Chhattisgarh: History, Geography, Economy and Tourism
Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state in east central India, carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000. It is the ninth largest state by area and is known for thick forests, the Mahanadi rice plains, large coal and iron ore reserves, and a strong tribal heritage, especially in the Bastar region. This guide covers its history, geography, economy, culture and the main places to visit, with figures updated for 2026.
Raipur is the capital, and a new planned capital city, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, has been built nearby. The state has 33 districts and shares borders with seven states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Table of Contents
Chhattisgarh at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 November 2000 |
| Capital | Raipur |
| Districts | 33 |
| Official languages | Hindi and Chhattisgarhi |
| Main river | Mahanadi |
| Forest cover | Over 41 percent of the state |
| State animal | Wild buffalo (van bhainsa) |
| State bird | Hill myna |
Where the Name Comes From
In ancient times the region was called Dakshina Kosala, or South Kosala. Many people link it with Kausalya, the mother of Lord Rama, who is said to have come from this land. The name Chhattisgarh became popular much later, in the Maratha period, and it first appeared in an official document in 1795.
A popular explanation says the name means thirty six forts, from chhattis (thirty six) and garh (fort). Most historians are not convinced, because thirty six actual forts have never been found, so the origin of the name is still debated.
History of Chhattisgarh
Ancient Period
The region has a long recorded past. The Sitabenga Caves in the Ramgarh hills are dated to the Mauryan period of the third century BCE and are often called one of the oldest theatre spaces in India.
Between the fifth and eighth centuries CE, Sirpur on the Mahanadi was the capital of the Sharabhapuriya and later Somavamshi kings of Dakshina Kosala. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang visited it in the seventh century. Excavations there have found Buddhist monasteries and many Hindu temples.
Medieval Period
Between the sixth and twelfth centuries, several dynasties ruled parts of the region, including the Panduvanshis, Somavanshis and Kalachuris. A branch of the Kalachuris, also known as the Haihaiyavanshis, built its seat at Ratanpur and held most of Chhattisgarh for around 700 years. In the far south, Bastar was ruled by its own line of kings.
Maratha and British Rule
The Marathas brought the Kalachuri kingdom under their control in 1740. In 1758 the Bhonsles of Nagpur made Chhattisgarh part of the Kingdom of Nagpur and ruled it until 1845, when the East India Company took over. Under the British, it became the Chhattisgarh Division of the Central Provinces, and Raipur grew in importance. Several areas were princely states during this time.
Becoming a State
After independence, the princely states were merged, and the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 placed Chhattisgarh in Madhya Pradesh, where it stayed for 44 years. The demand for a separate state grew over decades. In 2000, Parliament passed the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, the President gave assent on 25 August 2000, and the new state was born on 1 November 2000. You can compare it with its parent state in our guide to Madhya Pradesh.
Every year the state marks its foundation with Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav. In 2026 the celebration runs from 1 to 3 November in Nava Raipur, with the theme of a beautiful, prosperous and Naxal free Chhattisgarh.
Geography
On a map, the outline of Chhattisgarh looks a little like a sea horse. The state can be divided into three broad parts.
- The north: Hilly country at the edge of the great Indo Gangetic plain, drained by the Rihand River, a tributary of the Ganga. Hills formed by the eastern end of the Satpura Range and the western edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau run east to west here.
- The centre: The fertile upper basin of the Mahanadi and its tributaries, such as the Shivnath, which runs for about 300 kilometres. This plain is the heart of rice farming. The Maikal Hills separate it from the Narmada basin in the west.
- The south: The Bastar plateau, part of the Deccan, which drains into the Godavari through the Indravati River.
The Mahanadi is the chief river. Other important rivers are the Hasdeo, Rihand, Indravati, Jonk, Arpa and Shivnath.
Climate
The climate is tropical. Summers are hot and humid because the state lies close to the Tropic of Cancer. Most rain comes with the southwest monsoon between June and September, and winters are mild and pleasant, which makes October to February the best time for travel.
