History

Ancient Origins and Early Dynasties

Before Christ:
Archaeological discoveries indicate human presence in the Surguja region long before Christ, and early settlements are associated with the Nanda Dynasty.

Mauryan Period:
Before the arrival of the Maurya Empire, the region was under the control of the Nanda Empire, reflecting its strategic importance.

Princely Era

Raj Gond Rulers:
The region was ruled by the powerful Raj Gond kings, of whom the Surguja Palace, built by Raja Bijay Singh in the 16th century,
is an outstanding example of intricate architecture.

Surguja State:
Surguja existed as a princely state, whose last ruler, Maharaja Ramanuj Saran Singh Deo, signed the Instrument
of Accession to the Indian Union on January 1, 1948.

Integration into Chhattisgarh

Post-Independence:
After India’s independence, Surguja State was integrated into the Indian Union.

Formation of Chhattisgarh (2000):
On November 1, 2000, the Surguja region was included in the new state of Chhattisgarh, carved out of Madhya Pradesh.

Surguja Division Today

Administrative Structure:
Surguja is now an administrative division comprising six districts: Surguja, Jashpur, Koriya, Surajpur, Balrampur-Ramanujganj,
and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB).

Cultural Identity:
The region retains its distinct identity, with the Surguja dialect spoken here reflecting its deep historical roots.