Discuss the role of the Utkal Sammilani and the early nationalist movement in Odisha leading up to 1919.

The early nationalist movement in Odisha was unique as it combined linguistic identity with anti-colonial struggle. Following the devastation of the Na’Anka Durbhiksha (1866), the Odia intelligentsia realized that the lack of a unified administrative unit was a major hurdle to progress. This led to the formation of the Utkal Sammilani in 1903, which became the primary vehicle for the unification of Odisha and the regional nationalist awakening.

1. Formation and Ideology of Utkal Sammilani

  • Foundation (1903): Under the leadership of Madhusudan Das (Utkal Gouraba), the first session was held at Cuttack. It brought together princes, zamindars, and the educated middle class.
  • Linguistic Unity: The primary goal was the amalgamation of Odia-speaking tracts scattered across the Bengal, Madras, and Central Provinces.
  • Non-Political Character: Initially, the Sammilani maintained a pro-government stance. Madhusudan Das believed in constitutional methods and sought British cooperation for the administrative reorganization of Odisha.

2. Key Contributions to the Nationalist Movement

The Sammilani acted as a catalyst for political and social change in the following ways:

  • Cultural Revival: It promoted the Odia language and literature, fostering a sense of "Odia-ism." This cultural pride was a prerequisite for political nationalism.
  • Economic Swadeshi: Madhusudan Das established the Utkal Tannery and Orissa Art Ware. He promoted the use of indigenous goods long before the national Swadeshi movement gained momentum.
  • Educational Advocacy: The Sammilani pressured the government for the expansion of Ravenshaw College and the establishment of more schools in Odia-speaking regions.

3. The Transition: From Regionalism to All-India Nationalism

By 1919, the movement began to shift from pure linguistic regionalism toward the mainstream Indian freedom struggle:

  • Satyabadi School: Gopabandhu Das (Utkal Mani) founded the Satyabadi Bakula Bana Vidyalaya in 1909. He believed that the Odia problem could not be solved in isolation from the Indian problem.
  • The Rise of the "Young Turks": A younger generation of leaders within the Sammilani, led by Gopabandhu Das, Nilakantha Das, and Harihar Das, favored political agitation over the Moderate approach of Madhusudan Das.
  • Influence of WWI: The political environment after World War I and the Home Rule Movement created a desire for more active resistance against British rule.

4. Significance of the 1919 Turning Point

The year 1919 was crucial because of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. Although the reforms failed to grant a separate province, they increased political activity. Shortly after, at the Chakradharpur Session (1920), the Utkal Sammilani finally accepted the creed of the Indian National Congress, merging the regional Odia movement with the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Utkal Sammilani was the "cradle of modern Odisha." Between 1903 and 1919, it successfully unified the Odia people under a common linguistic banner. While its early phase was characterized by Moderate regionalism, it provided the essential organizational and emotional foundation upon which the mass nationalist movement of the 1920s was built, eventually leading to the creation of Odisha as a separate province in 1936.