Nayagarh State, 1908
Nayagarh State, 1908
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
One of the Tributary States of Orissa, Bengal, lying between 19° 53' and 20° 20' N. and 84° 48' and 85° 15' E., with an area of 588 square miles. It is bounded on the north by the State of Khandpara and Purl District ; on the east by Ranpur ; on the south by Purl District ; and on the west by Daspalla and the Madras District of Ganjam. The State is a fine property and capable of great develop- ment. It abounds in noble scenery, and a splendid range of hills, varying from 2,000 to 3,000 feet in height, runs through its centre. It exports rice, cotton, sugar-cane, and several kinds of oilseeds and cereals to the neighbouring Districts of Cuttack, Purl, and Ganjam. Towards the south and south-east the country is exceedingly wild and hilly, and is inhabited by turbulent Khonds, who are sometimes a source of terror to their more peaceful neighbours. In 1894 they revolted against the chief, and committed many murders and other outrages, but were put down with the aid of the Government military police. The State is alleged to have been founded about 500 years ago by a scion of the ruling family of Rewah in Central India. Khand- para, which was originally part of Nayagarh, became independent about 200 years ago. Nayagarh has a revenue of Rs. 1,20,000, and pays a tribute of Rs. 5,525 to the British Government. The population increased from 117,862 in 189 1 to 140,779 in 1901, when the density was 239 persons per square mile. The State contains 775 villages, the principal being Nayagarh, which contains the residence of the Raja and is connected by road with Khurda in Puri District. Hindus number 133,995 ; Animists, 6,190; and Muhammadans, 585, The most numerous castes are Chasas (41,000), Pans (13,000), Gaurs (11,000), and Brahmans and Khonds (10,000 each). The State maintains a middle English school, 3 upper primary and 48 lower primary schools, and a dispensary.
