This paper explores the processes of state formation in early modern Orissa, focusing on the Sambalpur Kingdom, through the lenses of ecology and geopolitics. Sambalpur, a region rich in natural resources and strategically located, offers a unique case for understanding how ecological factors and geopolitical dynamics influenced the rise of political power in early modern India. By examining the region's environment, including its rivers, forests, and agricultural patterns, alongside its geopolitical position within the broader context of Orissan and colonial politics, this study reconstructs the socio-political processes that contributed to the kingdom's consolidation. The paper argues that the kingdom's rulers skillfully leveraged both environmental resources and political alliances, navigating external threats and internal challenges. It also highlights the significant role of the region’s ecological landscape in shaping state authority, territorial control, and economic strategies. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how ecological and geopolitical factors intersected in the state formation process in early modern Orissa, offering new insights into regional political history.

State formation, early modern Orissa, Sambalpur Kingdom

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