RAJA BAHADUR RAMCHANDRA MARDAJ DEO

The contributions of Raja Bahadur Ramachandra Mardaraj  Deo of Khallikote  both as a Zamindar and social reformer are of incomparable importance. No one can forget his role along with maharaja Krishna Chandra  Gajapati of Paralakhemundi, Maharaja Vikram Dev Varma of Jeypore and Goura Chandra Dev of Chikiti in creation of Orissa as a separate province. Besides, as an ardent lover of art and architecture he tuned Khallikote into a city of magnificent temples and many schools, colleges and institutions  in the District bear the imprints of his royal personality.

In the same time we can not ignore the royal names of Harihar Mardaraj (1862-1909), Raja  of Khallikote and Padmanav Narayan Deo (1873-1904), Raja of Paralakhemundi for the roles played by them in Oriya movement and for their love  of art and sculpture and who have glorified the name of Ganjam.