Bhubaneswar, May 31: The state government will release a publication, documenting the archival records of the Odisha famine of 1866. The compilation prepared by the Odisha State Archives will contain important records relating to the cause and effects of the 19th century devastation.

"The 1866 famine is marked as a landmark in the economic and general history of Odisha. It is said that nearly one-third of the population of coastal areas perished in the deadly famine. That is why to document the records of the event is simply imperative," said culture secretary Manoranjan Panigrahy.

The famine occurred in the 9th regal year of the then king Dibyasingha Deb and that is why it is known as Na-anka Durbhikya. The records in the publication will include reports of the three-member famine commission that was appointed by the British government to probe into the causes of the famine and suggest remedial measures.

"It brings to fore the negligence of the British administration and the need for ameliorative measures. The basic cause of the famine was drought but the situation was aggravated due to administrative carelessness and untimely action," said Atul Chandra Pradhan, one of the members of the editorial committee of the publication.

It will also include interviews of government officials and other general reports along with district records from Cuttack, Puri and Balasore.

The post-famine period is considered to have brought in the resurgence of a new Odisha. A number of records pertaining to the developments that took place during that happening period have been included in the publication.

"There was the appearance of printing press, formation of public associations and it also prepared ground for a movement to unite people speaking Odia in different parts of the provinces under the British Empire. It also witnessed the emergence of educational institutions," said Ashok Kumat Patnaik, one of the editors of the book.

In 1868, the Cuttack College was established and in the very same year Fakir Mohan Senapati published Balasore Sambada Bahika O Bodhayadini, while in 1866 Gauri Shankar Ray brought out a journal called Utkal Dipika from Cuttack.

The book will be released on June 9, which is celebrated as the International Archives Day worldwide.

"The single volume publication is based on invaluable records in possession of the archives. It has been presented in a comprehensive manner for readers and scholars," said Panigrahy.