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Angul district
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Angul district, also known as Anugul district, is one of the thirty districts of Odisha in eastern India. The city of Angul is the district headquarters of Angul district. A major industrial hub of the state, the district hosts numerous industries relating to coal, bauxite and steel apart from extensive forests including the Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
Key Information
History
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The name "Angul" of the district originates from its headquarters, Angul. According to L.S.S. O’Malley, the name is believed to be a transformation of "Anugol," with a legend attached. In the past, the region was inhabited by Khonds, Savaras, and Gonds, with Khonds being predominant. It was divided into principalities led by Khond chiefs, until the Odisha King established rule, aided by Rajputs and adventurers, over the Khonds who paid tribute. The last Khond chief, Anu, rebelled, and a conspiracy led to his deposition through a struggle called "gol." The conquerors commemorated their victory by naming the land "Anugol," which evolved into "Anugula" or "Anugol" in colloquial language.
The district is actually a conglomeration of various parts with differing administrative history. Angul subdivision, roughly the central part of the district, was initially a feudatory state under the East India Company who had entered into a treaty with its rules after the lapse of Maratha authority in the area around 1803. In 1847, the then raja, Somanath Singh, revolted against the Company and was therefore deposed and exiled. His state was escheated as a Government Estate and was attached to the Orissa Division for administrative convenience. A Tahsildar was appointed in charge of the same. In 1891, the Bengal Presidency Government constituted Angul into a separate district and added the Phulbani subdivision of present day Kandhamal district to it. A Deputy Commissioner cum District Magistrate was appointed with extensive powers. This continued till 1936 when the new state of Orissa abolished the district and merged the Angul portion with Cuttack district. It later formed a part of Dhenkanal district after 1949.
The Pallahara, Athamallik and Talcher subdivisions of the district were also separate feudatory states, known as Garhjats in Odisha. Each had a Raja as the ruler and a different administrative setup under the overall supervision of the Superintendent at Sambalpur. After 1949, like the Angul subdivision, these were all merged to form a part of the Dhenkanal district. On April 1, 1993, these were clubbed together and a new district with Angul as headquarters was constituted.
Geography
[edit]Angul is located in the centre of the state of Odisha and lies between the latitudes of 20°31′N and 21°40′N and longitudes of 84°15′E and 85°23′E. The altitude is between 564 and 1,187 metres (1,850 and 3,894 ft).[2] The district has an area of 6,232 km2 (2,406 sq mi). It is bounded by Dhenkanal and Cuttack district in the east, Deogarh, Kendujhar and Sundargarh district in north, Sambalpur and Sonepur in west and Boudh and Nayagarh in the south side. The district is abundant with natural resources. Angul, The district headquarters is about 150 kilometres (93 mi) from the state capital Bhubaneswar.
Divisions
[edit]The district administration is headed by a Collector and District Magistrate, usually called the Collector who combines in his office the roles of revenue collection, law and order maintenance and implementation of development programmes. He is assisted at headquarters by two Additional District Magistrates (ADM) and by four Sub Collectors cum Sub Divisional Magistrates posted at Angul, Pallahara, Athamallik and Talcher for the first two roles. Below subdivision level, the district is divided into 8 Blocks which are co-terminus with Tahsils. While the former deals with the development aspect, the latter is a revenue unit. The Block Development Officer (BDO) and Tahsildar cum Executive Magistrate are the respective heads of each. The Collector is usually an officer of the Indian Administrative Service while the other officers belong to the Odisha Administrative Service.
The following is the list of blocks, tehsils and subdivisions in the district of Angul:
Sub-division
Blocks
- Angul Sadar
- Athmallik Sadar
- Chhendipada
- Talcher Sadar
- Pallahada Sadar
- Banarpal
- Kishorenagar
- Kaniha
Tehsils
- Angul
- Athmallik
- Talcher
- Pallahada
- Chendipada
- Banarpal
- Kishorenagar
- Kaniha
In addition to the officers noted above, a chief development officer cum executive officer, Zila Parishad is posted at Angul. He supervises the functioning of the BDOs directly and reports to the Collector who is ex officio Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Parishad. Various line departments like education, health care, agriculture are headed by officers of the rank of Deputy Collectors who are also directly under the operational control of the Collector. All departments also have a parallel setup at the block level with the BDO directly supervising the field level functionaries. Each block is further divided into Gram Panchayats. Angul has a total of 225 Panchayats which are headed by an elected head called the Sarpanch assisted by an executive officer.
