ଭଦ୍ରକ ,ଓଡିଶା, ଭାରତ

2.85%
Population density 532 per km2 No. of Sub-Division 1 No. of Blocks 7 No. of Villages 1356 Average rainfall 1433 mm Temperature Max.: 48 °; Min.: 17 °C Postal Code 756100 STD Code 06784

History

Bhadrak is an ancient land noted in legends dating from the age of the puranas, contributing to Orissa's maritime & agrarian prosperity, trade and commerce down the ages and recorded in History. Since the inception of Abul Fazal's Ain-e-Akabari. The ancientry of this land is eloquently testified by the gigantic tank of Asura, the Buddhist relics of the Seventh and Eight Centuries discovered in Khadipada and Solampur, the villages of Dhamnagar, the Budddist caves in Sarisua Hill near Kupari and the mysterious temple of Biranchinarayan in the village Palia, a parallel to the Sun Temple at Konark. The last battle to vindicate the freedom of Orissa was fought in a village called Gohiratikiri, on the bank of the river Genguti near Dhamnagar in 1568 in which the defeated king Mukunda Dev lost his life. In 1575 the Muslim population settled down in Bhadrak following the discomfiture of the Afgans under Usman at the hand of Raja Mansingh. In Mughal period Bhadrak remained a subah under the Nawabs of Bengal. When the imperial powers of the Mughals waned, the zone consisted of some principalities like Kanika, Ampo and Agarapada with a few administrative sub-units called Chowparhies such as Kubera, Talapada, Nadigaon, Kasimpur, Kurigaon, Bindha etc., all ruled by Kshatriya Chiefs with patriotic temper. After the British occupation of Orissa, Cuttack and Balasore constituted one of the two administrative divisions, in June 1804. In 1828 when Balasore was made a separate District, Bhadrak become one of its Sub-Division with an Assistant Magistrate cm Deputy Collector as the Sub-Divisional Head, while the Munsif Court remained in Jajpur until 1901. In modern times, during the period of National struggle Bhadrak became the vanguard. In 1920 when the non-cooperation movement was launched in response to the clarion call of Gandhiji, the boycott of the law court practically resulted in closing down of the court of the 2nd Officer for a whole year. Gandhiji came down to Bhadrak in the last week of March 1921, being impressed with the nationalistic fervour and fighting spirit of the people. In 1922 started the historic mass rebellion of Kanika which for the time being was suppressed with the help of British troops stationed at Bhadrak but ultimately the popular upsurge, under the leadership of Chakradhar Behera, the doyen of Kanika tenants movement triumphed. With the mass civil disobedience movement launched in 1930, Bhadrak once again became vibrant with patriotic zeal, hearts throbbed with the urge for freedom, salt law was defied, a shake up given to the Govt. and success achieved. Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab's role in steering this movement to a crowning success is so great and spectacular that it has become already a part of Bhadrak psyche and history of modern India. Mahatma Gandhi who visited Bhadrak again in 1934 stayed in Mahatab's residence at Nuabazar. Gandhiji addressed a meeting of the Harizan workers in Jibaraj Ashram (Garadpur). It was by this time that Banchhanidhi Mohanty of Eram was shaping, stimulating and sensitizing the national consciousness among the people by his patriotic songs. In the historic Quit India Movement of 1942 Bhadrak played a leading role. It was under the leadership of Muralidhar Panda that on the 22nd Sept.1942 at Lunia, Katasahi the movement flared up to immortal flame with Nidhi Mohalik and eight others laying down their lives at the altar of freedom. Fittingly the place has been hallowed as Sahidnagar. At Eram on the 28th Sept. 1942 in an enclosed place like jalianawal Bagh nearly forty persons bared their chests to British Bullets for the cause of freedom. The congregated leadership, which guided the quit India Movement, constitutes many luminous figures including Dr.Harekrushna Mohatab, Md. Hanif, Muralidhar Jena, Gokulananda Mohanty, Nilamani Routray and others. Since independence, the history of Bhadrak has been the history of multifarious progress in Education, Industry, Agriculture, Trade and commerce and with the birth of a new star it is leaping towards the twenty first century with hope and promise. Culture

