Shashi Bhusana Charitam is a Sanskrit book which is about the biography of the social reformer Sashi Bhusan Rath, who was born in Surada and about the Royal family of Surada. It has a short hand representation of various freedom fighters of Odisha and about the scenic beauty of Ganjam district. It consists of nine chapters. It was written by Pandit Sri Bhagabat Prasad Dash Sharma, a well known Sanskrit teacher in Surada area. It was edited with SUBODHINI Sanskrit Commentaries and also with the Odia translation.
Chapter 1
In the 1st chapter, there is a brief description about the Khidishingi kingdom and Khidishingi Royal family.
In the ancient time, there was a ground mix with elevated and even surface. That part was named as Khidishingi kingdom. In that part many primitive tribes (Kandha) had lived and there king was also a Kandha. His name was Patta Mallick. The border of this kingdom was from Hinjilika (Hinjili) to Jaipur (Kalahandi) and Gadapur (Kandhamal) in east–west region and from Ghumusar to Khemundi in north–south region.The capital city of this kingdom was “Patta Mandicca” (Bajrakona Gada). It is situated between Badagada (Ganjam) and Mohana (Gajapati). But now it is destroyed. The tutelary deity of Patta Mallick was Goddess Khambeswari. The four sons of Patta Mallick quarreled among themselves for the crown of Khidishingi. For the result of this matter Patta Mallick wanted to worship his tutelary deity Maa Khambeswari. For the result of this matter, Maa Khambeswari ordered him that, ”On the next morning a worrier (Khyatriya) would come from the west direction sitting on the horse is your successor”. Patta Mallick was very happy to know this result from his dream order. Then, he waited for the new king of Khidishingi.
At that time period, a Khyatriya named as “Sobha Chandra Singh” who was a “Nala” descendant from “Jaipur Royal Family” lived at Nalabarakote. Nalabarakote is situated between Baliguda and G.Udayagiri in Kandhamal district.
Once Sobha Chandra had gone for hunting and saw a white boar. He followed that boar. When he arrived at Patta Mandicca that boar had diminished. At that time Patta Mallick present at that spot and saw this supernatural and rare scene. Patta Mallick told him all matter and agreed to become his successor. Then, that spot where the white boar had diminished Sobha Chandra Singh built there a temple and established Goddess Barahi Devi as his tutelary deity. This temple now still at Siddhapur village which is nearly at Badagada. On 1880, English Historian T.J.Maltby wrote a book named as “Ganjam District Manual”. It was also reprinted on 1888 by the Govt. Press of Madras. From this book it has known that, this event was held on 1168 A.C. Raja Sobha Chandra Singh ruled Khidishingi from 1168 to 1206 A.C.
After Raja Sobha Chandra his son Purusottam was the king of Khidishingi. Followed by his son Krushna was the king. Then his son Rai Singh, Rai's clever son Preeti Singh, Preeti's son Kirti Singh, Kirti's son Padmanabha Singh, Padmanabha's son Bikram Singh and after Bikram his son Baliar Singh(Balistha) was the king of Khidishingi.
Partition of Khidishingi
At the time of Raja Baliar Singh a historical decision had decided that decision was about the partition of his kingdom Khidishingi among his four sons. This event was approximately held on 1474 A.C. On this era Gajapati Purusottama Dev (1466-1497) was the king of Utkal. But from “Madras Record” it is known that, Baliar Singh divide his kingdom on 1574 and died on 1645. Madras Record was written by British Government on 1875 by survey of various regions of Madras Presidency such as Ganjam survey. Baliar Singh has four sons. They are; Gangadhara Singh Raja Hadu Singh Raja Sandhadhanu Singh a.k.a. Abhaya Raja Parshuram Singh
1. Gangadhara Singh
On this decision of partition have a reason. When Baliar Singh was the king, his first son Gangadhara was the crown-prince. At that time somehow Gangadhara died. So, Raja Baliar Singh decided to divide the kingdom. The 1st part of Khidishingi kingdom was “Badagada” which is situated at the south-western part of Khidishingi. The 1st king of this land was Baliar's grandson and the son of Gangadhara “Raja Damana Singh”.
2. Raja Hadu Singh
As per the decision of Raja Baliar Singh the 2nd part of Khidishingi kingdom was “Dharakotta”. It has situated at the east-northern part of Khidishingi. The 1st king of this land was the 2nd son of Baliar Singh “Raja Hadu Singh”.
3. Raja Sandhadhanu Singh (Abhaya) The 3rd part of Khidishingi kingdom was “Surada”. It has situated at the west-northern part of Khidishingi. The 1st king of this land was the 3rd son of Baliar Singh “Raja Sandhadhanu Singh”.