Mr C U Wills on the Sambalpur Atharangarh
By L. P. Pandeya Sharma
Summary
This article reviews and critiques Mr C. U. Wills’s work on the Sambalpur Atharangarh, a medieval fortification in present‑day Odisha. Wills’s report, based on archaeological surveys and local legends, claimed that the fort was built by a Chalukyan king and later occupied by Maratha forces. The reviewer summarises Wills’s architectural descriptions, which include measurements of ramparts, gateways and moats. However, the article questions several of his conclusions: epigraphic evidence suggests that the fort was constructed by regional chiefs in the 16th century rather than by early Chalukyas, and the supposed Maratha occupation may have been brief. The reviewer also notes that Wills relied heavily on oral traditions without cross‑checking archival records. By collating inscriptions and comparing architectural styles, the article proposes an alternative chronology and urges caution in interpreting local legends as historical facts. It emphasises the need for systematic excavation and calls for collaboration between archaeologists and epigraphists.
Conclusion
The reviewer concludes that while Wills’s work brought attention to Sambalpur Atharangarh, many of his claims are unproven. A more rigorous methodology combining archaeology, epigraphy and historical analysis is required to establish the fort’s origins and significance.