In ancient times, Odisha was known as Utkala, Kalinga and Odra Desa at different points in its history. For many centuries, Kalinga was a 
very powerful kingdom. The famous war that the Emperor Asoka waged against Kalinga proved to be a turning point in his life. The bloodshed and killing of war sickened him, and led him to renounce violence, and turn to Buddhism. This war had a great impact on the history of this region too, for under Asoka’s benevolent guidance, literature, language, music, and dance flourished here during ancient times. In 1568, the last Hindu ruler was over-thrown by a Muslim general, and finally, Odisha was annexed by Akbar in 1592. The Mughals ruled till 1803, when Odisha came into British possession. Following India’s independence, the 26 princely states in the region were merged into modern state of Odisha.
