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{{short description|Indian freedom fighter (1880–1944)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Braja Sundar Das
| image = Brajasundar Das.jpg
| native_name = ବ୍ରଜସୁନ୍ଦର ଦାସ
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1880|7|2}}
| birth_place = [[Cuttack district|Cuttack]], [[Odisha]], [[British Raj|British India]] <br/>(now [[Jajpur]])
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1944|6|9|1880|7|2}}
| era = [[British Raj]]
}}

'''Braja Sundar Das''' (2 July 1880{{Snd}}9 June 1944) was an Indian statesman, freedom fighter, politician, poet, littérateur, and social reformer who played a significant role in shaping the socio-political and cultural landscape of [[Odisha]].

Das lobbied for the unification of Odia-speaking areas; a long struggle that culminated in the creation of Odisha as a separate state on 1 April 1936 ([[Utkal Dibasa|Utkala Dibasa]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=ସଂ. |url=https://archive.org/details/jajapurara-dui-amlana-pratibha-bichitra-nanda-o-braja-sundar-1997 |title=ଯାଜପୁରର ଦୁଇ ଅମ୍ଳାନ ପ୍ରତିଭା – ବିଚିତ୍ରା ନନ୍ଦ ଓ ବ୍ରଜ ସୁନ୍ଦର |date=1997 |language=or}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Braja Sundar Das was born on 2 July 1880 in Kantabania, Harekrushnapur, near [[Jajpur]], [[Odisha]] (Odia: କଣ୍ଟାବଣିଆ, ହରେକୃଷ୍ଣପୁର, ଯାଜପୁର, ଓଡ଼ିଶା). He belonged to a wealthy [[Karan (caste)|Jamidar Karan]] lineage, being the son of Shyam Sundar Das and Swarnaprabha Dei. His grandfather, Harekrushna Das, was the Assistant Superintendent of Tributary Mahals and was also instrumental in setting up the Cuttack Printing Company.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=ଗୋବର୍ଦ୍ଧନ ଦୋରା |url=https://archive.org/details/orissa-an-encyclopaedia-of-events-2008/page/592/mode/2up?q=harekrushna |title=Orissa - An Encyclopaedia of Events |last2=Gobardhana Dora |date=2008}}</ref> Brajasundar inherited his family's zamindari, the Tisania estate.<ref name=":0" />

As a child, he attended the Collegiate School in [[Cuttack]], where he completed his early education. Later, he earned his B.A. from the prestigious [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency College]], becoming the third person from Odisha to graduate.<ref name=":0"/>

In his early years, at [[Ravenshaw University|Ravenshaw College]], he co-founded an organisation called "Kartabya Bodhini Samiti" (Duty Awakening Society) with his friends [[Gopabandhu Das]] and Lokanath Patnaik.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-02 |title=Ravenshaw History - Ravenshaw University |url=https://ravenshawuniversity.ac.in/ravenshaw-history/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> This group focused on discussing contemporary social, economic, and political issues. These three Ravenshavians played a pivotal role in advocating for the inclusion of Odia as a medium for the B.A. examination at [[Ravenshaw University|Ravenshaw]], which was then affiliated with [[University of Calcutta|Calcutta University]]. While Brajasundar had already graduated from [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency College]] by that time, his efforts ensured that [[Gopabandhu Das]] and Lokanath Patnaik became the first students to take their B.A. exams in [[Odia language|Odia]] under the new system and thenceforth the Odia-speaking students can give B.A. exams in medium Odia.
[[File:Tisania Estate.jpg|thumb|Kutchery House of the erstwhile Tisania estate, at Sayedpur, [[Jajpur]] in Odisha]]
During his time at [[Ravenshaw University|Ravenshaw]], Braja Sundar Das, along with [[Gopabandhu Das]] and [[Acharya Harihar|Acharya Harihar Das]], actively engaged in social work. They nursed the poor and sick in the town, collected funds for underprivileged students, and provided social services to those in need.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samantaray |first=Renubala |title=Pandit Gopabandhu Das: The Maker of Modern Odisha |url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2012/oct/engpdf/32-34.pdf}}</ref> Later, Brajasundar and [[Gopabandhu Das|Gopabandhu]] co-founded the Central Young Utkal Association, which organised batches of volunteers to assist people affected by floods in [[Odisha]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohapatra |first=Ratnakar |year=2009 |title=Pandit Gopabandhu Das: As a Unique Personality of Orissa |url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2009/August/engpdf/aug-or-2009.pdf}}</ref>

