AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHAUHANS OF SAMBALPUR: OBSERVATIONS ON THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF WESTERN ORISSA
Keywords:
Chauhans, Sambalpur, social structure, tribal groups, assimilation, land grant, temple, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Rajputs, Kulta, Dumal, Agriha, Vaishya, agriculture, migration, Gaisima, Siva templeAbstract
The Chauhans of Sambalpur, a non-tribal group, established their kingdom in western Orissa in the
mid-16th century. This historical document explores the social structure of their kingdom using various
Sanskrit courtly chronicles, British accounts, and vernacular sources of the seventeenth century. The
Chauhans' social hierarchy had various tribal groups such as Binjhals, Kondh, and Sahara, among others,
following them. However, the Chauhans' assimilation practices of granting land and temples to Brahmins and
other tribes led to a balance of relationships among their tribal population. The document also analyzes the
claims of some tribal groups to be Kshatriyas or Rajputs. The Kulta, Dumal, and Agriha were among the thirtysix castes in their kingdom, and they came under the Vaishya community. The Kulta community, a significant
agriculturist group, had a legend regarding their origin involving Rama. The document also describes the
migration of some Kulta families to Sambalpur from Patnagarh due to political instability. These families,
accompanied by a thousand cows, crossed the river Ang/Ong and settled in Sambalpur. Ajita Sing built a Siva
temple at the settlement named Gaisima and donated land to them. The document provides observations on
the social structure of western Orissa during the Chauhans' reign from the 16th to the 18th century.