The three urban areas of Angul, Talcher and Athamallik are each headed by an executive officer who report to the Collector through the Project Director, District Urban Development Agency.
Maintenance of law and order is supervised by the Superintendent of Police (SP), an officer of the Indian Police Service. The SP is technically subordinate to the District Magistrate but in practice is almost completely independent except for certain statutory functions. He is assisted by Additional and Deputy SPs at the headquarters and by SDPOs at police subdivision levels. The district has a total of 25 thanas or Police Stations, each headed by an Inspector in-charge. Owing to the large industrial establishments and major mining related disputes, Angul has a heavier than usual police presence.
There are three Divisional Forest Officers posted in the District for Angul, Satkosia and Athamallik. They belong to the Indian Forest Service and are responsible for the preservation of wildlife and management of forests. In addition, the DFO at Deogarh exercises control over the Pallahara subdivision. A Regional Chief Conservator of Forests posted at Angul supervises them apart from heading the Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
The civil and criminal justice system are under the District and Sessions Judge at Angul. He is assisted by Additional District Judges, Civil Judges (Senior and Junior) Divisions and Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrates. The District Magistrate, ADM and SDMs are also Executive Magistrates and report to the District and Sessions Judge in that capacity.
Demographics
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 278,144 | — |
| 1911 | 287,294 | +0.32% |
| 1921 | 250,480 | −1.36% |
| 1931 | 309,044 | +2.12% |
| 1941 | 360,714 | +1.56% |
| 1951 | 408,041 | +1.24% |
| 1961 | 500,033 | +2.05% |
| 1971 | 628,537 | +2.31% |
| 1981 | 785,734 | +2.26% |
| 1991 | 961,037 | +2.03% |
| 2001 | 1,140,003 | +1.72% |
| 2011 | 1,273,821 | +1.12% |
| source:[3] | ||
According to the 2011 census, Angul district has a population of 1,273,821,[1] ranking of 380th in India (out of a total of 640).[1] The district has a population density of 199 inhabitants per square kilometre (520/sq mi).[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 11.55%.[1] Anugul has a sex ratio of 942 females for every 1000 males,[1] and a literacy rate of 78.96%. 16.21% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 18.81% and 14.10% of the population respectively.[1]
At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 95.50% of the population in the district spoke Odia, 1.41% Ho and 1.30% Hindi as their first language.[5]
Politics
[edit]Legislative Assembly Constituencies
[edit]The following are the five Vidhan Sabha constituencies[6][7] of Angul district and the elected members[8] of the Angul district:
| No. | Constituency | Reservation | Extent of the Assembly Constituency (Blocks) | Member of 14th Assembly | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | Pallahara | None | Pallahara, Kaniha (part) | Ashok Mohanty | BJP |
| 60 | Talcher | None | Talcher (M), Talcher, Kaniha (part) | Braja Kishore Pradhan | BJD |
| 61 | Angul | None | Angul (M), NALCO (C. T), Angul (part), Banarpal (part) | Pratap Pradhan | BJP |
| 62 | Chhendipada | SC | Chhendipada, Banarpal (part) | Agasti Behera | BJP |
| 63 | Athmallik | None | Athmallik (NAC), Athmallik, Kishorenagar, Angul (part) | Nalini Pradhan | BJD |
Lok Sabha constituencies
[edit]Since 2008, Angul district is represented in Dhenkanal (Lok Sabha constituency) and Sambalpur (Lok Sabha constituency).
