[3] They held Karanam posts in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, where they speak Odia and played a similar role in Odisha to that of the Kayasthas of West Bengal and Bihar.
[5][6] They exclusively served the ruling powers as their ministers, advisors, governors, military commanders, record keepers and dewans.
[20] The frequent admission of land grants to princes, Brahmins and various officials gave rise to a new new class of writers.
[3] Medieval Period Karanas alongwith Brahmins feature in the 10th century inscriptions of Odisha and are represented as heads of the local population.
Similarly Srikarana featured in the temple inscription is said to have been the accountant general of Anangabhima Deva III of Eastern Ganga dynasty.
[24] They appear to be an important community in Eastern Ganga dynasty as they held high positions in the government such as the post of army general, prime minister and accountant.
[10] Another general named Srikarana Suru Senapati under the reign of Anangabhima Dev 2 is said to have donated lands to the Jagannath Temple of Puri as evidenced from inscriptions.
[34] Some titles associated with the Karan caste includes: Patnaik, Mohanty, Choudhury, Das, Ray, Mohapatra, Samantaray, Routray, Chhotray, Kanungo, Bakshi, Bohidar, Srikarana, Dandapata, Das Mahapatra, Parija, Pruseth, Mahasenapati, Srichandan, Harichandan, Bebarta, Mangaraj, Samantasinghar, Badajena, Behera etc.