Pal Lahara State
Princely State of British India
18th century–1948
Flag of Pal Lahara
Flag

Pal Lahara State in the Imperial Gazetteer of India
Area 
• 1892
1,171 km2 (452 sq mi)
Population 
• 1892
14,887
History 
• Established
18th century
1948
 Succeeded by
India
Today part ofOdisha, India

Pal Lahara was a princely state in what is today India during the British Raj. It had its capital at Pal Lahara.[1]

The state had an area of 452 square miles (1,170 km2) and a population of 34,130 in 1892. In 1947 it was merged into independent India, becoming Dhenkanal District of in the state of Odisha in 1948.

History

According to traditions, the state is alleged to have been founded by Santosh Pal who claimed numerous legendary origins, came across a dispute between various aboriginal tribes in the region and was eventually selected by the Sabara tribe to be the ruler of the region. But most historical records from the Gajapati, Maratha or early British colonial era don't show any records pertaining to the dynasty and no firmans recording it exist from the Mughal or Maratha period, thus suggesting the traditional accounts of family traditions hence acquired distinct mythical and legendary characteristics. Most research into the origins of the dynasty points that the founders of the Pallhara State belonged to the head of the Sabara clans of the region which was later acquired mythical characteristics as evident from the traditional accounts of the tribal clans and the close relationship of the Sabara chiefs with the rituals of the dynasty. The state emblem is the cobra, which also figures in the founding myths of dynasty and regional tribal traditions.[2][3][4]

Existing records start from 1778 CE with the death of chief Muni Pal which points to the ensuing succession politics and the feud with Keonjhar State under whose it was a feudatory. In 1867, chief Chakradhar Pal was recognized as Raja by the British for his efforts in suppressing the local tribal rebellions and a sanad was granted by the British recognizing Pal Lahara as a state in its own right.[5]

On 1 January 1948, the last ruler signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union following independence and the region currently forms a part of Angul district.

Rulers

The rulers of the Pal Lahara state:[6][7]

Titular

References

  1. ^ India. Foreign and Political Department (1930). A collection of treaties, engagements and sanads relating to India and neighbouring countries. Government of India Central Publication Branch. p. 340.
  2. ^ Hermann Kulke (1976), Kshatriyaization and social change: A Study in Orissa setting (PDF), Popular Prakashan, p. 404
  3. ^ Cornelia Mallebrein (2010). "Sitting on the Tribal Chief's Lap Coronation Rituals in Ex-Princely States of Orissa". University of Tubingen.
  4. ^ Cobden Ramsay (1910), Bengal Gazetteers Feudatory States Of Orissa, DLI, p. 276
  5. ^ ODISHA DISTRICT GAZETTEERS ANGUL (PDF), GAD, Govt of Odisha, 2010, p. 49-51
  6. ^ Pal Lahara Princely State
  7. ^ Princely States of India K-Z

21°27′N 85°11′E / 21.450°N 85.183°E / 21.450; 85.183

Categories