INTACH Odisha Chapter seeks conservation of Gohiratikiri battlefield for posterity

The Odisha chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the State government to take immediate steps for the conservation of the medieval-era Gohiratikiri battlefield, now in ruins, to preserve it for future generations.

The historical site of Gohiratiki, situated in the Dhamnagar Panchayat Samiti on the western bank of the Genguti River in Bhadrak district holds deep historical, mythological, and cultural significance, according to historian Anil Dhir.

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“Gohiratikiri is no less important than the other battlefields like Panipat, Plassey, Haldighati, Talikota, or Khanwa. The battle that occurred not only shaped the political landscape of medieval Odisha but also influenced the cultural narratives that followed,” Dhir emphasized. “Preserving the site is vital for understanding the complex legacies it carries, both the triumphs and tragedies of history.”

One of the last independent rulers of Odisha, Gajapati Mukunda Dev, was martyred at Gohiratikiri in 1568 during a battle against the Muslim rulers of Bengal. Facing imminent attack, the king had marched with his army and camped in a dense forest west of the Genguti River. Fortifications, watchtowers, barracks, and water tanks were constructed under his command, according to historical documents.

This site has historical significance, in view of the fact that the last independent king of Odisha, Gajapati Mukunda Dev, was martyred at Gohiratikiri in 1568 during a battle against the Muslim rulers of Bengal.Facing imminent attack, the king had marched with his army and camped in a dense forest west of the Genguti River. Fortifications, watchtowers, barracks, and water tanks were constructed under his command, according to historical documents.

Several of the ponds built for troop sustenance, including Nauri Gadia, Gobind Gadia, Rani Gadia, and Bela Gadia, still exist today. A large water tank named Senapati Pokhari, located northeast of the site, lies in neglect, while another, Alamchand Pokhari, is buried under soil and overgrowth. A Radha-Krishna temple now stands in the middle of one of these tanks, Dhir noted.

The descendants of the Kshatriyas of the Udra clan, who claim lineage from ancient rulers, continue to reside in surrounding villages, keeping the memory of Gohiratikiri alive.

A team from INTACH, led by State Convener Biswajit Mohanty, visited the site and observed that the original battlefield has significantly shrunk in size over the years and is now surrounded by farmland. Despite its historical importance this last bastion of Independent Odisha is fading into oblivion, neither the state administration nor the tourism department has taken steps to protect or develop the site.

Calling the battlefield the “last bastion of Independent Odisha,” INTACH has submitted a proposal for the construction of a memorial and a site museum, offering its full support for the project.

“Battlefields are more than sites of conflict — they are sacred grounds that encapsulate the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs of our history, Indian history is richly marked by numerous decisive battles that shaped its political, social, and cultural landscape” Dhir said.

“From early tribal wars and dynastic rivalries to colonial invasions and the fight for independence, these conflicts have defined empires, altered territorial boundaries and shaped Odisha’s destiny,” historian Dhir said.