Gajapati district
Gajapati district is a district of Odisha State in India. It was carved out of Ganjam District on October 2, 1992. As of 2011 it was the third least populous district of Odisha, after Debagarh and Boudh.
Gajapati district was named after Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb, the King of the Paralakhemundi estate and the first Prime Minister of Odisha, who is remembered for his contribution to the formation of a separate state, and inclusion of his estate in Odisha. The district headquarters in Paralakhemundi, formerly a Zamindari, is clustered within a radius of approximately 5 kilometers around its geometric center.
History
The history of Gajapati district dates back to the Paralakhemundi kingdom. It was part of the Gajapati Kingdom of Odisha. During the 12th century CE Paralakhemundi was part of the Khemundi state. During the reign of Mukunda Dev, Khemundi was trifurcated, creating three states: Bada Khemundi, Sana Khemundi, and Paralakhemundi. After the trifurcation, Subhalinga Bhanu became the ruler of the Paralakhemundi. This line of kings continued to rule Paralakhemundi throughout the Mughal and Maratha rule of Odisha. Before the British gained complete control over Odisha, Paralakhemundi became a feudal state under British rule in 1767, during the reign of Gajapati Jagannatha Narayanadev. The state had conflicts with British administrators, leading to the arrest of King Gajapati Jagannatha Narayanadev and his son. As a result, the state came under direct British supervision. However, a revolt broke out among the tribals and Paikas against the king's detention. Due to this uprising, the British reinstated the king to his position. Paralakhemundi remained under the administration as a feudatory state until its unification with Odisha.Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati was an active member of Utkal Sammilani and was instrumental in the creation of the separate state of Odisha. Finally, through the efforts of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati and Utkal Sammilani, the separate state of United Orissa was formed on 1 April 1936. The state of Paralakhemundi in the Vizagapatam district was partitioned into two—the capital and most of the princely state came under Orissa while the remaining Telugu-speaking areas remained under the Madras Presidency.
In 1937, the first Governor of Orissa, Sir John Austin Hubback, invited Krushna Chandra Gajapati Dev to form the cabinet. Shri Gajapati became the first Prime Minister of Orissa, serving from April 1, 1937, to July 18, 1937. He held the position again for a second term from November 24, 1941, to June 30, 1944.
Geography
Gajapati district is located in the southeastern part of Odisha, India, between 84°32'E and 83°47'E longitude and 18°44'N and 19°39'N latitude. It shares borders with Andhra Pradesh to the south, Rayagada district to the west, Ganjam district to the east, and Kandhamal district to the north. The district spans an area of 3,850 km² and is part of the Eastern Ghats, characterized by rugged terrain and narrow valleys.The Mahendratanaya River, a tributary of the Banshadhara River, is the primary river flowing through the district. The highest peak in the district is Mahendragiri, standing at 1,501 meters, followed by Dandamera Parbat at 1,103 meters and Tangiri Parbat at 1,155 meters. The average elevation of Paralakhemundi, the district headquarters, is 145 meters above sea level.
Climate
Gajapati district experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct seasonal variations.- Summer : Temperatures range from 30°C to 46°C, with high humidity exceeding 75%.
- Monsoon : The region receives an annual rainfall of approximately 1,000 mm, primarily from the southwest monsoon, with an average of 80 rainy days per year.
- Winter : Temperatures range from 9°C to 22°C, with humidity levels between 55% and 70%.
Natural Resources
The district is endowed with significant forest cover, water bodies, and fertile soils, supporting its 65% agrarian population.Forests
Covering 57% of the total geographical area, the forests are categorized as:- Reserved Forests : 1,29,800 hectares
- Protected Reserved Forests : 57,600 hectares
- Demarcated Protected Forests : 45,200 hectares
- Undemarcated Protected Forests : 14,100 hectares
- Village Forests : 3,258 hectares
Water Bodies">Water bodies">Water Bodies
The district has 1,698 water bodies, with 6 major reservoirs:- Gajapati Sagar - 25.6 hectares
- Jagannath Sagar - 19.4 hectares
- Ram Sagar - 15.2 hectares
- Sita Sagar - 12.8 hectares
- Radha Sagar - 11.3 hectares
- Krishna Sagar - 10.9 hectares
Soil Types
- Alfisols : 72% of the district’s area
- Entisols : 21% of the district’s area
- Lateritic and Other Soils: 7% of the district’s area
[Hydrology]
The Mahendratanaya River, originating from Mahendragiri Hill, flows 72 km through the district, before merging with the Banshadhara River in Andhra Pradesh. The district’s rivers exhibit a dendritic drainage pattern, influenced by the Eastern Ghats’ geological formations.Connectivity
Paralakhemundi, the district headquarters, is well-connected by road and rail networks.Rail: The Paralakhemundi railway station is part of the Naupada-Gunupur branch line, connecting the town to Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata.
