Dhenkanal State was one of the princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. The state is now referred to as Dhenkanal district, Odisha, with Dhenkanal town as its district headquarters. History Foundation of Dhenkanal District In 1530 CE, Dhenkanal is reported to have been a local tribal kingdom under the rule of Sabara. A campaign launched by the Harisingh Vidyadhara, commander and minister of the Gajapati Maharaja, Prataparudra Deva to bring it under the umbrage of the larger kingdom. Harisingh Vidyadhar belonged to the Bhoi dynasty, whose brother Govinda Vidyadhara would later overthrow Prataparudra Deva's successors to become the Gajapati ruler of Odisha. Dhenkanal, situated 150 km north of Puri, was conquered by the Vidyadhar using a force of cavalry and foot soldiers in a battle between the Gajapati's army and the ruling chief. Vidyadhar was then appointed by Gajapati Maharaja as the Raja of Dhenkanal and the Raja became the hereditary ruler of Dhenkanal. The conquest brought the remote area under the control of the Gajapati Kingdom and strengthened it against further attacks. This laid the foundation of the Bhoi dynasty branch at Dhenkanal. In the 18th century, the kingdom withstood the attack by the Maratha forces during the reign of Trilochana Deva. The events of the Maratha-Dhenakanal war of 1781 was also recorded in the ballad Samara Taranga by Brajanath Badajena. Raja Bhagirathi Pratap was a very popular and effective ruler, who was decorated with hereditary title of Mahindra Bahadur. 20th century Raja Sri Sura Pratap Singh Deo Mahindra Bahadur's eldest son, Prince Shankar Pratap, became Raja in the year 1926. He was young and still studying. Subsequently, he went to England to study Bar at Law. After his return to Dhenkanal, he put his mind to administration. While Raja Sri Shankar Pratap Singh Deo Mahindra Bahadur was in England, his younger brother, Pattayat Nrusingha Pratap Singh Deo was ruling over Dhenkanal. He built his 100-room palace at Jatan Nagar with forced labour. The labourers were tortured badly. Raja's Accountant also extracted money from common men. After all these incidents people expected an improved state of affairs after Raja Sri Shankar Pratap would return from abroad and take over administration from his younger brother. Revolt The revolt was organised and mobilized mainly by Harmohan Patnaik, who was the grandson of Dhenkanal Bebarta Jagannath Patnaik and Dewan Damodar Patnaik. Harmohan Patnaik formed the Dhenkanal Praja