Bhadrak is famous for its Kali Puja held at "Charampa" for seven days. Temple of this goddess, known as "Bhadrakali", is located about 10 km from Bhadrak, Lord Akhandalamani is about 40 km away from Bhadrak. Muslim Sufi Saint Mujahid-e-Millat's Shrine (Mazaar) is at Dhamnagar, which is 22 km from Bhadrak Railway Station km away from both railway station and bus stand. Another Sufi Saint, Sayyad Nasim Akhtar Quadri alias "Sarkar Baba" resides in the Shaikhsahi Masjid in Bhadrak Municipality which is around 3 km away from both the railway station and bus stand. He is a living legend and everyday thousands of people visit him for his blessings. Punjabi Saint Guru Nanak ji's tomb/Gurudwar is also in Sangat village near Purana Bazar which is about 5 km from Bhadrak. One Nice Place in Bhadrak is Lord Maa Dhamarai,which is in Dhamra that is 80 km from Bhadrak. DRDO, PORT etc. are there and Shortest way to Bhitarakanika. For Muslims, the most famous attraction in Bhadrak District is Kadam Rasul, situated 2 km from Darghah of Saint Hazrat Mujahd-e-Millat in Jagti. Many memorable Tabrukaat are there, including: the Kadam Rasul of the Prophet Mohammed, MOO-E Mubarak Prophet Mohammed, Panja Mubarak Hazrat Maula Ali, Dupata Mubarak Khatum e Jannat, Kadam Pak Hazrat Gaus ul-Azam Dastegir. Education

The institutions of this areas are "Bhadrak Institute Of Engineering and Technology(BIET)" (Engg College), Bhadrak Autonomous College, Bhadrak Women's College,R.C.B.L.High school, Bhadrak High school or Zilla School, B.M.Bagurai High School,G.P High School randia, N.C. High School,Manjula Manjari Saraswati Sishu Mandir Nayabazar and Bhadrak Girl's School. Bhadrak High School is one of the oldest school in Orissa, established in 1882. Late Harekrishna Mahatab, first Chief Minister of Orissa studied at this School.The other English medium schools include Durga Prasad Saraf Vidyapeeth, Happy Home School.Sunshine Mission School,Damana Pana Saraf Vidyan pitha,Carmel School and St.Xaviers School. There are 6 new ITI(Industrial Training Center)in Bhadrak and a New Diploma College in Bhadrak give strength to the technical education of the district. ---- one new diploma school opened in Asurali named BEST.Kothar high school is one of the oldest school in Bhadrak district

Some upcoming project

The State is all set to have a shipbuilding factory at Charidiha near Dhamara in Bhadrak. It will be the first such private sector venture in eastern India. The Apeejay Surrendra Group and Bharati Shipyard Limited would set up the ultra-modern ship-manufacturing factory jointly with an investment of Rs 2,200 crore. In the first phase, Rs 900 crore will be invested in the project. Visakha is proposing to set up an 1100 mW plant in Bhadrak district entailing an investment of Rs 4800 crore. Welspun Power and Steel Ltd’s proposal for setting up a 5 million tonne per annum iron ore beneficiation plant and 3 million tonne per annum pelletisation plant at Dhamara was also cleared. While the company had received approval for setting up of a 3 million tonne per annum (MTPA) steel plant at Tangi at an investment of Rs 6103.80 crore earlier, it proposed to set up an iron ore beneficiation and 3 MTPA pelletisation plant at Dhamara. Politics

Bhadrak is Lok Sabha Constituency (No:7). The present Member of Parliament is Arjun Charan Sethi,Biju janta dal.Current MLA from Bhadrak Assembly Constituency is Shri Jugal Kishore Pattnaik of BJD, who won the seat in 2009. Previous MLAs from this seat were Naren Palei, INC in 2004, Biren Palei,INC in 2000, Prafulla Samal of BJD who won in 1995 and in 1990, Jugal Kishore Pattanayak who won in 1985 representing INC and in 1980 representing INC(I), and Ratnakar Mohanty of JNP in 1977. Bhadrak is part of Bhadrak (Lok Sabha constituency).