Bhadrak Knowledge Guide
History
According to legend, Bhadrak derives its name from the Goddess Bhadrakali, whose temple is situated on the southwest outskirts of the town. It is an ancient land, dating from the age of the Puranas.Bhadrak's contribution to Odisha's maritime and agrarian prosperity, trade, and commerce throughout the ages is a part of history. In the Mughal period, Bhadrak was a subah, or province, under the Nawabs of Bengal. When the imperial power of the Mughals waned, the area consisted of principalities such as Kanika, Nampo, and Agarapada, with administrative sub-units called chowparhies, all ruled by Kshatriya chiefs.After the occupation of Odisha by the British in June 1804, Bhadrak constituted one of the two administrative divisions of Cuttack and Balasore. In 1828, when Balasore was made a separate district, Bhadrak became one of its sub-divisions with an assistant magistrate and deputy collector as the sub-divisional head; but the munsif's court remained in Jajpur until 1901.Bhadrak was at the forefront during the period of national struggle. In 1920, Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement was launched. In March 1921, Gandhi visited Bhadrak, after being impressed by its nationalistic fervor and fighting spirit. In 1922, he started the rebellion of Kanika which British troops stationed at Bhadrak attempted to suppress; but ultimately the tenants' movement triumphed, under the leadership of Chakradhar Behera, the doyen of Kanika.When the civil disobedience movement was launched in 1930, Bhadrak became ardent with patriotic zeal, the salt law was defied, and success achieved against the government. Harekrushna Mahatab's role in this success has become cherished in Bhadrak, and a part of the history of modern India. Gandhi, who visited Bhadrak again in 1934, staying in Mahatab's residence at Nuabazar, addressed a meeting of the Harizan workers in Jimbaran Ashram (Nuasahi, Ashram, Garadpur). It was during this time that Banchhanidhi Mohanty of Eram was by his patriotic songs shaping, stimulating, and sensitizing the national consciousness among the people.Since independence, the history of Bhadrak has been of progress in education, industry, agriculture, trade, and commerce.
Transportation
Bhadrak town is well connected with the state of Odisha, and to other parts of the country as well. The town lies on National Highway 16, 130 kilometres (81 mi) northeast of Bhubaneswar, the state capital.Bhadrak town has three bus stations, one on NH 16, the others near Bant Chhak and Charampa. There are frequent buses to and from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, and Calcutta.Bhadrak railway station is at Charampa, which is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of Bhadrak city. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, 135 kilometres (84 mi) southwest, near Bhubaneswar.The nearest port is Dhamra Port, around 75 kilometers east of the town.