Debagarh is the former capital of Bamanda or Bamra princely state of British India. The king of this princely state belongs to Ganga vamsi dynasty and one of the extended royal family of Gajapati emperor of Orissa.
Raja Shri Basudeb Sudhal Deb (1869–1903) was an enlightened ruler, he did much to further conditions in princely state and for the cause of Oriya nationalism. His contribution was more towards Literature, Education and Art. He established an educational institution, which is currently well known as Raja Basu Dev High School. His son had equally contributed to the social, cultural and scientific development of Debagarh. Bamanda was the first princely state to introduce postal, telegraph and electricity in India. Currently Jagannath sahitya sansad is actively inspiring and promoting local talent in the field of art and literature in Oriya language. The sansad was a combined effort of some real patriotic and creative people like Sh. Jagamohan Mishra, Sh. Yogesh Dalbehera, Sh. Prafulla giri, Sh. Madhusudan Guru,Sh. durga Prasad Dwivedy, Sh. Prafulla Mahapatra.......etc. A beautiful waterfall PRADHANPAT decorates the town and supplies the clean drinking water to the citizen. Pradhanpat ustav is celebrated annually near tha fall.
Bamanda–the citadel of creative artists dates back to 5th century A.D. when Mathara Royal Family was at the helm of the Administration. After this dynasty, Ganga Rulers came into power and established their capital at Deogarh. Deogarh attained all-round prosperity during the reign of Raja Basudev Sudhal Dev, the most enlightened rulers of this clan. A new horizon was innovated in the field of communication by the foundation of Jagannath Ballav press in 1886 and publication of a weekly magazine the “Sambalpur Hitaishini” in 1889. It was during his rule that the jail, police station, post offices, Dispensaries were established and irrigation system was introduced. He had a telephone line of 78 Miles connecting
