Malkangiri at the Heart of the Ramayana

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Malkangiri

The history of Malkangiri seems to be in no way less

thrilling and adventurous than any other place of India. The land of

dense inaccessible forest, small but beautiful rivers, undulating

plateaus and splendorous rich tribal culture. Malkangiri has its

history of human civilization enrooted as long as 2500 years back.

Prior to the modern civilization, many mythological episodes took

place in and around Malkangiri.

 

During the reign of Lord Ramachandra, Malkangiri occupied

an important place in the entire "The Ramayana". It was the holy

river "The Tamasa" and its environs which encouraged Saint Balmiki

to express his internal feelings in the form of The Ramayana, the

holiest book of Hindus. This place was known as "Malyavantagiri" in

the Ramayana. River the Tamasa flowing out of a cave has derived its

name from a tribal word "TANSA", which means cave. Banks of this

river witnessed the creation of the largest mythological the

Ramayana. The scenic beauty if this Malyavantagiri has found an

important place in the "Dandi Ramayana" of Balaram Das. The belief

of a visit of Lord Ramachandra is further strengthen by the

existance of "Sitakunda" the bath place of Godess Sita near

Mudulipada. Also during the period of the Mahabharata, this place

became the point of attraction for the Pandavas. They spent

their "Angyatvasa"(exile) for a period of one year in the dense

forest of Malkangiri. In the villages of Koyas, "PANDABOERU"(Pond)

are found which they believe to be used by the Pandavas. Even during

the month of January, "PATAKHANDA PARVA" is celebrated by the Koyas,

a primitive tribal community in which a sword is worshiped. People

believe that this sword belongs to the Pandavas. Also they celebrate

the "Bhimudu Parva" during January in which "Bhima", the middle

Pandava is worshiped and the Koyas believe the Bhima will save their

families. Kanamraju (Lord KRISHNA), Balaraju (ARJUNA) and Poturaju

(BHIMA) are three famous Lords of this area, who are being worshiped

by the people. In every alternative year, Badayatra, the festival of

these Lords is celebrated throughout the district.

 

During the period of Indus valley civilization, a rich

civilization was florished along the bank of river the Tamasa. In

the year 1995, some ancient monuments were discovered from the same

place signifying the above face. Also a big "Shiva Linga" was

discovered from beneath the ground, enlighting a linkage of this

civilization with that of Indus valley. The ancient kings of this

place during the early vedic and later vedic period, worshiped Lord

Mallikeshwar after whom they named their kingdom as "Mallika

Nagari". This Mallika Nagari gradually became Malkangiri in the

modern times.

 

One ancient Shiva Temple now submerged in the Chitrakonda

Reservoir was known as Second Lingaraj of Orissa. This famous Shiva

Temple was visited by Sri Chaitanya Deva during his visit to

Nandapur. Existance of a number of Shiva Temples in and around

Malkangiri signifies the fact that the ancient kings were

shiviests.

 

The founder ruler of Jeypore State King Vinayaka Dev came

from Kashmir and got married to Lilabati, the Princess of Nandapur.

In the path of establishing the kingdom, he faced a lot of hardship

and revolts. Singaraju, the brother of Lilabati sponsored his

sincere efforts to King Vinayaka Dev in suppressing the rebel

groups. King Vinayaka Dev established two new villages namely

Nilakamberu and Singarajukhunta as a mark of respect and gratitude

towards Lilabati and Singaraju. Some ancient monuments and idols of

different Gods were discovered from Nilakamberu. Malkangiri was

florished as a hilly kingdom during the regin of the "Ganga Dynasty"

It was known as "Kumbudiri" as mentioned by the first Collector of

Koraput District Mr. R.C.S.Bell in gazetter, 1941. There is enough

evidence that the wild forest country of Malkangiri is known for a

former civilization. In Kondakamberu there are two inscriptions

recording a gift to the God Nilakantheswar by the queen of Pandu

Singh in the year 1376 A.D.. Kondakamberu was formerly known

as "Kambudiri".

 

During the period from 1400 A.D. to 1872 A.D. this

priencely state was ruled by as many as twenty six kings. The entire

state was divided into four MUTHAS namely Mout, Podia, Korukonda and

Padmagiri. The head of each mutha was called "MUTHADAR". Each mutha

was further divided into a number of villages of which "PEDA" was

the head. The post of Muthadar and Peda were hereditary and

recogined by the King of Malkangiri. There was always a fear of

foreign invassion for the kingdom for which there was no permanent

place for the Kings. Temporary castles were built for the Kings in

several places of the state. Ruins of such a castle is still

existing over "RajaRani Hill" just in front of Bhairavi Temple of

Malkangiri. An annual meeting was held on the "Vijaya Dashami"

festival at "Sardar Basani Ambatota" of Deva Dangar. The meeting was

attended by all the Muthadar and Pedas of the State. The King used

to preside over this meeting and all important decissions were

discussed in the meetings. The King delicates power to the Muthadars

in this meetings to execute his decissions.

