About

Chhattisgarh is a newly formed state. It was carved out of three divisions (Raipur, Bilaspur and Bastar) of already existing state of Madhya Pradesh on 1st November, 2000 with 16 districts, with Raipur as the capital. Later on, the state was divided into more districts, now totalling 33 districts. A greater part of the population of the state is tribal. The official language is Hindi, but a local dialect of Hindi called Chhattisgarhi is spoken by the tribal population, however, Chhattisgarhi is also written using the Devanagri script.

Chhattisgarh's history dates back to the ancient period. In Puranic age, the region was called 'Koshal'. Later this 'Koshal' region was divided into two parts, 'Uttar Kosala' and 'Dakshin Kosala', of which 'Dakshin Kosala' is now known as Chhattisgarh. However, the name 'Chhattisgarh' is of comparatively recent origin, during Maratha period, around 1795. There is no consensus as to why it started to be called. Some historians argue that during Kalchuri period, the region was divided into 36 Garhs (strongholds) so it came to be known as Chhattisgarh, 'chhattis means the number 36'.

The Mahanadi is the famous river of the region and has been mentioned in many scriptures like Matsya Purana, Bhishma Parva of Mahabharta and Bhartavarsha of Brahma Purana. However, it was called 'Chitrotpala' in that period. Its earliest mention in history is found in the travelogue of the famous Chinese traveller Hmwensang, in his travelogue in 639 AD, mentions the region as Dakshin-Kausal with capital at Sirpur. The region had connection with Buddhism also. Bodhisattva Nagarjuna, the founder of Mahayana branch of Buddhism had hermitage in Sirpur (Sripur). Many prominent dynasties in Indian history like, Mauryas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Guptas, Rajarshitulya clan, Sharabpuriya clans, Somvanshis, Nalvanshis, Kalachuris are believed to have ruled the region. The renowned Sanskrit poet Kalidasa is also believed to have been born in Chhattisgarh.

Geographically, Chhattisgarh is bordered by Uttar Pradesh to the North, Madhya Pradesh to the Northwest, Odisha and Jharkhand to the Northeast, Telangana to the South and Andhra Pradesh and Maharasthra to the West.

The state passed the Chhattisgarh Public Libraries Act in 2008.