Bijepur

Geography

Bijepur is a populated place in the region of western Odisha, the country of India with an average elevation of 189 meter above sea level. Which is situated in Padampur sub-division and about 26 km south-east of Bargarh town. The area is mildly densely populated with 253 people per km². The nearest town larger than 50,000 inhabitants takes about 0:42 hour by local transportation.

An estimated 5.45% of the children below 5 years old are underweight, with a mortality of 118 per 1,000 births. Nearby villages are Jaring (2.4 km), Kanapali (3.8 km), Pada (5.4 km), Bandhpali (5.4 km), Pahandi (7.5 km). Nearest towns are Bijepur (0 km), Barpali (12.1 km), Sohella (12.5 km), Bargarh (26.7 km). Badbausen, Badbramahani, Bairakhapali, Beniachal, Bhatigaon, Bijepur..... are the villages along with this village in the same Bijepur Tehsil.

History & Zamindari

Bijepur was the erstwhile headquarters of a Zamindari known as Uttal-Baisi. Bijepur is renowned for its shawls, garments, bedsheets and traditional mats. Bijepur, A zamindari in the Bargarh, extending over 83 square miles. It was originally a Gond chiefship, but Maharaj Sai, the then Raja of Sambalpur, made a grant of it to one Gopi Padhan (Kulita) as a reward for loyal .service. Subsequently, the grant was confirmed by the British Government 1863 when the title of Gartia was conferred on its Chief and a quit-rent of RS 350 fixed for a term of 40 years. That term expired in 1903, and a takoli or feudal tribute was fixed at Rs 3305. The net income of the Zamindari was Rs.13,769.

This zamindari is also called Uttal-Baisi. It is said that before the grant to Gopi Padhan there were two Gond zamindaris, one of which was called Uttal with headquarters at Talpadar, a village in Bijepur, where there was a fort called the Uttal fort; while the other, consisting of 22 villages, with headquarters at Bijepur, was called Baisi. The headquarters of the zamindari are at Bijepur.

Nature

Bijepur has a humid (> 0.65 p/pet) climate. The land area is totally cultivated, not much natural vegetation is left. The landscape is mostly covered with irrigated croplands. The climate is classified as a tropical savanna (winter dry season), with a subtropical moist forest biozone . The soil in the area is high in lixisols (lx), soil with clay-enriched lower horizon, low cec, and high saturation of bases.

Natural hazards

Bijepur can have low impact (v or less) earthquakes (on average one every 50 years), with occurrences at <5 Richter. When an earthquake occurs, it may be felt indoors by many people, outdoors by a few people during the day. At night, some people may be awakened. There is a medium-high occurrence of periods with extreme drought. Flooding risk is medium. There is a low chance of cyclones hitting Bijepur.

Demographics

As of India census, Bijepur had a population of 31,253 (Approximate population for 7 km radius). Males constitute 50% of the population and females also 50%. Bijepur has an average literacy rate of 53%, less than the national average of 59.5%. Other than the Sambalpuri(Kosali) speaking people who form the majority. Within the Sambalpuri speaking population, the major communities are Kuiltas, Dumals Agharias, Bhulias/Mehers (the weavers), Brahmins etc. Kuiltas and Dumals are presumed to be an offshoot of the original Chasa(agrarian) community and is synonymous with the Khandayats of the coastal region. This is evident by the striking similarity of rituals and the gods they pray. Bhulias were migrated to and settled in this region by some rulers, but the exact time period is controversial. Agharias were migrated from the mughal empire of Agra for establishing a cultivator community during war when Kuiltas were assigned the duty of part-time Kshatriyas. Sambalpuri is the language for communication. Oriya and English are used for official purposes and for higher education.

Culture

Nuakhai (Nabarna) is the main festival of Bijepur. Bijepur celebrates Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Ananta Puja, Car Festival (Ratha Yatra), Ram Leela & Krishna every year. Krishna is an open stage dramatization with virtually the whole town as a stage, with the universal theme of ‘triumph of good over evil’. It depicts the mythological story of Krishna starting from marriage of his parents till the death of Kansa, the evil king. For this whole period, the town turns into the mythological city of Mathura with Kansa (played by an artist) ‘ruling’ over it.

Shopping

Bijepur has many shopping places in town. Beauty Collection is famous for its retail garment section. Daily market on Bijepur witnesses a large number of people for shopping fresh vegetables.

One will find garments for quite reasonable price in BIjepur market. Chaulbara (rice pakoda) is a delicious dish, On roadsides, yummy chat, panipuri, samosa is always available.

Economics

The economy of Bijepur is largely dependent on agricultural products. The daily vegetable market of Bijepur is claimed to be the largest vegetable origin in this Block. "SAMBALPURI SAREES" originated from Here. Ikkat Hand wooven sarees and other Sambalpuri clothes are made in Bijepur.

Schools and college in Bijepur

1. Bijepur College, Bijepur
2. Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
3. Govt. Girls High School
4. Govt. High School
5. Arobinda Inter Education
6. Sankarshan Govt. UP SChool
7. Boys Primary school
8. Girls UG UP school
9. Ananda Marga

Bijepur Degree College, Bijepur

Bijepur (Degree) College, Bijepur, in the district of Bargarh, was established in the year 1990 to provide Higher Education to the people of this locality. Before the establishment of this college only the privileged few were pursuing their education out side and the poor were compelled to close their studies at H.S.C. Or +2 level.

Indian freedom fighter

Parbati Giri, nicknamed as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha, was a prominent female freedom fighter from Odisha, India. The women freedom fighters of Odisha played a significant role in the Indian Freedom Struggle. Giri was born in Samlaipadar village near Bijepur of the present Bargarh district and undivided Sambalpur district on 19 January 1926. Due to her anti-British government activities, she was imprisoned for two years. Parbati Giri was just 16 when she was in the forefront of agitation following Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India” call. She continued to serve the nation socially after independence. She opened an orphanage at Paikmal village and devoted rest of her life for the welfare of orphans.