Chudanga Gada

Chudanga Gada, historically known as Sarangagarh, is an ancient fort located in the village of Baranga within the Cuttack district of Odisha, India. Situated approximately 14 kilometers north of Bhubaneswar and 9 kilometers southwest of Cuttack, the site rests on the right bank of the Prachi River at an elevation of 100 feet. The fortification covers a vast area exceeding 1,000 acres and is constructed using large, dressed laterite blocks. Its rectangular plan measures roughly 1,700 meters by 1,500 meters, oriented longitudinally from east to west. The surrounding landscape features the dense Chandaka forest to the west, north, and south, with the Baranga Police station located nearby to the east.

The origins of Chudanga Gada date back to the 9th century AD, with initial construction attributed to Lalatendu Kesari of the Kesari dynasty, also known as the Somavamsis. Originally named Sarangagarh due to the abundance of lotus-filled water bodies in the region, the fort was later renovated by Baraha Kesari. In 1110 AD, it was captured by the Eastern Ganga king Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva after his victory over Karna Deva, leading to its renaming as Chudanga Gada in honor of the conqueror. Historically, the site served as a significant military cantonment and royal residential complex, featuring ruins of a sixteen-room palace called Solapuri Uasa, granaries, water bodies, and religious shrines dedicated to deities such as Mahishamardini.

Today, Chudanga Gada stands as an abandoned archaeological site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India under a notification dated February 23, 1951. While the once-majestic structures have largely reduced to ruins and vestiges, the site remains a testament to the Kalingan architectural style and the region's turbulent medieval history. The extensive grounds still hold the remnants of ancient establishments, offering insights into the metropolitan planning of early Odishan forts. Despite its current state of disuse, the location retains historical importance as a symbol of the transition of power between the Somavamsi and Eastern Ganga dynasties.