SURGUJA, Chhattisgarh

Main Attraction:  RAMGARH (RAMGIRI) HILLS

Ramgarh, also kownn as Ramgiri is located at a distance of about 45 kms. to the south of district headquarter Ambikapur. Ancient remains of as early as third century B.C. are present here. Sita Bengra, Jogimara caves, Laxman cave, Kabir-Choura and Hathi Pol are places of great historical importance on the Ramgarh hillock.

The ancient remains and inscriptions clearly indicates of a “Natya Shala” (Drama School) belonging to 3rd century B.C. It is also believed that Sita used to reside in the cave known as Sita Bengra during the exile of Shri Ram. This is the place where Kalidas had composed the great kavya “Meghdoot” which is mentioned in his composition itself. At the rear end of Sita Bengra is a large tunnel which is 181 ft. in length known as “Hathi Pol”. It is so named as even an elephant can move through it.

Brief History

Surguja district is located in the Northern part of Chhattisgarh State. Borders of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh are adjoining to Surguja district. Historically, Surguja district was constituted in 1951 by merging the three feudatory States, namely Chang Bhakhar, Koria and Surguja. Since the erstwhile feudatory State-Surguja was biggest amongst the three feudatory states, the newly constituted district was named as Surguja. There is no town or village of this name. The etymology of the term “Surguja”, according to some local people is that it might have come from two words- ‘Sur’ and ‘Guja’ meaning the land where the Gods reveled.

Surguja district is a great tableland of numerous hills and plateau. The two prominent Physiographic features of Surguja district are the Mainpat (Plateau) and the Jamirpat. Pat is the local word which is used for the tableland, isolated hill ranges and peculiar physiographic formation. The mainpat is a magnificent tableland 28.8 kms. long and 9.96 to 12.8 kms. broad, and rising to height of 1,152 metres. This Mainpat forms the southern boundary with Korba and Raigarh districts. The Jamirpat is about 3 kms. (2 miles) wide, long winding range plateau. It forms the eastern boundary of Surguja with Jharkhand State.

According to a version Lord Rama had visited Surguja during is fourteen years of “Vanwas” period. There are many places in connection to epic of Ramayana. Many places are named after Lord Ram, Laxman and Goddess Sita, they are Ramgarh, Sita-Bhengra and Laxmangarh. Verses of Poet Kalidas who wrote “Ramayana” are found at the Sita–Bhengra cave.

Major population comprises tribal population. Among these are Pando and Korwa, who are still living in forest. The Pando tribe believes themselves as the member of “Pandav” clan of epic Mahabharat. Korwa tribe believes to be member of “Kauravs” of Mahabharata.

The early history of Surguja district is obscure. Because of it hills and forests and lying away from routes of invading armies, the area of erstwhile Surguja district escaped the usual turmoil. This tract appears to have been unknown to the Moghals. From the remains of extensive rock excavations, supposed to be temples and monasteries discovered in a Horahouka village in Bharatpur tahsil in 1870-71, it appears probable that in early times (i.e. before the Gonds and Kols took over) that part of the district was occupied by a civilized race. Who these people were and what the period of their stay was remains unknown. 

It is likely that the district was divided into many petty principalities each under its own chief, who were constantly at war with one another. In his a statistical account of Bengal (vol. XV, 1877) Hunter describes the history of erstwhile Surguja State as follows; For many generations, the Kol and the Gond territories of eastern and western Surguja have been united under the present reigning family, who call themselves Raksel Rajputs. According to local traditions in Palamau, the Raksel Rajputs governed that part of the country up to 1613 A.D. When they were ousted by the Cheros in a strange fashion. In 1612 Bhagwant Rai, the head of the Chero tribe, then a fugitive from chainpur took service with a large body of Chero retainers under Mansingh, the Raksel Raja of Palamau intending, on first opportunity, to seize the supreme power.

