Chhattisgarh is also called the rice bowl of India. The main reason for this name for Chhattisgarh is the variety of rice grown in this region. There are over 20,000 varieties of rice grown in this region. It is the 10th largest state in India with an area of 135,190 square-km. Chhattisgarh is the 16th largest state in terms of population which is approximately equal to 2, 08, 00,000 and it is a landlocked state in Central India. It is the 9th largest state by area, and with a population of roughly 30 million. It borders seven states – Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the northwest, Maharashtra to the southwest, Jharkhand to the northeast, Odisha to the east, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the south. Formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh, it was granted statehood on 1 November 2000 with Raipur as the designated state capital.
Chhattisgarh is one of the fastest-developing states in India. A resource-rich state, it has the third largest coal reserves in the country and provides electricity, coal, and steel to the rest of the nation. It also has the third largest forest cover in the country after Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh with over 40% of the state covered by forests. The most popular theory claims that Chhattisgarh takes its name from the 36 ancient forts The old state had 36 demesnes (feudal territories): Ratanpur, Vijaypur, Kharound, Maro, Kautgarh, Nawagarh, Sondhi, Aukhar, Padarbhatta, Semriya, Champa, Lafa, Chhuri, Kenda, Matin, Aparora, Pendra, Kurkuti-kandri, Raipur, Patan, Simaga, Singarpur, Lavan, Omera, Durg, Saradha, Sirasa, Menhadi, Khallari, Sirpur, Figeswar, Rajim, Singhangarh, Suvarmar, Tenganagarh and Akaltara. However, most historians disagree with this theory as 36 forts have not been found and identified.
Modern History
Chhattisgarh was under Maratha Rule from 1741 to 1845. They came under British rule from 1845 to 1947 as the Chhattisgarh Division of the Central Provinces. Raipur gained prominence over the capital Ratanpur with the advent of the British in 1845. In 1905, the Sambalpur district was transferred to Odisha and the estates of Surguja were transferred from Bengal to Chhattisgarh.
Traditional food
Most of the traditional and tribal foods are made of rice and rice flour, curd and a variety of green leafy vegetables like lal bhaji, cholai bhaji, chech bhaji, kanda bhaji, kheksi, kathal, kochai patta, kohda and bohar bhaji
Transport
Chhattisgarh has an excellent means of transport which includes transportation by road, railways and air.
Roadways: Total length of roads in Chhattisgarh is about 45,988 km which includes 11 national highways (2,184 km), state highways (3,611 km), district roads (8,031 km) and rural roads (27,566 km). (Data as of 2008-2009)
Railways: Chhattisgarh has a good rail network connecting all the major cities. The rail network of the state is centered at Bilaspur, which is the zonal headquarter of South Eastern Central Railway. The main rail junctions are Bilaspur, Raipur and Durg which are well connected with all the major cities of India.
Airlines: Air connectivity of Chhattisgarh is low. Raipur is the only commercial operating point in the state,that too provides only domestic flights across the country. Chhattisgarh does not have international connectivity in terms of airlines.
Education
According to the census, 2011, the literacy rate in Chhattisgarh’s was at 71.04% which has improved considerably from census, 2001 (64.66%). Male and Female literacy rate as per censes, 2011 are 81.45% and 60.59% respectively. Education in Chhattisgarh is good. There are many universities and colleges that are famous nationally including NIT, Raipur; IIM, Raipur; Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur; RCET, Bhilai etc. Chhattisgarh is mainly famous for the number of engineering colleges which is 49 (till 2011) in total in different cities across the state.
Conclusion
Chhattisgarh is a state that has a rich and diverse culture that reflects its history, geography, and people. The state has a remarkable blend of tribal and folk traditions that showcase its artistic and creative potential. Chhattisgarh is a friendly eco-society there are must be helpful for others. They will do best for you in any situation. Chhattisgarh people are very innocent and they live a simple life and expected to others that people also love this culture