Currently, it is part of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

According to tradition there was a predecessor state founded around 765 AD.

It was ruled by Rana Raghunath Sen until its occupation by Nepal under General Amar Singh Thapa from 1803 to 1814.

After the occupation, Sansar Sen ruled as the Rana from 1814 until 24 July 1858 when he took the title of Raja.

After the Gurkha War in 1815, a portion of Keonthal, which had been occupied by the Gurkhas, was sold to the maharaja of Patiala, the remainder being restored to its hereditary chief.