Explore the Odisha district map showing the 30 districts, district headquarters and capital of Odisha state of India.
Districts of Odisha
S.N.
District Name
Headquarter Name
1
Angul
Angul
2
Balangir
Balangir
3
Balasore
Balasore
4
Bargarh
Bargarh
5
Bhadrak
Bhadrak
6
Boudh
Boudh
7
Cuttack
Cuttack
8
Debagarh
Debagarh
9
Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal
10
Gajapati
Paralakhemundi
11
Ganjam
Chhatrapur
12
Jagatsinghapur
Jagatsinghapur
13
Jajpur
Jajpur
14
Jharsuguda
Jharsuguda
15
Kalahandi
Bhawanipatna
16
Kandhamal
Phulbani
17
Kendrapara
Kendrapara
18
Kendujhar
Kendujhar
19
Khordha
Khordha
20
Koraput
Koraput
21
Malkangiri
Malkangiri
22
Mayurbhanj
Baripada
23
Nabarangpur
Nabarangapur
24
Nayagarh
Nayagarh
25
Nuapada
Nuapada
26
Puri
Puri
27
Rayagada
Rayagada
28
Sambalpur
Sambalpur
29
Subarnapur
Subarnapur
30
Sundargarh
Sundargarh
About Odisha
Geographical Location and Size
Odisha is situated on the eastern coast of India and is bordered by West Bengal to the northeast, Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south. Odisha has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal and is approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) long. The eighth-largest state in India by area, Odisha is about 60,119 square miles (155,707 square kilometers). The state is positioned between latitudes 17.49°N and 22.34°N and longitudes 81.28°E and 87.29°E.
Capital and Major Cities
Bhubaneswar is the capital and the largest city of Odisha and is the political, cultural and economic hub of the state. Cuttack is the second largest city and is famous for its historical importance and business activities; Rourkela is an industrial hub; Puri is a major pilgrimage destination; and Sambalpur is a trade and cultural center. Bhubaneswar, also called the 'Temple City of India', has several ancient temples, including the Lingaraj Temple.
Demographics and Population
As of recent population estimation, the population of Odisha is 46 million people. The state has a sizeable number of communities and among them 22 percent are tribals. Odia is the official language of the state and it is widely spoken and used. The literacy rate in Odisha is approximately 77%, which shows the education state of the state.
Economy and Industries
The economy of Odisha is mainly agro-based, industrial and has mineral deposits. It is a rural economy with agriculture as the leading sector and the principal crop is rice. The state is endowed with coal, iron, bauxite and chromite ores and is one of the leading mineral producing states of India. Steel, aluminum and power are the main industries. The Paradip Port is an important hub for trade and commerce and aids in movement of minerals and other industrial products to foreign markets. The industrial sector of the state is developing at a fast pace and companies like Tata Steel, Jindal Steel and Nalco are dominant.
Culture and Heritage
The cultural heritage of Odisha is rich and deep with historical background. One of the oldest surviving dance forms of India, Odissi is found in the state. The Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) of Lord Jagannath in Puri is one of the biggest religious festivals in India and is attended by millions of devotees. The state has also gained fame for its arts and handicrafts like the Pattachitra paintings, stone carvings, and the silver filigree work.
Historical Significance
Going back to ancient times, Odisha has a rich historical background. The Kalinga region that is the central region of India that includes present day Odisha has also played a very important role in Indian history. The Kalinga War, a very famous war that was fought by Emperor Ashoka in 261 BCE, transformed Ashoka from a warrior to a believer of Buddhism. There are many historic sites in Odisha include the Konark Sun Temple a World Heritage Site and the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves that have ancient Jain inscriptions.
Tourism and Natural Attractions
Odisa is famous for its beautiful landscape, which includes sea, forests, lakes and mountains. Chilika Lake, the largest coastal lagoon in India is a major attraction for migratory birds. The Simlipal and the Bhitarkanika National Park are famous for their abundant flora and fauna and wildlife conservation. Tourists visit the beaches of Puri, Chandrabhaga and Gopalpur for their natural beauty and cultural importance.
Education and Development
Odisa has developed a strong education and research. The state has several premier institutions including Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela and Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar that are its stars. Literacy rates and higher education opportunities have been growing.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
The state is well connected in terms of transportation and has good network of roads, highways and rails to link major industrial areas and big cities. The Bhubaneswar has the only one Biju Patnaik International Airport which has domestic and international connections. The East Coast Railway runs an extensive railway network for trade and passenger movement. Road connectivity through national and state highways is available to other neighboring states and big commercial centers.