Brajasundar later married the daughter of Sudam Charan Naik, who was a Member of the Bihar-Orissa Council and also the Assistant Superintendent of Tributary Mahals.<ref name=":1" />

== Freedom struggle and political career ==
Braja Sundar Das held several prominent political positions throughout his life. He served as a Member of the Bihar-Orissa Legislative Council (1906–1920), Member of the Imperial Legislative Assembly (1921–1924), Member of the [[Odisha Legislative Assembly|Orissa Legislative Assembly]] (1937–1944), and Chairman of the National War Front (1941). Additionally, he was the Secretary of the [[Utkal Sammilani|Utkal Union Conference (Utkal Sammilani)]], and editor of "[[Mukura]]" and "The Odia" magazines.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bihar Vidhan Mandal: Search |url=http://archives.biharvidhanmandal.in/jspui/simple-search?query=braja+sundar+das |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=archives.biharvidhanmandal.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=ମନୋରଞ୍ଜନ ଦାସ |url=https://archive.org/details/a-dialogue-with-memory-2002/page/74/mode/2up?q=Braja |title=ଏ ଡାଇଲଗ୍ ୱିଥ୍ ମେମୋରୀ |last2=ଅରୁଣ କୁମାର ମହାନ୍ତି |last3=ଯତୀନ୍ଦ୍ର କୁମାର ନାୟକ |date=2002 |language=or}}</ref>

In February 1920, after [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s entry into India's political arena, Braja Sundar Das, under the advice of [[Madhusudan Das]], went to meet [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and attract his attention to Odisha's demand for independent statehood. In that meeting with Braja Sundar Das, [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]] expressed his unequivocal decision regarding the formation of provinces on a linguistic basis.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dash |first=Kailash Chandra |year=2010 |title=A Study of the Formation of the Separate Province of Orissa |journal=Orissa Review}}</ref>
[[File:Gandhi to Braja Sundar - Letter.jpg|thumb|A letter from Mahatma Gandhi to Braja Sundar Das, proposing a meeting.]]
In 1920 - 21, under the presidency of [[Gopabandhu Das]], the [[Utkal Sammilani|Utkal Union Conference]] was held at [[Chakradharpur]] in present-day Jharkhand, which was/is an Odia-speaking town. It moved a resolution to align its goals and ideals with those of the [[Indian National Congress]]. [[Madhusudan Das|Madhusudhan Das]], who was supposed to preside over the session earlier, declined to attend. Similarly, Braja Sundar Das had also declined the position and opposed the motion vehemently, citing ideological differences between the [[Utkal Sammilani|Utkal Union Conference]] and the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=ଅତୁଲ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନ |url=https://archive.org/details/sidelights-on-freedom-struggle-in-orissa-2011/page/66/mode/2up?q=Braja |title=ସାଇଡ୍‌ଲାଇଟ୍ ଅନ୍ ଫ୍ରିଡମ୍ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରଗଲ୍ ଇନ୍ ଓରିସା |date=2011 |language=or}}</ref> After much-heated debate, the resolution was passed, and a delegation was formed to attend the [[Nagpur]] Session of Congress. Among other leaders, Braja Sundar Das was also a part of this delegation. On the return of this delegation, the [[Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee|Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee]] was constituted, and [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]] was invited to [[Odisha]] to advise on the matters of the state.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pattanaik |first=D.D. |date=2007 |title=Orissa Battles for Swaraj |url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/orissareview/august-2007/engpdf/Page19-25.pdf |journal=Orissa Review}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=ଗୌର ପ୍ରସାଦ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ |url=https://archive.org/details/orissa-past-and-present-v01-pt02-1987/page/40/mode/2up?q=Braja |title=ଓରିଶା ପାଷ୍ଟ୍ ଆଣ୍ଡ୍ ପ୍ରେଜେଣ୍ଟ୍, ଭାଗ-୧ ଖଣ୍ଡ-୨ |last2=ଗୌର ପ୍ରସାଦ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ |date=1987 |language=or}}</ref>

