Sambalpur is the hub of Chauhan rulers after Sarbhapuriyas, Panduvamsi, Samavamsi Kalachuris and Gangas. During the middle of the 14th century, Ramai Dev laid the foundation of the Chauhan rule in Western Odisha especially in Patnagarh and Balaram Deva established Chauhans rule in Sambalpur in 1570 A.D. during the reign of his elder brother Narasimha Deva of Patnagarh. Narasimha Deva entrusted the administration of Sambalpur region to his brother, Balaram Deva owing to military necessity because the western frontier of the Chauhan kingdom was then in danger of invasion by the Kalachuri ruler Kalyan Sahai of Ratnapur. Besides, Balarama Deva, Baliarsingh Deva was another most important Chauhans ruler of Sambalpur. During their reign, the territory of Sambalpur kingdom was extended far and wide and it touched almost boundaries of neighbouring states of western Orissa. Apart from the kings, Dewans like Dakshin Ray and Akbar Ray very much influenced the Chauhan rulers and played a prominent role during the Chauhans reign. Besides territorial aggrandizement, the Chauhan rulers were patronaged art, architecture and literature. However, the Chauhan rule came to a close in April, 1800, when Sambalpur was occupied by he Marathas. Sambalpur was occupied by the British on 2nd January, 1804.
Chauhans, Sambalpur, Balaramdeva, Baliarsingh, Akbar Ray
