The Angul district of Odisha, a region historically characterized by its dense forests, hilly terrain, and a blend of princely states and tribal communities, played a significant, albeit often understated, role in the larger narrative of British colonial rule and India’s freedom struggle. Its unique administrative history under the British, marked by direct rule and the annexation of a defiant princely state, set it apart from many other regions of Odisha. The resistance to British authority, both from its traditional rulers and later from emerging nationalist sentiments, forms a crucial chapter in Angul’s past.
Establishment of British Rule in Angul
The British East India Company gained control over Odisha in 1803 after defeating the Marathas. Initially, Angul, like many other princely states (Garhjats) in Odisha, entered into an agreement with the British, promising loyalty and an annual tribute. However, this initial arrangement was short-lived and fraught with tensions.
The direct British annexation of Angul occurred in 1848. This was a significant event, as Angul became one of the few princely states in Odisha to be brought under direct colonial administration, unlike many others that retained their semi-autonomous status as “feudatory states” under British suzerainty. The reasons for this annexation were primarily the perceived defiance and insubordination of its then-ruler, Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev.
In 1891, Angul was formally constituted as a separate district, incorporating the Khondmals region, and was placed under the administration of the Superintendent of the Tributary Mahals. From this point, the British established a more formal political structure, administering it through a Tahasildar who oversaw revenue collection and justice.
Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev: A Symbol of Defiance
The most prominent figure in Angul’s early resistance against British rule was Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev, who ruled Angul from 1814. He is remembered as a courageous and self-respecting ruler who consistently defied the British administration, ultimately leading to the annexation of his state.
- Succession Dispute and British Intervention (Early 19th Century): After the death of Raja Uchhab Mansingh in 1803, a serious succession dispute arose in Angul. The matter was referred to the British Government in 1811, which eventually declared Somnath Singh as the rightful ruler, thus marking an early instance of British interference in Angul’s internal affairs.
- Defiance and Conflicts (1831-1848): From 1831 onwards, Raja Somnath Singh’s relationship with the British became increasingly strained due to a series of incidents:
- Daspalla Village Plunder (1831): Angul ryots (peasants) plundered some villages in the neighboring Daspalla state. The British Commissioner demanded compensation from Raja Somnath, which he refused to pay.
- Meriah Sacrifice Operations and Khond Uprisings: The British were actively trying to suppress the practice of “Meriah” (human sacrifices) among the Khond tribes in Ghumsur and Kandhamal. Raja Somnath Singh was suspected of instigating the Khonds to defy British authorities and providing shelter to their leaders, including Dora Bissoi and Chakra Bisoi (though these leaders were primarily active in Ganjam, their influence and connections extended to tribal areas like Angul’s Khondmals). The British demanded the handover of these Khond leaders, but Somnath Singh refused.
- Murder Allegations (1837): Raja Somnath Singh was suspected of instigating the murder of six persons. When British Commissioner Henry Ricketts demanded the culprits, the Raja again refused, claiming false implication. He eventually complied under threat of force.
- Hindol State Dispute (1846): A dispute arose over the village of Kurumito in Hindol State. Raja Somnath Singh forcibly occupied the village, claiming it was rightfully his due to a previous financial agreement with the Hindol Raja. The British fined him, which he again disputed.
- Strengthening Defenses: Recognizing the escalating tensions, Raja Somnath Singh began strengthening his defenses. He abandoned his earlier capital, Purunagarh, and established a new capital in a more inaccessible part of his state, indicating his preparation for a confrontation with the British.
- Annexation of Angul (1848): The British, viewing Somnath Singh’s actions as open defiance, launched a massive military operation to occupy Angul on January 15, 1848, under Colonel Campbell. Faced with overwhelming force, Raja Somnath Singh fled to the neighboring Bamanda state. He eventually surrendered on November 23, 1848. Angul was annexed by the British Empire, and Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev was arrested and detained in Cuttack, later sent to Hazaribagh jail, where he died in 1854. His son, Loknath Singh, also deserted him at this crucial hour, professing loyalty to the British.
The annexation of Angul was a direct consequence of Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev’s unwavering resistance, making him a significant figure in the early anti-British struggle in Odisha.
Impact of British Rule on Angul
The British rule brought significant changes to Angul, both administrative and socio-economic:
- Direct Administration: Unlike the other princely states of Talcher, Athamallik, and Pallahara (which remained semi-autonomous under British suzerainty until 1948), Angul came under direct British administration from 1848. This meant a more direct imposition of British laws, revenue systems, and administrative structures.
