1. Introduction: Dual Nature of Nationalism
The nationalist movement in Odisha developed in two distinct ways: first, through the movement for the merger of all Odia-speaking regions, and secondly, by integrating with the mainstream national movement against the British Raj . The history of the movement is generally divided into two periods: the early phase from the establishment of the INC (1885) to 1920, and the Gandhian period from 1920 to 1947 .
2. Early Phase (1885–1905): The Era of Associations
During the late 19th century, political awareness was limited to the elite class . Several organizations were formed to disseminate political ideas:
- National Society at Balasore.
- Utkal Sabha (Odisha Association) at Cuttack.
- Utkal Hitaisini Samaj at Paralakhimedi .
Madhusudan Das was a pioneer in spreading Congress ideas in Odisha . Delegates like Gouri Shankar Roy and Raja Baikunthanath attended early INC sessions . However, these early leaders were moderate in outlook and could not effectively raise Odisha's specific problems in the national forum due to the dominance of Bengali leaders . Consequently, Madhusudan Das formed the Utkal Union Conference in 1903 to focus on regional identity .
3. Impact of the Swadeshi Movement (1905–1907)
The Partition of Bengal (1905) triggered the Swadeshi spirit in Odisha. Madhusudan Das gave a clarion call at the Cuttack Municipal Hall to boycott foreign goods like Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt .
- Bonfire of foreign clothes was organized at Puri .
- Revival of indigenous textiles like Berhampuri pata and Maniabandha sari occurred .
- Madhusudan Das established the Utkal Tannery and Art Ware as part of the Swadeshi enterprise .
4. The Satyabadi Era and Rise of Gopabandhu Das
Following the Surat Split (1907), a new group of nationalists emerged under Gopabandhu Das, who was an ultra-nationalist .
- Satyabadi Vana Vidyalaya: Established in 1909 at Sakhigopal, modeled on the Deccan Education Society. It produced leaders like Pandit Nilakantha Das and Acharya Harihar Das who led the freedom struggle .
- Revolutionary Activities: Bengal revolutionaries like Bagha Jatin used Balasore and Kaptipada as bases. Odia youth like Atal Bihari Acharya were arrested for connections with these activities .
5. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
This phase marked the merger of the regional Odia movement with the national Congress movement.
Organizational Changes
At the Nagpur Session (1920), the Congress decided to form Provincial Committees on a linguistic basis, leading to the creation of the Utkal Provincial Congress Committee (UPCC) with Gopabandhu Das as President , . Crucially, at the Chakradharpur session of the Utkal Union Conference, Gopabandhu passed a resolution to accept the objectives of the Indian National Congress, despite some dissent .
Gandhi's Visit and Mass Participation
Mahatma Gandhi visited Odisha in March 1921, addressing huge gatherings at Cuttack and Puri , .
- Student Participation: Leaders like H.K. Mahatab, Nityanand Kanungo, and Nabakrushna Choudhury left their studies to join the movement .
- Institutions: Swaraj Ashram (Cuttack) and Alaka Ashram (Jagatsinghpur) were established for training volunteers . The Samaj newspaper played a vital role in spreading nationalist ideas .
- Kanika Revolt (1922): A peasant revolt against the Raja of Kanika's oppression became linked to the Non-Cooperation movement. Leaders like Gopabandhu Das and Bhagirathi Mahapatra were arrested for trying to hold meetings there , .
6. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)
The Salt Satyagraha in Odisha was highly successful and considered second only to the Dandi March .
The Inchudi March
On 6 April 1930, Satyagrahis led by Gopabandhu Choudhury and Acharya Harihar marched from Cuttack to Inchudi in Balasore . Contraband salt was manufactured on 14 April 1930 .
Spread and Women's Role
- Women Leaders: Ramadevi and Malati Devi led women in the Salt Satyagraha at Inchudi . Rani Bhagyabati Devi led 500 women at Kujang .
- Other Centers: Salt was manufactured at Sartha (Balasore), Huma (Ganjam), and Astaranga (Puri) .
- Constructive Work: The movement included picketing of excise shops, boycott of foreign cloth, and refusal to pay Chowkidari tax .
7. Individual Civil Disobedience (1940)
Following the Ramgarh Session (1940), the UPCC organized the Individual Civil Disobedience movement. H.K. Mahtab was appointed the general director. He courted arrest by delivering an anti-war speech at Remuna on 1st December 1940 . Other prominent leaders like Sarala Devi and Biswanath Das also courted arrest .
Conclusion
The nationalist movement in Odisha, starting from elite associations, transformed into a mass struggle under the leadership of the Congress. From the Non-Cooperation Movement to the Quit India Movement, the people of Odisha actively participated in the mainstream freedom struggle, culminating in independence in 1947 .
