ROLE OF MISSIONARIES IN SOCIAL CHANGE OF ODISHA

Odisha, popularly known as the sacred land of Lord Jagannath, is a land of resplendent glory and rich cultural heritage. In spite of such glorious history, there were number of evil systems spreading the firmament of this sacrosanct land. These were illiteracy, idolatry, superstition, self - immolation under the Chariot of Lord Jagannath in Puri, rigid caste system, untouchability, sati system, meriah sacrifice and infanticide etc. However with the advent of the missionaries in this land, there was a tremendous transformation in the social sphere particularly in the tribal society of Odisha. They constantly persuaded and pressurized the Government to abolish such evil systems from the society and later on it was legalized. The missionaries were also the pioneer of female education and the first people to come in close contact with the tribal communities who were isolated from the mainstream since time immemorial. As a result of this social mobilization took place and a favourable ambience was created. It helped in the regeneration and renovation of traditional society into a pragmatic one. So, the prime objectives of the research work are to highlight the role of missionaries in renovate, revitalize, reform and rationalize the Odisha society. How cloud they take bold step to rejuvenate the conservative and age old society is the subject matter of the study. The scholar both adopted descriptive and analytical methods and library documentation to write this article. The missionaries were the pioneer of education, eradicator of social evils, and protestor of caste prejudice.