Odia Books

Satyanarayan Rajguru was born in 1903.He is an eminent historian, epigraphist and researcher, was born in the celebrated Rajguru family of Paralakhemundi in Orissa. He had no college education, but because of his own untiring efforts he learnt Sanskrit classics, philosophy, phonetics, history and epigraphy. He came to fame in 1928 with his research article, ‘The Korashand Copper-Plate Grant of Visakhavarma’, published in the journal of Bihar and Orissa Research Society. Since then he has contributed hundreds of scholarly articles to many English and Oriya journals.

As Curator (1950-1962) and Epigraphist (1963-1967) of the government of Orissa he edited the
Inscriptions of Orissa in several volumes which throw light on the history and culture of Orissa. His research articles in both English and Oriya have a wide range, covering such subjects as archaeology, art and architecture of Orissa, Odissi music, the inscriptions of Lingraj temple and poet Jayadev. Many of his original researches have found place in the Bibliothica Indica of Netherlands.

Rajguru also wrote plays which include Radhabhisheka nataka, Rana Chanda, Hambira and Kharabela,
a novel called Karmakshetra, and a kavya called Manorama. He also discovered and edited a Sanskrit drama Chandrakala by Viswanath Kaviraj, the celebrated rhetorician. His scholarly introduction to this work fixes the time of Viswanath, thereby enabling scholars to ascertain the period of many important Sanskrit authors.

In 1974 the President of India awarded him ‘Padmashri’ for his contribution to historical and epigraphic scholarship, and the University of Behrampur conferred on him the degree of D. Litt. (honoris causa), while various literary and cultural organizations such as Orissa Sahitya Academy, Kalinga Sahitya Samaj and Utkal Hitaishini Samaj honoured him for his scholarship. His other important works include Naga itihasa, Odisa itihasa, Kalingara atmakatha, Odia lipira kramabikasa and Odia upabhasa, besides Prastaba chintamani (ed.) and The Indian Epigraphy.

Another significant achievement of Dr. Rajguru was the discovery of Copper Plate Grant from Khorasanda village near Paralakhemundi. This discovery brought to light the historicity of Mathara dynasty which he published in Bihar and Orissa Research Journal. His epigraphic studies threw new light on many dynasties like the Nalas, Matharas, Vigrahas etc. who would otherwise have remained unknown.

He re-examined the Chidivalasa Copper Plate. He boldly asserted that the Brahmins of Chidivilasa village originally belonged to Kalinga. Prior to that Prof. G. Subarao stated that the birth place of the Bhrahmins of that village was Bengal. Because of this discovery, the Andhra Brahmin Mahasabha honoured him with the award of Bharati Bhusan.

By his tireless efforts he decided the date of beginning of the Bhauma Era and the Ganga Era. He also settled the controversy over the prevalence of Gupta rule in Kalinga. It would not be an exaggeration to say that his contribution to the history and culture of Odisha is invaluable. His death in 1997 created a void that cannot be filled up.

Rajguru was awarded the civilian honour Padma Shri in 1974 by the Government of India.[3] He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiography, Mo Jeevana Sangrama in 1996.[15] He was also a recipient of Bharati Bhushan award from Andhra Mahasabha, Ganjam Sahitya Sammilani award (1968) and Odisha Sahitya Academy award (1968).[1] A recipient of Sarala Sanman (1989) from Sarala Sansad,

Radhabhisheka Nataka
Rana Chanda
Odisa Itihasa
Hambira
Naga Itihasa
Kharabela
Karmakshetra
Manorama
Kalingara Atmakatha
Mo Jeevana Sangrama
Swapane Chumban
Janani Utkal