Dhenkanal State was one of the princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. Its former territory is now Dhenkanal district, Odisha, with Dhenkanal town as its district headquarters. Dhenkanal was the center of pre-historic habitations. Dhenkanal well known as the most ancient forest covers of Odisha which shelters elephants, tigers and numerous species of birds and beasts.

The Nasik Rock inscription shows that, during 2nd Century AD, Dhenkanal was a part of the Sattabahana Empire. Further, in the 3rd and 4th Century AD, it was a part of the Gupta Empire in India. In the 6th and 7th Centuries AD the region remained under the control of the Bhauma Kara Dynasty. The Sulki dynasty ruled over some parts of Dhenkanal in 8th and 9th Centuries AD.

The broad plains of the Bramhani river were the dwelling place of early homo-sapiens who lived on the berries and wild fruits before the advent of rice on these heavily watered expanses. The surrounding Sal forests are with the changing seasons making this district headquarters town principal point of trips to beautiful interiors.

History of Dhenkanal District states that 18 kings have ruled over this region and brought about several administrative, political, socio-economic and cultural evolution of the district. In the year 1947 when the country gained freedom, the princely state of Dhenkanal was merged in the Indian Union.