image credits: Ritik Jena
Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayana Deo, born on April 26, 1892, in Paralakhemundi, remains a revered figure in Odisha’s history. As a descendant of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty and ruler of the Paralakhemundi estate, his life was defined by unwavering commitment to public welfare and cultural preservation.
How did Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Unite Odisha?
Krushna Chandra Gajapati played a central role in forming Odisha as a distinct state. In the early 20th century, Odia-speaking regions were scattered across the Odisha-Bihar-Bengal province and the Madras Presidency. Alongside luminaries like Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das and Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, he tirelessly advocated for a unified Odisha through the Utkal Sammilani. His dedication led to the creation of Odisha on April 1, 1936, now celebrated as Utkal Divas. As Odisha’s first Prime Minister, serving from April 1 to July 18, 1937, and again from November 24, 1941, to June 30, 1944, he laid a strong foundation for governance. His commitment to homeland led to integration of Paralakhemundi into Odisha, despite its partial division.
Maharaja’s Role in Empowering Lives Through Education
Krushna Chandra Gajapati believed education was the key to a brighter future for Odisha’s youth. He established scholarships for thousands of deserving students, enabling them to pursue humanities, science, agriculture, medicine, and engineering. His vision supported institutions like the SKCG Autonomous College in Paralakhemundi, now the state’s second-oldest college. His care extended to healthcare and women’s rights, with reforms that improved medical access and promoted gender equality. Known for his empathy, he often visited tribal hamlets at night, sometimes in disguise, to listen to the concerns of the Lanjia Saora tribe.
Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati’s Love for his People
Krushna Chandra’s leadership elevated the Ganjam region into the “rice bowl of Odisha” through agricultural innovation. He introduced modern farms, dug over a thousand community water tanks for irrigation, and supported agricultural research. His expertise earned him a place on the Royal Agricultural Commission in 1927, where he impressed chairman Lord Linlithgow. He also pioneered infrastructure, launching the Paralakhemundi Light Railway, Odisha’s first railway line.
Celebration of Odisha’s Cultural Soul
A true patron of the arts, Krushna Chandra Gajapati enriched Odisha’s cultural heritage. He supported the historical work of Padmasri Dr. Satyanarayana Rajguru and the musical contributions of Gayaka Siromani Apanna Panigrahi, his close friend and court musician. His love for ancient Odia poetry, especially the works of Kabi Kalahansa Gopalakrusna, inspired his own compositions, such as “Manu Jau Nahi Ma” and “Radhadhara Sumadhura,” which remain treasured in Odishi music. His patronage of Paralakhemundi’s horn-work artisans also ensured the craft’s survival.
Krushna Chandra Gajapati passed away on May 25, 1974, at 82, mourned with a state funeral in Paralakhemundi. The Gajapati district was named in his honour.
