History
Odisha (Orissa)
was originally inhabited by the aboriginal tribes, the Buiyas and Gonds.
They confined themselves to the forest and hills when the Dravidian race
settled here. Odisha (Orissa) was known as Kalinga in the early period.
Kalinga
is related with the greatest Mauryan empire ruler Ashoka who on seeing
the horrors of war in his battle with the Kalingan army abandoned warfare
and, embraced Buddhism. In the second century AD Kharavela established
a strong rule . The Guptas dominated over this region in about the 4th
century AD. Till the 10th century Odisha (Orissa) witnessed the rule of the Bhaumakara
dynasty, followed by the Soma dynasty. From the 11th to 12th century.
The Gangas became prominent. The Muslims Sultanate their influence on
Odisha (Orissa) during the 13th and 14th centuries. This continued till 1568. This
was followed by the rule of the Mughals which lasted till the death of
Aurangzeb. After his death the Mughal power which declined bringing in
the influence of the Nawab off Bengal who ruled it till he ceded
this territory over Odisha (Orissa) began in about 1803 AD when the Marathas were
suppressed by the diplomatic treaty's of the East India Company.
It was only in 1949 that the state of Odisha (Orissa) attained its present status.
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