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Khandayats are the single largest and highest caste of Orissa throughout history except last century where Brahmins dominated caste in Orissa, constituting over 45% of the state’s population. With pass of time education became prominent part of life and those educated people depicted Kshytriyas next to them in literature and books.
After Muslim invasion of India when Kshatriyas almost lost their power and dominance and mostly concentrated in cultivation to survive at that time Khandayats was having their lands free from Muslims and be the only Hindu power of Kshatriya .But they were complete loss when Zamindari system was removed and government took the possession of their extra lands in independent India. Genetically, they are daring and brave and still it can can be noticed.They are the real warriors of india like rajputs

Traditionally they are martial caste or people belonging to the warrior class. the name Khandayat is originated from the term khanda in Oriya which means piece of land or the sword and ayatameans control in specific area, according and order of Shree Gajapati Maharaja, so literally Khandayat means a person having complete control over rules, regulations & satya dharma (discipline).Rajputs are the Kshatriyas similar to Khandayats As they are original Kshatriyas in Orissa, they consider themselves to be the 'original' offsprings of the Kshatriyas i.e. both the parents of Khandyats are Kshatriyas. The Khandayats are supposed to have ruled Orissa and several adjoining parts in 16th century with the death of last Gajapati ruler Mukunda Dev, who was killed by Govinda Vidyadhara in 1541. Govinda Vidyadhara was the founder of Bhoi (Bhoumyokar) dynasty in Orissa. Khandayats like the Nairs are Nagavanshis.

Earlier, they were concentrated in the coastal districts like Cuttack, Kendrapara, Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Baleswar, Dhenkanal,Sambalpur with some pockets in central Orissa. However, this has changed over the years due to increased movement of people within the state.
[edit]Occupations
The Khandayats were the ruler of Orissa and they provide both the administer and military service to land of Orissa The Khandayats used to possess sizable quantities of land during the British period. Historically, these castes are found in large number in the coastal region of Orissa, where agriculture has been the backbone of the economy. With the abolition of the Zamindari system, a fair degree of redistribution took place in this region, and they lost a large share of the agriculture land. Offsprings of Khandayat kings are still worshipped by people of all castes and creed. Gajapati (king) of Orissa is equalized with lord Jagannath. The history speaks that they were the most superior and highest class in society and lived equally with all other castes.
[edit]Common Titles and Surnames of Khandayats
The khandayat believes that the lord of universe Shri Jagannath is the first khandayat (Bada Paika)and save them from all disaster. The Gajpati of Orissa assumes title of second biggest khastriya/khandayat after our universal master Lord Shri Shri jagannath. The common titles among the Khandayats/Kshatriyas in Orissa are -
Biswal/Dhal/Nayak/Gadanayak/Indrasingh/Swain/Pal/Khatei/Khatua
Bishoyi, Dalai , Patro , Jena, Baral
Routaray/Paikaray/Singhdeo/Sundaray/Deo/Dhir/Maharathi/Singh
Bal/Beura/Bhanja/Khuntia/Kuanr/Sinha
Chakra/Bardhan/Samanta/chaulia/Pradhan/Parida/Pahi/Aaich
Mansingh/Gumansingh/Baliarsingh/Ranjitsingh/gajendrasingh
Jayasingh/Jujharsingh/Chhualsingh/Kahalsingh/pahadsingh
Mangaraj/Mardaraj/Bhola/Bisoi/Bohra
Ray/Samantaray/Rayguru/fatehsingh/Padhi/Udgata/Raiguru
Khandayatraj/Khandayatray/kheluadsingh
Paikaray/Chhotray/Dalasinghray/Srichandanray/Champatiray
Rout/Samal/Patil
Patra/Patel
Dalabehera/Dalei/Dandapatta
Harichandan/Srichandan/Badajena/Jena/jenamani
Khandai/Khandeyi/Khandei/Sahoo/Choudhary
Mohapatra/Samantasinghar/Pattajoshi
Pattasani/Jagadev/Samanta/Bidyadhara/Bairiganjan
Uttarakabat/Pashimkabat/satrusalya/bahubalendra/Bariki