The following endeavours are the foremost examples of vernacular Indian encyclopaedias in the 20th century which became instruments of cultural self-assertion, empowering speakers of Indian languages to access structured knowledge in their mother tongue, while also documenting local heritage and intellectual contributions:

• BangiyaBiswakosh (Bengali, edited by Nagendranath Basu, late 19th–early 20th century)
• Marathi Vishwakosh (initiated mid-20th century, later institutionalised by the Government of Maharashtra)
• Jnanamandal (Odia, edited by Binode Kanungo, 1950s)
• Kannada Vishwakosha (University of Mysore, 1960s)

Jnanamandal: Odisha’s Early Contributions

It was in this wider context that Padmashree Binod Kanungo (1912–1990) launched Jnanamandal in Odia in 1954, with the first volume published in 1960. His work was distinctive because it was a grassroots intellectual enterprise, compiled largely from a personal reference centre he established in Cuttack. It followed editorial principles of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility, making complex knowledge understandable to teachers, students, and ordinary readers. It sought to democratise knowledge in Odia, bridging global knowledge systems with local realities.

Through successive volumes, Jnanamandal became a cornerstone of Odia literature and educational culture, earning its place as one of India’s most significant vernacular encyclopaedic projects.

Jnanavrit: Renewing the Mission

Today, the encyclopaedic mission in Odisha is carried forward through Jnanavrit, a comprehensive ten-volume set covering over 4,000 topics across 2,500 pages. Edited by Shri Deepak Kanungo and published by the Binode Kanungo Odiabhasha Utkarsha Kendra Trust, Jnanavrit continues the vision of Binod Kanungo while responding to contemporary needs.