[10][11] In Sitabhinji, fresco paintings were found in the cave shelter of Ravana Chhaya, which date to the fifth century A.D.[12][13][14] The district of Kendujhar functioned as a princely state before its amalgamation with Orissa, its early historical accounts remaining enigmatic.

Cobden-Ramsay delineated a segment of Upper Kendujhar, amalgamating it with Mayurbhanj to establish the entity known as Hariharpur.

It evolved into an independent state during the early half of the 12th century A.D., under the rulership of Jyoti Bhanja.

Preceding the reign of Jyoti Bhanja, Kendujhar's territorial jurisdiction encompassed solely the northern precinct of the contemporary district.

In the latter part of the 15th century, under the governance of King Govinda Bhanja, Kendujhar extended its territorial boundaries from Singhbhum in the north to Sukinda (a Zamindari situated in Cuttack district) in the south.

It also extended from Mayurbhanj in the east to the perimeters of the States of Bonai, Pal-lahara, and Dhenkanal in the west.

During Pratap Balabhadra Bhanja's rule (1764-1792 A.D.), two small areas, Tillo and Jujhpada, were acquired from the Zamindar of Kantajhari and incorporated into the State.

These additions received official recognition in the 1804 Sanad granted by the East India Company to Raja Janardan Bhanja.

There were several chiefs of this Gadjat State until Raja Janardan Bhanja signed a treaty with East India Company.

[15][16][17] There was another tribal uprising in 1891 under the leadership of Dharanidhar Naik against oppressive practices such as bonded labour.

The district of Keonjhar is highly rich in mineral resources and has vast deposits of iron, manganese and chromium ores.

[23][12][24] The highlands consist of clusters of rugged crags and the mountaintops appear to be sharply ridged or peaked, however they have extensive tablelands on their summits.

The lavas and the associated pyroclastic rocks and tuffs are underlain by quartzite and overlain by shale, chart-shale and banded hematite jasper.

[32] 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Kendujhar one of the country's 250 most backward districts.

The majority of Scheduled Tribes members are employed in agriculture, mining, or quarrying.

[12] Kendujhar district, situated in the state of Odisha, is categorized as a Scheduled Area.

The major Scheduled Castes in Kendujhar district, along with their respective percentages within the total Scheduled Caste population of 209,357, are as follows: Pano (59.9%), Dhoba (13.59%), Keuta (4.23%), Dom (4.11%), Ghasi (3.27%), Haddi (2.25%), Pantanti (2.07%), Patratanti (1.53%), Gokha (1.12%), and Tamudia (0.94%).

[36] Similarly, the major Scheduled Tribes in the district, with their respective percentages within the total Scheduled Tribe population of 801,878, include Ho (30.77%), Bhuiyan (12.70%), Gond (9.86%), Bathudi (9.65%), Sounti (8.89%), Santal (8.8%), Munda (5.97%), Juang (3.27%), Lodha (3.21%), Bhumij (1.76%), Soura (1.18%), Mirdha (0.63%).

The following is the 6 Vidhan sabha constituencies[41][42] of Kendujhar district and the elected members[43] of that area.