We belong to that generation which witnessed the movement for the creation of Chhattisgarh, saw the state taking shape, and now celebrates its Silver Jubilee. The story of Chhattisgarh’s formation is not merely an account of administrative restructuring, but a saga of eighty years of people’s struggle, faith, and identity. Most people above the age of 35 know how this state was formed, but the younger generation, especially those below 25, may not know how many decades of relentless effort went into earning this land its name and dignity. It was neither an accident nor a political convenience — it was the culmination of a long, peaceful, and democratic movement that finally gave India a new identity on its map: “Chhattisgarh.”
The soul of this movement lay in the people who fought for their rights without violence, guided only by faith and patience. And when this struggle bore fruit, the credit undoubtedly went to India’s then Prime Minister, the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee. At the historic Sapre Ground in Raipur, he once said, “Give me eleven seats from Chhattisgarh, and I will give you your own state.” The people did not deliver all eleven, but Atal Ji kept his word. That was his greatness — rising above politics to place national interest and public sentiment first.
Chhattisgarh’s historical background is equally glorious. In the era of the Ramayana, it was part of Kosala, later known as Dakshin Kosala. Between the 6th and 12th centuries, it was ruled by the Panduvanshi, Somvanshi, Kalchuri, and Nagvanshi dynasties. In the 11th century, the Chola rulers invaded, but the region retained its identity. From 1741 to 1845, it came under the Maratha Empire, and from 1845 to 1947, under British rule. Ratanpur was once its capital, but during British times, Raipur emerged as the administrative center. After India’s independence, Chhattisgarh became a part of Madhya Pradesh, yet its distinct geographical, cultural, and economic character kept the demand for separate statehood alive.
The first call for a separate Chhattisgarh was raised in 1920 when a few enlightened citizens in Raipur voiced the idea of an independent region. Though just a seed then, it would later grow into a mighty banyan tree. In 1954, the proposal was presented before the State Reorganization Commission but was rejected. Yet, the flame did not die out. In the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Khubchand Baghel transformed the idea into a public movement. Through his writings and speeches, he asserted that Chhattisgarh’s progress was possible only when it became a separate state. In 1967, he wrote to the President of India, making the first constitutional demand for statehood.
Gradually, the movement spread to villages. Folk arts and songs carried its message deep into people’s hearts. Devotional songs began praising “Chhattisgarh Mahatari” (Mother Chhattisgarh), and the slogan “Chhattisgarhiya Sable Badhiya” (Chhattisgarhiya are the best) became a symbol of self-pride. Students, teachers, writers, and folk artists all joined in. The greatest strength of the movement was its peace and dignity — there was neither violence nor hatred, only a collective yearning for identity.
In the 1990s, the movement gained new momentum. The Chhattisgarh Rajya Nirman Manch (Chhattisgarh State Formation Forum) was established in Raipur, organizing the struggle more systematically. Acharya Narendra Dubey, Dau Anand Kumar, and Udaybhan Singh Chauhan became symbols of dedication, staging continuous demonstrations from Raipur to Delhi. Balak Bhagwan traveled from village to village on his bicycle, spreading awareness. Leaders like Chandulal Chandrakar, Vasudev Chandrakar, Saint Poet Pawan Diwan, and Vidya Charan Shukla also contributed immensely. It was not the fight of any one party or leader but of the people’s collective aspiration.
In the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 10 out of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee quipped at a Raipur gathering, “You were a little stingy in giving seats; otherwise, the state would have been formed even sooner.” That remark became part of history. Once his government came to power in 1999, the process accelerated. The bill for statehood was introduced in Parliament, approved unanimously by the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and finally signed by the President on August 25, 2000. On November 1, 2000, Chhattisgarh officially became India’s 26th state.
That day, celebrations swept across the land. Villages resounded with drums and traditional instruments; towns held joyful processions. People danced and sang in the streets, chanting “Jai Chhattisgarh!” Raipur was declared the capital, and Ajit Jogi became the first Chief Minister. In 2003, Dr. Raman Singh led the BJP to power, governing for fifteen consecutive years and charting new paths of development. In 2018, Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress took charge, initiating efforts to revive Chhattisgarhi culture, language, and traditions. In 2023, the BJP returned to power, leading the state proudly into its Silver Jubilee year.
At the beginning of the 20th century, few could have imagined that this dream would take eighty years to materialize. Then, Chhattisgarh was a part of Madhya Pradesh — rich in natural resources yet neglected administratively. Its coal illuminated distant cities while its own villages remained in darkness. This injustice gradually fueled a movement. And when people finally raised their voice for justice, the world witnessed the true power of democracy.
Today, Chhattisgarh is not just a state but a symbol of self-respect. Its language, folk arts, dialects, and traditions now receive recognition on national platforms. Folk performances like Pandavani, Raut Nacha, Karma, Bhojali, and Dewari have become hallmarks of its identity. The state has made remarkable progress in agriculture, industry, mining, education, health, and tourism. Raipur and Nava Raipur are among India’s modern cities, while Bastar, Surguja, and Jashpur shine with natural and cultural diversity.
The journey of Chhattisgarh teaches us that a movement lives as long as it has the people’s soul within it. This state came into being not because of any class or party, but because of the collective will of its people — driven not by violence or hatred, but by faith, patience, and dialogue. When Chhattisgarh was formed, it wasn’t merely a line drawn on a map — it was the recognition of a civilization.
As Chhattisgarh celebrates its Silver Jubilee, it is vital to remember that this state is not just a political creation but a symbol of cultural renaissance. It represents the pride of a land that safeguarded its dignity through peaceful struggle. It stands as proof that when people embrace a goal with conviction, no power can hold them back.
The story of Chhattisgarh’s birth is a testament to the maturity of democracy and the faith of the people. This state was built upon the trust, struggle, and self-respect of its citizens. Whenever this history is recalled, it will be said —
“Chhattisgarh was not built of bricks and stones, but upon the foundation of people’s faith, struggle, and pride.”
