Cuttack district General information
Cuttack is a district in the Indian state of Orissa. Its headquarters is the city of Cuttack.
History
The word “Katak” etymologically means army cantonment and also the capital city. The history of Cuttack amply justifies its name.
The city of Cuttack started as a military cantonment because of its impregnable situation that further devolped into the capital of the state of Orissa. Inscriptions of Anangabhimadeva lll fefers the orginal city as Abhinab-Baranasi-Katak.Like the city of Baranasi situated in between Baruna and Asi,Cuttack is situated between the rivers Mahanadi and Kathajodi and was therefore named as Abhinab Baranasi (Newtype of Baranasi).Cuttack developed into a city out of fivevillage viz.Choudwar Katak,Saranasi Katak,Sarangagarh Katak, Viraja Katak and Amaravati Katak.
In the remote past Cuttack was connected both by land routes and waterways with the renowned medieval ports like Chelitalo,Palur and Tarmalipti.Although politically Cuttack was not that significant before the eight century A.D>,but it was a flourishing mart of Eastern trade.However,Cuttack became a capital city as the end of the 10th centuary A.D.during the reign of somavanansi dynasty of Orissa.
The importance of Cuttack rapidly increased after the occupation of Orissa by Chohagangadeva early in the 12th century A.D.Chodaganga transferred his capital from Kalinganagar to Katak which was more centrally located.The famous Barabati Fort was constructed in 1229A.D.by the famous Ganga ruler Anangabhimadeva lll.
After the Ganges,Orissa passed intothe hands of the Gajapati under whom Cuttack continued to be the capital of the state.The reference from Ain-i-Akbari clearly denotes That Cuttack was a flourishing capital city during the time of Mukunda Deva.On the eve of Afghan occupation,Cuttack was found a well guarded and heavily fortified capital.
The Afghans however were not destined to rule Orissa and they were soon ousted by the Imperial Mughals.Cuttack continued to be the capital of Mughal Orissa and Abul Fazl celearly mentions that Mughal Governor was residing in that city.
During the rule of Marathas,Cuttack greatly prospered as an emporium of trade and commerce and became a central market of exchange between the Marathas of Nagpur and the English merchants of Bengal and Northen Circar.
As per the treaty of deogaon,Cuttack came under British occupation in 1803 and the Enhlish set themselves to the task of consolidation and land revenue administration.As an after effect of the devastating famine of 1866,the government gave serious consideration to remove the isolation of Cuttack from the outsite world and at the same time to prevent the recurrence of such calamities in future. Along with several water ways,roads were also opened during the tater part of the 19th century toprovide Cuttack with internal communication. Then towords the last decade of the 19th century railway line of BNR connected Cuttack directly with Madras and Calcutta.
The first Newspaper of Orissa “UtkalDipika” was publish by the Cuttack printing Company due to the efforts of Gourisankar Ray in 1866.There was a great change in the educational scenario of Cuttack after British occupation with the establishment of first Government English school in 1841 and it slowly progressed as the Higher English school unitil the famine of 1886.Then the school was converted into a college with intermediate teaching in 1868 which in due course of time took the name of Ravenshaw college. Ravenshaw college was coverted to Ravenshaw University on 15th November 2006.Orissa Medical was established in 1875 following the establishment of Cuttack general hospital in 1874.The Cuttack Municipality came into existence in 1876.In 1923 two new educational insituions were opened in Cuttack.One was Cuttack Training College and the other wos Orissa School of Engineering,which developed out of the old survey school separated from the Ravenshaw College in 1915 and from the Government workshop located at jobra.
During Freedom Struggle,Swaraj Ashram of Sahebazada Bazar was the center of all nationalist activities. The Ashram is place of pilgrimage for all Gandhites as Gandhiji indoctrinated the youths of Orissa with the mantra of truth and nonviolence.
