Sarangadhar Das

Early Life

Sarangadhar Das, was born on 17 October 1886 in Dhenakana, Orissa. He graduated from Ravenshaw College in Cuttack and later traveled to Japan to study at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Two years later, Das studied Sugar Technology at the University of California, Berkeley (1909).

Role in Indian Independence Movement

Das resigned from the Congress Party to join the Socialist Party and was an active participant in the All-Orissa States’ Peoples’ Movement. The All-Orissa States’ Peoples’ Movement demanded a responsible government in all Princely States. This movement gave momentum to Das’s leadership. He also worked on upliftment of tribal groups and lower caste communities.

Das was elected as the President of the Orissa and Central Provinces States Regional Council (1946-1947). He also served as the member of the Standing Committee of the All-India States People’s Conference (1939-1943) and a member of the All-India Congress Committee (1939-1945).

Contribution to Constitution Making

Das represented the Eastern Princely States in the Assembly. He was not an active participant in the Assembly debates. However, he did make a few interventions on the control of Princely States by the President.

Later Contributions

Das had an active political career. He served as a member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly (1946-1949) and India’s Provincial Parliament. Das was the Chairman of the Socialist Party (Utkal- 1951-1952) as well as the Deputy Leader of the Praja Socialist Party (1952-1953).

He passed away at the age of 70 on 19 September 1957, in Cuttack.

Key Writings

Das regularly wrote about various struggles of the masses in the journal Krushak. Two of his published works include The Development of Sugar Industry in India and Bikaner— a Political and Economic Survey.