Sambalpur

Sambalpur is a district in the State of Orissa in India. The district lies between 20° 40’ N and 22° 11’ N latitude, 82° 39’ E and 85° 15’ E longitude with a toal area of 6,702 Sq Km. The district is surrounded by Deogarh district in the east, Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts in the west, Sundergarh district in the north and Subarnpur and Angul districts in the South.

The district derives its name from its headquarter town of the same name. According to Mr. L.S.S.O. Maller, the town in turn derived its name from the presiding goddess Samalai, whose stone image was discovered by Balaram Dev, the first Chowhan king of Sambalpur.

The population of the district as per census 2001 was 935613.

There are three subdivisions, 9 development blocks (Sambalpur, Rengali, Maneswar, Jujumura, Bamra, Jamankira, Kuchinda, Naktideul & Rairakhol), 9 tahsils, and 148 gram panchayats in the district.

History

History of Sambalpur is traced back to 4th century.

History has to say that Samudragupta in the 4th century, defeated King Mahendra of Koshala, the kingdom that included Sambalpur. During the 5th and 6th centuries Sambalpur came under the rule of Sarbhapuriyas. Towards the 7th century it passed in to the hands of Panduvansi king Trivaradeva. Towards the close of 9th century king Janmajaya I Mahabhavagupta extended his empire which comprised the modern districts of Sambalpur and Bolangir. Hence forward, his dynasty came to be known as the Samavansi dynasty. During the last part of the Samavansi rule, Sambalpur was occupied by the Kalachuris of Ratnapua. The 13th century saw a bitter fight between the Kalachuris and the Gandas. Later on, the Gandas occupied Sambalpur.

During the middle of the 14th century Ramai Dev laid the foundation of the Chauhan rule in Western Orissa. However, the Chowhan rule came to a close in april,1800, when Sambalpur was occupied by the Marathas.

Sambalpur was occupied by the British on 2nd January, 1804.

The erstwhile Sambalpur District was divided into four districts namely Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Deogarh in 1993.

Politics

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

15 Kuchinda Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 1. BAMARA BLOCK, 2. KUCHINDA BLOCK, 3. KUCHINDA (NAC) 4. JAMANKIRA BLOCK.

16 Rengali Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1. RENGALI BLOCK 2. DHANKAUDA BLOCK 3. Gunderpur, Batemura, Bhikampur, Maneswar, Mathpali, Nuatihura, Parmanpur, Sindurpank, Tabala and Themra GPs of MANESWAR BLOCK.

17. Sambalpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. SAMBALPUR (M) 2. HIRAKUD (NAC) 3. BURLA (NAC).

18 Rairakhol Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. JUJOMURA BLOCK 2. RAIRAKHOL BLOCK 3. NAKTIDEUL BLOCK 4. RAIRAKHOL (NAC) 5. Deogaon, Dakara, Dhama, Huma, Bargaon, Sahaspur and Baduapali GPs of MANESWAR BLOCK

Places of interest
Sambalpur town, Hirakud Dam, Cattle Island, Huma, Ghanteshwari, Chiplima, Ushakothi, Kandhara, Hatibari,