Cuttack has been enjoying all along the unique privilege of being the administrative and commercial nerve center of Orissa .It was the seat of the commissioner of Orissa Division till 1936 and with the formation of the province of Orissa in that year it was exalted to be the head quarter ofthenew province.the historic Lalbagh place which was being occupied by the commissinor became the Governor House.Now it was been converted to children,s hospital called “Sishu Bhawan “A stadium know as the Barabiti Stadium has been built on the famous Killa Maidan near the Barabati fort.The High court came into existence in 1948 and its building is another impressive structure of indo-European style.In 1948 Akasvani (All India Radio)was established in the old Madhupur building of Cuttack.
The city is reputed all over the country for its exquisite and delicate filigree works,artistic horn works, fine and multi-coloured textile products.
The state government finally selected Bhubaneswar situated at a diatance of eighteen miles from Cuttack as its new capital in accordance with the plan of grater Cuttack.Though Bhubaneswer has been made the new capital of Orissa,still then ,Cuttack acts as bridge linking the past ,present and future of state’s History and Heritage.Till the date is ranked sa one of the old cities of India with her life spread over more than thousand years being famous as the :Millennium City”.
Overview
One of Orissa's oldest cities ,better known as the Business Capital of Orissa .It offers gold and silver filigree works, horn and brass work, silk and cotton textiles and leather works. This city has river Mahanadi in the north and river Kathajodi in the south. Those who are fascinated by history are drawn to the ruins of the Barabati Fort. Nearby is the shrine of Kataka Chandi , the presiding deity of the city.The Ravenshaw College, High Court, S.C.B Medical, All India Radio Centre, Central Rice Research Institute, Stone Revetment, Temple of Goddess Chandi and Barabati Durga are the main visiting places. Cuttack is also recognized for its Paper mills, Sugar factory, Tile factory, glass and china clay factory, jute mill and spinning mills.
.........Ansupa, Banki, Bhattarika, Choudwar, Dhabaleswar, Kukudiapada, Kukudanga, Lalitgiri, Naraj, Nemala, Niali Madhab, Satakosia, Simhanath and Paramhansa are some of the places of tourist interest
Tourist Place
Dhabaleswar : It is situated at a distance of 7 kms. from Cuttack on the bed of river Mahanadi. It is famous for the Dhabaleswar temple . A large festival is celebrated here in the Kartik(November month).
Qadam- I- Rasool : Situated in the centre of the city it is sacred to the Hindus as well as the Muslims. This 18th century shrine shelters the footprints of Prophet Mohammed on a circular stone in its central mosque. There are two more beautiful mosques and a music gallery.
Paramahasanath temple : People visit the Paramahansanath of Shiva on a holy day . The temple on the outskirts of the town is famous for its water hole (Ananta garva),which floods the sanctum santorum on holy occasions.
Banki : It is situated at a distance of 60kms. from Bhubaneswar .A temple is situated on a hillock in that place dedicated to the Goddess Charchika .River Mahanadi flows through the town.
Mahavinayak : At a distance of 2 kms. from Chandikhol to the West is the seat of famous Ancient Shiva temple of Mahavinayak.
Chhatia : It is situated at the distance of 35 kms. from Cuttack. It is famous for Lord Jagannath Temple.
Baneswar : It is situated on the bed of the river Mahanadi and is famous for the Shiva temple and the tourists can enjoy the beauty of the nature.
Niali-Madhab : It is situated at the distance of 42 km. from Cuttack. It is famous for the temple of Sovaneswara Shiva.
Ansupa : It is a beautiful lake and is situated at the distance of 60kms. from Cuttack. The Charming nature attracts the Tourists.The lake is a heaven for migratory birds in winter. The lake offers facilities for boating and fishing .
Naraja : This is one of the scenic spot on the bank of the Mahanadi in the south,which boasts of many Buddhist images. It is 15 kms. from Cuttack.
Bhattarika : This charmin scenic spot on the Mahanadi valley is situated at a distance of of 90kms from Cuttack. It is famous for the temple of Goddess Bhattarika.
Niali Mahdab : Situated at a distnace of 42kms from Bhubaneswar, Niali is famous for the temple of Sobhaneswar(Shiva) and Madhab(Vishnu).