Ancient History:

1. • Odisha has been an important part of Indian history for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was known as Kalinga, a region mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
   • The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka famously fought the Kalinga War around 261 BCE, which resulted in a devastating loss of life. Ashoka, deeply moved by the aftermath of the war, converted to Buddhism and advocated for peace and non-violence.
   • The region was part of various dynasties, including the Mauryas, Guptas, and later, the Shailodbhavas and Bhanjas, who ruled in different periods.

Kalinga Empire (Up to 7th Century CE):

1. • The Kalinga region was once a powerful kingdom, thriving with trade and culture. The Kalinga Navy was significant in maritime trade across the Bay of Bengal, and the region was known for its artistic achievements.
   • The Kalinga War, fought in 261 BCE between Ashoka and the Kalinga Kingdom, was a turning point in history. The war was so brutal that it led Ashoka to renounce violence and adopt Buddhism.

The Gupta Period (4th to 6th Century CE):

1. • During the Gupta Empire, Odisha was part of the cultural and intellectual flourishing in India. Though the Guptas controlled vast parts of India, Odisha remained an independent region under local rulers.
   • The Gupta period also saw the rise of Sanskrit literature, and Odisha’s temple architecture began to take its current shape.

Early Medieval Period (7th to 13th Century):

1. • The Bhanja dynasty ruled Odisha in the 7th to 13th centuries and is known for the development of the famous Kalinga-style architecture, including the construction of temples, like the Sun Temple at Konark.
   • The Eastern Ganga dynasty (12th-15th centuries) played a crucial role in Odisha’s history, during which the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri was built.

Medieval Period (14th to 16th Century):

1. • During this period, Odisha saw the influence of Islamic rulers, though local Hindu dynasties like the Ganga and Bhoi continued to rule the region.
   • The Bhoi Dynasty ruled from 1450 to 1575, during which the state saw both cultural growth and conflicts with the growing Islamic Sultanates in India.

The Mughal and Maratha Influence (17th to 18th Century):

1. • Odisha came under Mughal rule in the 16th century, though the Mughals never fully controlled the region. The Marathas took control of the coastal areas in the 18th century after the decline of the Mughal Empire.
   • Chilika Lake became an important trade and cultural hub during this time.

Colonial Period (19th to 20th Century):

1. • Odisha was annexed by the British East India Company in 1803 after the defeat of the Marathas, and it became part of British India.
   • The state’s people fought for independence during the Indian Freedom Struggle, with notable leaders like Laxman Naik and Surendra Sai leading resistance movements.
   • Odisha became an official state in the newly independent India in 1947.

Post-Independence:

1. • After India gained independence in 1947, Odisha saw significant development in education, culture, and infrastructure.
   • The state became officially known as Odisha in 2011, with a change in the spelling from Orissa. The name “Odisha” is believed to be derived from the ancient name Odra Desa.