Talcher

Talcher, known as the "City Of Black Diamond" in Odisha, is a major industrial coal city and municipality. Talcher is one of the four subdivisions of Angul district in the Indian state of Odisha.

During the British Raj Talcher was the capital of Talcher State, one of the princely states of the Eastern States Agency.

Talcher City has a rich historical background that can be traced back to ancient times. The region surrounding Talcher has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as archaeological evidence suggests. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties and empires over the centuries.

During ancient times, Talcher and its surrounding areas were part of the Kalinga region, which was ruled by the Kalinga dynasty. The area had close connections with the Maurya Empire, with Emperor Ashoka's famous Kalinga War taking place nearby in the 3rd century BCE. The war had a profound impact on Ashoka, leading to his conversion to Buddhism and subsequent advocacy for peace and non-violence.

In medieval times, Talcher came under the control of various regional powers. It was ruled by the Bhanja dynasty, a local ruling family, during the 13th and 14th centuries. Later, the region was dominated by the Gajapati dynasty, who ruled over the medieval Kalinga kingdom.

The rulers of Talcher:-

• Narahari Singh (1471 - 1480 CE)

• Udayanarayana Singh (1480 - 1520)