Daspalla: (Report- Subash Chandra Barik): Nestled in the hills of Daspalla, Odisha, lies the story of Birigada, a village that echoes with a grand but forgotten past. Once a crucial stronghold for the local rulers of the Daspalla estate, this settlement is now a ghost town, reclaimed by nature and silence. Its journey from a secure royal fort to a deserted landscape is a poignant tale of history, change, and struggle. 
Local folklore adds a layer of grandeur to its history. People believe that the king's special warriors, or 'Veeras', trained on this high hill. To warn the kingdom of approaching danger, perhaps from the neighbouring Khinjali kingdom, these warriors would light a large beacon fire on a big rock known as 'Veer Chakda'. They would simultaneously beat a massive war drum, a 'Nishan', with such force that its sound was said to carry all the way to Kunjabanagarh, alerting the entire region.
Reaching the hilltop was a formidable task. Travelers had to cross seven successive hills starting from a place called Ratnaganda near Mitukuli. This challenging ascent earned the area the name 'Sat Pahach Pahad', meaning the 'Mountain of Seven Steps'. Even the journey had markers of royalty; a rock shaped like a chair, known as 'Chauki Pathara', provided a resting spot for high-ranking officials of the king.
However, their peaceful existence was shattered by a persistent and destructive problem: elephant raids. Herds of elephants would regularly descend upon the village, destroying crops and damaging homes. The constant threat to their livelihood and safety made life unbearable. The situation was worsened by what residents felt was administrative neglect and a lack of effective solutions from the authorities.
Living in fear and with no respite, the families made the difficult decision to leave their ancestral land. Gradually, from around the early 2000s, they began migrating to nearby villages like Tadeypalli, Buguda, Tilabadi, Baijhri, Burusahi, and Mitukuli. By approximately 2013, the ancient revenue village of Birigada was completely deserted. The families who were once landlords became dependent on others, starting their lives from scratch.
A Royal and Strategic Past
In its heyday, Birigada was far from ordinary. It served as a secure sanctuary for the kings of the Daspalla princely state. Historical accounts suggest that after the British entered the region, the kings stored their arsenal of weapons and ammunition safely within this remote village. The high hill of Birigada was also home to many Kondh warriors who were loyal to the kingdom.Local folklore adds a layer of grandeur to its history. People believe that the king's special warriors, or 'Veeras', trained on this high hill. To warn the kingdom of approaching danger, perhaps from the neighbouring Khinjali kingdom, these warriors would light a large beacon fire on a big rock known as 'Veer Chakda'. They would simultaneously beat a massive war drum, a 'Nishan', with such force that its sound was said to carry all the way to Kunjabanagarh, alerting the entire region.
Reaching the hilltop was a formidable task. Travelers had to cross seven successive hills starting from a place called Ratnaganda near Mitukuli. This challenging ascent earned the area the name 'Sat Pahach Pahad', meaning the 'Mountain of Seven Steps'. Even the journey had markers of royalty; a rock shaped like a chair, known as 'Chauki Pathara', provided a resting spot for high-ranking officials of the king.
The Decline and Desertion
Despite its royal status as one of the 416 revenue villages of Daspalla, Birigada's fortunes changed dramatically in modern times. The village was home to over 70 people from 15 tribal families. These families, who were once even considered landlords in the area, primarily relied on agriculture for their livelihood. They cultivated a vast area of over 300 acres on the hill.However, their peaceful existence was shattered by a persistent and destructive problem: elephant raids. Herds of elephants would regularly descend upon the village, destroying crops and damaging homes. The constant threat to their livelihood and safety made life unbearable. The situation was worsened by what residents felt was administrative neglect and a lack of effective solutions from the authorities.
Living in fear and with no respite, the families made the difficult decision to leave their ancestral land. Gradually, from around the early 2000s, they began migrating to nearby villages like Tadeypalli, Buguda, Tilabadi, Baijhri, Burusahi, and Mitukuli. By approximately 2013, the ancient revenue village of Birigada was completely deserted. The families who were once landlords became dependent on others, starting their lives from scratch.
Birigada Today and a Glimpse of Resilience
Today, Birigada stands as a stark reminder of a faded era. While its name still officially exists on government records, no human habitation remains. The hundreds of acres of fertile farmland are now overrun by dense jungle, silently reclaiming the land. The legacy of the kings and their brave warriors has been swallowed by vegetation.Yet, the story of Birigada's people continues elsewhere. In a twist of fate, a descendant of the village now holds a position of local leadership. Madan Kumar Jani, the son of the late Shriram Jani from Birigada, has become the Sarpanch (head) of the Takara Gram Panchayat. Furthermore, his elder brother, Uddhab Jani, serves as a skilled police officer in the Kandhamal district. Their achievements symbolize a resilient spirit, proving that while a village may be lost to time, the strength of its people endures and finds new ways to contribute to society.
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