Eminent personalities of Sambalpur district, Odisha, have contributed much in the pride and glory of the district by rendering it prominence in various fields. Since ages, the district has been blessed with people whose works of literature, journalism, politics and humanitarian activities have played a vital role in the betterment of the social and cultural life of the people belonging to the district. Some of them have also actively participated in the freedom movement of India and have marked their contribution in disposing off the British domination on India. Their role in the society of is much revered and their works are still cherished by the people all around the nation. Their exceptional involvement in evoking a positive change in the society has earned admirable eminence to their names which has lasted even beyond their lives.

Bir Surendra Sai
Bir Surendra Sai, was born to a royal family in Badgaon village on 23rd January, 1809 and rose to the throne of Sambalpur in 1827. He was known as a warrior who fought against the British rule by leading a revolution with a huge number of protestors. He is also famed as `Shivaji of Odisha` for exhibiting a great devotion and patriotism for his motherland.

Gangadhar Meher
Gangadhar Meher is a renowned name in the Oriya literature who is greatly admired for his poems. He was born on 9th August 1962 in at Barpali region of undivided Sambalpur district. His poetries encompass a number of genres including devotional, lyrical, ethical, patriotic, and reformative and many others.

Bhima Bhoi
Bhima Bhoi, was one of the celebrated poets of the district. Born in 1850, he was blind by birth. He was also a religious person. He developed his poetic skills and religious knowledge through the preaching of his guru "Mahima Mahaprabhu". He is the author of famous books like Bhajanamal, Ashtaka Bihari Gita, Sruti Nisedha Gita and Stuti Chintamani.

Satya Narayan Bohidar
Satya Narayan Bohidar was famed as the pioneer of Sambalpuri language and grammar. Born on 1st August, 1913 at Sonepur he had authored a number of literary translations and biographies.

Swapneswar Das
Swapneswar Das was another renowned poet and a well known journalist. He was born on 25th January 1866 in Rohinia village and started his career as a grammarian and translator. Veda Kalpadruma, a literary masterpiece, was composed by him, which is categorized into 75 volumes. He was also awarded with `Vidyalankar` honour.

Gokulanand Panda
Being an eminent poet, Gokulanand Panda had a great contribution in Indian literature. Hrudaya Lahari is one of his best compositions, which holds a collection of poetries dealing with life and experiences.

Sunil Mishra
Sunil Mishra is a prominent name in the fields of drama and journalism. `Jana Samikshya` which is a magazine on humour was founded by him. This playwright had composed a number of dramas among which the popular ones include Akbar Ray, Nursingha Nath and Manikya Munda.

Braja Mohan Panda
Born on 5th June, 1890, Braja Mohan Panda was a well known social worker, agriculturist, political activist, academician and litterateur. He played a vital role in the establishment of the oldest college of western Odisha, Larambha College. He had also been involved in the publishing of literary works of many luminaries.

Siba Prasad Das
The name of Siba Prasad Das is associated with the writings of history and children`s literature. Apart from this, he had also authored several books on environment and sports. He was the founder of a printing press in Sambalpur town, known as `Biswa Bharati` which owns an acclamation for its transparency in publishing industry. Born on 29th September, 1901 he is also the famous writer of the rare history of Sambalpur Atitara Odisha and Sambapur Itihas.

Nrusingha Guru
Nrusingha Guru, popular as `Gandhi of Western Odisha`, was a famous freedom fighter who actively took part in the freedom struggle of India. He was born in 1901 and was a journalist by profession. For more than two decades, he had worked for the news paper "Samaj".

Other Eminent Personalities of Sambalpur
Other eminent personalities of Sambalpur are Chandra Sekhar Behera, Jadunath Supakar, Sradhakar Supakar, Kasinath Singh, Isaac Santra, Biswaksen Mishra, Balunkeswar Mishra, Janardan Pujari and Laxminarayan Mishra.