Best Books to Study Odisha History

     Introduction

Odisha proclaims a glorious historical and cultural lineage spanning 2000 years. The history and culture of Odisha is in many ways distinct from those of the northern Indian states and many generalizations that are made about Indian history do not hold good for the Odia region. The word Odia is in fact an anglicized version of Odia which in turn is a modern name for the Odra or Udra tribes that inhabited the central region of modern Odisha .

In ancient times Odisha was the regal seat of political power being known then, by the name of Kalinga. It was a major seafaring nation that had strong trade links with most of the sea ports of the Bay of Bengal. For many centuries, a major part of South and South East Asia was under its socio -cultural. The temple of Angkor Vat is a classic architectural specimen of Odia influence on Cambodian temple architecture. Some regions of Sri Lanka, Java, Bali, Sumatra, Vietnam and Thailand were colonized by the people from Odisha . In fact even today in Malaysia, Indians are referred to as 'Klings' due to the very reason. In fact some Sri Lankan kings trace their origin and roots back to Kalinga.

A major turning point in World History took place in Odisha . The famous Kalinga war that made Emperor Asoka give up war and embrace Buddhism, was fought in Odisha in 261 B.C. After the war he championed the cause of budhisim and played a major role in taking the religion to distant shores such as Thailand and Cambodia.

Then after the ancient period the marvellous history of odisha comes under the Suzerainity of mughals and then Marathas rose into prominence. 

After changing hands from the Marathas, the Mughals and the British, up to 1912 it was a part of Bengal and till 1936 a part of Bihar. The state was officially born on 1st April, 1936. In 1950 it became an independent state incorporated into the union republic of India and continues to remain so.

Important Books 

1) N.K sahu, J.K Sahu, P.K Mishra - History of Orissa

2) K.C Panigrahi - History of Orissa

3) P.K Mishra - Political History of Orissa

4) D.B Mishra - Conscise History of Orissa

5) W.Hunter,  A.Sterling,  J.Beams, N.K Sahu - History of Orissa 

6) S.K Panda - Political and cultural History of Orissa

7) P.C Das - History of Orissa

8) R.D Banerjee - History of Orissa (1&2) 

9) A.K Panda - Four Hundred Years of Orissa 

10) J.K Sahu - Historical Geography of Orissa

11) A.C Mital - Early History of Orissa

12) N.K Sahu - Utkal University History of Orissa

13) P.K Mishra - Comprehenssive History of Orissa (1&2) 

14) B.C Ray - Orissa under Mughals

15) B.C Ray - Maratha Rule in Orissa

16) B.C Ray - Foundations of British Rule in Orissa

17) A.C Pradhan - A Study of History of Orissa

18) N.R Pattnaik - Comprehensive History of Modern Orissa

19) N.R Pattnaik - Economic History of Orissa

20) N.R Pattnaik - Religious History of Orissa

21) N.R Pattnaik - Social History of 19th Century Orissa

22) S.K Panda - Medieval Orissa A Socio Economic Study 

23) JK Samal - Administrative History of Orissa

24) PK Pattnaik - A Forgotten Chapter in Orissa History

25) KC Jena - Modern Orissa

26) MA Haaue - Muslim Administration in Orissa

27) JK Samal - Orissa Under British Crown 

28) UK Subudhi - The Bhaumakaras in Orissa

29) NK Sahu - Buddhism in Orissa 

30) JK Samal - Princely States of Orissa 

31) HK Mahatab - Freedom Movement in Orissa (vol 1-4)

32) D.K Ganguly - Historical Geography of Orissa

33) B.K Rath - Cultural History of Orissa

34) SC Behera - Rise & Fall of Sailodbhavas

35) BK Sharma - Orissa's Struggle for Freedom

                                                                                           Thank you.