Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal is a district in the State of Orissa in India. It lies between 85°58' E to 86°2' E longitude and between 20°29' N 21°11' N latitude. It has a total area of 4452 Sq Km with population 10,87,973 as per census 2001. The District touches the boundary of Keonjhar in the North, Jajpur in the East, Cuttack in the South and Angul in the West.

There are 3 Subdivisions, 8 Tahsils, 8 CD Blocks, 199 Gram Panchayats and 1215 villages (Inhabited - 1076 and Un-inihabited 139).

Most part of this district are covered with dense forest and a long range of hills. Therefore this district is called as the "Home of elephants and tigers for the country".

This District contains a centre of religions movement called " Mahima Dharma " since last 100 years or more and spread over through out the Indian Union.

History

The district owes its name to a Savara chief called Dhenka who formerly ruled over in this tract.

The district has a pre-historic habitation. However, the pre-historic facts are shrouded in oblivion. The Nasik Rock inscription shows that during 2nd century, Dhenkanal was a part of the Sattabahana empire. In the 3rd & 4th century, it was a part of the Gupta empire. In the 6th & 7th century the region remained under the sway of the Bhauma Karas. The Sulki dynasty ruled over some part of Dhenkanal in 8th & 9th century.

The somavansis ruled over the part of this region. After them the Ganga vansis occupied the area and drove away the Stamvas from the western part of the district.

When the Suryavansis emerged in the political field of Orissa, by that time Dhenkanal was scattered in many a smaller kingdoms. The ancient capital Karamul was spread only in 7 kosas (14 miles) in radius.

By 16th century , a tribal chief namely ‘Dhenka’ was ruling over Ghumuranali, Dudianali & Kantanali. He was a shabara and was ferocious. However, Sridhar Bhanja of Besalia defeated and killed him in a battle. His kingdom was annexed. He named the kingdom “Dhenkanal” after the shabara chief ‘Dhenka’. Subsequently, Hari Singh Vidyadhar who was a commander of Gajapati Pratprudra Deva defeated the Bhanja kings and occupied Dhenkanal and Karamul, its capital in 1529 AD. The capital was then shifted from Karamul to Dhenkapidha and the kingdom was named Dhenkanal. Geneologically the following kings ruled over Dhenkanal.

· Hari Singh Vidyadhar – 1530-1594 AD
· Loknath Ray Singh Bharamarbar- 1594-1615 AD
· Balabhadra Ray Singh – 1615-1641 AD
· Nilakantha Ray Singh- 1641-1682 AD
· Nrusingha Bhramarbar- 1682-1708 AD
· KunjaBehari Bhramarbar – 1708-1728 AD
· BrajaBehari Bhramarbar- 1728-1741 AD
· Damoodar Bhramarbar-1741-1743 AD
· Trilochan Singh-1743-1785 AD
· Dayanidhi Mohindra Bahadur - 1785-1796 AD
· Ramachandra Mohindra Bahadur - 1796- 1807 AD
· Krushna Chandra Mohindra Bahadur-1807-1822 AD
· Shyamchandra Mohindra Bahadur – 1822-1830 AD
· Bhagiratha Mohindra Bahadur – 1830- 1873 AD
· Pitambar Deo-1873- 1877 AD
· Dinabandhu Mohindra Bahadur-1877-1885 AD
· Surya PratapMohindra Bahadur(Minor)- 1885-1905 AD
· Surya Pratap Mohindra Bahadur- 1905-1918 AD
· Shankar Pratap Mohidra Bahadur-1918-1947 AD

These 18 kings ruled over Dhenkanal & brought about so many administrative,political,socio-economic and cultural evolutions of the district.In 1947 when the Country gained freedom,the princely State of Dhenkanal merged in the Indian Union.

Politics

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

55 Dhenkanal Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. GONDIA BLOCK 2. Baladiabandha, Baliamba, Beltikiri, Bhaliabolkateni, Bhapur, Chandrasekhar Prasad, Dhirapatana, Gobindpur, Kaimati, Kakudibhag, Kankadahad, Kankadpal, Madhusahupatna, Mangalpur, Manipur, Nadiali, Nagiapasi, Sankarpur, Saptasajya and Talabarkote GPs of DHENKANAL BLOCK 3. DHENKANAL (M).

56 Hindol Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1. ODAPADA BLOCK 2. HINDOL BLOCK.

57 Kamakhyanagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Barada, Gengutia, Sankulei, Tarva, Chaulia, Sogarpasi and Bansingh GPs of DHENKANAL BLOCK 2. Badasuanlo, Jagannathpur, Bhairapur, Baruan(K), Baunspal, Kanapura, Baisinga, Baligorad, Mahulapal, Kadua, Rainarasinghpur, Sogar, Budhibilli, Bankual and Kotagara GPs of KAMAKHYANAGAR BLOCK 3. BHUBAN BLOCK 4. BHUBAN (NAC) 5. KAMAKHYANAGAR (NAC).

58 Parjanga Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. KANKADAHADA BLOCK 2. Kusumajodi, Kantapal, Tumusinga, Kantiokateni and Kantioputasahi GPs. of KAMAKHAYANAGR BLOCK 3. PARJANGA BLOCK

Places of interest
Dhenkanal Town, Kapilash Hill, Joranda, Saptasajya, Kualo, Ladagada, Saranga, Dandadhar, Ganesh Khol, Jeevan Khol, Nagena, Radhadeipur, Paschimeswar, Bhuban, Balunkeswar, Sadeibereni, Sindura Mundi, Sapua Badjore, Ramial, Bhimanagari garh, Ramchandi at Nadhara, Daudeswar