The untamed hilly tract which forms an endless series of valleys in Kandhamal District owes its significant importance from the past history, which dates back far back to 3rd century BC. At that time the District was considered as an unconquered Atavika country.From the history of the District it reveals that Kandhamal District was under the Maurya region.
The mountainous Atavika country in the later years came to be identified as Kandhamal. From the records it is found that the District is named after the vigorous Khonds, who use to dwell the land.The present District of Kandhamal is made up of the fragments of the three erstwhile principalities of Boudh, Ghumsar and Khemundi, which were formed during the reign of the Gangas, the last indigenous rulers in the throne of Odisha.The contemporary history of the Kandhamal District is documented with the arrival of the British in the nineteenth century. As far the history of Kandhamal is concerned, the British were not successful enough to find their way out without confronting any resistance.
Bhanjas occupied this state and continued to rule over it till 1835.The history of Kandhamal depicts that the present subdivision of the Kandhamal District, Balliguda region was under the Gangas of Kandhamal and the dynasty ruled over these hilly tracts till the 19th century, till the British captured the area in 1830 to 1880, by subduing the hilly chiefs, who were the supporter of the Gangas. Kandhamal, which was originally the part of the Boudh district, experienced a chequered history during the same period.
The present subdivision of the Kandhamal sub division was an integral part of Boudh till 1855. It was the British rule that fragmented the parts of Kandhmal District from Boudh District.
