Kandhamal
Kandhamal is a district in the State of Orissa in India. It is located at 19°34' & 20°36' north latitude and 83°34' & 84°34' east longitude with an area of 7649 sq km.The district derives its name from its inhabitant Kondh tribes who live in 'Mal' (in local language means hilly region) forming the word 'Kondhmal' which later became Kandhamal.
Population of the district as per census 2001 was 6,48,201.
It has 2 sub-divisions , 12 CDB, 2 ULB, 153 GPs and 2515 villages.
More than 50% of population constitute ST community of aboriginal tribal races, mostly Kondh Tribals with hilly landscape.
History
The KANDHAMAL in the present state constituted w.e.f 1st Jannuary 1994 after re-organisation of districts in Orissa.The history of Kandhamal district may be traced back to the 3rd Century BC. It finds mention as an unconquered Atavika country fields in the Kalinga Rock Edicts of the legendary Mauryan Emperor, Ashok.
Some historians are of the view that Mahakantar subdued by the Gupta Emperor, Samudragupta, in the 4th century, during his Dakshinapatha Campaign, included Kandhamal area and he led his victorious army to the south from Kosala and Kural through this district.
The present Kandhamal district is made up with some segments of three erstwhile principalities of Boudh, Ghumsar and Khemundi , reigned by the Bhanjas and the Gangas from ancient times. Their reign came to an end when the British came to this region in the nineteenth century .
Ganjam came under the Britishers in 1765. The Bhanjas could not put up with their interference and aggressive attitude from the very beginning and they raised the banner of revolt frequently against the British. The Kandhas and the Paikas forming the Ghumasar army waged relentless wars under the able leadership of Dohara Bissoyi from 1815 to 1835.
Deposing Dhananjay Bhanja for his habitual recalcitrance the British occupied Ghumusar on November 3, 1835.
British captured this area in phases from 1830 to 1880 by subjugating some hill chiefs, who were the proteges of the Gangas.
Kandhamal remained a Tahasil from 1855 to 1891 and it was adminstered by a Tahasildar under the direct control and supervision of the superintendent of the Tributary mahals of Cuttack. In 1891, it was upgraded to sub-division and tagged with Anugul district. When the new provience of Orissa was formed in 1936, and Ganjam was merged with Orisaa, from the Madras presidency, Kandhamal became a sub-division of Ganjam. In the wake of the amalgamation of the princely states with Orissa in January 1948, Boudh and Kandhamal constituted the new district of Boudh-Kandhamal, with its headquarters at Phulbani. Balliguda sub-division was added to Boudh-Kandhamal district on 1.1.1949. With the secession of Boudh from Phulbani district as a separate district only Balliguda and Kandhamal sub-divisions remained with Phulbani district, which was later rechristened as Kandhamal in June,1994.
Politics
Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 200882 Baliguda Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 1. BALIGUDA BLOCK, 2. K.NUAGAM BLOCK, 3. KOTAGARH BLOCK, 4. TUMUDIBANDH BLOCK.
83 G Udayagiri Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 1. RAIKIA BLOCK, 2. DARINGBADI BLOCK, 3. G. UDAYAGIRI BLOCK, 4. G.UDAYAGIRI (NAC) 5. TIKABALI BLOCK.
84 Phulbani Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 1. CHAKAPADA BLOCK, 2. PHULBANI BLOCK, 3. PHULBANI (NAC), 4. KHAJURIPADA BLOCK 5. PHIRINGIA BLOCK.
Places of interest
Phulbani, Putudi Water Fall, Balaskumpa, Chakapad, Daringbadi, Belghar, Katramala, Pakadadarah, Kalinga, Ludu Water Fall