Khurda Fort in 2017
Monalisa Patsani
Bhubaneswar, July 23: At a time when the government is organising a plethora of programmes both within and outside the state to mark 200 years of Paika Rebellion, the Khurda Fort, which had a vital role to play in the entire episode, remains as neglected as ever. The 16th century fort built by Divyasingdeva at the foot of Barunei hills was in its prime till 1803. The East India Company took control of the structure in 1817 following the Paika Rebellion. Orissa POST had highlighted the poor state of the fort in the report ‘Historic fort an open-air toilet’, September 21, 2015. Things haven’t changed much till date. This reporter found the fort, which has the potential to become a tourist hotspot, covered by wild growth; it continues to serve as a toilet for residents of the locality.
Although Orissa State Archeological Department did undertake some renovation work and had proposed a museum there, nothing much has been done to promote the fort as a tourist destination. The structure does not even have a guard, although Archaeological Survey of India norms prescribe deployment of such personnel for security of and guidance at protected monuments. Historians say Khurda fort is a significant symbol of anti-colonial struggle. After a minor upheaval in October 1804, a group of Paikas believed to be soldiers of Khurda attacked Pipili to overthrow the British. This alarmed the imperial authorities and a massive attack on Khurda fort followed. The then King Mukundadev II was dethroned and arrested. In 2015, the tourism department
had decided to develop infrastructure in and around fort and also announced plans to project Barunei Hills and Khurda fort as places of historic interest. But the plans have remained on paper. Dilip Srichandan, president of Barunei and Khurda Gada Vikash Parishad, says: “We have submitted a proposal to the state government for the construction of a memorial near Khurda Fort for visitors to learn about the importance of the place. We have suggested that an immortal flame similar to Amar Jawan Jyoti be installed within the fort and that statues of paikas be put on display outside the fort.” The committee also wants to establish a museum and library near the fort at which books, weapons and other artifacts connected with the revolt will be exhibited. However, Dilip is worried by the lack of maintenance of the
fort. “We approached the culture and tourism department seeking maintenance of the fort but despite repeated requests nothing has been done. The government should try to promote the place and develop infrastructure here. With rich history associated with the place, it has great scope for tourism,” he said. An official from the tourism department, however, said that work on development of the place is likely to begin “in a couple of months”. But residents such as Ramachandra Dixit, the priest at Kunjobihari Dev temple nearby, are sceptical. “After carrying out minor renovation, the department handed the responsibility of guarding the fort to a local; but he does nothing. We have heard about lots of plans for the development of the site but nothing has been executed,” he said.