In the following years Mansingh went to Surguja to celebrate the marriage of his son with the daughter of the Surguja chief. Taking advantage of the absence of Mansingh, Bhagwant Rai, rose with all his followers, murdered Mansingh’s family and made himself of the first Chero Raja of Palamau. Mansingh made no attempt to regain his kingdom but in his turn murdered the Surguja chief and took the possession of the Raj. This was the origin of present Raksel dynasty. As against this the CHHATTISGARH FEUDATORY STATES GAZETTEER (1909) states, “These petty chiefs carried on internecine was one with another and finally some 1700 years ago were attacked by a Raksel Rajput from Kundri in Palamau district who invaded their territories and reduced them to subjection.” If the latter source is to be taken as correct the Raksel dynasty started in Surguja about 200 A.D. which appears to be very unlikely. The account given in the Feudatory States Gazetteer may be based on traditions kept by the Raksel dynasty who extended their hold to the south as far as banks of the Mahanadi, it may be likely that in early times the chief of Surguja exercised a feudal authority reaching beyond the limit of erstwhile Surguja state. At one time the Surguja chief was the overlord of other neighbouring states Jashpur, Udaipur, Korea and Chang Bhakhar.

The erstwhile Korea state is said to have originally belonged to a Kol chief who lived in Koreagarh, a hill 9.6 km. (6 miles) to the west of Chirmiri. On which ruins of a tank and blocks of stones may still be seen. This Kol chief was ousted by Raja Dharmal Shah who was passing through the state on his return from Jagannathpuri.

The authentic history of the district commences about the year of 1758, when a Maratha army in progress of the Ganges overran the eastern half of the district (that is Surguja state) and compelled the chief to acknowledge himself a tributary of the Barar Govt. But beyond this and imposing a heavy fire then did not do any thing else.

In 1792, the attention of British Govt. was directed towards Surguja because of the Surguja chief’s annexation of a pargana of Chhota Nagpur and subsequently aiding a rebellion in Palamau against the British. This led to an expedition in to Surguja by one Colonel Jones. A Treaty was however effected later between the British and the Barar Govt. But, after the British withdrew which again prompted the British to interfere. Things however, did not improve much and lawless state prevailed until 1818. In this year the three erstwhile feudatory states (Korea, Chang Bhakar and Surguja) which constitute the present district, were ceded to the British Govt. under the provisional agreement with Appa Sahib Bhonsla. The British force under Captain Sinnock restored order and Amar Singh was declared Raja of Surguja.Between the period and 1951 when the three feudatory states merged with Madhya Pradesh there was nothing of any historical importance to be mentioned here.

BILASPUR, Chhattisgarh

Main Attraction: Mahamaya Temple-Ratanpur

Ratanpur is at a distance of 25.6 km. from the district headquarters. It had been the capital of Kalchuri rulers in ancient times. It is believed that King Ratandeo of Kalchuri lineage built Devi Mahamaya temple in 1163. Architecture of Mahamaya temple is unique. At present the temple has been restructured but the originality of the main idol has not been disturbed. Ratanpur is full of architecture and other cultures. About 300 old ponds had been built around it. Most of the ponds are now non-existent and only some remains can be seen. Out of them “Dulraha Talab” is considered as the most sacred one. Badal Mahal, Bhairav Temple, Ram Tekdi and Vridheshawar Mahadeo are some important temples nearby Ratanpur. Several fairs are organised every year in Ratanpur during NAVRATRI.

Brief History

The district is named after Bilaspur town which is the 3rd largest city in Chhattisgarh State and home to its High Court. The city is approximately 400 years old. The name is derived from Bilasa, the name of a fisher woman. According to a folk lore, Bilasa was a very beautiful young married woman. A king of this area wanted to have her. To avoid her surrender and to save her chastity Bilasa committed suicide by burning herself. Her husband also committed suicide. Bilaspur district was named after Bilasa. The district occupies the north-east portion of the State.

History of Bilaspur is very old and glorious. It can be traced back to the 4th A.D. The area comprising this district was then known as South Koushal or Mahakoushal. It is said that as most of the area is covered with ‘Kush’ which is a special kind of grass, the place is known as Koushal. According to another version, this place is named Koushal after the name ‘Kush’, the son of great Rama of the Ramayanam, epic.

