The Swadeshi Movement, launched in protest against the partition of Bengal along communal lines evoked solidarity from across the nation. The people of Cuttack, Odisha too dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of the nation.
Many leaders such as Madhusudan Das, Biswanathkar, Fakirmohan Senapathi, Daiyatri Das and Abdus Sobhan Khan addressed public gatherings across Cuttack and appealed to the masses to boycott foreign-made products and use only India-made (Swadeshi) items instead, to promote self-reliance and economic independence of the nation. In a meeting that stands out because of the mass participation held on 20th August 1905 presided by Janakinath Bose, Das requested the people to abandon Liverpool salt and Manchester cloth.
The trend of Swadeshi meetings and the bonfire of foreign goods began in Cuttack and soon spread to Balasore, Puri, Berharmpur and Sambalpur. The Utkal Sammilani too lent its support to the nationwide Swadeshi struggle and opened a center to impart training in weaving cotton clothes to promote Indian crafts and artisans. Madhusudan Das set up an Utkal Tannery in Cuttack in 1906 to produce India-made leather, and to wean people away from foreign goods.
The Swadeshi spirit of the people of Cuttack inspired the entire Odia-speaking tract to abandon foreign products and embrace Swadeshi.
Source: Indian Culture Portal