Conquest of Cuttack 1.1.2.15. Capture of Balasore 1.1.2.1.6 Occupation of Sambalpur 1.1.3. Conclusion 1.1.4. Summary 1.1.5. Exercise 1.1.6. Further Reading 1.1.0.Objectives This chapter will discuss the British Occupation of Odisha. After studying this lesson the students will be able to: know the causes of the British occupation of Odisha understand the British occupation of Puri know about capture of Cuttack by the British evaluate the occupation of Sambalpur and Balasore 1.1.1. Introduction The foundation of British Empire in India with the victory over battle of Plassey and its subsequent confirmation in the battle of Buxar, encouraged them to occupy other parts of India. Orissa (now Odisha) as a part of India and a neighbor of Bengal had attracted the British to occupy it. The mal-administration of the Maratha rulers, their atrocities and exploitation had made the Maratha rule quite unacceptable to the Oriyas (now Odias). Right from the days of the grant of Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha to the East India Company, the British wanted to establish their supremacy on the soil of Odisha. However, the fragile and weak Maratha administration gave the British a good opportunity to fulfill their dream of establishing their authority over Odisha. In this regard, steps were taken to occupy Odisha and finally in 1803 it was occupied by the British. 1.1.2. British occupation of Odisha The following causes were responsible for the British occupation of Odisha 1.1.2.1. Weakness of the Maratha rulers The internal conflict among the Bhonsles of Nagpur after the death of Januji created weakness among the Marathas which had an impact on the Maratha rulers of Odisha. As the decline had started among the Marathas, their powers gradually declined away and for which they could not get sufficient help from Nagpur. Even for suppressing the unruly land lords, they had to look for the British help. 1.1.2.2. Oppression of the land lords Taking the mileage of the weak administration of the Marathas in Odisha, the regional land lords became irresponsible and oppressive. They involved themselves in various lawless activities and their oppression over the subjects knew no bound. The political condition of Odisha was full of chaos and confusion. The zamindars exploited the poor common man of Odisha according to their whims and fancies. Their miserable plights aggravated and they drank tea cup of misery. So, the people were in need of ousting those oppressive Marathas as well as the zamindars. 1.1.2.3. Establishment of British factories The British in order to establish a strong economic and military base in Odisha, established factories in different parts of Odisha. With the grant of Dewan, of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha to the East India Company in 1765, the British realised the importance of Odisha from the economic point of view. When the British built up their factories at Hariharpur, Pipli and Balasore, they felt the necessity of this province from the commercial point of view. The Britishers also obtained permission from the Marathas to have their monopoly over the manufacturing of salt in Odisha. The trade-routes, which passed from Cuttack to Bengal, Madras and Nagpur, facilitated their business to a greater extent. 1.1.2.4. Military importance of Odisha The British authorities felt the importance of Odisha from the military point of view. As stated earlier, Warren Hastings had to give Chauth and loan in advance to the Maratha governors for the passage of British army from Calcutta to Madras through Odisha. With the coming of Lord Wellesley as the Governor-General of India in 1768, the cold touch of the British imperialism was greatly felt by the Indian powers. He took no time to annex Odisha and included it in the British Empire. 1.1.2.5. Capture of Ganjam With the grant of Dewani in 1765, Lord Clive obtained from Emperor Shah Alam the Northern Circars consisting of Chicacole, Rajahmudry, Ellore and Guntur as free gift in which the present undivided Ganjam district was included. The British East India Company also got Midnapur which was a part of Odisha. Thus, the British authorities acquired Oriya speaking tracts, both in South and in the North. This facilitated them to conquer Odisha with ease. 1.1.2.6. The contract of 1765 The firman issued to the British East India Company on 12 August, 1765, was put into practice on 12 November, 1766 when another treaty was concluded between Nizam Ali, the ruler of Hyderabad and Colonel Forde. Accordingly, letters were issued to all zamindars of Northern Circars suggesting them to regard the British East India Company as their sovereign in future. Henceforth, they should pay their rents and show respect to the British authorities. 1.1.2.7. Inquiry of Cotsford In this way, the Northern Circars consisting of the Chicacole circar of which the undivided Ganjam district then formed a part, came under the British occupation. The English administrative officers moved from Madras immediately to secure Ganjam and Icchapur. Cotsford, an English engineer, was appointed as the Resident of Ganjam by an order in the council passed on 2 December, 1766. Cotsford viewed the political situation of the area and found that territories lying north of Visakhapatnam, were in a state of turmoil on account of the grand design of Narayanadeva of Paralakhemindi. He intimated this fact to Madras. 1.1.2.8. Contract with Narayanadeva The Madras Government now wanted to deal with Narayanadeva scorn and contempt. Colonel Peach was sent from Masulipatam to deal with that refractory chief. At this arrival, Narayanadeva became panic-stricken and fled away from Paralakhemundi, after being defeated at the hands of the British troops at Jalmur in May 1768. He then went to Maliahs and was forced to take shelter there. The administration of Paralakhemundi was entrusted upon his Dewan. Cotsford safely arrived and took over his charge as the Resident in July 1768. In this way, Ganjam was annexed to Madras province and came under the sway of the British administration. 1.1.2.9. Occupation of Puri The British then occupied Puri. For that they adopted the following steps. 1.1.2.10. Diplomacy of Lord Wellesley on Jagannath Lord Wellesley wanted to capture Puri and Cuttack by sheer display of his diplomacy. Letters were dispatched to the feudatories of Odisha, conveying them that it was the desire of Lord Jagannath to oust the Marathas from the land by the Britishers who would rule there. The desire of the Governor-General was conveyed to the people that it was the time to free the land from the oppression and tyranny of the Marathas. The priests of the Puri Jagannath temple were also assured that they would be respected by the Britishers and the British authorities would follow the policy of non-intervention so far as the temple administration was concerned. 1.1.2.11. Bribe to the Marathas When the people of Odisha were psychologically won over, it was not a great task for the British authorities to occupy the land. In the next turn, Wellesley resorted to a filthy practice like bribing the Maratha officers handsomely. Letters of commitment regarding the payment of high amount as bribe were sent to Bhanuji Pandit, the Naib of Cuttack, Haribansa Ray, the Dewan, Balaji Kuanr, the Commander-in-Chief and Moro Pandit, the Faujdar for their help to the British force.