The tradition of salt manufacturing in odisha during the nineteenth century

The best type of salt are manufactured in Odisha. It has a flourishing tradition of salt manufacture during the British period. Its soil, impregnated with the saline particles as far as the spring tides reach during the dry seasons was singularly well fitted for the manufacture of salt. The salt lands in the calciferous tract of Odisha possessed unique natural qualities for salt production. The methods of salt manufacture prevalent in Odisha can be classified under two main processes viz. panga and karkatch. In the panga process salt was obtained by boiling concentrated sea water. The karkatch process meant the solar evaporation of sea water. As Odisha is proned to frequent rains and thunderstorms during the manufacturing season. Salt manufactured in the karkatch had to be abandoned panga process is only suitable for Odisha.