Explore Jharsuguda, Rising with Power and Progress

History 

Jharsuguda earns the title "Powerhouse of Odisha" for its thriving steel, aluminium, and power industries. Jharsuguda officially became a district on April 1, 1994, and it spans an area of 2,203.32 sq km. Among Odisha's 30 districts, Jharsuguda is one of the richest in minerals, industries, and business activity. Its administrative center, Jharsuguda Town, anchors the district and drives its industrial and economic growth.

In 1936, locals called the current district of Jharsuguda 'Jharguda,' which lay within Sambalpur. In the 16th Century, Balram Dev of the Chauhan dynasty established the Kingdom of Sambalpur. As evident from historical records, during the reign of Chhattrasai Dev, the 7th king of the Chauhan dynasty, Dense forests surrounded the small settlement of Jharguda, and a man-eating tiger ravaged the local people. Siva Singh, the grandson of Chhattrasai Dev, using his mighty Sword, killed the tiger and brought relief to the people. In recognition, Chhattrasai Dev awarded the area to Siva Singh as ‘Bhrutti’ or ‘Jageri’.

As per folk tales, the Kishans from Jharkhand state established Jharsuguda during the 12th Century A.D. Jharkishan was head of the tribe. The original village, consisting of 12 kishan families, became known as Jharguda, and Siva Singh, a descendant of the Sambalpur royal family, ruled the entire region. Later, the descendants of Siva Singh ruled the region un-interruptedly from the 16th century till the end of the 18th century.

Later, the Marathas Bhonsle occupied the district of Sambalpur. Later in 1818, the British occupied Sambalpur, and they made Maharaja Sai the nominal king of Sambalpur. However, the British directly handled the actual administration. After Maharaja Sai died in 1826, the British appointed his widow, Mohankumari, as the ruler of Sambalpur. Challenging this decision made by the British, the then Jamindar of Jharsuguda, Govind Singh, claimed himself to be the rightful heir to the throne of Sambalpur and launched an armed rebellion that continued uninterruptedly from 1827 to 1833. In 1833, the British forces defeated Govind Singh.

Another claimant to the throne of Sambalpur was Surendra Sai, Jamindar of Khinda, who had also launched an armed rebellion to press his claims to the throne.

Gradually, the revolutionary activities in Sambalpur calmed down, and Govind Singh agreed to withdraw his claims for the throne of Sambalpur and received the appointment as the Mafidar of Jharsuguda. Many of his prominent followers and associates faced hanging in August 1833.

The associates of Surendra Sai who supported him in his second phase of revolution (1857-1863) shared a similar fate. Later in 1905, administrators transferred Jharsuguda from the Central Province to Odisha, gradually leading to the formation of a new township.

Geographical Location 

Jharsuguda town lies at the western end of Odisha on State Highway-10. The river ‘IB’ flows along the Western side of Jharsuguda town, and the river ‘Vheden’ flows in the South. The town covers an area of 70.47 sq km. The town stands at a height of 700-750 feet above mean sea level.

The district of Jharsuguda holds rich deposits of minerals, especially coal. It ranks as one of the most urbanized and industrially developed districts of the state. Rail and road networks connect the district well with all parts of the State. The authorities also built an airport in the district during World War II.

How to reach

Jharsuguda connects directly to Sambalpur, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Bilaspur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Puri, Patna, Kolkata, Raipur, Ranchi, Vishakhapatnam, and many more cities across India. SH-10 and NH-42 link Jharsuguda to the major towns of the state.

Where to stay?

The district offers a good number of small, affordable, and large-sized hotels, Pantha Nivas, and other accommodation facilities.