History of Odisha
Ancient History and Early Civilization
The history of Odisha or Kalinga goes back to the prehistoric period. Archaeological evidence shows that man was living in the region as early as the Stone Age. The early inhabitants of Odisha are various tribal people and they have given rich contribution to the cultural heritage of the region. The Kalinga region started its maritime trade with South East Asia, particularly with Java, Sumatra and Bali as early as 2000 BCE. Tamralipti, Manikapatna and Palur were the ports which facilitated the trade and thus, made Odisha as the centre of commerce and cultural exchange.
Kalinga War and the Mauryan Influence
One of the defining moments in the history of Odisha is the Kalinga war that occurred in 261 BCE between the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and the independent kingdom of Kalinga. This event led to a devastation and loss of lives which made Ashoka shocked and he accepted Buddhism. Odisha was, therefore, turned into a centre of Buddhist learning and culture with construction of stupas and monasteries in Dhauli, Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri. The presence of Buddhism increased for several centuries in the region and enriched the religious and architectural heritage of the territory.
Medieval Dynasties and Cultural Flourishing
The decline of the Mauryan Empire was followed by the emergence of several powerful dynasties in Odisha such as the Mahameghavahanas, the Satavahanas and the Guptas. Of all these the Eastern Ganga dynasty that ruled from 11th to 15th century CE was most notable. The construction of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri during the reign of King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva made Odisha a major religious center. The dynasty also constructed the Sun Temple at Konark, an architectural marvel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hinduism was also risen in the medieval period in Odisha and Vaishnavism and Shaivism were dominant. The presence of Jainism is also observed up to the present time, for instance in the rock cut caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, which were made during the time of the Kharavela dynasty. Odissi dance and temple architecture also emerged to further heights during the region's cultural and artistic achievements.
Mughal and Maratha Rule
In the 16th century, Odisha was subjected to many invasions by the Mughals and was annexed by them in 1592. The Mughal rule extended up to the decline of the empire when Odisha was incorporated into the Bengal Subah. The Marathas seized Odisha in the mid 18th century after the decline of the Mughals. The Marathas perhaps because of their policy of economic and cultural development especially in the aspect of temple restoration and trade were not able to properly consolidate their position as result of which there was a continuous conflict which enabled the British to come in.
Colonial Era and British Rule
In 1803 Odisha was occupied by the British in the Second Anglo Maratha War. The British administration firstly incorporated Odisha in the Bengal Presidency and then in other provinces. The region was also no better during the colonial period due to heavy taxation, famines and economic exploitation of the region. The great famine of 1866, also known as the Na’Anka Durviksha, killed almost one-third of the population of Odisha. However, the people of Odisha had taken an active part in India’s freedom struggle and the pioneers of the province included Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das and Biju Patnaik. The Utkal Sammilani was established in 1903, which provided the cut for the separate state of Odisha on linguistic identity.
Formation of Odisha as a Separate State
On the 1st of Apr in 1936, Odisha was carved out from the Bengal and Bihar provinces and thus Odisha became the first Indian state on linguistic basis. The capital was Cuttack till 1948 when new capital Bhubaneswar was chosen. Odisha after the independence of India engaged itself in the task of rebuilding economy and infrastructure; in the sphere of agriculture, industry and education. This has been due to the fact that the soil of the state is rich in minerals, and this has encouraged rapid industrialization, such that steel, aluminum and power industries were established.
Modern Odisha and Economic Growth
Over the past four decades, Odisha has developed as a rapidly developing state with a diversified economy. It has become a large hub for steel, aluminum and power generation with many national and international companies making large investments. Tourism has also received a significant boost in the state with heritage sites like Puri, Konark and Chilika Lake attracting millions of visitors every year. The state has also enhanced its development momentum through greater focus on education, infrastructure and social welfare. The state still keeps up on its historical and cultural heritage while equally facilitating the modernization and economic growth.
History of Odisha proves the state’s stability and flexibility from the early days of being a major sea trade hub in the ancient times, through the medieval cultural development, up to the present day focus on the economic development. The state of Odisha has always been an integral part of India’s cultural and economic map owing to its age old traditions, historical sites and industries.
