Ganjam District

Ganjam district is a district in the Indian state of Odisha. Ganjam’s total area is 8,070 km² (3,116 mi²).

The district headquarters is Chhatrapur. Ganjam is divided into three sub-divisions Chhatrapur, Berhampur, and Bhanjanagar. The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1908 lists Ganjam, along with the Thanjavur and South Canara districts, as the three districts of the Madras Presidency where Brahmins were most numerous. As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Odisha (out of 30).
Ganjam was a part of ancient Dakshina Kalinga. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka inscribed his message at Jaugada near the banks of the Rushikulya, in the present-day Ganjam district. Scholars thus conclude that a significant part of Ganjam was under the rule of Ashoka. There are multiple theories regarding the name ‘Ganjam’. During the 7th century, the region was known as Kangoda or Kongoda. Some scholars believe the word evolved from this ancient name. A second theory suggests that one Ibrahim Qutabshahi, Sultan of Golconda invaded the region in 1571 and the region later became known by the Persian adjective ‘Ganj-i-am’, meaning ‘place of the commoners’ Ganjam district is one of the oldest administrative units of Odisha. It was part of Madras presidency during British rule.
An important contributor to the local economy is production of extracts from Ganjam Kewda Rooh, which are used in perfumery.

Since Ganjam is a coastal district, it is well equipped with Port facilities. Port at Gopalpur and nearby industries cater economic activities of the district and Odisha state. According to the 2011 census Ganjam district has a population of 3,529,031, roughly equal to the nation of Lithuania or the US state of Connecticut. This gives it a ranking of 83rd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 429 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,110/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 11.37%. Ganjam has a sex ratio of 983 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 71.88%. At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 91.29% of the population in the district spoke Odia, 7.17% Telugu, 0.44% Kui and 0.42% Sora as their first language. READ is working in the district of Ganjam from the year 2000. READ focus to Widows and empowering socio-economically and politically. The widows in the district are deprived from all their rights and dignity. The Society believes that, they are ill-fated; therefore the widows are always kept away from all social functions and rituals.

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