Paralakhemundi is an ancient estate lying in the western corner of the southern portion of then larger Ganjam district (now constitute Ganjam district, Gajapati district, Srikakulam district and parts of Vizianagaram district), and it is bounded in the west by the district of then larger Vizagapatam district (now constitute Visakhapatnam district, Koraput district, Malkangiri district, Rayagada district, parts of Vizianagaram district) and on the north by the Jeypore state and the eastern ghats which are called Maliyas or tribal agencies. The town of Paralakhemundi is: “a straggling town in plan much like the letter ‘L’ scattered around the foot of the well wooded hill which is the distinctive feature of the place. The horizontal portion of the ‘L’ faces south, and at the corner where the ‘L’ and the vertical portion join, is situated the palace(Gajapati Palace), a most picturesque group of building”. This group of buildings was designed and built by Mr. Chisholm.
The Khemundi country, consisting of Paralakhemundi, Badakhemundi and Sanakhemundi, was under a single ruler till 1607. Paralakhemundi came under British influence in 1768.[2]
Paralakhemundi owes much of its present-day Existence to Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo. Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Maharaja of Paralakhemundi of the Gajapati kingdom, was the direct descendant of the historic dynasty of the Eastern Ganga dynasty Gajapati kings that ruled Odisha for more than seven centuries. During the regime of these kings, the boundaries of the dynasty
was extended from the Ganges in the North to Udayagiri, Nellore district in the South. Kolahomee, one of the sons of Gajapati Kapilendra Dev, the Gajapati monarch in the later half of the 15th Century came to this part of Paralakhemundi (then in Ganjam district) and founded the Royal family of Paralakhemundi.
Gajapati district has been named after Maharaja Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev, the Raja Sahib of Paralakhemundi estate. He was honoured as the 1st Prime Minister of the State of Odisha after it was created on 1 April 1936, remembered for his contribution in the formation of a separate Odisha State and inclusion of Paralakhemundi estate in Odisha. Gajapati district came into being with effect from 2 October 1992. Prior to this it was a part (Sub-Division) of Ganjam district.
| Crowned King | Period of Rule | Siblings |
| Sibalinga Narayan Bhanudeo | (1566–1590) | |
| Subarna Kesari Govinda Gajapati Narayan Deo | (1590–1630) | |
| Mukunda Rudra Gajapati Narayan Deo | (1630–1656) | |
| Mukunda Deo | (1656–1674) | |
| Annanta Padmanabh Gajapati Narayan Deo 1st | (1674–1702) | |
| Sarbajgan Jagannatha Gajapati Narayan Deo 1st | (1686–1702) | |
| Narahari Naraya Deo | (1702–1729) | Jannardan Deo, Guntta Narayana Deo, Yoshabanta Deo |
| Bira Padmanabha Narayana Deo 2nd | (1729–1748*) | Prataprudra Deo, Narasinga Deo |
| Prataprudra Gajapati Narayan Deo 1st | (1748–1751*) | Narasinga Deo |
| Jagannath Gajapati Narayana Deo 2nd (Adopted Son of Padmanabha Gajapati Narayan Deo,
Adopted by Prataparudra Gajapati Narayan Deo) |
(1751–1770) | |
| Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayana Deo 1st | (1771 – 20 January 1802) | |
| Purushottama Gajapati Narayana Deo | (4 February 1802 – 29 October 1805) | Chatrapati Deo |
| Jagannatha Gajapati Narayana Deo 3rd | (1821* – 27 November 1851) | |
| Prataparudra Gajapati Narayana Deo 2nd(took retirement before his death) | (1851–1885) | Harikrushan Deo, Rajarajeswar Deo |
| Gourachandra Gajapati Narayan Deo 2nd | (1885–1904) | Purushottam Deo, Jagnnatha Deo, Padmanabha Narayan Deo |
| Gourachandra Gajapati Narayan Deo 2nd | (1904–1913) Court of Wards | |
| Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo | (1913 – 25.05.1974) | Anangabhima Deo |
| Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo as 1st Prime Minister of Orissa | (01.04.1937 – 18.07.1937) | |
| Ramachandra Deo (committed suicide) | (Not crowned) | Madhaba Sundar Deo |
| Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo | (25.05.1974 – 10.01.2020) | Sarbajgan Jagnnatha Deo, Late Udayabhanu |
| Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo as Member of Parliament of Berhampur | During 9th & 10th Lok Sabha | |
| Late Digvijaya Gajapati Narayan Deo | (Not crowned) | |
| Rani Kumari Kalyani devi (Daughter of Sri Gopinath Gajapati) | (10.01.2020–present) | Late Digvijaya Gajapati Narayan Deo |