Chhattisgarh State largely consists of plateaus streaked
with high range of Satpuras in the North, the river
Mahanadi and its tributaries in the Central Plains and
the Bastar Plateau in the South.
The Past (Hills) give rises to the main river systems-
Mahanadi, Hasdo, Sheonath and Indravati. Intersected
by these meandering rivers and dotted with hills and
plateaus, the state has varied natural settings of great
beauty. To the north of river Shivnath there were 18
garhs belonging to the Kalchuris and to the South there
were another 18 garhs belonging to the Kalchuris of
Raipur. Hence, the total of these 36 Garhs (Forts) formed
the basis of naming this region as Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh lies between 17 - 46' to 24 - 5' North
and 80 - 15' to 84 - 20' East. It covers an area of
1,35,133 Sq. kms. bordering six other states - Uttar
Pradesh and Jharkhand in the North, Orissa in the East,
Andhra Pradesh in the South, Maharashtra in the South
West and Madhya Pradesh in the North West.
Although the newly formed state came into existence
on 1st November 2000, its cultural heritage is as ancient
as Stone age. In ancient times Chhattisgarh was known
as Dakshin Koshal. Geographical evidence of the place
is found in the Ramayana and the Mahabharat.
Lord Rama entered Dandkarnaya from North-East of Koshal
and spent some of his exile (forest-living) period here.
In Mahabharat's Rajsoo Yagya episode the description
of Dakshin Koshal has been found. In historical records
in Samudragupta Prayag eulogy, description of Kosal
has been found.
After the sixth century evidence of political insurgence
of Dakshin Koshal has been found. From Sixth Century
to mid-twelve century Sarabhpurnima, Panduvanshi, Somvanshi,
Kalchuri and Nagwanshi rulers dominated the region.
The various documents, Copper plaques, coins, and archeological
goods apprise us about the cultural heritage and political
development of that time.
In contemporary history evidence of ancient people has
been found in the hills of Raigarh, Singhanpur, Kabra,
Basnajhar, Boslada and Ongana mountains at "Chitwandongri"
in Rajnandgaon district. The stone equipment made and
used by ancient people have been found from the coasts
of Mahanadi, Mand, Kanhar, Manihari, and Kelo River.
Saint Guru Ghasidas of Satnami samaj, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya
of vaishnav samaj and the great poet and saint Kabirdas
also hails from this state.
The celebrated chinese traveler Huein Tsang visited
the state in the middle of 7th century A.D. Nearly half
(44%) of the state is forested and offers a unique panorama
of flora and fauna. The national parks of Kanger Valley
and Indravati, the Sanctuaries of Udanti, Sitanadi,
Barnawapara, Achanakmar, Gomardah, Tamorpingla etc.
Offer the rare opportunity to see the wild buffalo,
gaur, tiger, leopard, singing maina and wide variety
of antelopes in sylvan surroundings. A variety of tradition
in each of three geographical and cultural regions of
Baghelkhand plateau, the plains of Mahandi basin, and
the Dandkarnaya plateau of Bastar Have added colour
to the states rich cultural tapestry, making it a many
splendor land.
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