Angul (Lok Sabha constituency) does not exist in 1952 general elections to 1st Lok Sabha. However it is created from 2nd till 5th Lok Sabha during 1957 till 1976. Badakumar Pratap Gangadeb got elected in 1957 and 1971 for 2nd and 5th Lok Sabha while Harekrushna Mahatab was elected in 1962 to 3rd and D. N. Deb was elected in 1967 to 4th Lok Sabha. Angul Seat ceased after the creation of Deogarh (Lok Sabha constituency) in 1977 from 6th Lok Sabha. Deogarh seat was also delimited in 2008.[9]
Natural resources and coal mines
[edit]Angul district has the Radhikapur West coal block which is known for its good quality coal.[10] In December 2020, the coal mines were auctioned for supplying to an Aluminium Smelter plant in Jharsuguda.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "District Census Handbook 2011 - Angul" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
- ^ "Table C-01 Population by Religious Community: Odisha". Census of India, 2011. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Odisha". Census of India 2011. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ "Assembly Constituencies and their EXtent" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
- ^ "Seats of Odisha". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
- ^ "List of Member in Fourteenth Assembly". ws.ori.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
MEMBER NAME
- ^ "All Members of Lok Sabha (Since 1952) Members Biographical Sketches". Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Radhikapur (West) coal mine". 30 April 2021.
- ^ Market, Capital (31 December 2020). "Vedanta wins Radhikapur West Coal Block". Business Standard India. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
Bibliography
[edit]- O'Malley, L.S.S. (1908). Bengal District Gazetteers – Angul. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - Taradatt, Dr. (ed.). Odisha district gazetteers – Angul (PDF). Gopabandhu Academy of Administration [Gazetteers Unit], General Administration Department, Government of Odisha. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2016.
External links
[edit]Angul district
View on GrokipediaHistory
Pre-colonial and early colonial period
The region comprising modern Angul district was originally inhabited by indigenous Khond (also known as Kandha) tribes, who governed through independent principalities in the hilly terrains.[5] These tribal societies, characterized by their martial traditions and practices such as meriah human sacrifices to propitiate earth deities, resisted external incursions until subdued by expanding Hindu kingdoms from coastal Odisha.[6] The name Angul derives from "Anugol," commemorating the defeat of Anu, the last prominent Khond chieftain, in a battle against the king of Orissa, marking the transition from tribal autonomy to Hindu overlordship, though exact dates remain unrecorded in primary sources.[5] Subsequent waves of Hindu migration led to the establishment of feudatory kingdoms, with Angul emerging as a semi-independent estate under Rajput-origin rulers who intermarried with local elites and patronized temples dedicated to deities like Taleswari.[1] The Angul lineage traces to figures like Uchhab Mansingh, whose descendants consolidated control over fertile plains and coal-rich areas, blending tribal customs with Hindu administration; Talcher, a key sub-region, was traditionally founded in the 12th century by migrants from Jaipur's Kachwaha clan, renaming the state after its tutelary goddess and ruling expansively until the 19th century.[7] These polities paid tribute to larger Odia overlords, such as the Gajapatis of Kalinga, while maintaining internal autonomy amid periodic conflicts with neighboring Sambalpur and Boudh estates.[5] Following Maratha suzerainty over Odisha from the mid-18th century, which imposed heavy chauth levies but preserved local rulers, the Second Anglo-Maratha War culminated in the 1803 surrender of Angul to British forces under the East India Company.[5] The Raja of Angul entered an agreement pledging loyalty and annual tribute, allowing semi-autonomous rule; Somnath Singh, ascending in 1813 as son of Gopinath Singh (himself a scion of Uchhab Mansingh), governed assertively for 33 years, fostering local resistance to external fiscal demands.[8] [9] By the 1840s, reports of maladministration, excessive taxation, and suppression of peasant unrest prompted British intervention; invoking doctrines of lapse and misrule, Company troops advanced from Cuttack, Sambalpur, and Talcher (which cooperated to avert its own absorption) in January 1848, deposing Somnath Singh by September.[10] [11] His son Loknath briefly rebelled alongside tribal allies like Chakra Bisoi, but guerrilla efforts failed, leading to direct colonial administration and the exile of the royal family.[1] This annexation integrated Angul's core into British revenue systems, suppressing Khond revolts through military suppression and missionary-led reforms against practices like human sacrifice, though Talcher retained princely status until post-independence merger.[5]British administration and integration
