Bargarh
Encyclopedia
Bargarh, is a town and a municipality
in Bargarh district
in the state of Orissa
, India
. It is the administrative headquarters of Bargarh District
.
with Eastern Ghats
running close to the town. As per the earthquake zoning of India, Bargarh falls in the zone 2 category, the least earthquake prone zone.
Buddhism played a significant role in defining the lifestyle of the people for a short period of time. Some ancient buddhist monasteries and sculptures can be seen along a belt starting from Bijepur block (Ganiapali) to the Paikamal block (Nrusinghanath), which has a clear mention in Huen-Tsang's literature as Po-Li-Mo-Lo-Ki-Li (Parimalagiri) (Pasayat,2007, 2008).
The legendary hero Veer Surendra Sai led his war against the British from Debrigarh, which is a peak on the Barapahad Range. His fight against the British Raj particularly after the First War of Independence in 1857 was remarkable in the history of freedom struggle in India (Pasayat and Singh, 2009; Panda and Pasayat, 2009). Debrigarh today is a tiger sanctuary. Barabakhra (12 caves) used to be a secret meeting place during this period.
Bargarh was a subdivision of old Sambalpur district until April 1992, when the then chief minister Mr. Biju Patnaik
declared it as the headquarter of the newly formed district by the same name.
, Bargarh had a population of 63,651. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bargarh has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Other than the native Sambalpuri speaking people who forms the majority, the town has a significant Marwari
community who have migrated and settled down. Within the Sambalpuri speaking population, the major communities are Kuilta
s, Dumal
s, Agharia
s, Bhulias/Mehers (the weavers), Brahmins etc. Kuiltas and Dumals are presumed to be an offshoot of the original Chasa(agrarian) community and is synonymous with the Khandayat
s of the coastal region. This is evident by the striking similarity of rituals and the gods they pray. Bhulias were migrated to and settled in this region by some rulers, but the exact time period is controversial. Agharias were migrated from the mughal empire of Agra for establishing a cultivator community during war when Kuiltas were assigned the duty of part time Kshatriyas.
Mother tongue of the people of Bargarh region is Sambalpuri
. Hindi is treated as the second language for communication. People speak Hindi more fluently and correctly than Oriya. English is used for official purposes and for higher education. Being a part of Orissa, Oriya is used as medium of education in most of the schools.
which attracts lot of tourists. Dhanu Jatra,celebrated every winter, is an open stage dramatization of Krishna Leela with virtually the whole town as a stage. Spanning over a period of 10 days and a radius of 5 km, with the universal theme of ‘triumph of good over evil’, it depicts the mythological story of Krishna
starting from marriage of his parents till the death of Kansa
, the evil king. For this whole period, the town turns into the mythological city of Mathura with Kansa (played by a theater artist) ‘ruling’ over it. The natives of the town claim this festival to be the world largest open stage play.
Nrusinghanath Jatra is another major festival of the district, celebrated in the religious site of Nrusinghanath where Lord Vishnu is worhipped in the form of Marjarakesari. Nrusinghanath is also a historical site which attests the religious synthesis of tribal people and non-tribal people; and among Saivism, Vaishnavism, Tantrism and Buddhism(Pasayat,2005:12-25).
Niranjanananda Yoga Sansthan, a yoga ashram associated with the yoga teaching institution Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, was established in the town in 2010. It conducts daily yoga sessions in mornings along with evening programs of chanting and meditation.
One will find garments for quite reasonable price in Bargarh market. Bargarh is the birthplace of sambalpuri clothes, which is famous worldwide. Chaulbara (rice pakoda) is a delicious dish, available only in Bargarh. On roadsides, yummy chat, panipuri, samosa is always available.
factory along with a sugar
mill and a thread
mill in the town to provide further boost to the economy. A part of the district is well irrigated with a network of canals originating from river Mahanadi
, ensuring a good crop. The daily vegetable market of Painchhatar is claimed to be the largest vegetable origin wholesale market in the state. Attabira block is known as the rice bowl of Orissa because of its exemplary paddy production. Production of Paddy in the district of Bargarh is about 6,00,000.00 MT per annum which is the largest in Orissa. Multiple rice mills are scattered over the district to support the paddy production.
Bargarh is also called a business hub of western Orissa. "SAMBALPURI SAREES" originated from Bargarh district itself. Ikkat Hand wooven sarees and other Sambalpuri clothes are made in Bargarh district.
of INC
is the newly elected MP from Bargarh Loksabha. Sadhu Nepak is MLA from Bargarh assembly .
