The district of Koraput derives its name from its headquarters the present town of Koraput. In ancient times when the Nalas were ruling over this tract, Pushkari near modern Umarkot was the capital city. In the medieval period Nandapur developed as a little kingdom under the Silavamsi kings that was later expanded by the Suryavanshi kings who arrived in the region in 13th century from Kashmir. Later, Maharajah Veer Vikram Dev of shifted his capital to Jeypore and about the middle of the 17th century this town prospered under the British Administration. Koraput was chosen by the British in 1870 for better health prospects. The origin of the name of Koraput is obscure. There are several theories, none of which are convincing.