Following the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Marathas surrendered control of Odisha, including Angul, to the British East India Company in 1803, after which the Raja of Angul entered into an engagement pledging loyalty and agreeing to pay an annual tribute.[5] Angul thereby became one of the Orissa Tributary States, functioning as a semi-autonomous entity under British suzerainty through a subsidiary alliance, with internal administration left to the local ruler while external affairs and overarching authority rested with the British Political Department.[5] This arrangement exempted Angul from the standard British revenue settlement processes applied to directly administered territories.[5] Raja Somnath Singh ascended the throne of Angul on October 3, 1814, following a succession dispute adjudicated by a British commission, and initially governed without major conflict.[8] Tensions escalated from 1831 onward due to disputes over fines for plundered villages in neighboring Daspalla, suspicions of Singh's involvement in instigating Khond tribes against British efforts to suppress the Meriah human sacrifice practice, and allegations of shielding Khond leaders.[8] Further incidents included links to six murders in 1837 and the forcible occupation of Kurumito village in 1846, prompting a Rs. 3,000 fine that Singh defied, alongside continued aid to Khond resistance against British suppression campaigns.[8] These cumulative acts of defiance culminated in open rebellion in 1847, with Singh suspected of supporting Khond attacks on British forces.[8] The British issued a proclamation deposing him on December 11, 1847, citing his illness as pretext, and dispatched troops under Colonel Campbell, who occupied Angul on January 15, 1848.[8] The state was confiscated, annexed to British India, and Singh was imprisoned first in Cuttack and later in Hazaribagh until his death, while his son Loknath Singh was denied succession rights.[8] Post-annexation, Angul fell under direct British colonial administration as of 1848, integrated into the Bengal Presidency's territorial framework without intermediary native rule.[5] In 1891, it was merged administratively with the Khondmals tract to form a consolidated district unit under British oversight, facilitating revenue collection, law enforcement, and suppression of tribal practices through appointed colonial officers.[5] This direct governance persisted until India's independence in 1947, marking Angul's full incorporation into the British imperial system.[5]Post-independence developments and district formation
Following India's independence in 1947, the princely states within the Angul region, including Talcher, Pallahara, and Athmallik, underwent integration into the province of Odisha (later renamed Orissa). Local rulers acceded to the Indian Union, with mergers formalized between late 1947 and 1948 under the efforts of Odisha's first chief minister, Harekrushna Mahatab, who negotiated with tributary mahal rulers to consolidate administration and prevent fragmentation.[12] These ex-states, previously under indirect British control as non-regulation tracts, were amalgamated to strengthen provincial finances and infrastructure, addressing Odisha's economic vulnerabilities post-partition.[13] Administratively, the Angul tract—encompassing the core subdivision—was initially attached to Cuttack district before being incorporated into the larger Dhenkanal district by 1949, reflecting broader reorganizations to streamline revenue and governance in central Odisha.[14] This period saw initial economic stirrings driven by the region's abundant coal reserves, with coal mining operations expanding under state oversight from the 1950s onward; by the 1960s, projects like the Talcher Super Thermal Power Station (commissioned in phases starting 1968) marked the onset of heavy industrialization, leveraging proximity to coalfields for power generation and steel production linkages.[15] Such developments, while boosting employment and revenue, also initiated large-scale displacement and environmental shifts, as documented in regional studies of post-colonial resource extraction.[16] The district of Angul was formally constituted on 1 April 1993 through bifurcation of Dhenkanal district, via Government of Odisha Notification No. 14218 dated 27 March 1993, to enhance administrative efficiency over an area of approximately 6,232 square kilometers including the subdivisions of Angul, Talcher, Athmallik, and Pallahara.[12] [2] This creation addressed growing administrative demands from industrial expansion, population pressures, and the need for localized governance in a coal-rich zone contributing significantly to Odisha's energy sector. Post-formation, Angul solidified as an industrial corridor, with cumulative investments in mining and power infrastructure exceeding expectations for regional self-sufficiency.[15]Geography
