Latest revision as of 21:30, 4 March 2015

[edit] Khurda Subdivision, 1908

Western subdivision of Puri District, Ben- gal, lying between 19 degree 41' and 20 degree 26' N. and 84 degree 56' and 85 degree 53' E., with an area of 971 square miles. The population in 1901 was 359,236, compared with 331,423 in 1891, the density being 370 persons per square mile. The subdivision adjoins the south- eastern fringe of the Chota Nagpur plateau, and detached hills of gneiss occur, the plains between them consisting of laterite and alluvium. It contains 1,212 villages, one of which, Khurda, is its head-quarters ; but no town. At Bhubaneswar are situated the cele- brated Lingaraj temple and numerous other temples, and the Khand giri and Udayagiri hills contain many caves and rock temples. Khurda was the last portion of territory held by the independent Hindu dynasty of Orissa. The Maratha cavalry were unable to overrun this jungle-covered and hilly tract ; and the ancient royal house retained much of its independence till 1804, when the Raja rebelled against the British Government and his territory was confiscated. A rising on the part of the peasantry took place in 181 7-8, due chiefly to the oppres- sion of the minor Bengali officials. The insurrection was speedily quelled, reforms were introduced and grievances redressed ; and at the present day Khurda is a profitable and well-managed Government estate, the cultivators being a contented and generally prosperous class. The current settlement dates from 1897, when the demand was assessed at 3-77 lakhs. The present Raja of Khurda is hereditary superintendent of the temple of Jagannath, but has delegated all his powers as such for five years to an experienced Deputy-Magistrate- Collector.

[J. Taylor, Settlement Report (Calcutta, 1900).]

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.