| Sambalpur | |
| — district — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Orissa |
| Headquarters | Sambalpur |
| Collector | Member of Parliament |
| Shri Amarnath Pradhan (INC) | |
| Parliamentary constituency | Sambalpur |
| Assembly constituency | 7, 1.Kuchinda, 2.Rengali, 3.Sambalpur, 4.Rairakhol, 5.Deogarh, 6.Chhendipada, 7.Athamallik |
| Population • Density |
935,613 (2001[update]) • 122 /km2 (316 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 1.031 ♂/♀ |
| Literacy | 67.25% |
| Official languages | Oriya, Hindi, English, Sambalpuri |
|---|---|
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area | 6,702 square kilometres (2,588 sq mi) |
| Climate • Precipitation |
Aw (Köppen) • 1,530 mm (60 in) |
| Website | sambalpur.nic.in |
Sambalpur District is a district in the western part of state of Orissa, India. The historic city of Sambalpur is the district headquarters.
The district is located in the Mahanadi River basin. It has a total area of 6,702 square kilometers, of which almost 60% of the district is covered in dense forest. The district is bounded by Deogarh District to the east, Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts to the west, Sundergarh District to the north, and Subarnapur and Angul districts in the south.
Sambalpur city is the connecting city between Chhattisgarh and Orissa. Whereas it used to be known for its importance as a diamond trading centre, nowadays it is mainly known for its textiles, especially the Sambalpuri Saree. It's a good place from which to explore the surrounding forests and spot, some of the rare species still roaming the area in one of the wild life sanctuaries, such as the well-known Badrama sanctuary. Sambalpur is also famous for Sambalpuri song and Sambalpuri dance.
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Sambalpur is mentioned in the book of Ptolemy (2nd century) as Sambalaka on the river Manada (the Mahanadi River). This gateway to the exotic charms of the western region of Orissa was the cradle of an ancient civilization and is an important landmark in India's cultural history.
Sambalpur was a former princely state of British India. When its ruler died without a direct male heir in 1849, the British seized the state under the doctrine of lapse. It was attached to the British Bengal Presidency, but was transferred to the Central Provinces in 1862. The district was transferred back to Bengal in 1905, but the subdivisions of Phuljhar and Chandarpur-Padampur remained with the Central Provinces. Bengal's Orissa division became part of the new province of Bihar and Orissa in 1912, and in 1936 became the separate province of Orissa. After Indian Independence in 1947, Orissa became an Indian state.
Sambalpur District was subsequently divided into four separate districts. Bargarh was separated in 1993, and Jharsuguda and Deogarh districts were separated in 1994.
It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.[1]
In the district of Sambalpur a large numbers of Shiva temples were built during the Chauhan period. The most important amongst them were the Asta Sambhus in the undivided Sambalpur district as detailed below:-
| Serial Number | Name | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bimaleswar | Huma |
| 2 | Kedarnath | Ambabhona (Now in Bargarh District) |
| 3 | Biswanath | Deogaon (Now in Bargarh District) |
| 4 | Balunkeswar | Gaisama (Now in Bargarh District) |
| 5 | Balunkeswar | Maneswar |
| 6 | Swapneswar | Sorna (Now in Bargarh District) |
| 7 | Bisweswar | Soranda (Now in Bargarh District) |
| 8 | Neelakntheswar | Niliee (Now in Bargarh District) |
An interesting feature of Saiva shrines found in Sambalpur area is "Non-Brahmin Priest" called Thanapati of Mali caste of these shrines (Pasayat, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008).
The economy of Sambalpur District is basically dependent on agriculture and secondly on forests. Forests play an important role in the economy in terms of contribution to revenue, Domestic Product as well as dependence of people for livelihood. The people living adjacent to the reserved forests of Sambalpur Forest Division are heavily dependent on these forests. In the past Sambalpur has been a great centre of diamond trade. Kendu leaf (Diospyros Melanoxylon) is also produced in Sambalpur. Tendu leaf is one of the most important non-wood forest products of Sambalpur and is also called as green gold of Orissa. Lately industrialisation has started in the district and the prime industries of power, alumina and steel have been established. The place is famous for its globally renowned textile bounded patterns and fabrics locally known as Baandha. Sambalpur is famous for its Hand loom textile works. Popularly known as Sambalpuri Textile. It has earned international fame for its unique pattern, design and texture. Apart from textiles, Samabalpur has a rich tribal heritage and fabulous forestlands.
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Sambalpur one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[2] It is one of the 19 districts in Orissa currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[2]
According to the 2011 census Sambalpur district has a population of 1,044,410,[3] roughly equal to the nation of Cyprus[4] or the US state of Rhode Island.[5] This gives it a ranking of 433rd in India (out of a total of 640).[3] The district has a population density of 158 inhabitants per square kilometre (410 /sq mi) .[3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.63 %.[3] Sambalpur has a sex ratio of 973 females for every 1000 males,[3] and a literacy rate of 76.91 %.[3]
Languages spoken here include Asuri, an Austro-Asiatic language spoken by approximately 17 000;[6] and Bhunjia, spoken by approximately 7000 Bhunjia Adivasis.[7]
The town of Sambalpur, lying 321 km from Bhubaneswar, is an ancient centre for the diamond trade is famous for its internationally renowned textiles (ikat), rich tribal heritage and fabulous forestlands. Sambalpur is easily accessible by rail and road.
Samaleswari, the presiding deity of this region is enshrined at 'Samalei Gudi' on the bank of Mahanadi River. The other temple of importance is the Budharaja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and is perched atop the Budharaja hill. These temples are located at a few kilometres' distance from Sambalpur. The Hirakud Dam, the longest dam of the world, is some 15 kilometres from Sambalpur and can be easily visited on a day trip.
About 20 km from Sambalpur lies the Huma Temple which is a leaning structure, angling up to almost an astonishing 17 degrees. A mystery of engineers since the past few decades, it was made by the erstwhile ruler of Sambalpur.
| Jharsuguda district | Sundargarh district | |||
| Bargarh district | Debagarh district | |||
| Sambalpur district | ||||
| Subarnapur district | Anugul district |
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