It formed alliances with the French and British East India Company to conquer the neighbouring principalities of Bobbili, Kurupam, Paralakhemundi and the Kingdom of Jeypore.

They obtained the title of Gajapathi, after aiding the British forces of the Northern Circars against Vikram Dev I of Jeypore Kingdom in the 18th century.

In 1754, Pusapati Vijaya Rama Gajapathi Raju, of the ruling family of Vizianagaram, made an alliance with the French, but a few years later the territory was ceded to the British.

Lord Northbrook obtained for him the title of His Highness, and had his name enrolled among those of chiefs entitled to return visits from the Viceroy.

[3] After the Battle of Padmanabham they were reduced from the position of Princely State to Zamindari of the Madras Presidency[4] in 1794 and made the Permanent settlement in the year 1802–03.