Know The History & Legends Behind The Indian States (Part- II)

By- Khushi Bisht

India is divided into 29 states, each of which has a lively history, culture, and heritage dating back to the dawn of human civilization. India's rich history and culture are unrivaled, and the nation's unity in diversity continues to inspire the rest of the globe. We'll look at the history and mythology of several of India's southern states in this article.

ODISHA

Odisha boasts an illustrious 2000-year-old history and culture. It possesses India's widest range of tribal groups. These have made a significant contribution to Odisha's cultural heritage. The state used to be called "Kalinga," and it was the majestic center of political authority. Because of this, Malaysians continue to refer to Indians as "Kings." The Angkor Vat temple is a famous architectural example of the Odia legacy on Cambodian temple building

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha.
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Odisha was the site of a key pivotal moment in global history. In 261 B.C., the historic Kalinga battle was fought in Odisha, which led Emperor Asoka to abandon violence and adopt Buddhism. Following the battle, he championed the cause of Buddhism and was instrumental in bringing the faith to far-flung lands such as Thailand and Cambodia. Folks from Odisha conquered several areas throughout the world including Thailand, Bali, Java, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Sumatra.

The state was a component of Bengal until 1912 and then a part of Bihar until 1936, after passing through the control of the various empires such as the Maratha and the Mughal empire and the British East India Company. On April 1, 1936, the state became a legal entity. It became an independent state in the year 1950 and has remained so ever since.

ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh is a state in India that is proud of its rich history. A look at Andhra Pradesh's history might provide insight into the state's illustrious past. Andhra Pradesh, a large component of Emperor Ashoka's empire, was a prominent Buddhist center at the time. Several sites in the state still exhibit the imprints of Buddhism.

Boats at Rajahmundry's famous bridge at Andhra Pradesh.
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The most magnificent time in the state's past was the reign of Emperor Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529), who ruled over the Vijayanagar Empire, which included all of South India. Following Indian independence, Andhra Pradesh was the first state to be created on the linguistic foundation. Hyderabad became the state's capital, and it is now one of the most technically advanced and powerful metropolises in contemporary India.

ALSO READ: Know The History & Legends Behind The Indian States (Part- I)

KARNATAKA

Karnataka has an intriguing past. This state in south India has been ruled by several rulers that have impacted its heritage. At various periods in history, it has been conquered by a variety of dynasties. Some of Karnataka's historical dynasties include Kadamba Dynasty, the Western Ganga Dynasty, the Badami Chalukya Dynasty, the Sevuna Dynasty, Vijayanagara Empire, and many others. Karnataka was filled with its own cultural values as a result of the impact of numerous kings and dynasties.

Lotus Mahal, Hampi, Karnataka.
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Following the Independence of India, the states were reformed according to language as well as other factors. The Kannada-speaking populace merged to form modern-day Karnataka under the name Mysore. Until 1975, it was controlled by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore as its administrator. Mysore was replaced with Karnataka as the state name in 1973.

KERALA

Kerala's ancient past is hidden in the pages of history. According to prevalent belief, the landmass that makes up the State rose from the bottom of the sea. Lord Vishnu's Brahmin incarnation, Parasurama, has conducted a series of furious battles against the Kshatriyas. There came a time when Parasurama felt regret for the indiscriminate destruction he had caused. Atop the high peaks, he gave harsh atonement.

Backwaters in Alleppey, Kerala.
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The sage hurled his enormous axes into the center of the far sea, in a state of intense penance. The waves frothed just as a prawn-shaped territory spanning from Gokarna to Kanyakumari rose from the deepest part of the ocean to establish the State, earning it the moniker "God's Own Country."

GOA

Goa, formerly recognized as Gomanchala, Gopakapuri, Gopakapattam, and other names, has a remarkable historical past. Goa's early past remains a mystery. The Satavahana empire ruled Goa in the 1st century CE, which was followed by numerous more empires. In 1542, the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier arrived in Goa and began proselytizing. Except for a brief period in the latter part of the seventeenth century when Shivaji captured a few regions in and around the state, the Portuguese remained to govern the province.

A Cathedral in Old Goa.
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Goa remained under Portuguese control even after India gained freedom. They were unable to meet the expectations of the Goan population, and on December 19, 1961, Goa was freed and merged with Daman and Diu to form a compound union territory. Goa was granted statehood on May 30, 1987, while Daman and Diu were designated as a distinct union territory.