Paralakhemundi Estate

The zamindars were a branch of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty that survived as the rulers of the Paralakhemundi estate, currently part of the Gajapati district, Odisha.

History

The Khemundi kingdom was established by a branch of the Eastern Gangas before the reign of the Suryavamsa Gajapatis, who had ruled the Kalinga region with the dynasty chiefs calling themselves as Chandravamshis. This is traced to the foundation of the Khemundi kingdom by Narashingha Deba, a son of the Eastern Ganga monarch Bhanudeva II during the early 14th century. His descendants would inherit the Khemundi territory while the main Imperial Eastern Ganga line would end after being overthrown by the Suryavamshi Gajapati Empire. During the 16th cen, the Raja of Parlakhemundi, Subarnalinga Bhanu Deba granted parts of the Khimedi areas to his son Ananga Kesari Ramachandra Deba, whose son Chodanga Deba in turn divided the zamindari among his sons, splitting into two branches- Pedda Khimedi (Badakhemundi) and Chinna Khimedi (Sanakhemundi) in 1608. Two scions of the Bodokhemundi family were also instrumental in the foundation of the princely state of Hindol in 1554.

Parlakhemundi came under British influence in 1768. The Paralakhemundi zamindari state has played much of an important role in assembling the Odia speaking parts, propagating modern education system, building state infrastructures etc. A a large part of the estate now lies in Andhra Pradesh, even though the Gangas were based in Odisha.

The last king of Paralakhemundi, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, played a key role in the Odisha state movement and is regarded as one of the architects of an independent united Odisha State and also went on to become the first Prime Minister of Orissa Province formed in 1936. The present-day Gajapati district of Odisha which was earlier a part of the historic Ganjam district was named after him.