Odisha’s ancient maritime links to Southeast Asia: A historical analysis
Author(s): Dr. Rajata Kanta Dash and Rajani Biswal
Abstract: Research indicates that Odisha, hitherto known as Kalinga, had a significant historical and cultural connection with various Southeast Asian nations. The maritime commerce of Kalinga was renowned and is presently commemorated annually on Kartik Purnima with the Boita Bandana or Bali Yatra. The Boita Bandana festival is a significant naval celebration observed in Odisha. Historians say maritime trade in ancient Odisha dates back approximately 2500 years. According to the ‘Mahavamsa’, an ancient Buddhist manuscript from Sri Lanka, a prince hailing from Klinga established the Sinhalese dynasty in Sri Lanka during the 6th century B.C. Similarly, numerous historians, scholars, and observers have documented in their literature and travel accounts that the merchants of the Kalinga possessed adeptness in commerce.
The islands of Southeast Asia, like Sinhala (Sri Lanka), Malaya, Bali, Java, and Sumatra, among others, still retain remnants of the finest religious, cultural, and innovative practices of ancient Kalinga. Consequently, the Kalinga merchants also established colonies in various Southeast Asian nations. The recollection of the Kalinga triumph persists in multiple areas, such as Java and Sumatra. The term “Kling race of Java” is attributed to the Kalinga ethnic group. The ethnic group of Kalinga, who established a settlement in Java, eventually acquired the appellation of Kling. An area named “Kaulingam” is located in the Irian Jaya region of Indonesia and resonates with the name of Kalinga. The presence of the Kalinga settlement has been detected within the territorial domains of Cambodia. This research delves into examining the historical maritime connections between the Indian state of Odisha and South Asian countries and the evidence of Kalinga’s cultural impact in those territories.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2024.v6.i2b.302Pages: 121-124 | Views: 1080 | Downloads: 787Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Dr. Rajata Kanta Dash, Rajani Biswal.
Odisha’s ancient maritime links to Southeast Asia: A historical analysis. Int J Hist 2024;6(2):121-124. DOI:
10.22271/27069109.2024.v6.i2b.302
