I am preparing for OPSC OAS Mains and finding GS Paper 1 (History and Culture of Odisha) particularly hard. Most standard books cover national history but Odia history resources are sparse. Which books or sources do you recommend? Any specific topics that appear repeatedly in OPSC Mains?
✓ Accepted Answer
For Odia history and culture, the BBSR-published "History of Odisha" by K.C. Panigrahi is the standard, plus the Odisha state board Class 11-12 history books. For culture, follow the Odisha Review magazine (free PDFs on the state govt site) — temple architecture, Jagannath cult, and the Paika Rebellion come up almost every year.
Adding to the above — make a one-pager of Odisha freedom fighters and dynasties (Kesari, Ganga, Gajapati). Mains repeatedly asks to link a dynasty with its monuments. Practice that linkage in your answers.
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