Forests and Wildlife
More than 41 percent of the state is covered by forest, the third largest forest cover in India after Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. The Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, shared with Madhya Pradesh, is recognised by UNESCO and covers about 3,835 square kilometres. The state has several national parks and tiger reserves. The rare wild buffalo is the state animal, and the hill myna, a bird that can copy human speech, is the state bird.
Economy of Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is one of the most resource rich states in India. Its gross state domestic product was estimated at about 5.09 lakh crore rupees in 2023 to 24, with a per capita figure of about 1.52 lakh rupees.
Minerals, Power and Steel
- Coal: The state holds some of the largest coal reserves in India and is among the top coal producers.
- Iron ore: The Bailadila hills in Dantewada have some of the richest iron ore deposits in the country.
- Tin and other minerals: It is the only state that produces tin ore. Limestone, dolomite and bauxite are also plentiful.
- Steel: The Bhilai Steel Plant, run by SAIL, can make about 5.4 million tonnes of steel a year, and there are many smaller steel and sponge iron units.
- Power: Large thermal stations at Korba and Sipat send electricity to many parts of India, which is why the state is often called a power hub.
Agriculture
Chhattisgarh is called the rice bowl of central India. Rice is grown on about 77 percent of the net sown area. Only about one fifth of farmland is irrigated, so most farmers depend on the monsoon. Forest produce such as tendu leaves, used for making bidis, and mahua flowers is an important source of income for forest villages.
People and Culture
The plains are home to large communities such as the Teli, Satnami and Yadav groups, while forest areas are home to tribes such as the Gond, Halba, Kamar and Oraon. According to the 2011 Census, the state had 991 females for every 1,000 males, one of the more balanced ratios in India.
Languages
Hindi and Chhattisgarhi are the official languages, and Chhattisgarhi is understood by most people in the plains. In the south, Gondi is widely spoken, while Halbi and Bhatri are common in Bastar. Kurukh is spoken in the Surguja region. Learn more in our post about the Gondi language.
Dance and Music
- Panthi: A devotional dance of the Satnami community, performed on Maghi Purnima, the birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas.
- Raut Nacha: A dance of cowherd communities, performed around Diwali and Govardhan Puja in honour of Lord Krishna.
- Pandavani: A ballad style of telling stories from the Mahabharata. Teejan Bai, its best known artist, has received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
Festivals
Bastar Dussehra is the most famous festival of the state. It lasts about 75 days and honours the local goddess Danteshwari rather than the story of Rama and Ravana, which makes it very different from Dussehra in most of India. Other major events are Bastar Lokotsav, the Madai fairs of tribal villages, and the Rajim Kumbh Mela at the meeting of the Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondur rivers.
Tourism: Places to Visit
- Chitrakote Falls: On the Indravati River about 38 kilometres from Jagdalpur. The falls are about 29 metres high and close to 300 metres wide in the monsoon, which makes them the widest waterfall in India. See more in our list of waterfalls in India.
- Sirpur: An archaeological site about 78 kilometres east of Raipur with Hindu, Jain and Buddhist monuments, including the brick Lakshmana Temple.
- Bhoramdeo Temple: A Shiva temple near Kawardha in the Maikal hills, often called the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh for its carvings.
- Mainpat: A cool plateau in Surguja, known as the mini Shimla of Chhattisgarh, with a Tibetan settlement.
What We Changed From the Old Post
The old post was short and hard to read, with odd wording and outdated economic figures from 2010. We corrected the dates of Maratha rule, removed a claim about Chola attacks on Bastar that we could not verify, and added sections on the name, geography, wildlife, culture, festivals and places to visit, with figures updated for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chhattisgarh formed?
Chhattisgarh became a separate state on 1 November 2000, when it was carved out of Madhya Pradesh.
What is the capital of Chhattisgarh?
Raipur is the capital. A new planned city, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, houses many government offices.
Why is Chhattisgarh called the rice bowl of central India?
Rice is grown on most of its farmland, especially in the fertile Mahanadi plains.
Which is the biggest waterfall in Chhattisgarh?
Chitrakote Falls on the Indravati River is the widest waterfall in India.