Location and boundaries
Angul district occupies a central position in the state of Odisha, India, spanning latitudes from 20°31′ N to 21°40′ N and longitudes from 84°15′ E to 85°23′ E.[17] The district covers a total geographical area of 6,232 square kilometers, ranking 11th in size among Odisha's 30 districts.[17] To the north, Angul borders Sundargarh district; to the west, it adjoins Deogarh, Sambalpur, and Subarnapur (Sonepur) districts; southward, it shares boundaries with Boudh and Nayagarh districts; and to the east, it meets Dhenkanal and Cuttack districts.[17] These boundaries encompass a mix of plains, hills, and river valleys, influencing the district's connectivity and resource distribution.[17]Climate and topography
Angul district features undulating terrain typical of the central Odisha plateau, encompassing plains, rolling hills, and river valleys influenced by the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. Elevations vary significantly, with an average of 195 meters above sea level and a range from 564 meters in lower areas to 1,187 meters in the higher hilly tracts.[18][19] The district spans 6,232 square kilometers, providing a diverse landscape that supports agriculture, forestry, and mining activities.[18] The climate of Angul is classified as tropical monsoon (Köppen Aw), characterized by high temperatures, seasonal heavy rainfall, and moderate humidity variations. Summers from March to May are intensely hot, with average daily highs reaching 40°C (104°F), while winters from December to February remain mild with lows around 15°C (59°F).[20] The region receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,377 mm, primarily during the southwest monsoon season from June to September, when over 80% of precipitation occurs.[21] Monthly normal rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department illustrates the monsoon dominance:| Month | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | 12.1 |
| February | 13.8 |
| March | 21.8 |
| April | 29.0 |
| May | 63.2 |
| June | 209.0 |
| July | 332.5 |
| August | 361.3 |
| September | 222.0 |
| October | 91.0 |
| November | 13.6 |
| December | 6.6 |
Forests and rivers
The forests in Angul district are primarily classified as tropical dry deciduous, encompassing subtypes such as dry peninsular sal forests (5B/C1c), dry plains sal forests (5B/C1b), and northern dry mixed deciduous forests (5B/C2).[22] [23] These formations are dominated by sal (Shorea robusta) alongside mixed species adapted to the region's seasonal climate, with minor occurrences of moist peninsular high-level sal (3C/C2e(i)) covering about 18.66 sq km in the Angul division.[22] The Angul Forest Division manages approximately 736.91 sq km of forest under its working plan, including 513.57 sq km of reserve forests, though the district's total natural forest cover reached 39% of its land area (roughly 2,430 sq km based on a district area of 6,232 sq km) as of 2020, reflecting a mix of dense and open canopy amid mining pressures.[23] [24] The district's hydrology is shaped by two major rivers: the Brahmani in the northern parts and the Mahanadi in the south, both originating from the Chota Nagpur Plateau and contributing to Odisha's fertile eastern plains.[25] The Brahmani, formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers upstream, flows eastward through Angul for significant stretches, supporting irrigation and industrial water needs while receiving local tributaries like the Tikra.[26] The Mahanadi traverses the southern boundary, carving the 22-km-long Satkosia gorge—a narrow canyon known for its biodiversity and as a key segment of the river's 851-km course in Odisha—before merging with the Brahmani near the Bay of Bengal.[27] These rivers collectively drain much of the district's 6,232 sq km, influencing local agriculture and ecosystems but facing pollution from nearby coal mining and thermal plants.[25]Administrative divisions
Subdivisions and tehsils
Angul district is administratively organized into four sub-divisions—Angul, Athmallik, Talcher, and Pallahara—which facilitate revenue administration, law and order, and developmental oversight at an intermediate level between the district collectorate and tehsils. The district encompasses eight tehsils, each functioning as a primary revenue unit responsible for land revenue assessment, record maintenance, dispute resolution, and certification issuance, headed by a tehsildar appointed by the state revenue department. These tehsils are Angul, Athmallik, Banarpal, Chhendipada, Kaniha, Kishorenagar, Pallahara, and Talcher.[28] The tehsils are grouped under the sub-divisions as follows:| Sub-division | Tehsils |
