Baleswar

Baleswar or Balasore is a district in the State of Orissa in India. This district is located between 21 degree 03’ to 21 degree 59’ North Latitude and 86 degree 20’ to 87 degree 29’ East Longitude. Geographical area of the district is 3634 Sq km. Midnapore district of West Bengal is in its North, the Bay of Bengal is on the east and Bhadrak district lies on the South whereas Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts are on its western side. As per the 2001 Census, the population is 20,23,000 comprising 10,38,000 males and 9,85,000 females. It has a massive coast line of 81 kms.

Broadly this district can be divided into three geographical regions, namely, the Coastal belt, the inner alluvial plain and the North-Western hills. The coastal belt is about 26 Kms wide and shapes like a strip. In this region, sand dunes are noticed along the coast with some ridges. This region is mostly flooded with brackish water of estuarine rivers which is unsuitable for cultivation. But, presently this area is utilized for coconut and betel cultivation. Shrimp culture and salt manufacturing units are also developing in this area recently. The second contiguous geographical region is deltaic alluvial plain. It is a wide stretch of highly fertiled and irrigated land. This area is highly populous and devoid of any jungle. The third region, north-western hilly region covers most of Nilgiri Sub-division. It is mostly hilly terrain and vegetated with tropical semi-ever green forest. The hills of Nilgiri has highest peak of 1783 ft. above the sea level. The Scheduled Tribe persons of the district are mostly seen in this region of valuable forest resources and stone quarries.

There are 02 Sub-divisions (Balasore and Nilgiri), 07 Tahsils ( Balasore, Baliapal, Basta, Jaleswar, Nilgiri, Simulia and Soro), 12 Blocks (Bahanaga, Balasore, Baliapal, Basta, Bhograi, Jaleswar, Khaira, Nilgiri, Oupada, Remuna, Simulia and Soro), 257 Gram Panchayats, and 2971 villages in this district.

History

Balasore district was part of the ancient Kalinga which later became a territory of Toshala or Utkal, which remained so till the death of Mukunda Dev. It was annexed by Moghuls in 1568 and ruled by them until 1750-51. Then the Marahattas occupied this part of Orissa and it became a part of the dominion of the Marahatta Rajas of Nagpur.

The East India Company ceded this part through a treaty called treaty of Deogaon in 1803 and it became a part of Bengal Presidency up to 1912.

The first English Settlement came into existence in Balasore region in 1634 while Sahajahan was the emperor at Delhi. During this period Dutch and Danish settlements were also founded in this region.

Balasore as a separate district was created in October, 1828 while it was in the Bengal Presidency. With the creation of Bihar province, Orissa was diverted along with Balasore district from Bengal to Bihar. But with the creation of Orissa as a separate State on 1st April, 1936 Balasore became an integral part of Orissa State.

With Mahatma Gandhi's visit in 1921, Freedom Movement became stronger. Similarly Praja Andolan was initiated against the ruler of Nilagiri State. The state of Nilagiri merged with state of Orissa in January, 1948 and became a part of Balasore district. On April 3, 1993 Bhadrak Sub-division became a separate district.

The name of the district is derived from the name of the town which in turn derives its name from the Persian word BALA-E-SHORE which means “TOWN IN THE SEA”. The legend ascribes that the district has been named as per the LORD BANESHWAR (LORD SHIVA) of the town, which subsequently changed to Balasore during Mughal Rules.

The copper coins found from Bhograi and the statues of Lord Buddha from places like Avana, Kupari, Basta & Ajodhya indicate the existence of Budhaism in Balasore which was perhaps popular during “ Bhoumakar ”. The statue of Lord Jaina at Jaleswar, Balasore & Avana hints about Jainism at Balasore which was popular in 10th – 11th century. Balasore is highly famous as “ Saibapitha ” .

Vaishnab Dharma was popular from Gupta dynasty. Vishnu temples at different places of Balasore and Khirochora temple ( built during 2nd Narasingha Dev ) highlight this fact.

The pre Independence Political Scenerio of Balasore is highly commendable and people of Balasore had played dynamic role for separate Orissa province and also for freedom movement. “Inchudi Salt Revolution ( Lavana Satyagrah)” and “Srijang Satyagrah ” for non-payment of Revenue Tax are famous in National Scenerio as part of struggle for freedom movement.

People of Balasore had also played dominant role for language revolution in making separate Orissa province. The important news papers “ Bodhadayeenee “ and “Balasore Sambad Bahika ”, by the efforts of Vysa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati had sown the seeds for Oriya language revolution and for development of Oriya literature.The Orissa cultural history will ever remember the contribution of Raja Baikuntha Nath Dev, Vysa Kabi Fakir Mohan and Rai Bahadur Radha Chran Das for their long efforts in making Orissa a separate Province and to magnify Oriya language and literature.

Politics

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008

35 Jaleswar Vidhan Sabha Constituency in Orissa - 1. JALESWAR BLOCK, 2. Natakata, Purusottampur, Kulida, Santoshpur, Raghunathpur, Chormara, Singla, Paunsakulli, Tadada, Putura and Nabara GPs of BASTA BLOCK 3. JALESWAR (NAC).

36 Bhograi Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. BHOGRAI BLOCK.

37 Basta Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. BALIAPAL BLOCK, 2. Mukulishi, Brahmanda, Sadanandapur, Baharda, Rautpada, Mathani, Sahada, Naikudi, Gadapada, Darada and Irda GPs of BASTA BLOCK.

38 Balasore Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Kasipada, Rasulpur, Srirampur, Kasafal, Sartha, Bahabalpur, Chhanua, Haladipada, Olandasaragan, Odangi, Nagaram, Buanl, Sindhia, Gopinathpur, Parikhi, Patrapada, Kuradiha and Srikona GPs of BALASORE BLOCK 2. BALASORE (M).

39 Remuna Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1. REMUNA BLOCK, 2. Ransahi, Gudu, Padmapur, Saragan, Genguti, Sasanga, Rasalpur, Jayadevkasba and Hidigan GPs of BALASORE BLOCK.

40 Nilgiri Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. NILGIRI BLOCK, 2. OUPADA BLOCK, 3. Chakajaganathapur, Kasabajayapur, Khantapada, Panapana and Patharpentha GPs of BAHANAGA BLOCK 4. NILGIRI (NAC).

41 Soro Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1. SORO BLOCK 2. Anji, Aruhabad, Avana, Bahanaga, Baripada, Bishnupur, Chittol, Dandaharipur, Gopalpur, Kalyani, Kharsahapur, Kochiakoili, Kuruda, Sahaspura, Saud and Talakurunia GPs of BAHANAGA BLOCK. 3. SORO (NAC).

42 Simulia Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. KHAIRA BLOCK, 2. SIMULIA BLOCK .

Places of interest
Temple of Mahadev Baneswar, Jhadeswar, Temple of Lakshmi Narayan, Shanti Kanan, Fakir Mohan Smrutipitha, REMUNA, SAJANAGARH, AYODHYA in Orissa, BHUSHANDESWAR, BANESWAR, LANGALESWAR, LAXMANNATH, CHANDANESWAR, TALSARI, MANINAGESWAR, BARDHANPUR, TIPISAGADIA, KUPARI, PANCHALINGESWAR, Chandipur Sea Beach, KASHAPHAL, CHAWMUKH, DAGARA, KHARASAHAPUR BEACH, TALASARI SEA BEACH