History Of Odisha

CHAPTER ONE

SOCIO-RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND OF ODISHA: AN OVERVIEW

Introduction

1. Brief Historical Survey of Odisha

The name Orissa or Odisha has development in the course of time, and the first written account in Odisha is known from the Aśokan inscription at Dhauli and Jaugarh in the third century B.C., the beginnings of early history of Odisha is usually regarded from the sixth century B.C. as in the case with the Gaṅgetic valley. The region now called Odisha was much bigger in ancient and medieval times. But the boundaries of Odisha were never fixed nor did it constitute a single state throughout its chequered history. On the other hand, the vast region was divided into several political units such as Kaliṅga, Utkal, Oḍra, Kongada,

Though Odisha was multi culture- religious, especially tribal were in all the parts, but not given any possibilities to his administration rather subjugated. One of the main problem during this period was the relationship of the Hindu rājās-often themselves descendants of tribal chiefs-with the tribe which surrounded the insulted nuclear areas. On the one hand the rājās depended on their support for the security of the internal communication and borders. On the other, the rājās needed their land for the gradual extension of the peasant agriculture, which alone was able to yield sufficient surplus crop for the maintenance of the increasing court, e.g. the member of the ruling family, Brahmins, officials and soldiers. The tension with the tribes were also due to extend their economic base at the coast of their tribal neighbours. Therefore, it is obvious that Brahmins were the privileged people of the society, as Sharma mentions that, Brahmins were donated with villages as well as land. Thus it shows the importance of Brahmins.

However, the local society was dependent on the king for the legitimacy of its authority and power, and sent soldiers for the state when necessary, provided administrative services. As a token of their hierarchical relationships, each entitlement-holder was to pay taṅki (a quit rent) to the king. In this way local society had a deep rooted relation of mutual coexistence

However, society of Odisha is diverse in nature. However, we found two major societies as, Hindu and tribal.

3. 1. Hindu Society

Odisha’s culture and social structure have undergone tremendous changes of several hundreds of years of history, but their continuity has not been broken. In order to delineate the structure of Hindu society can be stated that there is no difference than Hindu society in India. Structure of the Hindu society is based on Hindu scripture and understanding.

3. 1. 1. Caste