Odisha

Odisha was officially formed on April 1, 1936, by unifying the Odia-speaking districts of the Madras Presidency, the Central Provinces, and the Bihar and Orissa regions. It was one of the earliest states created based on language, making its formation a milestone in recognising linguistic identities in modern India (Khan, 2024).

Creating the Orissa Province

The movement for a separate state had been building since the late 19th century, when intellectuals and cultural reformers became vocal about the neglect of the Odia language and identity under colonial administrative divisions. Prominent figures such as Madhusudan Das (often referred to as “Utkal Gourab”, meaning ”Pride of Odisha”) were important in mobilising public sentiment in favour of a new state (Khan, 2024).

Das and his contemporaries laid the foundation for the Utkal Sammilani, a regional organisation formed in 1903 to consolidate all Odia-speaking territories. The Sammilani spearheaded various socio-political campaigns to promote linguistic and cultural unity and gradually influenced authorities to consider linguistic reorganisation, thus forming the Orissa Province (Government of Odisha, 2005).

Merging the princely states

Along with the province, the area also consisted of the Orissa Tributary States under the Eastern States Agency. These princely states, although technically under British suzerainty, maintained a degree of autonomy and were ruled by local monarchs. The Eastern States Agency itself was established in 1933 to administer these princely territories. These states included notable names like Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, and Balangir, which would later become integral parts of modern Odisha (Bailey, 1963).

The socio-cultural links between these princely states and the province strengthened the case for integration. Strengthened the case for their eventual integration. However, this coalition proved short-lived. Due to ideological and administrative disagreements, the Eastern States Union dissolved in 1948, paving the way for individual states to sign Merger Agreements with the Indian government. In a historic move, 24 of these princely states acceded to Odisha.

Among these princely territories, Mayurbhanj stood out. On 17 October 1948, its ruler, the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj, who had made an independent attempt at establishing a responsible government, signed a Merger Agreement with India after internal instability and pressure from both his subjects and the Indian administration. Subsequently, on 1 January 1949, the States Ministry merged Mayurbhanj with Odisha, citing their strong cultural connections (White Paper, 1950).

Redrawing internal boundaries

In 1992, the state government initiated a detailed study to assess the administrative feasibility of creating new districts. As a result, in 1993 and 1994, 17 new districts were carved out of 9 existing ones. This move was driven by the goal of making district-level governance more accessible and efficient, particularly in remote and tribal areas that had long been underserved. The creation of new districts such as Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, and Nuapada was hailed as a step toward inclusive development, as these regions were previously part of larger, often neglected administrative units (Khan, 2024).

This redistricting not only improved resource allocation and administrative reach but also acknowledged the unique challenges faced by Odisha’s tribal populations, who constitute around 22.85% of the state’s population, among the highest in India. These communities, many of whom inhabit the Eastern Ghats and forested interiors, had been marginalized both economically and politically. The smaller districts helped improve their access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation (MoTA, 2013).

Moreover, district bifurcation made it easier to implement welfare programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS), rural employment schemes, and maternal and child health services (Government of Odisha, 2020). It also enabled better disaster response in vulnerable regions, a factor of growing importance as Odisha frequently faced floods and cyclones.

Meanwhile, Odisha’s cultural identity continued to find expression through language, literature, festivals, and art. The Odia language, with its roots in classical Sanskrit and a literary tradition dating back over a thousand years, has long been a source of pride for the state’s people. Odia is one of the six classical languages of India, and this recognition has further strengthened the language’s status in academia and cultural discourse (MoCaT, 2024).

Orissa to Odisha

In 2008, the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act was passed by the Indian Parliament and came into effect in 2011, officially replacing ‘Orissa’ and ‘Oriya’ with ‘Odisha’ and ‘Odia’. The new names are more phonetically accurate in the native Odia language, reflecting a deeper sensitivity to regional identity (Government of India, 2011). 

Today, Odisha is home to 30 districts, each with its own distinct cultural, historical, and economic characteristics. The state has made notable progress in various fields such as mining, education, tribal welfare, disaster management, and cultural preservation (Khan, 2024). It is also one of the few Indian states to have developed a robust disaster response framework, especially after the devastating 1999 Super Cyclone. This system has been internationally recognized for its effectiveness in managing natural calamities like Cyclone Phailin (2013) and Cyclone Fani (2019) (OSDMA, n.d.).

Furthermore, Odisha has taken concrete steps to digitize governance, improve public service delivery, and promote inclusive growth. Initiatives like Mo Sarkar and the 5T governance framework have aimed to make the administration people-centric, transparent, and responsive.

At the same time, Odisha continues to celebrate its rich cultural heritage. Festivals like Rath Yatra of Puri, Durga Puja, Pana Sankranti, and Raja Parba, as well as classical dance forms like Odissi, and the temple architecture of Konark, Lingaraj, and Jagannath temples, have kept their historical legacy alive.

References

• Bailey, F.G. (1963). Politics and Social Change: Orissa in 1959. Berkley: University of California Press. 

  
  

• Cobden-Ramsay, L.E.B. (1982). Feudatory States of Orissa. Firma KLM. 

  
  

• Government of India (1950). White Paper on Indian States 1950. Government of India Press. 

  
  

• Government of Odisha (2020). District Cadres. 

  
  

• Government of India (2011). The Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act, 2011. 

  
  

• Press Information Bureau (2024). Promotions of Classical Languages. Ministry of Culture and Tourism. 

  
  

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs (2013). Statistical Profile of Scheduled Tribes in India, 2013. Government of India. 

  
  

• OSDMA (n.d.). State Profile. Odisha Economic Survey 2016-17.