Krishna Chandra Panigrahi

Krishna Chandra Panigrahi (1909-1987), the author of the book, was a renowned historian, researcher, and scholar of eminence with a doctorate from Calcutta University. He taught in most of the contemporary universities of Odisha as a professor, and later as the UGC Professor Emeritus of history. Interspersed across his professional life as a teacher, was his 18-year long career as an archaeologist in the Archaeological Survey of India operating from Delhi, Patna, and Bhopal circles as Superintendent of Archaeology, and also in the Odisha State Museum. He is remembered for his pioneering work on ceramics from Ahichhatra extractions in the annals of Indian archaeology. This rare combination of knowledge in history and archaeology has been immaculately utilised by the author to evaluate the authenticity of various historical facts and the result of this research is presented in this book, ?History of Orissa?.

His other well-known works are ? (1) Archaeological Remains at Bhubaneswar, (Orient Longman, 1961) and (2) Chronology of the Bhaumakaras and the Somavamsis of Orissa, (Madras Law Journal Press, 1961). He has to his credit several other books both in English and Odia. His autobiography in Odia, translated into English?Odisha of My Times?was published recently by Notion Press (2021). He was conferred several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1976, for his contributions in the field of literature and education.