After 1921, the Utkal Union Conference ([[Utkal Sammilani]]) became inactive. After two years, Braja Sundar Das initiated its transformation into a new name, Utkal Union Committee, with the advice of [[Madhusudan Das]]. Thereafter, the Provincial Congress Committee and the Utkal Union Committee worked for a common cause but on different platforms.<ref name=":1" />

In 1927–28, when the [[Simon Commission]] arrived in India, [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] issued a directive to boycott the [[Simon Commission]]. The leaders of [[Odisha]] at that time deemed it appropriate to press the [[Odia language|Odia]] demand before the commission for the formation of [[Odisha]] as a separate province. Thus, a committee was formed under the leadership of Braja Sundar Das, who decided to meet the [[Simon Commission|Commission]] at [[Patna City|Patna]]. To address the issue of the Odia leaders, a Sub-Committee was set up under [[Clement Attlee|C.R. Atlee]]. As a result of the discussions between the committee led by Braja Sundar Das and the [[Simon Commission]], the latter's report opined that the demand of the [[Odia language|Odia]] people to annex Odia-speaking areas under one special province is justified. It also opined that all the [[Zamindar|Jamidari]] and [[Princely state|Princely States]] be annexed under the proposed [[Orissa|Odisha]] province.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sahoo |first=Shridhar Charan |title=Utkal Ratna Biswanath Mishra: The Forgotten Pioneer of Oriya Movement |journal=Orissa Review |publication-date=August 2008}}</ref> Furthermore, the [[Government of India]] announced the appointment of a Boundary Commission under the Chairmanship of S.P. O'Donnell. The leaders of [[Odisha]] got together to unify the general public and gather mass support in favour of the independence of [[Odisha]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ପ୍ରସାଦ ମହାପାତ୍ର |url=https://archive.org/details/madhusudan-das-and-his-times-2004/page/117/mode/2up?q=Braja |title=Madhusudan Das and His Times |last2=Bishnu Prasada Mahapatra |date=2004}}</ref>

Subsequently, in 1931, when the O’Donnell Committee arrived in Odisha, Braja Sundar Das organised a grand procession. He was the Secretary of the Utkal Union Conference ([[Utkal Sammilani]]) that year. He amassed a large crowd of students and locals, placed a divided Odisha map atop a decorated elephant, and organised a procession through the city of [[Cuttack]]. He donated generously, which caused a large financial setback for him and his estate. However, he managed to attract the attention of the committee and press the demands of his people.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Braja Sundar Das Insignia.jpg|thumb|Insignia of Braja Sundar Das]]
After the creation of Odisha as a separate Indian state in 1936, Braja Sundar Das was nominated as a member of the First Advisory Council of the state by the first Governor, [[John Hubback|Sir John Austin Hubback]].{{fact|date=July 2025}}

