Sambalpur lies in the western most part of Odisha at altitude of 494 ft above the sea level. The locals, known as Sambalpuriya, speak the local language Sambalpuri, which is a variation of Odiya. The city is located in Sambalpur district and functions as the administrative, educational and commercial hub, with a population of 1,80,000. According to the 2011 census report, the population of the district is 1 million, out of which 49 percent are in the working age. 59 percent of the workers are engaged in the agriculture sector, while 11 percent in the household industry. 40 percent of the working age population are engaged in services, industry, trade and commerce or are self-employed. Besides dependency on the surrounding forested region, the area is known for beedi manufacturing, handlooms and other textile products. Sambalpur ikat sarees and textiles, well known for their varied and unique designs, colors and textures, are made with the tie and dye technique locally known as Baandha. The Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi river lies upstream of the city of Sambalpur. The Hirakud Smelter and Hydro Power complex is Indias second aluminum smelter, providing large employment for people of the district. Sambalpur came under the British in 1817 after the Third Maratha War. During the 1857 rebellion, under the leadership of Surendar Sai, Sambalpur exerted strong resistance against the British. Sai continued resisting British Rule till 1864 after which he was imprisoned in the Fort of Asirgarh, part of modern day Madhya Pradesh, where he died in 1884.