Previous MLA from Bargarh Assembly Constituency is Ananda Acharya of BJD
, who won the seat in State elections of 2004. He also won as BJD candidate in 2000. Prasanna Acharya of JD
won this seat in 1995 and in 1990. Jadumani Pradhan of INC
had won in 1985, and also as INC(I) candidate in 1980. Nabin Kumar Pradhan of JNP
was MLA from this seat in 1977.
Bargarh was a part of Sambalpur (Lok Sabha constituency)
.
But after the delimination exercise in 2009, Bargarh is a lok sabha constituency and Sanjay Bhoi is the newly elected MP from Bargarh Loksabha. Sadhu Nepak is MLA from Bargarh assembly .
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in Bargarh district
Bargarh District
Bargarh District ', is an administrative district of Orissa state in eastern India. The city of Bargarh is its district headquarters. The district was carved out of the erstwhile district of Sambalpur in 1993.- Geography :...
in the state of Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is the administrative headquarters of Bargarh District
Bargarh District
Bargarh District ', is an administrative district of Orissa state in eastern India. The city of Bargarh is its district headquarters. The district was carved out of the erstwhile district of Sambalpur in 1993.- Geography :...
.
Geography
Bargarh is located in western Orissa, close to the border of neighboring state of Chattisgarh. It is positioned at 21.33°N 83.62°E with an average elevation of 171 meter (561 feet). The whole of Bargarh district lies in the Deccan plateauDeccan Plateau
The Deccan Plateau is a large plateau in India, making up the majority of the southern part of the country. It rises a hundred meters high in the north, rising further to more than a kilometers high in the south, forming a raised triangle nested within the familiar downward-pointing triangle of...
with Eastern Ghats
Eastern Ghats
The Eastern Ghats or Eastern Ghauts are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. The Eastern Ghats run from West Bengal state in the north, through Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka. They are eroded and cut through by the...
running close to the town. As per the earthquake zoning of India, Bargarh falls in the zone 2 category, the least earthquake prone zone.
History
Bargarh is one of the many forts built by the Chouhan dynasty. Although no clear data is available about the settlement, the old fort walls can be traced near the 'Jira' river towards the plains of Ambapali. Unconfirmed literature claims that the name Bargarh has been derived from Balaramgarh, other sources claim that the name is so because Bargarh was the best of the cluster of forts (Garhs). The other subdivision of the district, Padampur has a feudal history with a tribal leader.Buddhism played a significant role in defining the lifestyle of the people for a short period of time. Some ancient buddhist monasteries and sculptures can be seen along a belt starting from Bijepur block (Ganiapali) to the Paikamal block (Nrusinghanath), which has a clear mention in Huen-Tsang's literature as Po-Li-Mo-Lo-Ki-Li (Parimalagiri) (Pasayat,2007, 2008).
The legendary hero Veer Surendra Sai led his war against the British from Debrigarh, which is a peak on the Barapahad Range. His fight against the British Raj particularly after the First War of Independence in 1857 was remarkable in the history of freedom struggle in India (Pasayat and Singh, 2009; Panda and Pasayat, 2009). Debrigarh today is a tiger sanctuary. Barabakhra (12 caves) used to be a secret meeting place during this period.
Bargarh was a subdivision of old Sambalpur district until April 1992, when the then chief minister Mr. Biju Patnaik
Biju Patnaik
Biju Patnaik was an Indian politician. Also known as Biju Babu.Son of Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik, Bijayananda Patnaik was born in Cuttack, Orissa on March 5, 1916..-Role in Indonesian freedom struggle:Biju...
declared it as the headquarter of the newly formed district by the same name.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Bargarh had a population of 63,651. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bargarh has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Other than the native Sambalpuri speaking people who forms the majority, the town has a significant Marwari
Marwaris
Marwari or Marwadi or Rajasthani people are Indian ethnic group, that inhabit the Rajasthan region of India. Their language Rajasthani is a part of the western group of Indo-Aryan languages....
community who have migrated and settled down. Within the Sambalpuri speaking population, the major communities are Kuilta
Kuilta
Kuiltas are an important caste of the Western Orissa region of India. Kuilta is synonymous with Kulta and Kulata.- History of Kuilta Caste :...
s, Dumal
Dumal
Dumal caste is one of the dominant caste in Western Orissa. It spreads from Boudh to Balangir, Sonepur, Bargarh, Sambalpur and Debgarh district....
