Chhattisgarh’s history is ancient, with the region known in classical texts as *Dakshina Kosala*. It finds mention in the epic Ramayana, which details Lord Rama's exile in the Dandakaranya region (modern-day Bastar). Throughout antiquity and the medieval era, the area was ruled by various dynasties, most notably the Haihayas and the Kalachuris, who controlled the region for centuries.
In the 18th century, the Marathas conquered the region, holding it until it was annexed by the British East India Company in the 19th century. Under British rule, it became part of the Central Provinces and Berar. After India gained independence in 1947, the region was integrated into the newly formed state of Madhya Pradesh.
The demand for a separate state of Chhattisgarh dates back to the 1920s, driven by a distinct socio-cultural identity and a desire for better political representation and economic development. This decades-long grassroots movement culminated peacefully when the Indian government passed the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, officially forming the state of Chhattisgarh on November 1, 2000.