Hindol State

Origins

Hindol lay in the forested hills north of the Mahanadi, in today's Dhenkanal district. Its ruling family's traditions date the state to the mid-16th century, when chiefs from neighbouring houses carved out holdings among the tribal hill country of central Orissa.

Rule and society

The Raja ruled a population of Oriya peasants and tribal communities, drawing revenue from rice cultivation and forest produce. After the British conquest of Orissa in 1803 Hindol became one of the Orissa Tributary Mahals, later grouped in the Eastern States Agency.

Decline and legacy

Following widespread popular agitation (the Praja Mandal movement) in the Orissa states, its ruler signed the merger agreement and Hindol joined the province of Orissa on 1 January 1948.

Few sources survive for this state; details are uncertain.