The New Indian Express, Jan 18, 2008
KALAHANDI is rich in cultural heritage and has been recognised as a museum of art & culture right from the dawn of history.
‘Kalahandi’ which means the container of art has a rich legacy - arts, culture, architecture, literature, song, dance, drama and blessed by the beauty of nature.
Kalahandi had Multi-coloured identities in different historical eras. It was known as ‘Atavi’ (4th- 3rd Century BC), ‘Mahavana’, ‘Mahakantara’ during 2nd & 5th century A.D., ‘Kamalamandala’ (12th-13th AD) and Karund in the medieval period. The region was prosperous as is revealed in Kautilya’s Arthasastra.
Indravana which has been recently identified to be between river Tel & Indravati was rich in valuable diamond and gemstones. It was also part of Trikalinga. Different kings had assumed epithet Trikalingadhipati.
During 1st & 4th century A.D. it was known as the abode of Vidyadharas and formed a part of Mahavana and Mahakantara as per Nagarjuna Kanda inscription of 1st & 2nd century AD.
Kalahandi region was under the rule of Raja Tustikara during 4th century AD as is revealed from Teresingha and Pipalpadar copper plates. The latest ruling family of Naga dynasty were designated as Karundadhipati. The word ‘Karund’ derives from Sanskrit word ‘kurundum’ which is the base of gemstones ruby, saphire & Emerald.
The name of the principal deity Manikeswari is believed to have been originated from ‘manikya’ (ruby) abundant in Kalahandi. Around 14th century AD the rule was shifted from Gangas to the Nagas with Junagarh as their capital.
The capital was shifted to Bundeseer (Bhawanipatna) during the reign of Fatenarayan Deo in 1850. In all, 31 Naga kings ruled Kalahandi till independence, the last being Pratap Keshari Deo.
Kalahandi witnessed armed struggle of kondhs led by martyr Rindo Majhi against the British during 1853-1855.
Maharaja Brajamohan Deo, during his 1917-1942 reign, boosted education, health, railways, electrification, water supply and modern agriculture.
Orissa merged with Indian Republic on January 1, 1948 during the reign of Maharaja PK Deo. During his time, the Indravati multipurpose hydro-electricity project was conceived.
A glimpse of human activities in the pre-historic cave painting coupled with paleolithic-mesolithic stone tools of hunter gatherers speaks volumes about evolution of human life here.
Pictographic painting at Gudhandi caves and petroglathy art found in Penjorani are the prehistoric crown of Kalahandi.
Protohistoric Kalahandi to which belongs chalcolithic / stone-metal culture is recognised at Budhigarh, Urlukupagarh, Chandrasagar Nalla, Jamgudapadar, Kholigarh & Terasingha etc.
Menhir & stone circles of megalithic iron age relics are observed at Bhairabpadia of Junagarh, Rupangudi of Dadpur, Sagada, Beleikini, Themra etc.
The legacy & heritage can be traced from paleolithic era till medieval period. Many dynasties like Saravapuria, Soma, Chindakanaga, Kalachuri, Ganga & Naga ruled over the region as is evident from ruins scattered throughout.
The early urban centres like Asurgarh, Budhigarh, Bajragarh, Belkhandi, Teresingha, Urlukupagarh are some of the important centres of early urban civilisation.
A highly urban civilisation is believed to have developed around Asurgarh & Budhigarh.
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