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Chhattisgarh: A Tapestry of Culture and Resources

Discover the heart of India, a state renowned for its abundant natural wealth, diverse tribal heritage, and burgeoning economic landscape.

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Chhattisgarh at a Glance

Location & Borders

Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state situated in Central India. It shares borders with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Area & Population

As the ninth largest state by area (135,192 kmยฒ), it is home to approximately 30 million people, making it the seventeenth most populous state in India.

Capital & Formation

Established on November 1, 2000, Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. Its capital and largest city is Raipur.

Nickname & Motto

Often called the "Rice bowl of India" due to its extensive rice cultivation, the state's motto is "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth alone triumphs).

Geography & Environment

Terrain & Features

The state features hilly terrain in the north and south, with a fertile central plain. The Mahanadi River basin dominates the central region, while the southern part lies on the Deccan Plateau.

Forest Cover

Chhattisgarh boasts the third-largest forest cover in India, with approximately 44% of its area covered by deciduous forests, contributing significantly to its ecological importance.

State Symbols

The state animal is the Wild Asian Buffalo (Van Bhainsa), the state bird is the Common Hill Myna (Pahari Myna), and the state tree is the Sal (Shorea robusta).

Historical Journey

Ancient & Medieval Roots

The region, historically known as Dakshina Kosala, has ancient ties, with evidence of Mauryan and Gupta periods. It later came under the rule of various dynasties, including the Kalachuris and Haihaiyavanshis, before falling under Maratha suzerainty in 1740.

  • Mauryan & Gupta Era: Evidence found in coins and inscriptions (e.g., Sitabenga caves).
  • Medieval Dynasties: Rule by Kalachuris of Ratnapura and Haihaiyavanshis.
  • Maratha Rule: Annexed into the Nagpur Kingdom in 1758.

British Era & Statehood

Administered as the Chhattisgarh Division of the Central Provinces under the British Raj from 1845. It remained part of Madhya Pradesh after India's independence until November 1, 2000, when it was granted statehood.

  • British Administration: Chhattisgarh Division (1845-1947).
  • Post-Independence: Part of Madhya Pradesh (1956-2000).
  • State Formation: Created on November 1, 2000.
  • Movement for Statehood: Gained momentum in the 1990s.

Key Historical Sites

Sites like the Jogimara caves (early theatre architecture), Sirpur monuments, and Malhar offer glimpses into the state's rich past, showcasing ancient art, inscriptions, and temple architecture.

Governance Structure

Legislative Framework

Chhattisgarh operates under a unicameral state legislature, the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, with 90 seats. The state is represented by 11 members in the Lok Sabha and 5 members in the Rajya Sabha.

Executive & Judiciary

The state government is led by the Governor and the Chief Minister. The Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur serves as the highest judicial body.

  • Governor: Ramen Deka
  • Chief Minister: Vishnu Deo Sai (BJP)
  • Deputy CMs: Arun Sao, Vijay Sharma
  • Chief Secretary: Amit Jain (IAS)

Administrative Divisions

The state is divided into 5 administrative divisions and 33 districts, facilitating decentralized governance and administration across its diverse regions.

Divisions: Bastar, Durg, Raipur, Bilaspur, Surguja.

Districts: Includes Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Korba, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon, Koriya, Surguja, Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Balrampur-Ramanujganj, Jashpur, Surajpur, Janjgir-Champa, Mungeli, Kabirdham, Bemetara, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, Gariaband, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Sakti, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai.

Economic Landscape

GDP & Growth

Chhattisgarh's economy is robust, with an estimated GSDP of โ‚น6.36 lakh crore (US$75 billion) for 2025-26. The state has shown strong growth rates, driven by agriculture and industry.

Agriculture Sector

Primarily an agrarian state, Chhattisgarh is known as the "rice bowl of India." However, low irrigation coverage and reliance on traditional methods impact productivity, necessitating diversification and technological adoption.

Industrial Powerhouse

The state is a major contributor to India's steel, power, and aluminum sectors. Key industries include the Bhilai Steel Plant, numerous coal mines (like Gevra, Dipka), and power plants operated by NTPC and CSEB.

Connectivity

Road Network

Chhattisgarh features a network of national and state highways connecting major cities. National Highways span approximately 3,078 km, complemented by state highways and district roads.

Rail Infrastructure

The South East Central Railway zone, headquartered in Bilaspur, manages most of the state's rail network. Major junctions include Bilaspur, Durg, and Raipur, serving as vital hubs for freight and passenger traffic.

Air Travel

Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is the primary domestic airport, with regional connectivity provided by smaller airports in Bilaspur, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur.

People & Society

Population & Literacy

With a population of over 25.5 million (2011 Census), Chhattisgarh has a literacy rate of approximately 78.5%. Urban areas show higher literacy (84.05%) compared to rural areas.

Social Structure

The state has a balanced sex ratio (991 females per 1000 males). Scheduled Tribes constitute about 30.62% of the population, primarily residing in southern districts, while Scheduled Castes make up 12.8%.

Development Indicators

While cities like Raipur and Bhilai exhibit medium to high standards of living, rural and tribal areas face challenges with poverty and access to basic amenities. The Human Development Index (HDI) is rated as medium.