In the mid-4th century A.D., King Mahendra and Byaghra-raj ruled here. Afterwards, Samudragupta ruled this area, till 6th century A.D. After that till 7th century A.D. it was under a Buddhist ruler and he made Bhanrak of Chanda, its capital. A branch of this dynasty settled in Sirpur (Raipur district) and separated itself from its parent-state and captured the whole of Mahakoushal. The Sirpur kings ruled till 8th or 9th century. The rule of Haihaivanshi begins from 10th century. Actually Haihaivanshi were called Kalchuri, who were originally the ruler of Chedi area. Some historians of the middle-age called Chedi area as Chedigarh which is now called “Chhattisgarh”. In 1050 A.D. king Ratnadeo is known to have established Ratanpur.

Chhattisgarh was ruled by Kalchuri kings for a very long time and were very energetic. Their kingdom spread from Amarkantak to Godawari and from Vidarbh to the border Orissa. At first, Tumman and later, Ratanpur was the capital of Chedi or Dahal Kalchuri dynasty, which were in Bilaspur district. In the ancient age, the descendants of Kart Viryarjun were, in fact, Haihai caste Kalchuri king. In the genealogy, Ratandeo or Ratanraj first(1045 to 1065), Prithvi Deo I (1065-1090), Jajall Deo I, RatanDeo II, Prithvi Deo II, Jajall Deo II, Jag Deo, Ratan Deo III. Pratap Mall etc. were there, whose last king was Raghunath Singh.

In 1742, Maratha Commander Bhasker Pant attacked this area and finished Haihai dynasty. In the changing historic events Bhasker Pant was murdered brutaly in Cuttack and Raghunath Singh once again became free from marathas. Mohan Singh was seated on the throne and who ruled till 1758. Meanwhile, Maratha king Bimbaji organised himself and took over power. Bimbaji had no heir and so he nominated his nephew, Chimna Ji as his heir. Maratha rule lasted for about 60 years, i.e. from 1758 to 1818.

The area which comprises present-day Bilaspur District was under the control of the Bhonsla Rajas of Nagpur until 1818 and was governed by a Maratha ‘Subah’ (district officer). In 1818, the British started administering the area on behalf of Raghuji III who was a minor. The area was administered by a commissioner. In 1853, after the death of Raghuji III, British annexed the Nagpur Kingdom to British India as Nagpur Province, and in 1861 when the new Central Provinces was born, Bilaspur was organized into a separate district. In October 1903, a new province ‘The Central Provinces and Berar’ was constituted and Bilaspur District became a part of the Chhattisgarh Division of the province. In October 1905, on transfer of Sambalpur District to Bengal Province, Chandrapur-Padampur and Malkhurda estates were transferred to Bilaspur District. In 1906, when the Drug district (presently Durg District) was formed, a part of the Mungeli Tahsil was transferred to the new district. Also, another part of the district was transferred to the Raipur District. On 25 May 1998, the original Bilaspur District was split into 3 smaller districts, present Bilaspur, Korba and Janjgir-Champa. Later, on 6th July 1998, Pandariya Tahsil of this district was also transferred to Kawardh district.

DURG, Chhattisgarh

Main Attraction: Bhilai Steel Plant

Bhilai Steel Plant situated in Bhilai Nagar of Durg is the pride of the district. It has been the flagship integrated steel plant unit of the Public Sector steel company, the Steel Authority of India Limited and is its largest and most profitable production facility. It is the flagship plant of SAIL, contributing the largest percentage of profit.

It was setup with the technical and financial support of Soviet Russia in 1955. The eleven-time winner of the Prime Minister’s Trophy for best integrated steel plant in the country, it is the India’s sole producer of rails and heavy steel plates and major producer of structural steel. The plant also produces and markets various chemical by-products from its coke ovens and coal chemical plant.

Brief History

Durg district is situated in the West-Central part of the Chhattisgarh plain. The district is bounded by Kabeerdham and Bilaspur districts in the North, Raipur and Dhamtari district in the East, Rajnandgaon district in the West and Uttar Bastar Kanker in the South.