|---|---|
| Angul | Angul, Banarpal |
| Athmallik | Athmallik |
| Talcher | Chhendipada, Kaniha, Talcher |
| Pallahara | Kishorenagar, Pallahara |
Blocks and panchayats
Angul district is divided into eight community development blocks, which function as intermediate administrative units between the district and the village level, facilitating rural development programs, agricultural extension, and implementation of government schemes. These blocks are Angul, Athamallik, Banarpal, Chhendipada, Kaniha, Kishorenagar, Pallahara, and Talcher.[30][31] Each block is further subdivided into gram panchayats, the foundational tier of the Panchayati Raj system responsible for local self-governance, including maintenance of village infrastructure, sanitation, water management, and dispute resolution at the grassroots level. The district encompasses a total of 225 gram panchayats.[2] Each gram panchayat is led by an elected sarpanch, supported by a panchayat samiti at the block level and the zilla parishad at the district level, ensuring decentralized decision-making as per the 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution.[2]| Block Name | Key Role in Administration |
|---|---|
| Angul | Oversees central rural areas with focus on industrial-adjacent development.[30] |
| Athamallik | Manages forested and tribal-dominated regions in the west.[30] |
| Banarpal | Handles transitional zones between urban and rural landscapes.[30] |
| Chhendipada | Focuses on agricultural and watershed management in eastern parts.[30] |
| Kaniha | Supports mining-impacted rural communities.[30] |
| Kishorenagar | Administers hilly terrains with emphasis on forestry and small-scale farming.[30] |
| Pallahara | Governs remote, biodiversity-rich areas bordering neighboring districts.[30] |
| Talcher | Coordinates development near coal mining hubs and power plants.[30] |
Demographics
Population trends and density
According to the 2011 Census of India, the population of Angul district stood at 1,273,821, reflecting a decadal increase of 133,818 persons from the 1,140,003 recorded in 2001.[32] [33] This corresponded to a decadal growth rate of 11.74%, a notable deceleration from the 18.62% growth observed between 1991 and 2001.[32] [34] The slowdown aligns with broader trends in Odisha, where industrial migration and resource extraction in Angul have influenced settlement patterns without proportionally accelerating overall population expansion.[33] The district's population density in 2011 was 200 persons per square kilometer, calculated over an area of approximately 6,375 square kilometers.[33] [32] This figure remains below the state average of 270 persons per square kilometer, attributable to Angul's extensive forested and mining terrains that limit habitable zones.[33] Urban centers like Angul municipality and Talcher subdivision exhibit higher localized densities due to industrial hubs, while rural blocks maintain sparser distribution.[32]| Census Year | Population | Decadal Growth Rate (%) | Density (persons/km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,140,003 | 18.62 (from 1991) | ~179 |
| 2011 | 1,273,821 | 11.74 | 200 |
Religious and linguistic composition
According to the 2011 Census of India, Hinduism predominates in Angul district, comprising 98.81% of the total population of 1,273,821, or approximately 1,258,684 adherents.[35] Muslims form the next largest group at 0.59% (7,512 individuals), followed by Christians at 0.27% (3,383), Sikhs at 0.06% (812), and Buddhists, Jains, and other religions or those not stating a religion each under 0.1%.[35] This distribution reflects the broader religious landscape of Odisha, where Hinduism exceeds 93% statewide, with minorities concentrated in urban or tribal pockets; Angul's high Hindu share aligns with its rural and industrial character, though tribal communities (Scheduled Tribes at around 22% district-wide) often practice animist traditions subsumed under Hinduism in census classifications.[36]| Religion | Percentage | Population (2011) |
|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | 98.81% | 1,258,684 |
| Islam | 0.59% | 7,512 |
| Christianity | 0.27% | 3,383 |
| Sikhism | 0.06% | 812 |
| Others/Not stated | ~0.27% | ~3,430 |
Literacy and social indicators
The literacy rate in Angul district, as per the 2011 Census of India, stood at 77.52 percent overall, with males recording 85.02 percent and females 69.62 percent. This figure reflects a gender disparity typical of rural-industrial districts in Odisha, where access to education for females lags due to socioeconomic factors including early marriage and labor participation.| Category | Literacy Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Overall | 77.52 |
| Male | 85.02 |
| Female | 69.62 |