On 15 August 1943, Braja Sundar Das introduced a bill in the [[Odisha Legislative Assembly|Orissa Legislative Assembly]] to establish Odia as an official language for use in courts.<ref name=":1" /> He also served as a representative of the Orissa Jamidars' Association. Additionally, he was a member of the committee formed to investigate and report on illegal and exploitative administrative practices, including ''Rasad, Magan, Bethi,'' and ''Beggari.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=କିଶୋରୀ ମୋହନ ପାତ୍ର |url=https://archive.org/details/an-advanced-history-of-orissa-1992/page/327/mode/2up?q=Braja |title=An Advanced History of Orissa |last2=ବନ୍ଦିତା ଦେବୀ |last3=Kishori Mohan Patra |last4=Bandita Devi |last5=Kiśorī Mohan Pātra |first5=Banditā Devī |last6=Kishori Mohan Patra |last7=Bandita Devi |last8=Kiśorī Mohan Pātra |first8=Banditā Devī |date=1992}}</ref>''<ref>{{Cite book |last=କିଶୋରୀ ମୋହନ ପାତ୍ର |url=https://archive.org/details/orissa-state-legislature-and-freedom-struggle-1912-47-1979/page/272/mode/2up?q=Braja |title=ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଷ୍ଟେଟ ଲେଜିସ୍‌ଲେଚର ଆଣ୍ଡ ଫ୍ରିଡ଼ମ୍ ଷ୍ଟ୍ରଗଲ, ୧୯୧୨-୧୯୪୭ (ଇଂ) |date=1979 |language=or}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pati |first=Biswamoy |date=November 2005 |title=Interrogating Stereotypes: Exploring the Princely States in Colonial Orissa |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0262728005058761 |journal=South Asia Research |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=165–182 |doi=10.1177/0262728005058761 |issn=0262-7280|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Literary, social, and cultural contributions ==
Braja Sundar Das made diverse contributions to promote [[Odia language|Odia]] literature and culture in the 20th century. In 1906, he founded the magazine [[Mukura]], a literary publication featuring articles, stories, and poems on a wide range of topics, including nationalism, philosophy, history, religion, culture, science, social reform, and linguistics. The works published in [[Mukura]] carried a patriotic undertone, emphasizing the urgent need to rescue the [[Odia language|Odia]] language and identity from its dire state.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mohanty |first=Jatindra Mohan |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23347605 |title=History of Oriya literature |date=2006 |publisher=Vidya |isbn=978-81-903438-0-0 |edition=1st |location=Bhubaneswar|jstor=23347605 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Orissa (India) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sAVDAAAAYAAJ&q=Mukura+magazine |title=Orissa District Gazetteers |date=1966 |publisher=Superintendent, Orissa Government Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Sikhism and secularism: essays in honour of Professor Harbans Singh |date=1994 |publisher=Harman |isbn=978-81-85151-90-8 |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Dharam |edition=1. publ |location=New Delhi |editor-last2=Singh |editor-first2=Harbans}}</ref>[[File:Mukura cover.jpg|thumb|Cover page of the Mukura Magazine]]

[[Mukura]] stood on par with [[Utkal Sahitya Samaj|Utkal Sahitya]] and was a pivotal instrument for disseminating new ideas and literature. Freedom fighters of the time used [[Mukura]] as a platform to spread nationalistic sentiments among the general public. It was, in fact, the first literary magazine to focus on nationalistic literature, laying the groundwork for the establishment of many subsequent newspapers.{{fact|date=July 2025}}

Under the patronage of Brajasundar, a weekly, "Satya Samachar", was published. It was edited by Biswanath Kar and [[Gopala Chandra Praharaj|Gopal Chandra Praharaj]].<ref name=":1" />

Braja Sundar Das inherited his passion for publishing from his family; his grandfather, Harekrushna Das, was associated with the Cuttack Printing Company, a pioneering establishment founded by [[Gourishankar Ray]] and patronized by T.E. Ravenshaw. Braja Sundar himself was the director of the company for a long period.{{fact|date=July 2025}}

In 1910, Braja Sundar Das purchased a press from [[Puri]] and set up a type foundry using an attractive lead type considered the best in Odisha at the time. As a result, Mukur Press was published at Bhashakosh Lane in [[Cuttack]]. Later editions of [[Mukura]] were printed at the Mukura Press Premises, established by Das in Bhashakosh Lane, [[Cuttack]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2022 |title="History of the Press in Odisha From Its Origin to 21st Century: An Inter-Regional Analysis". . . |journal=Utkal Historical Research Journal |volume=XXXV}}</ref>[[File:Mukura press.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the [[Mukura|Mukura Press]], established by Das in [[Cuttack]], [[Odisha]]|left]]Through [[Mukura]] and the Mukura Press, Braja Sundar Das not only published distinguished literary works but also provided a platform for young talent, many of whom would go on to become literary giants in the Odia language. One notable example is [[Godabarish Mohapatra|Godabarish Mahapatra]], whose poem "Banapur" (1915) caught Braja Sundar's attention. Das helped publish the poem, launching Mahapatra's literary career.

