The Boudh District, also known as the Bauda District, is an administrative district located in the state of Orissa in eastern India. The district headquarters of this district lies in the city of Boudh. The precise location of the district is in central Orissa, to the south of the Mahanadi River, which constitutes the western and the northern border of the district. On either side of the Mahanadi, lie the districts of Bolangir to the west, Subarnapur to the northwest, and Angul to the northeast. The Nayagarh District is situated on the southeast, the Phulbani District to the south, and the Kalahandi District to the southwest.

Though there is controversy regarding the history of the Boudh District, majority believes that the district was a significant Buddhist centre of Orissa. As shown by the epigraphic records, in the middle of the eighth century A.D., Boudh District was occupied by the Bhanja rulers and was a part of Khinjali Mandala. The earliest known monarch of this Bhanja family was Nettabhanja who ruled over the Dhenkanal region as an autonomous ruler, but his successor moved towards the Boudh-Sonepur region and set up Khinjali Mandala and subsequently ruled there as the liegeman of the Bhauma Karas of Tosali.

The name of Khinjali Mandala first finds mention in the Sonepur Copper Plate of Satrubhanja Dev, the son of Silabhanja. On the basis of this information, it is supposed that Silabhanja Dev was the creator of Bhanja Kula of Khinjali Mandala. Their capital was Dhirtipura, which is most probably the modern Boudh town. Satrubhanja Dev - II, a monarch of this family was overpowered and slaughtered by the Somavansi ruler of South Kosala, Janmeyjaya - I. The Bhanjas were expelled from the Boudh region, which was renamed as Odra Desa. Yayati - I, the son and heir of Janmejaya - I set up his capital in Odradesa at Yayatinagara, which has been recognized as the modern Jagati in Boudh District. The Somavansi then occupied and traveled towards Utkala leaving their original homeland South Kosala under the control of the viceroys. With the passage of time the Telugu Chodas and the Kalachuris occupied Kosala.

The majestic Gangas of Kalinga, after occupying Utkala, entered into a prolonged struggle with the Kalachuris, spanning over a period of about one hundred years, for the occupation of the Kosala area. It is obvious from the Chatesvar Inscription ( 1220 AD) that the struggle eventually ended with the victory of the Gangas during the reign of Anangabhima Deva - III and after this point of time Boudh along with Sonepur came under the administration of the Gangas. In due time, the Ganga Administrators became more or less autonomous and ruled over this territory hereditarily. In the meantime, a Brahmin ruling family appeared in Boudh . Gandhamardan Dev, the last Brahmin ruler of this family had no issues. So, he adopted one Ananga Bhanja of the Keonjhar Bhanja imperial family.

Ananga Bhanja succeeded Gandharmardhan Dev and established the rule of the Bhanjas in the Boudh District in the first half of the fourteenth century AD. He altered his last name from Bhanja to Dev and was known as Ananga Dev. Since then, the new line of kings went on ruling over this area till the fusion of the Boudh State with the Orissa province in 1948. Their kingdom comprised of the present Athmallik, Boudh and Sonepur regions and the headquarters were located at Swarnapura ( Sonepur). But soon after, when the Chouhan rulers of Patna (Patnagarh in Bolangir District) began to expand their kingdom, they transfered their capital to Boudh. In the first half of seventeenth century AD, Boudh was a very influential kingdom and Sonepur stayed under its direct supervision. During this period the Chouhan rulers of Sambalpur had already set up their preeminence over roughly the entire part of Western Orissa. Balabhadradeva ( 1605-1630 AD), the Chouhan ruler of Sambalpur defeated Siddhabhanja Dev (Siddheswar Dev) of Boudh and compelled him to hand over the Sonepur region which was made a separate state by the Chouhans in 1640 AD.

In the intervening time the Muslims took up Orissa. It is supposed that Boudh maintained an affable relation with the Muslims and possibly for this, Raja Pratap Dev of Boudh, had obtained from the Muslim powers, the title "Swasti Sri Dhirlakhya Dhumbadhipati Jahrkhand Mandaleswar" which was employed by the rulers of Boudh District till the time of Raja Banamali Deb. But the Maratha contact with the Boudh State was supposedly much more cordial. However, in 1800 AD this cordial relation deteriorated. The Maratha attacked Boudh and overpowered Raja Biswambara Dev. However, he was allowed to rule as a feudatory Raja of Nagpur and had to pay a regular tribute. During the primary years of the reign of Raja Biswamabara Dev ( 1778-1817) the Panchara Pragana lying between Baghanadi and Meheruni became detached from the Boudh State.

