Sisupalgarh, Bhubaneswar

Sisupalgarh is an ancient fortified city located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Khordha district, Odisha. Dating back to as early as the 7th to 6th centuries BCE, it is considered one of the largest and best-preserved early historic fortifications in India and was likely the capital of ancient Kalinga.

The site spreads over a 4.8km perimeter and once had a population estimated between 20,000 to 25,000. Archaeological excavations have uncovered impressive ruins, including sections of tall fort walls, a surviving gateway among the original eight, and a complex of 16 stone pillars often referred to as the royal palace area or Rani Mahal. These remains reveal advanced civic planning and defensive architecture, predating the Mauryan empire.

Today, parts of Sisupalgarh lie in a neighborhood of Bhubaneswar, but the site faces threats from encroachment and illegal construction, which have endangered several historic structures despite its status as a nationally protected monument. Sisupalgarh stands as a testament to the ancient urban heritage of Odisha and the broader Indian subcontinent.