Some men are born great, while some achieve greatness during their lifetime. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, the scion of the great Ganga dynasty of Paralakhemundi, belongs to both the leagues. An illustrious son of modern India, he played a significant role in the formation of Odisha as a separate State.
He was born on April 26, 1892. At the age of 12, his father, Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, died and as Krushna Chandra Gajapati was still a minor, the Paralakhemundi zamindari passed into the hands of the Court of Wards for administration.
The young and enthusiastic Krushna Chandra received his elementary education in the local Maharaja High School. After finishing schooling, he entered the Newington Residential College at Madras. In the college, his mentor and guardian tutor, Cameran Morrison had an indelible influence on his life.
He returned to Paralakhemundi in 1912. The charge of the estate was handed over to him by N MacMichel, ICS agent to the court of wards, in Ganjam on April 26, 1913. A year later, he was married to the princess of Kharsuan (now in Bihar). Maharaja Krushna Chandra made immense contribution towards the literacy movement and other institutions, which were engaged in creating a sense of awareness among not only the people of Odisha but also the Oriya-speaking people in other provinces. He was one of the few men of vision, who thought of the unification of the Odia speaking tracts into one province, before the people or Odisha could think in terms of broader perspective of Indian nationalism.
He was elected to the Madras Assembly from Paralakhemundi Constituency with a landslide victory. He was determined to materialize his cherished dream of unification as far as practicable to the unease of Telugu, Tamil members. Maharaja Krushna Chandra was invited to attend the Round Table Conference at london commencing on January 19, 1930.
There he was shocked to learn that the agenda for the conference didn’t contain any proposal on the unification of Odisha. Steadfast in determination, Krushna Chandra drafted a manifesto incorporating therein all aspects and facets of Odia culture, language, history, legacy and tradition of Odisha. It evoked wild enthusiastic response from the members of the conference. It was a glaring testimony to the Maharaja’s undaunted, daring nature that yielded unexpected results. On the conclusion of the Round Table conference on January 31 1931, the Secretary of State for India Sir Samuel Hoare published a white paper on behalf of the British Government that stated the acceptance of the demand for constitution of the united Odisha province by the British administration.
The news created unbounded joy and jubilation throughout the length and breadth of Odisha. Suddenly the exhilaration of the Maharaja vanished into nothingness to discover the dismaying fact that Paralakhemundi and Jaypur weren’t included in the projected unified Odisha. He was optimistic of attaining the goal in the long run.
During World War I, he was made honorary second lieutenant of His majesty’s Indian land Forces and later Maharaja Krushna Chandra promoted to the rank of captain. His sincere and efficient discharge of duties as a military officer was very much appreciated by his Majesty’s Government. The distinction of Raja Saheb was conferred on him and subsequently, in 1936, he was given the title of Maharaja. Incidentally, he also has the distinction of being the first Prime Minister of the State of Odisha.
Irrigation system in the State received a fillip when the Maharaja took personal interest in agriculture and constructed many reservoirs such as Rama Sagar, Seeta Sagar, laxman Sagar and Krushna Sagar. His approach to agriculture was methodical and scientific, which even drew the attention of the then Madras Government and the Central Government. The Central Government had gone a step further and appointed him as a member of the Royal Agricultural Commission in 1927.
The Maharaja has made exemplary contributions to the field of education and activities for the welfare of the people. He had made provisions for free boarding and lodging facilities and also for scholarships for meritorious students who were poor. The Central Rice Research Institute of Bidyadharpur, Cuttack, which is arguably one of the best institutes of its kind in the world, was established by him.
He was also behind the formation of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar and the SCB Medical College in Cuttack.
The seemingly impossible work of bringing railways to a remote area like Paralakhemundi was accomplished by him at staggering cost of Rs 18llakh. The 52 km narrow gauge railway line connected Paralakhemundi to Gunpur. The Maharaja, who chose to distinguish himself through his deeds rather than living in glorious past, breathed his last on May 25, 1947.
The pages of Indian history will always have a fond remembrance of this truly majestic king.
(The writer is Correspondent of The Pioneer in Gajapati district)