Understanding Odisha's Capital Before 1947

The question asks about the capital city of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa) before India gained independence in the year 1947. India's independence marked a significant turning point, and many administrative structures, including state capitals, saw changes either immediately or in the years that followed.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Sambalpur
• Cuttack
• Puri
• Bhubaneswar

Historically, the city of Cuttack served as the capital of the region for a very long time, including the period leading up to India's independence in 1947. Cuttack is one of the oldest cities in Odisha and has been an important administrative and commercial center throughout history.

Bhubaneswar, while a significant historical city, was developed as a planned modern capital only after India became independent. It officially replaced Cuttack as the capital of Odisha in 1948, a year after independence.

Sambalpur and Puri are also important cities in Odisha, known for their cultural and religious significance, but they did not serve as the capital of the entire province/state before 1947.

Therefore, the city that was the capital of Odisha before India became independent in 1947 was Cuttack.