History of Keonjhar during British Rule 1803 to 1948

Abstract

Keonjhar is one of the 26 princely states of British Orissa. It is the third largest of the princely states, having an area of 3096 square miles. Keonjhar is divided into two widely dissimilar lands, lower Keonjhar being a region of valleys and low lands while upper Keonjhar consists of mountainous high lands. After the merger of the state into the province of Orissa in 1948, Princely State of Keonjhar was constituted into the district of Keonjhar. Keonjhar is famous for the iron ore deposits which than remained unexplored. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss critically the political, administrative, social and economic aspects of the history of Princely States of Keonjhar during the British rule from 1803 to 1947. The period covered in this thesis begins with 1803 when the administration of India was taken over by the British crown and ends with 1947 when India got independence. During this period, with the rapid growth of national consciousness, in British Orissa the British policy towards the states underwent significant change. The policy of annexation followed by the East India Company s Government was abandoned and a conciliatory policy was followed towards the state. This policy proved more harmful then helpful. The rule became more and more autocratic and ruled his state at will. The suffering of the people of Keonjhar state knew no bounds. newline