It is said that in 1780-81 Raja of Boudh had obtained a loan from the Raja of Sonepur and for the insolvency of the debt he had surrendered the above-mentioned pragana to Sonepur. But when the Sonepur Raja took possession of it a lasting dispute arose for the ownership of this tract, which was settled by the Superintendent of Tributary Mahals in favour of Sonepur. During the region of Sidhabhanja Dev ( Siddheswar Dev) the Sonepur area was taken over from Boudh by the Chouhan ruler of Sambalpur. In 1498-99 AD, the then Raja of Boudh state had made a souvenir of Dasapalla territory starting from Kamaimuhan near Kantilo and ending in the Udandi Muhan in the east to his younger brother Narayan Dev, who affirmed his sovereignty and made Dasapalla an independent state. Moreover, the narrow piece of territory lying amid the Kharang river on the west of Boudh and Amaimuhan was given by Raja Madan Mohan Dev in 1599-1600 AD as dowry to his daughters who married in the Chouhan royal family of Patna State.

However, Athmallik and Khondhmal stayed as parts of the Boudh state for a while. After the British conquest of Orissa in 1803 AD, Raja Biswambar Dev of Boudh surrendered to the British and entered into a contract with the East India Company on the 3rd of March, 1804. After the third Anglo Martha War, the British Government permanently took hold of Boudh from the Marthas and incorporated this state in the South West Frontier Agency till 1837, when it came under the control of the superintendent of Tributary Mahals in Cuttack. In 1817 AD, with the demise of Raja Biswambar Dev, his Son Chandra Sekhar Dev succeeded to the throne.

In 1821, he got a fresh "Sanand" from the British Government fixing the yearly tribute of Boudh at 800 rupees. After his demise his son Pitambara Dev ascend the throne in 1839 AD. During his period in office, on 15th February 1855 AD, Khondmal was detached from the Boudh state and was annexed to the British territory. Raja Pitambar Dev remained loyal to the British Government did lend a hand with the British Agency in restraining human sacrifice and the Khondh rebellion in Ghumsur and Khondhmal. Chakra Bisoi, who remained in Boudh State since 1855 and organized the Khondhas, was in due course driven out of the state and tranquility and order were restored. Raja Pitambar Dev died in 1880 and his son Jogindra Dev ascended the throne. He was a compassionate and kind ruler and brought in English education for the first time in the state.

At the time of his death in 1913, his eldest son Narayan Dev was a minor and consequently the Court of Wards and the Dewan managed the state. His official enthronement took place on 31st March, 1925. From his reign, the authority and purpose of the ruler was condensed to a significant extent and for all practical purposes, it appears that the state was under the grasp of the political agent. Raja Narayan Dev fruitfully suppressed a political agitation organized in Boudh in 1930-31 and implemented strict measures against the Prajamandal Movement in 1945. He had also urbanized the Jagti village ( Yayatinagar, the Somavamsi Capital) and renamed it Narayan Nagar. He was the last ruler of the Boudh State and on 1st January 1948, the state became a part of the Orissa province and became known as the Boudh District.

The district experiences subtropical type of climate, with hot and dry summers, cold and dries winter and hot and humid rainy seasons. In the summer season, the temperature reaches to 45°C and in the winter season temperature may come down to 10°c. The rainfall is not evenly distributed and varies from time to time. The total area of the Boudh District that is under cultivation is 358292 hectares. Paddy is cutivated in about 64000 hectares of land. The different irrigation projects include Salki Medium Irrigation project, Minor Irrigation project, Lift Irrigation project, Diversion weir, Dugwell and others.

The Boudh District is renowned for its ancient temples, antique Buddha statues and caves. With the spread of Saivism,Vaishnavism and a number of other religious groups abundant shrines dedicated to a variety of deities were set up in this area. The picturesque beauty of these places draws a large number of tourists. There are also many tourist spots in this region. Three notable Buddhist statues are found in the Boudh District. One of the statues is found in the Boudh town. The full height of this image is 6 ft. 9 inches of which the figure that remains seated is 4 ft. 3 inches in height and measures 3 ft. 10 inches from knee to knee. It is placed in the Bhumisparsa Mudra on a lotus throne 1 ft. 2 inches in height placed on a plinth 11 inches in height and 4 ft. 6 inches in breadth.

