Bhadrak is a district of the state of Odisha in eastern India. Bhadrak town is the headquarters and largest town in the district.
The district is named after Goddess Bhadrakali whose temple is located on the bank of river Salandi, 8 km from Bhadrak town.
Located in the Indian state of Odisha, Bhadrak district has a rich historical legacy dating back to the Puranic era, a period marked by flourishing maritime and agricultural prosperity in the region. A notable chapter of history took place at Rakta Tirtha Eram in Basudevpur, where a tragic incident took place during the independence struggle. Led by DSP Kunjabihari Mohanty, the British police forces were responsible for the loss of around thirty lives, including that of a prominent figure called Pari Bewa.
In the annals of Bhadrak history, King Mukunda Dev is the last native sovereign ruler of the region. However, after the year 1575, following the defeat of the Afghans by Raja Man Singh during the Mughal period, the Bhadrak district underwent a transformation. He became a Subha and subsequently fell under the rule of the Nawabs of Bengal as the Mughals exerted their influence on the political landscape of Bhadrak.
