It had an area of 1,890 square kilometres (730 sq mi) and a population of 64,276 and with an average annual revenue of Rs.2,17,000 at the colonial period.

In the 11th century, it became a separate princely state, established by King Pratap Deo, a scion of the Kadamba Dynasty.

Pratap Deo was said to have found a Honda (Metal Vessel) which was considered to be lucky enough, after which the territory was then named as "Hondapa".

people from " Khandayatchasa" (subdivision of khandayat cast)Community who are village heads are called with the title "Pradhan" they had large amount of land and many "halia" (agricultural labourer) they are on the top of social hyrarchy.

On 1 January 1948 the last ruler of Athmallik Raja Kishore Chandra Deo Samant signed the accession to the Indian Union after independence and following which it merged with the state of Odisha forming a part of the Dhenkanal District.