This paper attempts a 'sociology of translation' focused on India, and more specifically on the Indian state of Orissa. The analysis of translational practices during ancient and medieval times provides a key to the asymmetrical power relations between social classes, languages, regions, religions, as well as between the sacred and secular domains, during that period. Drawing on the critical perspectives of Translation Studies, but also critiquing them form the point of view of an as yet not fully developed India-centric Translation Studies project, it seeks to develop a model for the latter by providing a narrative of the intricate relations between culture, power and economy during the ancient and medieval period in India and Orissa.