Maritime Past of Bharat

Odisha

A Tala Patra drawing from ancient Odisha
 
The state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India, which nation is now more often being referred to by its ancient name ‘Bharat’, has a rich maritime history dating back to the ancient times.
Odisha’s geography made it a hub for developing strong naval forces and maritime trade. While the Mauryan-era maritime activities and later Kalinga seafaring to Bali, Sumatra, Borneo (part of Indonesia now) to establish colonies are well known, there are some lesser-known accounts.

Trade with Romans: Odisha, particularly, Kalinga maintained a flourishing sea trade with Rome in the 3rd Century BC. Roman historian Pliny has made references to the trade routes to Kalinga in his writings. The exotic spices, silk, and precious gemstones were among the traded commodities.

Shipbuilding Tradition: The artists of Odisha were known for their shipbuilding skills. Villages like Manijanga have been reportedly making boats for over 800 years, with their boats being used for centuries in lake Chilka, one of the largest brackish water lakes in India.

Palm Leaf Navigation Maps: Odisha had a unique tradition of creating sea maps on palm leaves, called ‘Tala patra’, which are mostly unknown. These maps, known as ‘naksas’ were used by sailors to navigate the complex waterways. Recent studies have started rediscovering these lost navigation aids.

Maritime Rituals & Festivals: The “Bali Jatra” festival, less known outside Odisha, commemorates the departure of the ancient mariners of Kalinga to Bali and South East Asia. Another festival called “Kartika Purnima” or “Boita Bandana” events see Odisha people floating miniature boats, imitating their ancestors’ sea voyages.

Resistance to European Colonizers: Contrary to the overall submission of Indian rulers to European forces, the maritime history of Odisha recounts resistance. For example, the King of Kujang, a coastal village, had resisted British expansion in the area. The King, Raja Braja Kishore Ray, is celebrated as a local hero and his naval confrontations with the British are a lesser-studied facet of history.

The Budding Oceanography: The Ocean Science and Technology Cell (OSTC) in Paradip, Odisha, focuses on studying local marine biodiversity, often capturing less-known aspects of the state’s connections with the sea.

These accounts shed light on the rich and diverse maritime history of Odisha that has been somewhat lesser-known in the mainstream.

Marex Media

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The Author
Capt Kamal Chadha – photo and details you have