ancient Kalinga empire which was occupied by King Ashoka in 261 B.C During this period it was the main route of South and East for shipping. Its huge number of black elephants attracted king Ashok to invading Kalinga. The district was named after the old township and European fort of Ganjam situated on the northern bank of river Rushikulya, which was the headquarter of the district. In 1757 it was French Commander Bussy, who marched into Ganjam and realized areas of tribute from feudal chiefs. It was the English who ultimately defeated the French in the Deccan and annexed Ganjam in 1759. The modern Ganjam carved out of the Vizag district of Madras Presidency and came into existence on 31.03.1936. Ganjam district separated from Madras Presidency and formed a part of the newly created state of Odisha with effect from 1.4.1936. The re-organized district comprises the whole of Ghumusar, Chhatrapur and Baliguda divisions, part of old Berhampur taluk, part of old Ichhapur taluk, part of Parlakhemundi plains and the whole of Parlakhemundi agency area in the old Chicacola division. In the year 1992, after the reorganization of districts by the Government of Odisha, the 7 blocks of the Parlakhemundi subdivision were separated and the new district of Gajapati formed and 3 subdivisions, 22 blocks, and 18 urban areas remain in the Ganjam district. Climate and regional setting The maximum summer temperature is 37 °C; the minimum winter temperature is 16 °C. The mean daily temperature varies from 33 °C to 38 °C. May is the hottest month; December is the coldest. The average annual rainfall is 1250 mm and the region receives monsoon and torrential rainfall from July to October. Politics In 2019 Member of the Legislative Assembly (India) (MLA) from Chhatrapur Assembly Constituency is Subash Chandra Behera of Biju Janata Dal (BJD, who won the seat in State elections of 2019. Previous MLAs from this seat include Dr Priyanshu Pradhan of BJD who won this seat in 2014, Narayan Reddy of CPI who won this seat in 2004 Rama Chandra Panda of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)who won this seat in 2000, Daitari Behera of Indian National Congress (INC) in 1995, Parsuram Panda of CPI in 1990, Ashok Kumar Choudhury of INC in 1985, and Biswanath Sahu of CPI in 1980 and in 1977. in 2014 In this year five political party filled Nomination in election of MLA in Chhatrapur