View of the Deulajhari Shiva Temple, Built by the King of Athmallik:Raja Kishor Chandra Deo
[1]Athmallik State (Odia: ଆଠମଲ୍ଲିକ) was a princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. It Came under the Eastern States Agency.The state was a former jagir recognized as a state in 1874 and had its capital in Kaintaragarh near the town of Athmallik.[2] located in the present-day Angul district of Odisha. It had an area of 1,890 square kilometres (730 sq mi) and a population of 64,276 and with an average annual revenue of Rs.2,17,000 at the colonial period.
History
Athmallik was initially an estate (jagir) which was recognized as a princely state in 1874. Athmallik was one of the 26 feudatory states of Odisha. Kaintaragarh was the capital of Athmallik State, being carved out of the erstwhile Baudh ex-feudatory state.
In the 11th century, it became a separate princely state, established by King Pratap Deo, a scion of the Kadamba Dynasty. Pratap Deo was said to have found a Honda (Metal Vessel) which was considered to be lucky enough, after which the territory was then named as "Hondapa".
In the course of time, one of the chiefs divided the ex-state into eight divisions and placed one sub-chief called "Mallick"in each division with a view of suppressing the unruly tribes; on this basis the kingdom changed its name from "Hondapa" to "Athmallik".
"Maharaja Mahendra deo samant" was the only ruler of the dynasty who the title of "maharaj"Usually the kings of big states like " mayurbhanj" " Patna" "sonepur" "Kalahandi" had the title "Maharaj" but the people and British impressed because of great works done by him so they gave the title" maharaj" . During his period the population of his state was very low therefore revenue was also low . He started developing agricultural lands and started farming and promoted agriculture and education so the people from other princely states like rairakhol, Sonepur,boudh,talcher,and British territory angul came and settled there. Villages of athamallick has semifeudal chiefs or "village heads" such as "Pradhans" and "gountias" . There are many communities both tribal and non tribal . people from " khandayatchasa" (subdivision of khandayat cast) community who are village heads are called with the title "Pradhan" they had large amount of land and many "halia" (agricultural labourer) they are on the top of social hyrarchy. They have a significant presence in royal court. They have also involved in other jobs like teaching. Villageheads who are from other communities like gond,kondh, Brahmins are called gountias.
On 1 January 1948 the last ruler of Athmallik signed the accession to the Indian Union after independence and following which it merged with the state of Odisha forming a part of the Dhenkanal District. In 1 April 1999, the Dhenkanal District was divided to create the Angul District, and Athmallik became a sub-division of Angul.
Rulers
Rulers of the State of Athmallik are as follows:.[3]
Jogendra Samant (1874 - 1877)
Mahendra Deo Samant (4 Feb 1877 - 190.)
Bibhendra Deo Samant (190.- 3 Nov 1918)
Kishore Chandra Deo Samant (b. 1904) (3 Nov 1918 – 1 Jan 1948)
