Remains of 1,200-year-old port found in Kendrapada

Kendrapada: The remains of a 1,200-year-old port was discovered from a pond near river Chitrotola at Badabetera village under Garadapur block in Kendrapara district on Wednesday.
Some workers stumbled across the remains of a wooden anchor pillar and a log while digging the pond near the ancient Mahadev temple to renovate the pond.
Sunil Patnaik, archaeologist and the secretary of the government-run Odishan Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS), said, “Both wooden pillars were used by boatmen to anchor their boats in the port around 1,200 years back as the ancient port Cheritola is situated near the river Chitrotpala. This area was famous for maritime trade. In the past, a river was flowing through Badabetera village and its nearby areas and the river was also famous for navigation during the British Raj.
The ports in Cheritola, Balasore, Chandabali, Chhauna, Churamani, Dhamara and False Point had trade contacts with the English. Dhamara, about 60 km from Badabetera, was declared a port in 1858 and is situated on the banks of estuaries of the Baitarani and Bramahani rivers. Chandabali port on the bank of Baitarani river in Bhadrak district was established in 1872. Throughout the 19th century, salt was exported from Chandabali. Almost 60% of the total trade and commerce between Odisha and Calcutta was carried out from Chandabali port. The port at False Point in Kendrapada district had trade contacts with many countries. Regular shipping between these ports and False Point contributed significantly to the maritime trade of Odisha. Later in the 19th century, many ports in Odisha, including False Point became defunct due to siltation and the deposition of sand in the harbour areas.