It all started with George H. Faulkner, known as the “Viking of British India” or the “King of Jobra.” He was an English engineer who came to India in 1833. Initially working on canal construction for the Irrigation Company in Madras, Faulkner moved to Jobra, Cuttack, to work on the Mahanadi River canals.
In 1869, Faulkner started the Jobra Boat Repair Workshop under the PWD, where his engineering skills became legendary. He was reckless with money matters, but he had an enviable sense of design. He painted, carved, moulded, and designed buildings, boats, and bridges. He grew the most beautiful flowers, planned and laid out the loveliest gardens, and could use a chisel or any other tool as skillfully as his best workmen.
After the great famine (Naa Anka Durviksha) in Odisha, the workshop played a key role in expanding irrigation systems to prevent future disasters. Over time, Jobra’s importance faded, and the workshop fell into disrepair. However, it was restored in 2013 as the Odisha Maritime Museum, preserving Faulkner’s legacy.
Set up on the banks of the Mahanadi River over four acres of land in Cuttack, the imposing white structure with a striking lighthouse in its front yard speaks of Odisha’s rich maritime heritage. The museum has 14 galleries showcasing maritime traditions, vessels, boats, and other related artifacts from the ancient era to the colonial period.
A library with more than 1,000 books and journals has also been included for researchers. This location, which dates back to around 1869, holds the unique distinction of being the only workshop that catered to the needs of three provinces—Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha—under the Bengal presidency of British India.
Although Kalinga, or ancient Odisha, played an important role in maritime activities from early times, its maritime history is not well-documented. Maritime traditions and rituals are, however, still popular throughout Odisha.
From archaeological evidence and literary sources, it is evident that ancient Odisha, known as Kalinga, was a great maritime power from around the 7th century BC to the 13th century AD. It had overseas trade relations with ancient countries like Greece, Rome, Java, Sumatra, Brahmadesa, Simhala, Bali, and Malay.
The introductory section of the museum mainly comprises old artifacts and photographs of the workshop as it was before the renovation. You can see old signaling lamps, cannons, compasses, utensils, and other objects from that period, mostly found at the site.
The machine gallery showcases machines dating from the 18th to the 20th century, sourced from both England and India. Most of these machines are embedded in the floor and remain in their original positions.
Each machine is accompanied by a short description detailing its earlier function for easy understanding by visitors. In total, this gallery houses 33 machines and tools.
Rituals play an important role in boat-making and sea voyages. Over time, the rituals associated with sea voyages have transformed into traditions. This gallery offers visitors a glimpse of these rituals through photographs, illustrations, objects, and more, providing insight into life in Odisha at the time.
The Navigation gallery attempts to depict the history of navigation through objects, charts, photographs, and models. Initially, stellar bodies like the sun, moon, stars, and particularly the North Star were used as guiding coordinates for navigation on the high seas.
Over time, tools such as the compass, latitudes and longitudes, the meridian, and the tropical lines were invented and used by navigators. The museum offers a close view of a compass and a sextant—a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used to measure the angular distance between two visible objects.
The different galleries at the Maritime Museum include the:
- Introduction Gallery
- Maritime History Gallery
- Boat Building Gallery
- Jobra Workshop Gallery
- Maritime Rituals Gallery
- Navigation Gallery
- Monuments on Odisha Coast Gallery
- Boat Shed Display
- Saw Mill
- Boat Repairing Jetty
In the Boat Building gallery, visitors can see depictions of boat-building activities that have been carried on for centuries in and around ancient Kalinga. There are photographs, illustrations, and models showcasing various boat-building activities. The museum also has a new section displaying different musical instruments from Indonesia, highlighting the strong maritime relationship between Odisha and Indonesia.
The museum features a beautiful aquarium, which provides a sense of calm. Visitors can see various types of marine life from different biotopes. Exhibits include Baitarani, Bhitarkanika, the Amazon, Chilika Lake, the Mahanadi River, Lake Tanganyika, and a Koi pond. There is also a 4D movie experience in the auditorium. The museum charges entry fees, with additional charges for specific segments like the aquarium and the 4D auditorium, allowing visitors to choose based on their interests. The souvenir shop, however, could benefit from a revamp to become more attractive.
Trivia:
- The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays), with visiting hours from 10 am to 4 pm. Photography is allowed inside the museum.
- The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, where the museum is located, is well-connected by rail to major cities in India.
Deepika Sahu has been a journalist for 29 years and she has worked with some of India’s leading media houses. Right now, she is independently engaged in content creation and curation. Twitter: @menondeepika, Instagram@moodydeepika, Facebook: Deepika Sahu
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🚢 Discover the fascinating history of #Odisha’s maritime heritage at the Odisha Maritime Museum, housed in the restored Jobra Workshop. Ready to explore ancient maritime traditions & artefacts? Plan your visit today! 🛠️📚🌊📷 #TheIndianSun @menondeepikahttps://t.co/5dkDiOUNoW
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) September 27, 2024
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