Introduction
Sundargarh District, located in the northern part of Odisha, is steeped in layered history—from its tribal roots and princely states to British colonial machinations and local resistance. This article explores the intricate tapestry of Sundargarh’s journey under British rule and its path toward freedom, highlighting key events, tribal uprising, administrative changes, and cultural legacies.
- Historical Background: The Princely States of Gangpur and Bonai
In its pre-colonial and early colonial periods, the present-day Sundargarh District was formed by the princely states of Gangpur and Bonai. These territories were once under the suzerainty of Sambalpur, which was itself controlled by the Maratha rulers of Nagpur.
In 1803, the Maratha chief Raghuji Bhonsla of Nagpur ceded Gangpur and Bonai to the British under the Treaty of Deogaon. The British briefly restored control in 1806, but these areas were formally ceded again in 1826 .
In 1905, administration of these princely states shifted from Chhotanagpur Commission to Odisha with the appointment of a separate Political Agent .
Finally, in 1948, Gangpur and Bonai merged with Odisha, forming the new Sundargarh District on January 1 .
Bonai State, one of the two, was a minor princely state that had a capital at Bonaigarh and had a population just over 24,000 in 1892 .
- British Colonial Administration and its Impact
2.1 Administrative Restructuring
Under British rule, Odisha was segmented into various administrative units: Cuttack under Bengal Presidency, Ganjam and Koraput under Madras Presidency, and Sambalpur under Central Provinces. Different land revenue systems—Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari—were enforced across these areas .
These reforms disrupted traditional structures:
Zamindari system saw Bengali landlords exploit Oriya tenants.
Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems likewise burdened local farmers with heavy revenue demands.
2.2 Exploitation and Early Resistance
Taxation under colonial rule grew oppressive. Communities were burdened by multiple levies such as Rasad, Magan, Bethi, and Begari—exactions that bred deep resentment, eventually sparking revolts and the Prajamandal Movement across several princely states, including Gangpur and Bonai .
- Odisha’s Broader Freedom Movement Context
3.1 Paika Rebellion (1817–1818)
Although centered in Khurda, the Paika Rebellion was pivotal in Odisha’s resistance narrative and reverberated across regions including present-day Sundargarh. The Paikas—militia-farmers—rose after losing their hereditary rent-free lands. Led by Buxi Jagabandhu, they fought fiercely, with their rebellion spreading across parts of Odisha .
3.2 Revolt under Surendra Sai
Post-1857 rebellion, Surendra Sai led sustained guerilla resistance from Sambalpur (1833–1864), mobilizing tribal communities against British oppression in neighboring territory, including Sundargarh. The British attempted to isolate him politically, even aligning with loyal local rulers, but he remained a potent symbol of tribal defiance .
3.3 The Na-Anka Famine (1866–67)
The catastrophic famine claimed over one million lives, roughly a quarter of Odisha’s population. British mismanagement fueled anger across communities. Reformers like Gouri Shankar Roy and Babu Bichitrananda Das documented suffering through publications like Utkala Dipika in 1866—a nascent voice for collective regional identity .
3.4 Unification of Odia-speaking Areas and Swadeshi Movement
Activists pushed for the administrative unification of Odia-speaking regions beginning as early as 1875, through entities like Utkal Sabha (est. 1882). Although Odisha remained fragmented under various provinces until eventually constituted as a separate province in 1936 .
The Swadeshi Movement (1905) saw widespread promotion of locally produced goods and emergent nationalist fervor. Educated elites and weavers in places including Sambalpur played key roles in building consciousness .
3.5 Prajamandal Movements (1930s)
The Prajamandal Movement—a tribal-led civil rights campaign across prIfncely states like Gangpur, Bonai, Dhenkanal, and Talcher—challenged royal misrule and atrocities. In Gangpur and surrounding areas, it catalyzed tribal mobilization and brought attention to police brutality and arbitrary taxation .
- Tribal Uprising and the Amko Simko Massacre (1939)
A defining episode within Sundargarh’s freedom history is the Amko Simko Massacre:
On 25 April 1939, a gathering of tribal peasants, led by Nirmal Munda, resisted excessive taxes and land denial in Simko Village. The British political agent, Lt. E.W. Marger, and Rani Janaki Ratna attempted to arrest Munda. The villagers resisted, leading to an armed clash and resultant firing by troops, killing dozens and injuring many .
Nirmal Munda, then leader of the agitation (1937–39), was arrested. He was a WWI veteran and influential tribal leader who demanded khuntkatti (landholding) rights .
Bodies of the martyred villagers were desecrated—some burned in limkilns, others buried en masse .
News of the massacre reached national leaders via Dhananjay Mohanty, reaching Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Gandhi cautioned against launching a satyagraha in Garhjat; Nehru planned one but was advised otherwise .
The incident is embedded in tribal memory through folk music (e.g., Amko Simko Po’dāte in Khadia language) and a memorial in Simko, though locals feel it is neglected .
- Politics and Legacy: Nirmal Munda and Beyond
Post-independence, Nirmal Munda remained active. He served as a member of the second Odisha Legislative Assembly (1957–61), representing the Bisra (ST) constituency as an Independent—highlighting his sustained importance .
- Post-1947 Transition: Integration and Modern Evolution
Sundargarh District was officially constituted on 1 January 1948 by merging Gangpur and Bonai with Odisha. The region’s hilly terrain, rich tribal diversity, and forest cover (≈43%) have shaped its post-colonial development .
Former British-era amenities—Collectorate, government schools, hospitals—built during colonial times still stand, though modern civic infrastructure remains inadequate, particularly in Sundargarh town .
- Conclusion
Sundargarh District’s freedom narrative emerges from layered interplay:
From princely states under Marathas to British colonial subjugation,
Through tribal resistance (Surendra Sai, Paika parallels), regional famine, Swadeshi and Prajamandal movements, and tribal uprisings such as the Amko Simko Massacre,
Into post-independence political assertion by leaders like Nirmal Munda,
And eventual integration into modern Odisha while still struggling with civic development legacies.
The district’s story is also one of marginalization, resilience, and contested memory. Commemorations like the Simko memorial remain underdeveloped—the past is honored but not consistently preserved.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and reliability through reputable sources, it may contain oversights. Interpretations of historical events—especially those rooted in local memory—can vary across communities. The views presented here do not purport to represent all perspectives. Readers are encouraged to consult primary historical documents and scholarly research for deeper understanding.
