History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v1.c8.8

v1.c8.8

The invasions of Southern India from Orissa and South Indian armies penetrating into Orissa, came for the most part through the Godāvarī-Kṛiṣhṇā Doāb, because the network of rivers in the Deltas of these two rivers prevented the passage of large armies through it, along the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal. In this region naval activity revived after the decline of Portuguese power in Asia and from Coconada in the north to Nizampatam in the south, a line of ports sprang suddenly into existence on account of the activity of English, Dutch and French traders. The coast-land from Hijli in the Medinipur district to Madras does not include any good harbours or roadsteads. The shore slopes away gradually from the coast and deep water is available only after two or three miles. Moreover, the sea is very rough during the South-eastern Monsoon when cyclones visit this coast almost every year. Inspite of these natural defects the people of ancient Kalinga developed into good sailors very early in the history of the country. Signs and remains of the tremendous maritime activity of the people of Kalinga are still abundant in Ceylon, Further India and the Indian Archipelago.¹