Odisha was officially established as a separate state on April 1, 1936, making it the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis (during British Era). After independence, Andhra State was first to be formed on linguistic basis.
Odisha Day, or Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated annually on April 1 to commemorate the states formation.
Historical Background
The region that now constitutes Odisha has a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. It was known by various names and ruled by several local dynasties, each contributing to the development of a distinct cultural identity. However, in 1568, Odisha lost its political independence when it was conquered by the Sultanate of Bengal. Subsequently, the region was ruled by the Marathas and later came under British control in 1803.
For 109 years, Odisha remained a part of the Bengal Presidency, despite the emergence of a movement in the late 19th century advocating for the creation of a separate state for Odia-speaking people.
The Struggle for Statehood
The movement for a separate Odia-speaking state gained momentum in the early 20th century. Key milestones in this struggle include:
- Utkal Sabha (1882): The formation of Utkal Sabha marked the beginning of the political movement for the creation of Odisha.
- Utkal Sammilani (1903): This organization, led by Madhusudan Das, played a crucial role in the statehood movement. Madhusudan Das is considered the most important figure in the creation of Odisha.
- Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919): These reforms introduced the principle of dyarchy in the British Indian provinces and paved the way for greater Indian participation in government.
- Bihar and Orissa Province (1912): The Bihar and Orissa Province was created, comprising the non-Bengali speaking regions of the Bengal Presidency. However, this did little to address the concerns of Odia-speaking people.
- Linguistic Reorganization (1920): The Indian National Congress adopted the reorganization of provinces on linguistic basis as a part of its agenda, giving impetus to the Odia statehood movement.
Formation of Odisha State
After years of struggle and political mobilization, the Orissa Province was finally established on April 1, 1936. The new province was carved out of:
- Bihar and Orissa Province: 42% of the land area and 66% of the population.
- Madras Presidency: 53% of the land area and 31.7% of the population.
- Central Provinces: 5% of the land area and 2.3% of the population.
However, 26 princely states, which were part of the Eastern States Agency, continued to exist within the boundaries of Orissa Province until independence in 1947.
Aftermath and Current Name
The formation of Odisha as a separate state marked a significant milestone in the history of India’s linguistic reorganization. It paved the way for other states to be formed on linguistic basis post-independence, such as Andhra State (1953), Karnataka (1956), and Gujarat (1960). In 2011, the Orissa state was officially renamed as Odisha, and the language was renamed as Odia, following the passage of the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act, 2010 and the Constitution (Ninety-sixth Amendment) Act, 2011, in the Parliament of India.