Similarly, when [[Harekrushna Mahatab]] planned to launch ''The Prajatantra'' to further [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] ideals and stir nationalistic fervor, he faced challenges in finding a publishing house. Although Mahatab was hesitant to approach Braja Sundar due to the latter's ideological differences with the Congress party, Das agreed to publish the journal as a gesture of [[Odia language|Odia]] unity. Thus, ''The Prajatantra'' was launched and published at Mukura Press.<ref name=":0" />

Das also played a key role in promoting [[Gopal Chhotray]] as an eminent litterateur. In 1941, the [[British government of India|British Government]] had appointed Braja Sundar Das as the Chairman of the War Front, tasking him with garnering mass support. As part of this effort, Das organized a one-act playwriting competition to educate the public. Renowned participants included [[Aswini Kumar Ghose]] and [[Kalicharan Pattnaik|Kalicharan Patnaik]], but it was the young [[Gopal Chhotray]] who impressed Braja Sundar with his play "Sagarkanya." Das declared [[Gopal Chhotray|Chhotray]] the winner on the spot and suggested renaming the play "Sahadharmini." Years later, Chhotray expanded the play into a full-length work titled ''Sadhana'' in 1967.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Satpathy |first=Sumanyu |date=2003 |title=People's Dramatist, Gopal Chhotray: A Tribute |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23341743 |journal=Indian Literature |volume=47 |issue=1 (213) |pages=191–196 |jstor=23341743 |issn=0019-5804}}</ref>

Many young intellectuals began their literary careers through [[Mukura]], making this period known as the Satyabadi Era for its literary and cultural significance.

Braja Sundar was also a founding member of the Orissa Olympic Association, which was central to the establishment of the [[Barabati Stadium]] at [[Cuttack]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=କରୁଣା ସାଗର ବେହେରା |url=https://archive.org/details/cuttack-one-thousand-years-v02-1990/page/176/mode/2up?q=braja |title=କଟକ, ୱାନ୍ ଥାଉଜାଣ୍ଡ ୟିଅର୍‌ସ୍, ଭାଗ ୦୨ |last2=କରୁଣା ସାଗର ବେହେରା ଆଦି |date=1990 |language=or}}</ref>

Braja Sundar, along with Prof. Laxmi Kanta Choudhury, Prof. Artaballav Mohanty, and Laxminarayan Sahoo, established the "Utkal Sangeet Samaj" to propagate and encourage [[Odissi]] dance and music.<ref name=":2" />

Das, as the President of the [[Utkal Sahitya Samaj]], outlined measures to establish a School of Art, as envisioned by Bipin Behari Choudhury. He was also the President of the Working Committee of the Orissa State People's Conference in 1931, which was aimed at looking over the all round development of education, health, agriculture, trade and industry in the state.<ref>{{Cite book |last=ପ୍ରହ୍ଲାଦ ସାହୁ |first=ସଂ |url=https://archive.org/details/towards-merger-1998/page/61/mode/2up?q=braja |title=ଟୁୱାର୍ଡ୍‌ସ ମର୍ଜର୍ |date=1998 |language=or}}</ref>

== Death and legacy ==
Braja Sundar Das died on 9 June 1944. His collection of poems was later compiled in a memorial book titled "Brajasundara Smaraka".<ref name=":2" /> In 1960, Sriram Chandra Bhaban unveiled an oil painting of his portrait to honour his legacy.<ref name=":1" /> In 1987, through the generous donations of his family and the local public, the Braja Sundar Higher Secondary School was established, the first of its kind in the [[Jajpur]] region.

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:1880 births]]
[[Category:1944 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Odisha]]
[[Category:Ravenshaw University alumni]]
[[Category:Odia-language poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Members of the Imperial Legislative Council of India]]

Braja Sundar Das - Revision history

Yashvitoursin at 05:53, 16 April 2026