Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra


Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra was an archaeologist and scholar on Orissan Studies. He served as curator for archaeology at the Orissa State Museum from 1963 to 1989 and made important contributions to historical research especially in the fields of archaeology, art history, religion, and other aspects of Orissan cultural history.

Early life and education

Mohapatra was born in an orthodox Brahmin family with connections to the Royal family of Dhenkanal, something that greatly helped him in his later work on Military History of Orissa. He was the eldest son of Sitanath Paramguru, then the Zamindar of the village, and Moti Devi and married to Kusum Mohapatra.
Mohapatra received his master's degree in History from Ravenshaw College in Cuttack, India and obtained a diploma from the Delhi School of Archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. He obtained his PhD for his work on the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar in 1976. His thesis outlines the importance of the twin caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri in the development of Indian art and architecture, associated with the Kalinga emperor Kharavela. These caves represent the earliest examples of Jaina architecture in India. In 1979, Mohapatra obtained a DLitt from Utkal University for his work Jaina Monuments of Orissa, presenting a systematic study of Jaina monuments of Orissa.
Mohapatra was initiated to historical research by N. K. Sahu with whom he had worked in 1962. After joining the Orissa state museum as curator for archaeology, he took up research in field archaeology and Orissan art under the guidance of K. C. Panigrahi.
Mohapatra's reference book Archaeology in Orissa published in two volumes, presents details of prehistoric and historical archaeology in the thirteen districts of Orissa. His collection of art-treasures, antiquities, and archaeological artefacts collected in the course of his field work is now in the Orissa State Museum.
Mohapatra served on many committees both nationally and internationally. He was nominated as a member of the Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi.

Books

Note: O.H.R.J : Orissa Historical Research Journal