The district derives its name from the headquarters town of ‘Durg’ which is the vernacular word for a fort. The headquarters town contains the ruins of a mud fort said to be of great antiquity. Now obliterated, Durg is an old town with a fort on the eastern bank of the Seonath river, 38 kms. west of Raipur. Its very name, suggests its having once been the principal fortified position in the south of Mahakoshal. As Durg is situated on the Seo or Seonath river, it is likely that it’s full name was Shiv-Durg, which gradually got shortened to Durg.

Durg district was constituted on 1st January, 1906. Initially, there were 3 tahsils viz Durg, Bemetra and Balod in the district. The area of this district was expanded thereafter in 1907 and later in 1948 by the addition of ex-zamindaris and feudatory states. On 1st October, 1907 four zamindaris of Chandrapur-Panbaras, Koracha, Pundhi and Ambagarh post were merged into Durg district. Then on 1st January, 1948 the ex-feudatory states- Khairagarh, Rajnandgaon, Kawardha and Chhuikhadan were included in this districts. Durg district was bifurcated in January, 1976. Rajnandgaon, Chhuikhadan, Khairagarh, Kawardha, Ambagarh were separated from Durg district to form a new Rajnandgaon district.

In ancient times Durg was a part of Dakshin Kosala or Maha Kosala to distinguish it from North Kosala. Samudra Gupta of the Gupta Dynasty conquered this area in the middle of the 4th century and the Gupta rule continued till about the 6th century. An inscription found in Arang testifies to the sovereignty of the Guptas in this area. Who the immediate successors of the Guptas were is not known but when the famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsiang visited Maha Kosala in 639 A.D. a Buddhist king was ruling here. The parent line of this kingdom was probably at Bhandak in Chanda district (Maharastra) and the headquarters of the Maha Kosala branch was at Sirpur, now a village in Raipur district. The reign of this dynasty seems to have continued upto the 8th or 9th century though the later kings changed over from Buddhism to Shaivism as is clear from various records of Maha Shiva Gupta who built a number of temples dedicated to Shiva.

At that time, a dynasty known as Shailvahini (or mountain dynasty) established itself in the north of Durg district and they extended their rule upto Gandai. An eighth century inscription found at Durg points to the rule of a king Shivadeva of Durg. The intervening period between the rule of this dynasty and the rule of the Haihayas is not historically clear and it can not be said as to when the Haihayas rose to power in Chhattisgarh. The inscription at Ratanpur dated 1114 A.D., mentions that the first chief of the Haihayavanshi line conquered Dakshina Kosala around the 10th Century. A powerful cheif known as Jagpal ruled over Raipur and Durg areas under the domain of the upper branch of the Haihayas at Ratanpur.

The southern portions of Durg district were under the Kanker chief who was a tributary of Haihayas and at about the some time another Chief Yash Karandeva was ruling in the north in Sahaspur Lohara. Dhamdha had been given in to the Gonds of Sardha and Balod had a separate king who was later overthrown by the Gonds and a Kalar chief ruled at Sorar. Thus the district seems to have been divided into petty principalities, the remnants of which flourished up to 1951 in the form of a large number of Zamindaris and Feudatory States.

For the purpose of Suba administration Durg was attached to Bhandara district (Now in Maharastra State) but in 1857 it was separated and made into a tahsil of Raipur district to which it remained attached till 1906.

RAIPUR, Chhattisgarh

Main Attraction: Shri Rajiv Lochan Mandir, Rajim

Shri Rajiv Lochan Mandir, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is in Rajim, a place situated south-east of State Capital Headquarters, Raipur at the distance of about 49 Kms. The temple structure is supported by twelve towered columns embroidered with stone caring, which bear the faces of the various gods of the Hindu mythology. The temple is an important religious construct visited by devotees from all over the globe who arrive to offer their prayers to the Lord Vishnu. Other temples dedicated to the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu like theVamana and the Narshimha are in close proximity of the Rajiv Lochan Mandir.Kuleshvara Mahadev Mandir stands in glory in the city even in its ruinous state.

