It is in the memory of the formation of the state as a separate state out of Bihar, Bengal and Odisha provinces with addition of Koraput and Ganjam from Madras Presidency on 1 April 1936.
On November 9, 2010, Parliament of India renamed Orissa as Odisha and Oriya language as Odia.
It is well known in the history for its kalinga kingdom during ancient times
In 250 BC, it was conquered by King Ashoka, which resulted in the state flourishing for almost a century under the rule of the Mauryan Dynasty.