- Revenue System: The British introduced their revenue collection systems, which often led to increased land taxes and economic hardship for the local populace.
- Forest Policies: British forest policies, aimed at exploiting timber resources, often restricted the traditional rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities, leading to resentment.
- Infrastructure Development: While primarily for administrative and economic control, the British did develop some infrastructure, such as the “Hawak Road” (Balakrushna Marga), which passed through villages like Durgapur, improving connectivity.
- Education: The introduction of modern education, particularly English education, began during the British period, though its reach in rural areas like Angul would have been limited initially. This led to the gradual emergence of an educated class.
- Suppression of Indigenous Practices: The British actively suppressed practices they deemed “uncivilized,” such as Meriah sacrifices among the Khonds, leading to conflicts and social disruption in tribal areas like Khondmals (which was merged with Angul).
Freedom Fighters and Angul’s Contribution to the National Movement
While Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev represents the early resistance of a traditional ruler, Angul also saw the rise of freedom fighters who participated in the broader Indian independence movement, particularly in the Gandhian and Quit India phases.
- Girija Bhusan Dutta: A notable figure from Angul, Girija Bhusan Dutta, though born in Dhaka (Bangladesh), made significant contributions to the freedom struggle in Angul.
- Political Awareness: He worked to kindle political awareness among the tribal communities in Angul.
- Against Forced Labor: In 1932, he led a delegation to the Viceroy to protest against forced labor and atrocities committed by the Deputy Commissioner of Angul.
- Support for Gandhi: In 1934, when Mahatma Gandhi was on a foot march in Odisha, Girija Bhusan Dutta bravely offered shelter to Gandhi and his team in Angul, despite the fear of the dreaded police officer Durga Das.
- Prajamandal Movement Support: During the Prajamandal movement in Talcher (a neighboring princely state where the ruler’s oppression led to a significant refugee crisis), nearly 31,000 refugees fled to Angul. Girija Bhusan Dutta provided crucial financial and logistical support to these refugee camps, earning widespread appreciation.
- Legislative Role: He was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly in the provincial election of 1937, demonstrating his commitment to political change within the system. He passed away in 1938.
- Malati Choudhury: Born in Angul, Malati Choudhury was a prominent freedom fighter and social activist.
- Early Activism: She joined the freedom movement at a young age, participating in Satyagraha and picketing shops selling foreign liquor.
- Quit India Movement (1942): Her commitment deepened during the Quit India Movement in 1942, where she actively supported Mahatma Gandhi’s call for “Do or Die,” leading to her imprisonment for three years.
- Post-Independence Contributions: After her release, Malati Choudhury dedicated herself to education and social upliftment, establishing the ‘Utkal Nabajeevan Mandal’ to cater to underprivileged children. Her tireless efforts earned her widespread recognition as an unsung heroine of Odisha’s freedom struggle.
- Tribal Uprisings and Leaders (Broader Context): While not exclusively from Angul, the district’s Khondmals region and its tribal population were often involved in larger tribal uprisings against British authority, particularly concerning forest rights and traditional practices. Leaders like Dora Bisoi and Chakra Bisoi (primarily from Ghumsar in Ganjam) led significant Khond rebellions, and their influence could have resonated in Angul’s tribal areas, as indicated by British suspicions of Raja Somnath Singh sheltering them. These tribal movements, though localized, contributed to the overall anti-colonial sentiment.
Conclusion
The history of British rule in Angul district is distinct, marked by the early and direct annexation of the princely state in 1848 due to the defiance of Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev. This made Angul a direct administrative unit of British India, unlike its neighboring princely states. The impact of British policies, particularly in revenue and forest management, shaped the lives of the populace.
However, Angul was not merely a passive recipient of colonial rule. It witnessed significant resistance, from the armed defiance of its last independent ruler, Raja Somnath Singh Jagdev, to the active participation of freedom fighters like Girija Bhusan Dutta and Malati Choudhury in the broader Indian independence movement. These individuals, through their protests, support for national leaders, and social work, ensured that Angul contributed its share to the struggle for India’s freedom, embodying the spirit of resistance that ultimately led to the end of British Raj.
Disclaimer
This post offers general information about Anugul District based on publicly available data. While efforts are made for accuracy, no guarantees are provided regarding the completeness or correctness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently.
