

The ancient kingdom of Kalinga , which was invaded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in 261 BCE resulting in the Kalinga War , coincides with the borders of modern-day Odisha. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April 1936, as a province in British India , and consisted predominantly of Oriya-speaking regions. April 1st is celebrated as Odisha Day . The region is also known as Utkala and is mentioned in India's national anthem, " Jana Gana Mana ". Cuttack was made the capital of the region by Anantavarman Chodaganga in c. 1135, after which the city was used as the capital by many rulers, through the British era, until 1948, when Bhubaneswar replaced it as the capital.