Athmallik State

Athmallik State was one of the princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. The state was a former jagir recognized as a state in 1874 and had its capital in Kaintaragarh (Kaintragarh, Kaintira or Kaintura) near the town of Athmallik. Its last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union in 1948.
History.
The origin of Athmallik State is obscure as most of the state was covered by densely forested hills and administratively part of Baudh State. According to traditions, the foundation of the state was laid by Pratap Dev who belonged to the Kadamba dynasty of the Bonai State. Pratap Deva was said to have found a "Honda" metal vessel which was considered an auspicious sign, after which the territory was then named as "Hondpa". In later times one of the chiefs divided the state into eight divisions and placed one subchief called "Mallik" in each division in order to suppress the tribes after which the kingdom changed its name from Hondpa to "Athmallik". Hence the emblem of the state was the Kadamba flower.
In 1785, Laxmidhar Deo declared Athamallik independent of the Baudh State and became the Samant of the kingdom. In 1874 the Zamindari, locally styled as "Samant" was recognized as Raja and in 1894 a sanad was granted by the British recognizing Athmallik as a state in its own right. The state's accession to the Indian Union was signed in Dhenkanal during the rule of Kishore Chandra Deo in 1948. It remained under Dhenkanal District till 31 March 1993 and owing to the bifurcation of the district, Athmallik Sub-Division is now part of Angul District in Odisha.
Rulers.
The rulers of Athmallik State of the Kadamba dynasty branch: