Atharuddin Mohammed
Atharuddin Mohammed also known as Athar Mohammed was an Odia military officer, feudatory chief (Samanta) of Madhi (present day : Kamakhyanagar) and the Dewan of the princely state of Dhenkanal during Raja Dinabandhu Mahendra Bahadur (1877 - 1885) and Raja Shura Pratap Mahendra Bahadur's rule. He was one among the first princely officials to join the Odia unification movement and the Utkal Sabha. Early life Atharuddin Mohammed was born as the eldest son of Khwaja Pir Fazal Mohammed, a notable Persian philosopher and mystic of the Ni'matullāhī order who later joined the service of Raja Bhagiratha Mahendra, the Raja of Denkanal. Fazal Mohammed was appointed as the Samanta of Madhi garh presently known as Kamakhyanagar and after his death, his son Atharuddin took over the position. Athar rose to prominence in the eyes of the king by displaying his bravery and wit. He was appointed as the Dewan of the newly crowned king, Raja Dinabandhu Mahendra by the British in 1877. During his tenure Atharuddin organised the last elephant fair in Odisha. Prajamandal movement With the beginning of the Praja Mandal movement in Dhenkanal State, the peasants all over the kingdom started revolting against the repressive policies adopted by the