Utkala kingdom was located in the northern and eastern portion of the modern-day Indian state of Odisha.
The early Sanskrit medieval literature says "उत्कृष्ट कलायाः देशः यः सः उत्कलः" (utkṛṣṭa kalāyāḥ deśaḥ yaḥ saḥ utkalaḥ), meaning the land having an "excellent opulence of artists".
Utkalas were mentioned as taking part in the Kurukshetra War siding with the Kauravas.
Many Mekalas, Utkalas, Kalingas, Nishadas, and Tamraliptakas, advanced against Nakula, showering their shafts and lances, desirous of slaying him (8:22).
The Utpalas, the Mekalas, the Paundras, the Kalingas, the Nishadas, the Trigartas, and the Valhikas, were all vanquished by Karna (7:4).