 Most probably it was Mahammed Khan who erected a fort at the present site of Potagarh for administration of Icchapuram division.Some scholars are of the opinion that the fort was erected by the Fourth Sultan Ibrahim Kutabshah.In 1753 the Northern Circar was granted
to the French and Monsieur De Bussy, the
French Commander took control over Ganjam
and functioned from Potagarh.