Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (1892 - 1974) was a scion of the Paralakhemundi Estate. He was also known as Captain Maharaja Sri Sri Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayana Deva KCIE.
His family belonged to the great Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
He was a key personality in the creation of Odisha. Along with others from Utkal Sammilani, he demanded a separate Odisha state by amalgamating Odia-speaking areas. These efforts led to the formation of the separate state of Odisha on 1 April 1936.
He became the first Prime Minister of Odisha and served for two terms till 1944.
He was instrumental in the establishment of significant institutions such as the Utkal University, the SCB Medical College, the Central Rice Research Institute in Bidyadharpur, Cuttack, and later the MKCG Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur.
He set up numerous hospitals, schools, colleges, industrial institutions, and modern agricultural farms. He is credited with providing a record number of 1281 irrigation sagars (water-tanks) in his native taluk, contributing to the undivided Ganjam District being called 'the rice-bowl of Odisha'. He also awarded scholarships to thousands of poor and meritorious students.
Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati was a well-known patron of the arts and research scholars.
He served as a Captain in the First World War. For his services to the Indian Army during the war, he received a rare Sanad in 1920 from the Viceroy and Governor General of India. He was awarded honorary Doctorates by Utkal University and Berhampur University and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) in 1946.