Jeypore: Maharaja Vikramdev Burma played a crucial role in merging the princely state of Jeypore with independent Utkal Pradesh. Sacrificing personal comfort and luxury, he dedicated himself to the cause of the nation and its people. Even before ascending the throne, he was actively involved in the formation of the Odia society in Visakhapatnam, serving as a guardian for Odias residing in the Madras Presidency. His sole objective was the progress of Odisha and the Odia language. Although Jeypore was geographically separated from Utkal, it was an Odia-speaking region and an integral part of Odisha. Vikramdev Burma tirelessly advocated for its merger with Utkal Pradesh.
On December 30, 1903, the first session of the Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Union Conference) raised the demand to unify all Odia-speaking regions into Odisha. However, the Madras government opposed this move. Consequently, on July 19, 1905, the then Viceroy issued an order stating that Ganjam and Visakhapatnam districts would remain part of Madras. In response, Vikramdev Burma strongly voiced his opposition. Since the establishment of Utkal Sammilani, he persistently advocated for a separate Odia province at its annual conferences, arguing that the merger of Odia-speaking areas was both logical and just. He was supported in this effort by Kumar Vidyadhar Singh Deo.
Under the leadership of Vikramdev Burma, the 10th session of the Utkal Sammilani was held in Paralakhemundi on December 22, 1914. During this session, demands were raised for the use of the Odia language in schools and courts. The Philip-Duff Committee toured various regions of Ganjam and Visakhapatnam, gathering public opinion, and submitted its report to the government. The committee, influenced by Vikramdev Burma’s advocacy, recognized the legitimacy of the Odia people’s demand.
In 1931, the British government appointed a committee under the leadership of ICS officer Sir Samuel O’Donnell to determine Odisha’s boundaries. The committee found strong historical, social, and linguistic evidence supporting the inclusion of Ganjam district and the entire Jeypore estate into Odisha. However, some opponents argued that Jeypore’s merger with Odisha would weaken its economy and that deforestation in the region could lead to droughts in Andhra Pradesh. A government white paper initially did not include Jeypore in Odisha. However, an in-depth discussion on Jeypore’s historical and linguistic ties with Odisha, the affinity of local tribals for the Odia language, and the minimal Telugu-speaking population ultimately favored the merger.
Vikramdev Burma submitted a memorandum stating that Odia-speaking regions should be included in Odisha. If that was not possible, he proposed an alternative—placing Ganjam, Visakhapatnam, and the entire Odisha hill region directly under British administration as a separate entity. However, a few non-Odia individuals, including Pulla Reddy, opposed the Maharaja’s stance and spread propaganda against the merger.
Despite opposition, Vikramdev Burma remained steadfast in his demand for the merger. Finally, his long-cherished dream became a reality when, on November 22, 1934, the Joint Parliamentary Committee published a report confirming Jeypore’s merger with Utkal. This led to the formation of a separate Odisha province, comprising six districts—Cuttack, Puri, Balasore, Sambalpur, Ganjam, and Koraput. Odisha expressed its gratitude to leaders like Godabarish Mishra and Gopal Krishna Praharaj, who played key roles in this achievement.
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