It was the capital of Odisha from 1568 to 1803. It is also known for its fort, often described as the "last independent fort". The commander who kept it free from
British East India Company was
Bakshi Jagabandhu, popularly called 'Paika Bakshi'. The
Savaras tribal group, who are still to be found in the district in some pockets, once heavily populated the area. Khurda came into prominence when the first Rajas of the Khordha dynasty, Ramachandra Deva, made it the capital of his kingdom during the latter part of the 16th century. Khurda suffered repeated onslaughts from Muslim and
Maratha cavalry but its royal house retained independence till 1804, when the
British East India Company dispossessed Raja of his territory following the
Second Anglo-Maratha War. British government took Odisha under its rule in 1803 but could only include Khurda in 1827. The Paikas of Khurda are known for protesting against the British rule in Odisha. ==Geography==