Daspalla

Origin and Foundation

The state of Daspalla was founded in the late 15^th century (around 1498 CE) by a younger son of Raja Narayan Bhanj Deo of Baudh. According to local historical accounts, a succession dispute and familial differences prompted the young prince, Raja Sal Bhanj, to leave the kingdom of Baudh with a group of loyal followers. He moved eastward into the heavily forested and rugged terrain along the Mahanadi River basin.

Upon establishing his rule over the indigenous tribal communities, particularly the Kondhs, the new principality was carved out. The name "Daspalla" is traditionally believed to be derived from the words Dasa (meaning 'ten' in Odia) and Palla (meaning 'settlement' or 'group of villages'), representing the initial confederation of ten primary clans or settlements that accepted the suzerainty of the Bhanj prince.

Shifting Capitals and Consolidation

The initial seat of power was established at Badmul, a strategically secure location situated near a deep gorge along the Mahanadi River. Recognizing the military advantages of this position, the early rulers fortified the area to protect the state from external invasions. However, as the kingdom grew and trade relations developed, the capital was shifted to Jhoramu, and eventually to Kunjabangarh (modern-day Daspalla town) under the rule of Raja Kunjabihari Bhanj. Kunjabangarh was developed with planned settlements, a royal palace, and several temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath, which cemented the cultural and religious integration of the state with the wider Odia culture.

The Maratha and British Periods

During the 18^th century, like many of the Garhjat (tributary) states of Odisha, Daspalla came under the nominal suzerainty of the Maratha Empire's Bhonsle rulers of Nagpur. The state was required to pay an annual tribute (peshkash) to the Marathas but maintained internal autonomy.

In 1803, following the British victory in the Second Anglo-Maratha War and the subsequent conquest of Odisha, Daspalla came under the influence of the British East India Company. Raja Gouri Charan Bhanj signed a treaty engagement with the British in 1804, acknowledging British supremacy in exchange for protection and recognition of his sovereign rights. Daspalla held great strategic value for the British as it commanded the famous Barmul Pass, a vital trade route and military gateway connecting coastal Odisha with the central Indian provinces.

Historical records show that the rulers maintained a modest military establishment for internal security and ceremonial purposes. By 1893, during the reign of Raja Narayan Deo Bhanj, the state maintained a disciplined force of 343 infantry and 8 guns to safeguard its territory and maintain order.

The Daspalla Meli (1914 Rebellion)

A defining moment in the modern history of Daspalla was the peasant uprising known as the "Daspalla Meli" in 1914. Following the death of Raja Narayan Bhanj Deo in 1913, his minor successor, Raja Kishore Chandra Deo Bhanj, was placed under the guardianship of the British Court of Wards. The British-appointed administration introduced strict forest laws, forced labor (vethi), and high tax rates that deeply aggrieved the local Kondh tribes and peasantry.

Under the leadership of local figures and tribal headmen, a massive armed rebellion broke out in 1914. The rebels targeted state officials and British police outposts. The British administration responded with strong military force, deploying troops to suppress the rebellion. Although the uprising was eventually quelled and its leaders imprisoned, it stood as a powerful early example of anti-colonial resistance and tribal solidarity in Odisha's princely states.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the last ruling chief, Raja Kishore Chandra Deo Bhanj, signed the Instrument of Accession, merging the princely state of Daspalla into the Dominion of India. On January 1, 1948, Daspalla officially merged with the province of Orissa (now Odisha).

Initially, the territory of Daspalla was administered as part of the larger Puri district. During the administrative reorganization of Odisha in 1993, it was placed under the newly formed Nayagarh District. Today, Daspalla remains culturally significant, famed for its ancient temples, dense forests, and the grand annual celebration of the Lankapodi festival, which continues to preserve the rich heritage of the erstwhile Bhanj dynasty.

References and External Links

• Daspalla State on Wikipedia
• Official History of Nayagarh District - Government of Odisha
• The Feudatory States of Orissa - Bengal Secretariat Press (1910)