The holy confluence of three rivers Mahanadi (Chitrotpala), Pairi and Sondur, called Triveni Sangam is at Rajim. Rajim is also known as the “Prayag raj” of Chhattisgarh. The annual Rajiv Lochan Mahotsava. (also known as Rajim Mela) is held between the 16th February and the 1st March every year. A large number of devotees gathered during the mela. The various and dance performances conducted in the mela displays the rich culture of the State.

Brief History

Raipur district is in the central part of Chhattisgarh state. It is in the south-eastern part of Mahanadi river valley, with Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa districts to its north, Durg districts to its west and Dhamtari districts to its lower west directions. Mahasamund is in the upper east and rest of its east and south-east parts border Odisha State. In November 2000, when a new Chhattisgarh State was created, the district headquarters town, Raipur got the honour of becoming the capital of this State.

Raipur was the capital of Haihaya dynasty of the Kalchuri Kings believed to have controlled 18 traditional forts of southern Chhattisgarh for a very long period. The rule of Kalchuri king, Rai Brahmadeo over this district is mentioned in the rock inscriptions of Raipur and Khallari belonging to 1402 and 1414 A.D. It is generally believed that this city was so named after the name of Rai Brahmadeo or his father Rai Ramchandra.

According to a local legend, Raipur district is associated with the Ramayana . A village named Turturia in Baloda Bazar tahsil was the Ashram of Valmiki and birth-place of God Rama’s sons, Luv and Kush. The younger of the two, Kush, named this part as Koushal which is the ancient name of Chhattisgarh. In ancient times, Raipur district was an integral part of South Koushal. From the narrative of HuenTsang, it seems that some part of present Raipur was under the Satwahan rule of the South. Tools and equipments found in village Sirpur and 54 gold coins found in Khairtal of Raipur district indicate Gupta rule in this area. There is other evidence to prove the rule of Guptas untill the 6th century A.D.

The Ratanpur rock inscription (of Jajalldeo) shows that the capital of the Kalchuri’s was Tumman which is 41 kms north of Ratanpur. After the rule of the Kalchuri king Sihan (1355-1375 A.D.) the Ratanpur royal dynasty was divided into two branches. The junior branch established a separate kingdom whose capital was Raipur. The rock inscriptions of Raipur and Khallari show that Brahmadeo ruled in Raipur from 1402 to 1414 A.D. The rock-inscriptions also show that the first king of the Raipur branch was Brahmadeo whose grandfather was Laxmideo and the division took place in the mid-fourteenth century during the ruleof Sihan, who was the son of Laxmideo. According to the Khallari rock-inscriptions, Sihan had won 18 ‘garhs’ of the enemy. It is generally believed that Chhattisgarh had 36 ‘garhs’ and thus the name of the State originated. The last king of the Kalchuri dynasty was Amarsingh Deo who was dethroned by Bhonsles of Maratha Rule in the fifties of 18th century. The last ruler of the Kalchuri dynasty had been given Rajim, Patan and Raipur Parganas for his living for which he was paying an annual tax of Rs. 7000/-. In 1753, after his death, the Marathas captured all these Parganas. It was Maratha rule up to 1818 A.D.

In 1817, there was a war at Sitabardi, Nagpur, between the Maratha ruler Appa Rao and the Britishers. The Britishers were victorious. As a result, there was a treaty between Appa Saheb and Britishers under which a part of Chhattisgarh State came under British rule. Captain Edmond was the first British officer who took charge of Chattisgarh district in which Raipur was included along with other areas. From 1818 to 1830, for 12 years Chattisgarh was the protected State of Britishers. In 1830, the administration was handed over to Raghoji. Raghoji III died on 11th December 1853, without any heir. As a result, this State was merged into the British State in March 1854. Captain Eliot was the first officer-in-charge of Chhattisgarh State. In 1857, this Sate was divided into three tahsils, out of which two tahsils, Dhamtari and Raipur were in Raipur district. In 1863, the fourth tahsil, Simga, was added to Raipur. After independence, Raipur district was included in Central Provinces and Berar.