Mineral & Natural Wealth

Mineral Abundance

Chhattisgarh is exceptionally rich in minerals, holding the largest coal mines in India and ranking third in iron ore production. It's also a leading producer of limestone, dolomite, bauxite, and is the sole tin producer in the country.

Key Industries

The state's industrial sector thrives on its mineral resources, supporting major players in cement, steel, aluminum, and power generation, significantly contributing to the national economy.

Forest Resources

With the third-largest forest cover, Chhattisgarh is vital for biodiversity. Its forests are rich in resources like Sal trees and Tendu leaves, supporting local economies and ecosystems.

Administrative Structure

Divisions & Districts

The state is organized into 5 administrative divisions, further subdivided into 33 districts. This structure ensures effective governance across its varied geographical and cultural landscapes.

District Headquarter Largest City Other Major Cities
RaipurRaipurRaipurArang, Tilda-Neora
BilaspurBilaspurBilaspurKota, Bilha
DurgDurgBhilaiCharoda, Kumhari, Patan
KorbaKorbaKorbaKatghora, Dipka, Pali
RaigarhRaigarhRaigarhKharsia, Gharghora
RajnandgaonRajnandgaonRajnandgaonDongargarh, Dongargaon
KoriyaBaikunthpurBaikunthpurRamgarh
SurgujaAmbikapurAmbikapurSitapur
BastarJagdalpurJagdalpurBastar
DantewadaDantewadaDantewadaKirandul, Geedam
KankerKankerKankerBhanupratappur, Pakhanjore
KondagaonKondagaonKondagaonKeshkal
SukmaSukmaSukmaTadmetla, Murtonda
BijapurBijapurBijapurSangampal, Kasiguda
NarayanpurNarayanpurNarayanpurKodenar, Orchha
Balrampur-RamanujganjBalrampurBalrampurRamanujganj
JashpurJashpur NagarJashpur NagarKunkuri, Pathalgaon, Tapkara
SurajpurSurajpurSurajpurTelgaon, Bishrampur
Janjgir-ChampaJanjgirChampaJanjgir-Naila, Akaltara, Shivrinarayan
MungeliMungeliMungeliLormi, Takhatpur
KabirdhamKawardhaKawardhaPandariya, Pandatarai
BemetaraBemetaraBemetaraNawagarh, Saja
BalodBalodBalodDalli-Rajhara
Baloda Bazar-BhataparaBaloda BazarBhataparaSimga, Palari, Kasdol
GariabandGariabandGariabandRajim, Deobhog
MahasamundMahasamundMahasamundSaraipali, Bagbahra
DhamtariDhamtariDhamtariKurud
Gaurela-Pendra-MarwahiGaurellaPendraMarwahi, Basti-Bagra
Manendragarh-Chirmiri-BharatpurManendragarhChirmiriBharatpur, Khongapani
Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh ChowkiMohla KhurdAmbagarh ChowkiManpur, Chilamtol
SaktiSaktiSaktiBaradwar, Malkharoda
Sarangarh-BilaigarhSarangarhSarangarhBilaigarh
Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-GandaiKhairagarhKhairagarhGandai, Chhuikhadan

Major Cities

Key urban centers include Raipur, Bhilai-Durg, Bilaspur, Korba, Raigarh, and Jagdalpur, serving as administrative, industrial, and cultural hubs.

Rank City District Population (2011)
1RaipurRaipur1,010,087
2Bhilai-DurgDurg1,003,406
3BilaspurBilaspur717,030
4KorbaKorba365,253
5AmbikapurSarguja214,575
6RajnandgaonRajnandgaon163,122
7RaigarhRaigarh150,019
8JagdalpurBastar125,463
9ChirmiriKoriya103,575
10DhamtariDhamtari101,677

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References

References

  1.  Dr. Bhagvan Singh Verma, Chhattisgarh ka Itihas (A History of Chhattisgarhย รขย€ย“ in Hindi), Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Academy, Bhopal (M.P.), 4th edition (2003), p.7
  2.  Oudhia, P. (1999) Allelopathic effects of Lantana camara L. on germination of soybean. Legume Research 22(4): 273รขย€ย“274.
  3.  Oudhia, P. (2000). Positive (inhibitory) allelopathic effects of some obnoxious weeds on germination and seedling vigour of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.). Research on Crops. 1 (1):116รขย€ย“118.
  4.  Oudhia, P. (2001). Stimulatory allelopathic effects of Ageratum conyzoides L. on soybean. Agric. Sci. Digest. 21 (1):55รขย€ย“56.
  5.  Oudhia, P. (1999) Chhattisgarh farmer's response on control of weeds in direct seeded rice. Agril. Sci. Digest. 19(4): 261รขย€ย“263.
  6.  Das, G.K. and Oudhia, P. (2001). Rice as the medicinal plant in Chhattisgarh (India): A survey. Agric. Sci. Digest. 21(3):204รขย€ย“205.
  7.  Oudhia, P. (2002). Rice-Acorus intercropping: A new system developed by innovative farmers of Chhattisgarh (India). International Rice Research Notes (IRRN).27(1):56.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Chhattisgarh Wikipedia page

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