Book excerpt: The early decades of the twentieth century saw the awakening of the Indian people to the ill consequences of colonial domination. One aspect that has not received much attention is the glaring regional disparities that the British perpetuated. Some states received bountiful benefits, while others languished in obscurity, poorly administered and backward. The Present study concerns itself with examining the status of what today constitutes Orissa, under British administration. Upto 1912, Orissa was administratively part upto 1912, Orissa was administratively part of Bengal, but in that year, it was joined to Bihar, an arrangement which contined till it became a separate province in 1936. The partnership with Bihar which was not backed by popular support had far-reaching repurcussions on the administration and further development of Orissa.Delving deep into archival material, news reports, private papers and other sources, the present authro takes a carefull and critical look at salient aspects of British administrations.