 

The last Queen of Malkangiri, Bangaru Devi ruled over here

from 1855 A.D. to 1872 A.D.. She defeated King Ramachandra Deva III

of Jeypore by her powerful and extra-ordinarily large Koya Army. She

along with her Koya Army faught bravely against the mighty Brithsh

Army and finally deposed in 1872 A.D. resulting a complete accession

of Malkangiri State into Madras Presidency. Queen Bangaru Devi tried

her best and faught for another 8 years upto 1800 A.D. to come power

but failed. Finally she lost her life at the age of 70 in the year

1885 after a prolonged illness for 5 years. In the year 1880 A.D.,

Tama Dora, a brave Koya youngman led the Koya troop, defeated the

British Police of Malkangiri and declared himself as the ruler of

Podia and Motu. In this incident one Inspector and six policemen of

Podia Police Station were killed. This incident is famous as "Koya

Revolution" and had its great impact throughout the country. Colonel

Macqoid of Hyderabad ntigent marched with 100 men to protect more

but failed by the sever attack of the Koya Army under the leadership

of Tama Dora. However the efforts of the brave youngman came to an

end when he was brutally killed in the Rampa Forest near Mout on

28/07/1880 by the Military Police of Hyderabad and the organised

Koya Army was fragmented lacking a dynamic leadership.

 

After a long gap of 35 years (from 1880 to 1915), rebel

groups again tried to fight against British Empire in and around

Malkangiri. Unifying all the small rebel groups, alluri sitarama

Raju established a big Guerrila Troop and faught against the

Brithish Army. Chitrakonda and Kondakamberu were the Headquarters of

Sitarama Raju. He was initially a follower of non-violence and

grasped a good deal of knowledge on Indian culture, Mythology and

religious activities of Hindus. Observing the exploitation of honest

tribals by the British Police and their brutality he became violent

and their and declare direct war against them. He attacked the young

Koya people to join his army by delivering elocant speech. He became

popular in an area from Bhadranchalam in Andhra Pradesh to Bastar in

Madhya Pradesh. Fearing at the grawing popularty of A.Sitarama Raju,

British Tahasildar Bastian along with a huge English Army arrested

Raju but finally relased him due to pressure from all corners. He,

after being released from police custody made himself involved in

direct battle against the British police. He alongwith his large

Koya troop raided the Raja Bamangi jail and released a freedom

fighter Biraya Dora. In the month of September,1922, two British

Army Officers namely Wrighter and Cobbard were killed and another

officer Themoy Heir was seriously injured by Alluri Sitaram Raju and

his troop. In another incedent in September, 1923; Malkangiri police

station and Treasury were looted by Raju & his group. During the

begining of 1924, Assam Rifles and Malabar Troops were sent to the

forest of Malkangiri for supprerssing the rebels. The troops

cordered Chitrakonda and attacked the Koya Army from all sides. A

large no. of Koya yound fighters were killed and many tribal

families werer tortured brutally by English Army. Finally A.Sitarama

Raju was called for a discussion with the Collector. But it was a

conspiracy. Raju was caught by the Malabar Troops and tied up with a

tamarind tree. Finally by order of Major Guddal, Malabar Troops

fired at Raju and killed him. The brave episode of Sitarama came to

an end with the clear suppression of Koyas.

 

Again Malkangiri came into National News when Laxman

Naiko, the greatest freedom fighter ever this place had led the

tribals for a non-cooperation movement against the British. He was a

follower of non-violence principle of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1942 he led

a demonstration in Mathili on 21st of August police opened fire at

the peaceful nob killing & demonstrators namely Nakula Pujari,

Samara Nayak, Narasingha Bhumia and Linga Bhumia. In this incident,

a forest guard namely G.Ramaya was killed for which Laxman Naiko was

accused of and arrested. The trial continued for four months and on

13th November, 1942 the then Sessions Judge V.Ramanathan put forward

his verdict, " Accused No.1 Sri Laxman Naiko is convicted under

sectuion 302 I.P.C. and sentenced to death subject to confirmation

by the Hon'ble High Court ".

 

Advocate Radha Charan Das of Berhampur and famous freedom

fighter Uma Charan Pattnaik of Berhampur went to Patna High Court

for an appeal which was finally rejected. On 29th March, 1943 the

file of Sri Laxman Naiko came to an end when he was hanged till

death in Berhampur jail. It has been studied that the case against

Laxman Naik was weak and it was opened to go for higher appeal in

court of law. But no significant steps were taken in this regard by

any of the famous personalities of that time. Even it is most

unfortunate that the people involved in the entire process of Laxman

Naik's arrest and death penality were able to get all Government

facilities, employment and promotion during the post indepence

period.

 

Prior to 1936, Malkangiri was a part of Madras Presidency.

In 1936, Koraput District from Madras Presidency merged in Orissa

and Malkangiri Tahasil war included in Koraput District. The first

English Collector of Koraput District Mr.R.C.S.Bell in the year 1941

prepared the Gazetteer of Koraput in which he described the physical

condition,climatic condition and all about the tribal people of

Malkangiri Tahasil. This Tahasil was a part of Nawarangpur Sub-

Division of Korapur District. In 1st January, 1962, Malkangiri Sub-

Division came into existence. In 1958, Dandakaranya Development

Project was implemented to settle the refugees coming from East

Pakistan. This project was continued for 30 years until it was

declared closed in the year 1988.

 

Finally in 2nd October, 1992 Malkangiri got its identity

as a District as per Notification No. 49137/R dated 01.10.1992 of

Orissa Government in Revenue and Excise Department, Orissa,

Bhubaneswar which carved out of Koraput District.