Odisha General Knowledge for OPSC Civil Services
1. Historical Epochs of Odisha
- Kalinga War (261 BCE): Fought between Emperor Ashoka and the state of Kalinga along the Daya River. Led to Ashoka adopting Buddhism (Dhammavijaya). Documented in Major Rock Edict XIII at Dhauli.
- Chedi Dynasty: King Kharavela (1st Century BCE). The Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri caves records his 13-year reign and military campaigns.
- Eastern Ganga Dynasty (11th–15th Century CE):
- Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva: Initiated the construction of the present Jagannath Temple at Puri.
- Narasimhadeva I: Built the world-famous Sun Temple at Konark (Black Pagoda).
- Gajapati Dynasty: Kapilendra Deva established the Gajapati Empire (1435 CE).
- Paika Rebellion (1817): Armed peasant rebellion against British colonial land policies led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra.
2. Physical Geography & Drainage
- Major Rivers: Mahanadi (longest river in Odisha, origins in Sihawa, Chhattisgarh; Hirakud Dam near Sambalpur), Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha, Rushikulya, and Vansadhara.
- Lakes & Water Bodies: Chilika Lake (largest brackish water coastal lagoon in India, first Ramsar site in India, home to Irrawaddy dolphins), Ansupa Lake (freshwater oxbow lake).
- Mineral Wealth: Odisha holds roughly 52% of India's Bauxite (Panchpatmali), 33% of Iron Ore (Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj), and 90% of Chromite reserves (Sukinda Valley).