Draft:Gobinda Chandra Mahapatra

"Gobinda Chandra Mahapatra"(28 April 1845 – 28 April 1907) was a 19th-century Indian educator, writer, and translator who played a significant role in the revival of Odia language and literature. His pioneering work in education reform and literary production in colonial Odisha helped shape the cultural identity of the region. He is best remembered for translating the Sanskrit epic "Mahabharata" into Odia prose and establishing over 120 schools in the Puri district during his tenure in British India. Dora, Gobardhan. "A Tale of Two Luminaries." Odisha Review. September 2015. https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2015/Sept/engpdf/63-67.pdf

Early Life and Education Gobinda Chandra Mahapatra was born on 28 April 1845 in Bhadrak, Odisha, to Krushna Dev Mahapatra and Saraswati Devi. He was raised primarily by his elder step-brother, Biswambar Bidyabhusan, a notable educator and civil servant. After early setbacks, including familial responsibilities during the Na-ank famine and the death of his father, Gobinda moved to Calcutta where he studied at Hadow School (later Scottish Collegiate School). He passed his entrance examination in 1864 with first division and earned a merit scholarship. However, due to family obligations, he was unable to complete his formal college education.

Career in Education Gobinda began his professional career as a schoolteacher at the Normal School in Cuttack. In 1867, he became actively involved in movements to uplift Odia culture and education, participating in committees for the revitalization of the Oriya language and the compilation of Odia literary works.

In 1869, he was appointed Sub-Inspector of Schools in Puri. During his six-year tenure, he persuaded skeptical Brahmin communities to embrace formal education, leading to the establishment of 120 schools in the district. In 1873, he was promoted to Deputy Inspector. Though his career with the colonial government was briefly disrupted, he continued his educational work in princely states like Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Nilagiri, and Kendujhar.

Literary Contributions Gobinda Chandra Mahapatra authored several influential works in Odia, including:

Hitapatha (1874) – a reader in prose and verse

Varnabodhaka – an Odia primer

Hararariya Pahil Puthi – a Santali-Oriya primer

Bhagiratha Kirti-Kalap (1877) – a historical account of Dhenkanal

His most ambitious project was the translation of the Sanskrit Mahabharata into Odia prose. He completed the first five Parvas (books) before his death. The remaining parts were completed by his family members and published in 13 volumes by the Mayurbhanj State Press. This translation spanned 7,568 pages and was later republished by the Odisha Sahitya Akademi. https://odishasahityaakademi.org/ Odisha Sahitya Akademi Website

Later Life and Legacy Gobinda served in the court of the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj as tutor to royal princes and as Dewan. He was instrumental in launching the literary journal Utkal Prava and served on its editorial board. He died on his 62nd birthday, 28 April 1907, while working on the Bhisma Parva of the Mahabharata.

His legacy continues through the republication of his works and the recognition of his contributions to Odia literature and education reform. Despite his impact, many of his writings remain unpublished and scattered across periodicals and newspapers including multiple mentions in Utkal Dipika from the 1860s and 1870s and Utkal Dipika Newspaper Archives Cuttack, 1867 & 1877 editions. Referenced in Dora, Gobardhan. "A Tale of Two Luminaries."