s, Agharia
Agharia
Agharia is a caste, belonging to the [Sambalpur district], Balangir and Sundergarh districts in Orissa state and Raigarh district, Saraipali, Basna and near places in Raipur and Mahasamund district in Chhattisgarh state in India. They claim to be of the Kshatriya varna in Hinduism.According to...
s, Bhulias/Mehers (the weavers), Brahmins etc. Kuiltas and Dumals are presumed to be an offshoot of the original Chasa(agrarian) community and is synonymous with the Khandayat
Khandayat
With pass of time education became prominent part of life and those educated people depicted kshytriyas next to them in literature and books. After Muslim invasion of India Kshyatrias lost their power and dominance and mostly concentrated in cultivation to survive...
s of the coastal region. This is evident by the striking similarity of rituals and the gods they pray. Bhulias were migrated to and settled in this region by some rulers, but the exact time period is controversial. Agharias were migrated from the mughal empire of Agra for establishing a cultivator community during war when Kuiltas were assigned the duty of part time Kshatriyas.
Mother tongue of the people of Bargarh region is Sambalpuri
Sambalpuri language
Sambalpuri or Kosli is an Indo-Aryan language. It is mainly spoken in Western Orissa and north central part of Orissa. It was considered to be a dialect of Oriya language, but owing to its distinct grammar, pronunciations and vocabulary, it has achieved the status of a distinct language...
. Hindi is treated as the second language for communication. People speak Hindi more fluently and correctly than Oriya. English is used for official purposes and for higher education. Being a part of Orissa, Oriya is used as medium of education in most of the schools.
Culture
Bargarh is known for the annual festival, Dhanu JatraDhanu Jatra
Dhanu Jatra or Dhanu Yatra is a famous festival celebrated in Bargarh of Koshal region or Western Orissa. It is about the episode of Krishna and Balaram's visit to Mathura to witness the ceremony of 'Bow' organised by their mama Kansa or Kamsa.-External links:...
which attracts lot of tourists. Dhanu Jatra,celebrated every winter, is an open stage dramatization of Krishna Leela with virtually the whole town as a stage. Spanning over a period of 10 days and a radius of 5 km, with the universal theme of ‘triumph of good over evil’, it depicts the mythological story of Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
starting from marriage of his parents till the death of Kansa
Kamsa
In Hinduism, Kamsa or Kansa , often known as Kans in Hindi, is the brother of Devaki, and ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. His father was King Ugrasena and mother was Queen Padmavati...
, the evil king. For this whole period, the town turns into the mythological city of Mathura with Kansa (played by a theater artist) ‘ruling’ over it. The natives of the town claim this festival to be the world largest open stage play.
Nrusinghanath Jatra is another major festival of the district, celebrated in the religious site of Nrusinghanath where Lord Vishnu is worhipped in the form of Marjarakesari. Nrusinghanath is also a historical site which attests the religious synthesis of tribal people and non-tribal people; and among Saivism, Vaishnavism, Tantrism and Buddhism(Pasayat,2005:12-25).
Niranjanananda Yoga Sansthan, a yoga ashram associated with the yoga teaching institution Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, was established in the town in 2010. It conducts daily yoga sessions in mornings along with evening programs of chanting and meditation.
Shopping
Bargarh has many shopping places in town. Beauty Collection is famous for its retail garment section. Weekly market on Fridays witnesses a large number of people for shopping . Piplanis is famous for sweets and namkeens.One will find garments for quite reasonable price in Bargarh market. Bargarh is the birthplace of sambalpuri clothes, which is famous worldwide. Chaulbara (rice pakoda) is a delicious dish, available only in Bargarh. On roadsides, yummy chat, panipuri, samosa is always available.
Economics
The economy of Bargarh is largely dependent on agricultural products. There is also a cementCement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
factory along with a sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
mill and a thread
Yarn
Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and ropemaking. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with wax or...
mill in the town to provide further boost to the economy. A part of the district is well irrigated with a network of canals originating from river Mahanadi
Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
, ensuring a good crop. The daily vegetable market of Painchhatar is claimed to be the largest vegetable origin wholesale market in the state. Attabira block is known as the rice bowl of Orissa because of its exemplary paddy production. Production of Paddy in the district of Bargarh is about 6,00,000.00 MT per annum which is the largest in Orissa. Multiple rice mills are scattered over the district to support the paddy production.
Bargarh is also called a business hub of western Orissa. "SAMBALPURI SAREES" originated from Bargarh district itself. Ikkat Hand wooven sarees and other Sambalpuri clothes are made in Bargarh district.
