Chhattisgarh (Chattīsgaṛh, Hindi pronunciation: [ˈtʃʰət̪ːiːsgəɽʱ] translation: Thirty-Six Forts)

is one of the 28 states of India, located in the centre-east of the country. It is the ninth-largest

state in India, with an area of 135,192 km2 (52,198 sq mi). With a 2020 population of 29 million
(2.9 crore), Chhattisgarh is the 16th-most populated state in the country. A resource-rich state, it
is a source of electricity and steel for the country, accounting for 15% of the total steel produced
as well as a large contributor of coal.[6] Chhattisgarh is one of the fastest-developing states in
India.

There are several opinions as to the origin of the name Chhattisgarh, which in ancient
times was known as Dakshina Kosala (South Kosala),[12] The native place
of bhagwan Rama as his mother name was Kausalya, daughter of Kaushal Naresh.
[13] "Chhattisgarh" was popularised later during the time of the Maratha Empire and
was first used in an official document in 1795.[14]
It is claimed that Chhattisgarh takes its name from the 36 ancient forts in the area.
[13] (chhattis—thirty-six, and garh—fort.) 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.
[15] However, experts do not agree with this explanation, as 36 forts cannot be
archaeologically identified in this region.
Another view, more popular with experts and historians, is that Chhattisgarh is the
corrupted form of Chedisgarh meaning Raj or "Empire of the Chedis".[13] In ancient
times, Chhattisgarh region had been part of the Chedi dynasty of Kalinga, in
modern Odisha. In the medieval period up to 1803, a major portion of present eastern
Chhattisgarh was part of the Sambalpur Kingdom of Odisha.

The northern and southern parts of the state are hilly, while the central part is a fertile plain. The
highest point in the state is the Gaurlata near samri, Balrampur-Ramanujganj district.
[16] Deciduous forests of the Eastern Highlands Forests cover roughly 44% of the state. [17] The
state animal is the van bhainsa, or wild Asian buffalo. The state bird is the pahari myna, or hill
myna. The state tree is the Sal (Sarai) found in Bastar division.

In the north lies the edge of the great Indo-Gangetic plain. The Rihand River, a
tributary of the Ganges, drains this area. The eastern end of the Satpura Range and
the western edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau form an east-west belt of hills that
divide the Mahanadi River basin from the Indo-Gangetic plain. The outline of
Chhattisgarh is like a sea horse.
The central part of the state lies in the fertile upper basin of the Mahanadi river and its
tributaries. This area has extensive rice cultivation. The upper Mahanadi basin is
separated from the upper Narmada basin to the west by the Maikal Hills (part of the
Satpuras) and from the plains of Odisha to the east by ranges of hills. The southern part
of the state lies on the Deccan plateau, in the watershed of the Godavari River and its
tributary, the Indravati River. The Mahanadi is the chief river of the state. The other
main rivers are Hasdeo (a tributary of Mahanadi), Rihand, Indravati, Jonk, Arpa and
Shivnath. It is situated in the east of Madhya Pradesh.[18][clarification needed]
The natural environment of Koriya in Chhattisgarh includes forests, mountains, rivers
and waterfalls.[citation needed] Koriya was a princely state during the British rule in India.
Koriya is also known for its mineral deposits.[19] Coal is also found in this part of the
country.[20] The dense forests are rich in wildlife.[citation needed]
The Amrit Dhara Waterfall, Koriya's main attraction, is a natural waterfall which
originates from the Hasdeo River. The fall is situated seven kilometres from Koriya on
the Manendragarh-Baikunthpur road. The Amrit Dhara Waterfall falls from a height of
27 m, and it is approximately 3–4.5 m wide. Chirimiri is one of the more popular
places, known for its natural environment and climate, in Chhattisgarh. [21]