Road: The town has state highway connectivity to:
The total paved road length in the district is 2,450 km, of which 1,035 km are state highways, 612 km are district roads, and 803 km are rural roads.
Administrative setup
The Gajapati district is administratively divided into one sub-division, comprising 7 Tahasils and 7 Blocks, as listed in the following table.| # | Paralakhemundi Sub-Division |
| 1 | Gosani |
| 2 | Gumma |
| 3 | Rayagada |
| 4 | Nuagada |
| 5 | Mohana |
| 6 | Kashinagar |
| 7 | R. Udayagiri |
There are 11 Police Stations under the two Police Districts in Ganjam Administrative district, which are listed in the following table.
| # | Gajapati Police District |
| 1 | Adava P.S. |
| 2 | Mohana P.S. |
| 3 | Ramagiri P.S. |
| 4 | R. Udayagiri P.S. |
| 5 | Serango P.S. |
| 6 | Kashinagar P.S. |
| 7 | Paralakhemundi P.S. |
| 8 | Gurandi P.S. |
| 9 | Garabandha P.S. |
| 10 | Rayagada P.S. |
| 11 | Energy P.S. Paralakhemundi |
Economy
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Gajapati one of the country's 250 most backward districts. It is one of the 19 districts in Odisha currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme.Demographics
Religions
According to the 2024 census Gajapati district has a population of 814,722, approximate equal to the nation of Bhutan or the US state of North Dakota. This gives it a ranking of 573rd in India. The district has a population density of. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 10.99%. Gajapati has a sex ratio of 1046 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 54.29%. 12.23% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 6.78% and 54.29% of the population respectively.Language
According to the 2011 Census of India, 41.51% of Gajapati district's population spoke Odia, followed by Sora , Telugu , Kui , and Kuvi as their first language.Culture and Heritage
Gajapati district has a rich cultural and historical heritage, blending tribal traditions with ancient legends. Mahendragiri Mountain, part of the Eastern Ghats, is located in Paralakhemundi. According to legend, it is the abode of Lord Parashurama, a Chiranjeevi engaged in eternal tapasya. The site features temples believed to be built by the Pandavas, and Shivaratri is the main festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the guru of Parashurama.The district’s culture is deeply influenced by the Saura tribe, known for Saura art and Tantangbo. Odia, Saura, and Kui are the primary languages spoken. Festivals like Makar Sankranti are celebrated with great fervor. The Gajapati Palace in Paralakhemundi stands as a testament to the region’s historical legacy. The Paika Akhada, once a warrior training tradition, is now performed as a martial dance showcasing combat techniques.
Politics
Odisha State Legislative Assembly
The district has two assembly constituencies, represented by members from major political parties, Odisha Vidhan Sabha. The following is the two Vidhan sabha constituencies of Gajapati district and the elected members of those areas.| No. | Constituency | Reservation | Extent of the Assembly Constituency | Member of Legislative Assembly | Party |
| 136 | Mohana | ST | Mohana, R. Udayagiri, Nuagada, Rayagada | Dasarathi Gamango | INC |
| 137 | Parlakhemundi | - | Parlakhemundi, Kashinagar, Gumma, Kashinagar, Gosani | Rupesh Kumar Panigrahi | BJD |
House of the People
The district is part of the Brahmapur Parliamentary Constituency, electing a Member of Parliament to represent it in the House of the People at the national level.| No. | Constituency | Reservation | Extent of the Parliamentary Constituency | Member of the Parliament | Party |
| 20 | Brahmapur | - | Paralakhemundi Mohana (ST) | Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy | BJP |