George Webb's Report on the Temple of Jagannath, 19th December 1807 is the second in the series of publications, based on archival source material, under the programme of Authentic History of Jagannath Culture. Last year, Orissa State Archives published Charles Grome's Report on the Temple of Jagannath, which highlighted many unknown and lesser known aspects of the management of the Temple. The focus of the Webb's Report, however, is on the financial aspects of the Temple management. George Webb, who was the Collector of Cuttack from July 1805 till February 1808, has done a detailed study, as per the direction of the then Board of Revenue, of the various aspects of revenue, receipts and expenditure of the Temple.
The present publication with sixteen Appendices highlights the various sources of revenue and expenditure made on different items. This report lays emphasis on the economy of expenditure and faithful implementation of the budget. Truly, it opens a window of understanding to the management of the Temple of Lord Jagannath during those days.
Jagannath culture has a universal appeal. The Car Festival is celebrated not only at Puri but also at several other places all over the world. The Jagannath Temple at Puri represents the very essence of Indian spiritualism and the all encompassing nature of our composite culture. Any study of the cultural history of Orissa has to essentially focus on the Jagannath Temple for all the connected facets of the composite Oriya culture converge in Jagannath's abode and the many layers of its antiquity.
Researchers have received Charles Grome's Report with enthusiasm. I hope, the present publication will also get a similar reception. Like the first report, this one is also being released, appropriately, on the eve of Ratha Jatra.
The compilation of the authentic history of Jagannath culture forms a part of the Twelve New Initiatives announced by Shri Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Orissa. The Department of Culture takes immense pleasure in bringing out these reports of historical and social relevance as a step towards achieving this stated objective. The Department plans to bring out more such documents, as its humble contribution to this noble cause.
I offer my sincere thanks to the Board of Editors headed by the eminent historian Professor K.S.Behera for editing this two-hundred year old document. I am extremely happy that this document is now ready for the use of scholars and readers.
Orissa State Archives is an important repository of valuable information carefully preserved in the form of Government and private records, old maps, reports and rare books etc. for the use of administrators, scholars and enthusiastic members of the public. With a view to inculcating archival awareness amongst the public, periodical exhibitions and for scholarly investigation, preparation of reference media like Guide to Records, Descriptive list of Records and publication of records in-extenso have been a regular programme of Orissa State Archives in addition to its primary functions of collection, preservation and the management of records. With these basic objectives in mind, Orissa State Archives has sustained its efforts. Our earlier volume "Charles Grome's Report on the Temple of Jagannath, 10th June 1805" was released on the eve of the Car Festival of 2002 and the present publication "George Webb's Report on the Temple of Jagannath, 19 December 1807" which is the second in series is an important contribution in the area of research on Lord Jagannath so far as the Archival source materials are concerned.
The present publication highlights resource management of the Temple of Jagannath during the initial phase of British Rule in Orissa. In this Report George Webb has furnished a detailed account of sources of Revenue and expenditures of the Temple indicating therein his own suggestions for smooth financial management of the Temple in future. The value comprises 16(sixteen) Appendices integral to the Report alongwith the relevant ancilliary correspondences - all of which are available in Orissa State Archives. Utmost care has been taken for their reproduction and meticulous scrutiny by an august body of Editors to whom we owe a sense of deep gratitude.
I am grateful to Dr. Damodar Rout, Hon'ble Minister Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relations and Culture for evincing a keen interest in implementing this laudable project. Our main source of inspiration is indeed Sri R. Balakrishnan, L.A.S, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Culture, Government of Orissa. My gratitude is due to him for his kind guidance and attention despite his busy work schedule. I am also grateful to Shri N.M.Mohanty, L.A.S., Director, Culture, Government of Orissa who has always been enthusiastic about this publication and has monitored the progress of work from time to time. The Allahabad Bank deserves our special thanks for their financial support for this publication.
I am also thankful to Shri B.N.Das, Tech. Asst. and other Archivists and Technical Assistants of Orissa State Archives for their active involvement in bringing out this publication. My thanks are also due to all the Staff of Orissa State Archives for their assistance and cooperation. I also thank M/s. Mayur Press and M/s. Duduly Process & Offset, Bhubaneswar for undertaking and completing the D.T.P. and printing work respectively in time. Sri Baladev Maharatha and Sri Sudhir Kumar Lenka deserve our thanks for designing the cover page.
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