Sambalpur State

Sambalpur State, also known as Hirakhand Kingdom, was a kingdom founded in 1570. It ruled over Western Odisha and Eastern Chhattisgarh in central-eastern India prior to the Maratha occupation in 1800 AD. From 1849 AD, it was integrated with British Raj as a British District. Its capital was present-day Sambalpur city in Western Odisha. The state was known as Hirakhand kingdom due to its famed diamond mines. The state was also called the Garhjat states. The Chauhans were one of the most influential dynasties who made significant contributions to the culture here.