Politics
Sanjay BhoiSanjay Bhoi
Sanjay Bhoi is an Indian politician from Bargarh. He is a MP from the Bargarh, Orissa, Lok Sabha constituency for Indian National Congress.- Early life and education :...
of INC
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
is the newly elected MP from Bargarh Loksabha. Sadhu Nepak is MLA from Bargarh assembly .
Previous MLA from Bargarh Assembly Constituency is Ananda Acharya of BJD
Biju Janata Dal
The Biju Janata Dal is a state political party of the Indian state of Orissa led by Naveen Patnaik, son of former state chief minister Biju Patnaik. It was founded on 27 December 1997.-History:...
, who won the seat in State elections of 2004. He also won as BJD candidate in 2000. Prasanna Acharya of JD
Janata Dal
Janata Dal is an Indian political party which was formed through the merger of Janata Party factions, the Lok Dal, Congress, and the Jan Morcha led by V. P...
won this seat in 1995 and in 1990. Jadumani Pradhan of INC
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
had won in 1985, and also as INC(I) candidate in 1980. Nabin Kumar Pradhan of JNP
Janata Party
The Janata Party was an amalgam of Indian political parties opposed to the state of emergency imposed by the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Indian National Congress...
was MLA from this seat in 1977.
Bargarh was a part of Sambalpur (Lok Sabha constituency)
Sambalpur (Lok Sabha constituency)
Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Orissa state in eastern India. This constituency covers the whole Sambalpur district and parts of Deogarh and Angul districts.-Assembly segments:...
.
But after the delimination exercise in 2009, Bargarh is a lok sabha constituency and Sanjay Bhoi is the newly elected MP from Bargarh Loksabha. Sadhu Nepak is MLA from Bargarh assembly .
See also
| Sambalpuri Language Sambalpuri language Sambalpuri or Kosli is an Indo-Aryan language. It is mainly spoken in Western Orissa and north central part of Orissa. It was considered to be a dialect of Oriya language, but owing to its distinct grammar, pronunciations and vocabulary, it has achieved the status of a distinct language... | Sambalpuri Saree Sambalpuri Saree Sambalpuri Saree , is a traditional handwoven Ikkat sari or saree wherein the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving. It is produced in the Bargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur and nearby districts of Orissa... | Sambalpuri Cinema Sambalpuri Cinema -Introduction:The first ever Sambalpuri movie released was Bhukha or Bhuka. It was released in the year 1989 and was directed by Sabyasachi Mohapatra. It was also the first film from Orissa to get an International Jury Award at the Gijon International Film Festival. The second film in Sambalpuri... | Bhukha Bhukha Bhukha or Bhookha is a 1989 Kosli language film directed by Sabyasachi Mohapatra. The movie was produced by Sabyasachi Mohapatra under the banner of Kumar Productions and had music by Ramesh Kumar Mahananda.This movie is based on the Sambalpuri play Bhukha written by Manglu charan Biswal... | Nuakhai Nuakhai Nuakhai or Nuankhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Orissa in India. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Orissa | Western Orissa Development Council | Farmers' suicide in Western Orissa | Veer Surendra Sai | Gangadhar Meher Gangadhar Meher Gangadhar Meher , renowned Oriya poet of 19th century also known as Swabhab Kavi,was a literary Midas, who transformed everything into gold by the alchemic touch of his genius. He was a born poet of delicate charm. His was a clean white style. His poem Bhakti bears eloquent testimony to the change... |
| Maa Samaleswari | Samaleswari Temple Samaleswari Temple Samaleswari Temple is a Hindu temple in Sambalpur, Western Orissa, India dedicated to the goddess known as Maa, also known among the natives as samalei maa, meaning Mother Samaleswari. Shree Shree Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, is a strong religious force in western part of Orissa... |
Nrusinghanath Temple Nrusinghanath Temple Sri Nrusinghanath Temple , is situated in the slope of Gandhamardhan hills in the district of Baragarh, Orissa.-Mythology:You may visit '... |
Gandhamardhan hills Gandhamardhan hills Gandhamardan Hills or Gandhamardan parbat is a hill located in between Balangir and Bargarh district of Western Orissa. This hill is well known for medicinal plants. Moreover, this hill also has a lot of historic importance as it was once a seat of Buddhist culture. Till to date many ruins found on... |
Hirakud Dam Hirakud Dam Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Orissa in India. Built in 1957, the dam is one of the world's longest earthen dam.... |