https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Jitamitra_Prasad_Singh_DeoJitamitra Prasad Singh Deo - Revision history2026-08-01T05:30:40ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Jitamitra_Prasad_Singh_Deo&diff=465182&oldid=prevTrena17I0666860 at 14:55, 8 February 20262026-02-08T14:55:10Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian historian and archaeologist (1946–2026)}}<br />
[[File:Jitamitra Prasad Singhdeo.png|thumb|Jitamitra Prasad Singhdeo in his library at Khariar Palace, Nuapada, Odisha in 2018]]<br />
[[File:Figurine Nuapada JPS.jpg|alt=Human figurine dating to 1st century CE being held by Jitamitra Prasad Singhdeo. Find site- Nuapada, Odisha|thumb|Human figurine dating to 1st century CE being held by Jitamitra Prasad Singhdeo. Find site- Nuapada, Odisha]]<br />
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'''Jitamitra Prasad Singh Deo''' (29 August 1946 – 4 January 2026) was an Indian historian and archaeologist from [[Khariar]], Nuapada, Odisha.<ref>Profile of JP Singh Deo http://www.navratnanews.com/Profile/profile_ofJitamitra%20Prasad%20Singh%20Deo.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402121125/http://www.navratnanews.com/Profile/profile_ofJitamitra%20Prasad%20Singh%20Deo.htm |date=2 April 2012 }}</ref> He was the titular head of the erstwhile zamindari estate of Khariar, born to eight time law maker,a noted author and poet of Odisha Raja Anup Singhdeo and Rani Soubhagya Manjari Devi.<ref>Ghosh, S. (1978). Orissa in Turmoil: A Study in Political Developments. India: Sankha.</ref><ref>Glimpses of Orissa. (1986). India: Punthi Pustak.</ref><ref>Siṃhadeba, J. P. (2006). Archaeology of Orissa: With Special Reference to Nuapada and Kalahandi. India: R.N. Bhattacharya.</ref><br />
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== Early life and Career ==<br />
Deo learnt field archaeology and trained under his uncle the late Kalahandi Maharaj [[Pratap Keshari Deo]]. He has also been instrumental in documenting the pre-history and ancient history of the Nuapada region and also tribal civil disobedience movements during the struggle for Indian independence in the gadjat hill tracts of Odisha. His research and exploration has helped document rare archaeological finds, tribal customs and ancient riverine trade posts along Odisha's major rivers and establish distinct connections to the larger South East Asia region and Western Odisha.<ref>Sainath, P. (2022). The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom. India: Penguin Random House India Private Limited.</ref><ref>Siṃhadeba, J. P. (2001). Tāntric art of Orissa. India: Kalpaz Publications.</ref><ref>Orissa Review. (2004). India: Published and issued by Home (Public Relations) Department, Government of Orissa.</ref> He had been instrumental in the preservation and publication of the speeches made by Maharaja Sir [[Rajendra Narayan Bhanja Deo]] of [[Rajkanika|Kanika]] made during his term in the Indian Legislative Council.(1916-1920) and also of the [[Utkal Sammilani]]<ref>Bhanja Deo, R. N., Siṃhadeba, J. P. (2006). Eventful Life of an Orissa Province Maker: Diaries of Raja Sir R.N. Bhanja Deo of Kanika, 1908 to 1922 A.D.. India: R.N. Bhattacharya.</ref><br />
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He was the president of Khariar Sahitya Samiti. He authored several books on Odisha, and discovered the pre-historic rock art of Yogimath Donger,<ref>{{cite book |title=Rock art in Odisha |last=Pradhan |first=Sadasiba |page=16 |year=2001 |publisher=Aryan Books International |isbn=978-81-7305-215-6 }}</ref> the Ghat Ghumar rock art copper plates, gold coins of the [[Sharabhapuriya dynasty]], a clay seal, a stone seal of [[Panduvamshis of Dakshina Kosala|Panduvamshi dynasty]], [[Kalachuris of Ratnapura|Kalachuri]] coins,<ref>{{cite book |title=Early and medieval coins and currency system of Orissa, circa 300 B.C. to 1568 A.D. |last=Tripathy |first=Snigdha |page=96 |year=1986 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |oclc=15488618 }}</ref> terracotta artefacts, and beads and sculptures of various types depicting human and animal figures with some having red ochre finish.<ref>The Journal of Orissan History. (n.d.). India: Orissa History Congress.</ref><br />
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Deo has also contributed towards the research about the origins of the [[Jagannath]] deity with an indepth study on the myth, mystique and historical evidence of the origin of Jagannath. Which go counter to the traditional beliefs but reveal the little known side of deity's origins.<ref>Review Projector (India).. (1991). India: T.R. Kesava Murthy.</ref><br />
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== Family and Personal Life ==<br />
Jitamitra Prasada Deo was married to Rajshree Devi of the Puri royal family and a noted social worker, philanthrophist and agriculturalist herself.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-11-29 |title=Queen of the downtrodden |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/queen-of-the-downtrodden/articleshow/938897.cms |access-date=2026-02-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Together they have two songs and a daughter, Deo passed away on 4 January 2026, at the age of 79.<ref>[https://pragativadi.com/khadial-king-jitamitra-prasad-singh-deo-passes-away-at-80/ Khadial King Jitamitra Prasad Singh Deo Passes Away at 80]</ref><br />
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==Books==<br />
Following are some of his highly cited books:<br />
* ''Cultural Profile of South Kosala'', Gyan books, Delhi, 2012, {{ISBN|8121200954}}<br />
* ''Origin of Jagannath Deity'', Giyan Books, Delhi, 1991, {{ISBN|812120352X}}<br />
* ''Tantric Art of Odisha''<br />
* {{cite book |title=The tantra: its origin, theories, art, and diffusion from India to Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, and Indonesia |last=Fic |first=Victor M. |page=69 |year=2003 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-424-0 }}<br />
* ''Character Assassination in Modern History of Orissa. ''{{fact|date=May 2021}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://kddfonline.com/category/eminent-persons/maharaja-jitamitra-prasad-singhdeo/ JP Singh Deo]<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Deo, Jitamitra Prasad Singh}}<br />
[[Category:1946 births]]<br />
[[Category:2026 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian art historians]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian archaeologists]]<br />
[[Category:Scientists from Odisha]]<br />
[[Category:People from Nuapada district]]<br />
[[Category:Indian social sciences writers]]<br />
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