The whole image is built up in pieces with carved stones. There are also the statues of two Gandharvas flying with wreaths in their hands on the sides of the head. Another image of Budhha built in sandstone is in the village of Shyamsundarpur. The altitude of the statue is 5 ft. and the image is in the same position as in the Boudh town. Here also there are two Gandharvas flying with wreaths in their hands at the back of the Budhha figure. The colloquial name for this figure is Jharabaudia Mahaprabhu. The third Buddha statue is seen in the village Pragalapur that lies 2 km. from Shyamsundarpur. The altitude of this statue is 3.5 ft. Then there is the Ramanath Temple, which is a group of three temples of Siva, probably built in the 9th century A.D. These temples are built of red sandstone. Each temple stands on a hoisted podium and each consists of a cubicle and an attached portico. These temples are planned in the form of eight rayed stars. The miniature depressions and angularities generate a delightful effect of light and shade and bestow an appearance of greater height from the continual cluster of vertical lines than these temples in actuality possess. Another tourist spot is the charming and gorgeous Jogindra Villa Palace, which was constucted during the reign of Raja Jogindra Dev.

This Hanuman temple located in the middle of the river a spiritual friar on a large stone built Mahandai in the east of Boudh town. Other important temples in the Boudh District are the Chandra Chuda temple, the Matengeswar Temple, the Bhiarabi temple, the Madan Mohan temple, the Jagannath temple, the Purunakatak temple and the Raghunath temple. (27.8.07) The district also harbours the renowned twin temples of Nilamadhava and Sidheswar. The Bhanja rulers of Khinjali mandala erected these temples in the 9th century A.D. The Sidheswar temple is dedicated to Siva while the Nilamadhava temple is dedicated to Vishnu. The temple of Paschima Somanath ( Siva) lies a little distance away from the Siddheswar temple.

The Boudh District has a variety of wildlife. At a distance of 80 Km from the Boudh town lies the Padmatola Sanctuary. The Satakosia Gorge lies at the end of this sanctuary. The crocodile sanctuary situated on the left bank of the gorge attracts a large number of tourists. Goddess Binikeyee, who is considered as the deity of Satakosia gorge has a statue at the entrance. She is displayed in the form of a four-armed Chamundi and is revered according to Tantric rites. Then there is the Dambarugada Mountain, which has a temple of Chiatanya deva at its peak. Another tourist spot is the Nayakpada Cave, situated at a distance of 12 Km. from Boudh town. This place which was once andashram` for sadhus, is believed to have mythological importance. The lush green forests of this place are a rich attraction for tourists. An ideal picnic spot is the island of Marjakud located opposite to the Boudh town in the river Mahanadi. The deity of Maa Pitabali is worshipped here.

In spite of being a new district, the Boudh District is home to one of the oldest civilizations. Being a significant seat of Buddhism, Savisim and Shakti cults, it has a very rich culture. Different types of dances are held in different social carnivals. Some of these dances are the karma dance (performed during the Sana Karama festival on the 11th day of the dark fortnight in the month of August or September), the Danda Nata (performed in the month of Chaitra and Vaishakha by the worshippers of god Hara and goddess Parvati) and the Dalkhai Dance (performed in the month of Aswina on the event of Bhatri Dwitya). The district celebrates a number of important festivals like Chuda Khai Jatra, Ratha Jatra, Laxmi Puja, Nuakhai, Sivaratri, Dasahara, Dola Jatra, Puajiuntia and Bhaijiuntia, Ramaleela, Kailashi Jatra, New Year`s day , Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Chirstmas Day, Id-Ul-Fitre, Id-Ul-Zuha, Shab-E-Barat, Shab-E-Quadar, Juma-Tul-Wida, Muharram, Shab-E-Meraj, Milad-Un-Nabi, and Ramzan.

Summarily, we can say that the Boudh District has a very glorious cultural heritage, which is a consequence of its rich and diverse history. No wonder that the people are quite familiar with religious texts like the Bhagabat, the Mahabharat, the Ramayan, the Haribansa, or other Puranas as a part of their recreation.