Banki, Odisha

Toponym

Banki is part of the original Bankigarh, the native king of Banki State. The word Banki is derived from Bakra Durg, as the fort of king of Banki is slightly round shaped, the Oriya word Bakra implying bend/round, was the source of origin. The name later used in folk Oriya as Banka Durg later misinterpreted as Banki from Banka.

History of Banki

Banki was a zamindari state in western part of Cuttack District.The Mahanadi River flowed on the northern part of the state. It was annexed in 1881 as the population increased rapidly; from around 46,000 to 60,000. The governance was hereditary. The rulers of Banki bore the title Maharaj. The state was fulfilled with riches and happiness for a short period of time; until the death of the 14th king of Banki.

The king of Banki was very wise. He gave people of all castes equal rights. He got married with Rajkumari Sukadei of Badamba village, the daughter of king of Badamba. The king of Khurda challenged Banki's king for a war. King of Banki was killed in the war and Sukadei got widowed. He vowed to take revenge from king of khurda for his husband's death. He took the help of his brother, prince of Badamba to win the war. He defeated the king of khurda but did not kill him as she did not wanted queen of khurda to get widowed. Sukadei conquered Banki and some parts of Khurda and took the title Maharani.

After independence of our country in 1947, Banki became a town.

Geography

Banki is located at 20.38°N 85.53°E / 20.38; 85.53 on the southern bank of river Mahanadi in the southwest part of Cuttack district. It has an average elevation of 48 metres (157 feet). Banki is 58 km. away from state capital Bhubaneswar in south east, 47 km. away from district headquarter Cuttack in east,35 km. away from Khurda in south, 45 km away from Dhenkanal and 54 km away from Nayagarh.

Climate

Banki has a tropical wet and dry climate according to Köppen classification system. Summer is hot as maximum temperature reaches 43 °C, winter is chilly and minimum temperature can drop around 9 °C. The rainy season is from June to September and the annual rainfall is between 75 and 150 cm. The average summer temperature is 40 °C and average winter temperature is 13 °C.

Neighbourhood

Banki is surrounded by many semi urban villages. Which are the main source of economy and trade needs as well as man-power.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Banki town had a population of 17,521. Males constitute 52%,of the population and females 48%. Banki has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 74.04%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 9.16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Tourist Places

Banki has a good number of places to enjoy as Charchika Temple, Anshupa Lake, Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, Shri Singhanatha Temple of Patapur, Arachandi Temple, Maa Bramhei Temple of Sahadapada Village, Sunadei Hill, Kalika Prasad, Devi Duara, akhandeswar the lord shiva temple near chakapada village ets

Culture

Culture of Banki is very diverse as it is located on the banks of the Mahanadi River, which results people to come Banki.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Banki is popular as the Prasad of goddess Charchika includes fish. Many people are vegetarians but non - veg items such as chicken and mutton are preferred and are famous.. Rice, dal, fish, prawns, meat and vegetables form the staple diet. There are also some dhabas that sell meat dishes and veg dishes. Sweets such as dahi boondi,rasagola, and chamcham are prepared and eaten.

Handicrafts

Handicrafts called Chandua are made by the people and sarees and dresses are woven by women. Fishing is also preferred and the collected fish is sold in the markets. Fishing industry in Banki is famous due to the Illish fish caught in the Mahanadi River by the fishermen.

Educational Institutions

The prominent educational institutions in Banki town and near it are

Primary and Upper Primary

1. Charchika Nodal U.P. M.E. School

High School

1. Barendra Krushna Bidyapitha, Banki
2. Government Girls High School, Banki
3. Shri Singhanath Dev Bidyapitha, Patapur
4. Sri Aurobinda Centre For Integral Education, Banki
5. Similipur Harirajpur Anchalika Bidyapitha, Similipur
6. Talabasta High School, Talabasta
7. Raghunath Debata Bidyapitha, Brahmapura

College

1. Banki Autonomous College, Banki
2. Rani Sukadei women's College, Banki

Training Institute

1. Govt. Secondary Training Institute, Ragadi, Banki

Politics

Current MLA from Banki Assembly Constituency is Pravat Tripathy of BJD, who won the seat in State elections of 2014. Previous MLAs from this seat were Debashis Pattanaik, Pravat Tripathy who won this seat in 2000 and 2009 representing BJD and in 1995 representing JD, Ghanashyam Sahoo of JD in 1990, Akshaya Kumar Pattanaik representing INC in 1985 and representing INC(I) in 1980, and Dr. Jogesh Chandra Rout of INC in 1977.

Banki is part of Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency.

Politics of Banki N.A.C.

Banki N.A.C. is the most prominent part of Banki subdivision as consisting of Banki town market and area around it mainly Sahadapada, Dangipita, Charchika, Ranapur, Khamarang, Bedapur, Sisua & Chakapada villages. It is divided into 17 wards. The chairman is elected within the wardmember/councilors of these wards. Current Chairman of Banki NAC is Shri Akshya Kumar Pradhan of Biju Janata Dal.

Religion

The main religion practised in Banki is Hinduism. Other religions are Islam and Christianity.

1. Hinduism 96.86% 2. Islam 2.4% 3. Christianity 1.10%