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Constitution or Formation of State of Chhattisgarh

• Chhattisgarh, known as the 'Rice Bowl of Central India,' officially became a state on November 1, 2000, after being separated from Madhya Pradesh. It became the 26th state of India and is located in central India, covering an area of 135,194 square kilometers. The state capital is Raipur. Chhattisgarh is bordered by Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh to the north, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) to the south, Odisha to the east, and Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to the west.
• Chhattisgarh is characterized by a mix of hilly regions and plains, receiving an average annual rainfall of 60 inches. Rice is the state's principal crop. The state shares its borders with Uttar Pradesh to the north, Jharkhand to the northeast, Odisha to the east, Andhra Pradesh to the southeast and south, Maharashtra to the southwest, and Madhya Pradesh to the west and northwest. Chhattisgarh is a predominantly tribal state rich in mineral and forest resources, with about 35 large and small tribes living within its borders. The climate is mainly tropical, humid, and sub-humid, with hot summers due to its location on the Tropic of Cancer. May is the hottest month, while December and January are the coldest. The state is largely dependent on monsoons for rainfall. The Mahanadi is the main river, with other significant rivers including Sheonath, Hadeo, Mand, Eeb, Pairi, Jonk, Kelo, Udanti, Indrawati, Arpa, and Maniyari.
• According to the 1991 census, the scheduled tribes in Chhattisgarh number over 5.7 million, making up 32.5% of the state's population. Nearly 98.1% of this population lives in rural areas, with only 1.9% residing in urban areas. Among India's larger states, Chhattisgarh has the highest percentage of scheduled tribe population, though Madhya Pradesh still has the largest total population of scheduled tribes. The scheduled tribes are primarily concentrated in the southern, northern, and northeastern districts of the state, with the highest concentration in the former Bastar district. The new district of Dantewara has a tribal population of 79%, followed by Bastar (67%), Jashpur (65%), Surguja (57%), and Kanker (56%).
• The Gonds, making up 55.1% of the tribal population, are the largest tribal group in Chhattisgarh, with an almost equal distribution between urban and rural areas. Other significant tribes include the Oraons, Kawars, Halbis, Bharias or Bhumiars, Bhattras, and Napesias. There are also thirty other scheduled tribes with smaller populations living in various parts of Chhattisgarh. The Gonds are mainly found in the hilly regions of southern Chhattisgarh but are also spread across most districts. The Baigas, Bharias, Korwas, and Napesias occupy specific areas, while the Bhattras, Kolams, and Rasjas are largely concentrated in Bastar. The Kamars live in Raipur, and the Halba tribe inhabits parts of Bastar, Raipur, and Rajnandgaon. The Oraons are primarily found in Surguja and Raigarh districts.
• Chhattisgarh officially became a state with the swearing-in of its first Governor and Chief Minister in Raipur on November 1, 2000. Dinesh Nandan Sahaya, a leader of the Samata Party and a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was sworn in as Governor by the Acting Chief Justice of the state, Justice Ramesh Surajmal Garg, who had been appointed the day before. The ceremony was followed by the swearing-in of Ajit Jogi as the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh at 12:58 a.m. Ajit Jogi had been elected unopposed as the leader of the 48-member Congress (I) Legislature Party (CLP) on October 31. The event was attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, and All India Congress Committee observers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prabha Rao.

Origin of the Name "Chhattisgarh"

• Chhattisgarh is a state located in the central part of India, surrounded by Jharkhand to the northwest, Odisha to the east, Andhra Pradesh to the south, and Maharashtra to the southwest. It was formed from the state of Madhya Pradesh. The origin of the name "Chhattisgarh" has an interesting and long history.
• In ancient times, Chhattisgarh was known as Dakshin Kosala, a name found in inscriptions and literary works of early writers. During the Mughal era, the region was referred to as the Ratanpur territory, not Chhattisgarh. The term "Chhattisgarh" gained prominence during the Maratha rule. It was first used in an official document in 1795 and became widely recognized during the Maratha period.
• There are three popular theories regarding the origin of the name "Chhattisgarh." The most common explanation is that "Chhattisgarh" means "36 forts," referring to the number of forts in the region. However, experts dispute this explanation since thirty-six forts cannot be identified in the area. Another theory, favored by historians, suggests that "Chhattisgarh" is a corrupted form of "Chedisgarh," meaning "Stronghold of the Chedis," with the Chedis being another name for the Kalchuri dynasty. According to British chronicler J.B. Beglar, the real name is "Chhattisghar" (36 houses) and not "Chhattisgarh." He mentioned a legend that, long ago, during the time of Jarasandha, thirty-six families of Dalits (leather workers) migrated southward from Jarasandha’s kingdom and settled in the region, which came to be called Chhattisghar.

Chronology of Events

• 10th century: The region was ruled by the powerful Rajput family of the Haihaya dynasty.
• 1741: The Marathas attacked Chhattisgarh and destroyed the Haihaya power.
• 1818: Chhattisgarh came under British control for the first time.
• November 1, 2000: Chhattisgarh became a separate state.

Creation

• The history of Chhattisgarh involves the creation of the state, which was a significant development.

Prathak Chhattisgarh

• The movement for a separate Chhattisgarh began to gain momentum in the 1990s, although its origins can be traced back to the early 1920s. The initial calls for a distinct Chhattisgarh identity emerged in the early 1920s, with the first formal demand raised at the Raipur Congress unit in 1924. Despite early support from the populace, the movement faced challenges in gaining widespread traction. Various activities such as seminars, rallies, and public gatherings were organized to advocate for a separate Chhattisgarh.
• Efforts for a separate Chhattisgarh persisted post-independence but saw a significant breakthrough in 1955 when the demand was presented in the Nagpur Assembly. The idea was previously put forth in 1954 during the state reorganization commission, albeit rejected at that time. The rejection was based on the belief that the development of Chhattisgarh could potentially uplift underdeveloped regions within the larger state of Madhya Pradesh. The movement for Prathak Chhattisgarh continued with varying intensity, witnessing periods of acceleration and deceleration.
• The late 1990s marked a pivotal shift as major political parties actively supported the cause, organizing rallies and public events that revitalized the Prathak Chhattisgarh movement.
• The journey towards the formation of Chhattisgarh began with a significant administrative move by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1994. A resolution was passed at the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on March 18th, 1994, advocating the creation of a separate state of Chhattisgarh. This demand found bipartisan support from the major political parties in the state, namely Congress and B.J.P.
• The Union Government took concrete steps towards fulfilling this demand by drafting a bill in 1998, which was sent to the Madhya Pradesh Bidhan Sabha for approval. The bill received unanimous approval, but due to changes in the Central Government, fresh elections were conducted. Subsequently, a new bill was drafted and presented to the state assembly, once again garnering unanimous support.
• The culmination of these efforts came in the year 2000 when the President of India accorded consent to the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act on August 25th. This paved the way for the formal bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh to create the state of Chhattisgarh on November 1st, 2000.
• The creation of Chhattisgarh marked a historic moment in Indian political history, showcasing successful state reorganization based on popular demand and bipartisan support. This event stands as a testament to the democratic processes and administrative mechanisms that shape the political landscape of the country.