The Chouhan Rule in Sonepur State

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This book The Chouhan Rule in Sonepur State depicts the prolonged rule of the Chouhan for a period of 307 years (1640-1947) in Sonepur State; one of the -A-category Princely States of Odisha during the British Rule in India. It outlines the history of Sonepur since the Pre-Historic period with a brief political sketch of a number of Royal Dynasties namely the Bhanjas, the Somavamsis, the Telgu-Chodas, the Kalachuries, the Gangas, the Bhanjas and the Chouhans, ruling in Sonepur at different period of times. The glorious rule of the Chouhan dynasty in Sonepur State, invested with various social, political, cultural and literary activities. is considered as the golden period in the Political and Cultural History of Sonepur.

History of Sonepur. This book also contains s separate chapters on the "Sonepur State Trust Funds", the immortal contribution of the Chouhan Rulers for the all-round development and financial stability of the infrastructures they built and also on the "Temples in Sonepur" they constructed to exhibit their devotion and religious toleration for all creeds for which Sonepur is really called as the Temple Town of Western Odisha.

Dr. Santosh Kumar Padhy, the author of this book, born in April, 1955 in Sonepur Town, completed his Post- Graduation and LI.B Degree from Sambalpur University and joined Sonepur College as Lecturer in History in January, 1977 and retired as Principal from this College in April, 2015. He has keen interest in the study and research of Regional History in general and the History of Sonepur in particular. His M.Phil dissertation on "Sonepur Through Ages" (1990) and Ph.D Thesis on "History and Culture of Sonepur" (2000) are the specimen of his research activities.

The present Subarnapur District is situated between 20º.32' and 21°.11 North latitude and 83°.27 and 84°. 16° East longitude in the western highland of Odisha State. It was carved out from the Balangir District on 1* of April 1993 and made a separate Revenue District. It has got an area of 902 sq. miles or 2337 sq.kms. The merger of the feudatory states was initiated at Cuttack by signing the Instrument of Accession by twenty-six kings of the feudatory states of Odisha in December, 1947, in the presence of Mr. V. K. Krishna Menon, the Union Home Secretary at the behest of Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel, the Union Home Minister. Then the feudatory states of Balangir- Patna and Sonepur were made into one Revenue District with headquarters at Balangir town. The area of the erstwhile feudatory state of Sonepur was formed into a Revenue Sub-Division.

The Chouhan Rule In Sonepur State is an epoch making period in the History and Culture of Sonepur. Sonepur also known as Subarnapura, presently a District Head Quarter, figures on the political and cultural scene of Odisha since the Pre-Historic period with its rich cultural heritage and archaeological antiquities. Though it is known that a human settlement had developed in the Sonepur region in the Pre-Historic period, the exact date of the settlement in this region is yet to be ascertained. It may be presumed that the fertile river valleys, having enough food and water supply as well as the availability of plenty of raw materials for stone implements would have been a congenial place for habitation for the Pre-Historic people. The importance of this place has also been found mentioned in different Puranas and ancient literary works of the period. Situated on the confluence of three ancient rivers, Hiraprasu (Mahanadi), Telabaha (River Tel), and Karpuranadi (non-existant), Sonepur occupies a place of prime importance at different periods during the rule of different royal families like the Bhanjas, the Somavamsis, the Telgu- Chodas, the Kalachuries, the Gangas, the Bhanjas and the Chouhans.

**Contents and Sample Pages**