Mayurbhanj State

Mayurbhanj State
Princely State of British India
c. 12th century–1948
Flag of Mayurbhanj
Flag
Coat of arms of Mayurbhanj
Coat of arms

Mayurbhanj State in a 1901 map of the Imperial Gazetteer of India.
CapitalKhiching
Haripur (c. 1400)
Baripada (c. 1800)
Area 
• 1901
10,982 km2 (4,240 sq mi)
Population 
• 1901
610,383
History 
• Established
c. 12th century
c. 1508
c. 1751
c. 1803
1947
1948
• Merged with Odisha
1949
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Eastern Ganga dynasty
Dominion of India
Today part ofOdisha, India
Shri Hari Baladev Jiu Temple in Baripada, built under royal patronage.

Mayurbhanj State (Odia: ମୟୂରଭଞ୍ଜ ରାଜ୍ୟ; colloquially Morbhanj) was one of the princely states of India during the British Raj.[1] It was one of the largest states of the Eastern States Agency and one of the four salute states of the Orissa States Agency.[1] The emblem of the state was two peacocks, for according to legend the ancestors of the rulers had originated from a peafowl's eyes.[2][1]

The state included a vast mountainous area inhabited by many different people and groups such as the Santal, Munda, Ho and Kisan people.[3] Its former territory lies in the present-day state of Odisha, bordering West Bengal. The capital of the state was the town of Baripada[1] since the 15th century and Daspur was another important town. Large tracts of Mayurbhanj State were covered with forest.

  1. ^ a b c d Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Morbhanj" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 820.
  2. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 17, p. 242.
  3. ^ The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India