Early maritime activities of Orissa on the east coast of India: Linkages in trade and cultural development

Abstract

In the maritime history of India, Orissa (ancient Kalinga) played a significant role in spreading Indian culture to other parts of the world, including Africa, Rome and Southwest Asia. Archaeological findings, explorations and excavations at various sites, epigraphical and numismatic evidences of different periods, and literary records, enabled the reconstruction of the maritime history of Orissa. In this paper an attempt has been made to trace the nature of trade and culture contacts between Orissa and other countries of the world from various sources. Besides attacks by neighbouring kingdoms, and unsound economic condition, the geological processes like tectonic activities, sea level changes and sedimentation were also equally responsible for the decline of ports of Orissa. However, the maritime traditions are preserved in the cultural festivals of Orissa, which are celebrated as commemorative traditions.