image credits: Siddharth Pradhan
Born on April 28, 1848, in Satyabhamapur, a village 20 kilometers from Cuttack, Madhusudan Das emerged from a Zamindari Karan family. His father, Choudhury Raghunath Das, and mother, Parbati Debi, initially named him Gobinda Ballabha Das. Raised alongside two elder sisters and a younger brother, Gopalballabh, Madhusudan’s early life was marked by resilience. In 1864, he enrolled at Cuttack High School (later Ravenshaw Collegiate School), where he excelled, passing the entrance examination for Calcutta University. Facing financial and social challenges, he pursued higher education in Calcutta from 1866 to 1881, becoming the first Odia to earn a BA (1870), MA (1873), and LLB (1878). His conversion to Christianity in 1868 led to his village ostracizing him, prompting him to build a home, ‘Madhukothi,’ at its edge.
Madhusudan Das’s Multifaceted Career from Legal Luminary to Social Reformer
Madhusudan Das’s professional journey began as a teacher in Balasore for three years, followed by his legal practice in Calcutta’s Alipur Court and High Court Bar. Returning to Cuttack in 1881, he established himself as a leading lawyer, handling significant cases like the Puri temple administration and Keonjhar Riots. His legal acumen earned him the title ‘Madhu Barrister.’ Beyond law, he ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Odisha Art Wares in 1897 to revive traditional crafts like silver filigree and establishing Utkal Tannery in 1905, a pioneering leather factory that employed modern technology. Politically, he joined the Indian National Congress (1886–1903). For Odisha’s unification he founded Utkal Sabha in 1888, and later Utkal Sammilani in 1903. His legislative roles included being the first Odia member of the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council and Central Legislative Assembly, and he served as a minister in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919.
Personal Traits and Values of Madhusudan Das
Madhusudan Das, fondly called ‘Madhu Babu,’ embodied integrity, patriotism, and a commitment to social justice. His conversion to Christianity and adoption of two Bengali girls, Sailabala Das and Sudhanshubala Hazra showed his progressive outlook. He supported Sailabala’s training in England and the founding of Sailabala Women’s College in Cuttack. His emphasis on quality, evident in rejecting defective products at Utkal Tannery, predated modern management principles. A skilled orator in Odia, Bengali, and English, he inspired unity and pride among Odias. He declared insolvency after investing his wealth in public causes his selflessness and dedication to Odisha’s upliftment.
Also read about the tribute to Ratikant Mohanty: click here
Monumental Achievements and Recognition
Madhusudan Das’s most enduring achievement was his leadership in the Odisha unification movement. Through Utkal Sammilani, he rallied support for a separate Odisha province, realized on April 1, 1936, two years after his death on February 4, 1934. He was the first Odia to travel to England, broadening his perspective on global unification models like Italy and Germany. As a poet, his works like Utkal Santan and Jananira Ukti instilled regional pride. Odisha honours his legacy by celebrating his birthday as Lawyers’ Day, and leaders like Mahatma Gandhi praised him as a patriot who shaped nation-building efforts.
Madhu Babu’s Lasting Impact on Odisha and Beyond
The creation of a unified Odisha province preserved the Odia language and culture. His advocacy for education and women’s rights influenced institutions like Utkal University and Sailabala Women’s College. His tannery addressed untouchability by employing diverse workers, earning Gandhi’s admiration. He highlighted rural Odisha’s needs by raising health issues like cholera in the Central Legislative Assembly. His vision of linguistic nationalism, supported by figures like Lord Curzon, set a precedent for regional movements in India.
Madhusudan’s words, “Janani janmabhoomischa swargadapi gariyasi” (Mother and motherland are superior to heaven), delivered at Utkal Sammilani, encapsulate his devotion to Odisha and its people, urging Odias to prioritize their cultural identity.
Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das’s life was a testament to vision and sacrifice. From a village scholar to the ‘Grand Old Man’ of Odisha, his efforts in law, industry, and social reform continue to inspire.
