Durg

Durg lies on the Chhattisgarh plain in the basin of the Shivnath, a tributary of the Mahanadi. Its name recalls a fort, one of the strongholds from which the rulers of the region exercised power. The surrounding country formed part of Dakshina Kosala and later fell within the territory of the Kalachuri rulers of Raipur. Paddy fields spread across the plain, bordered by the wooded hills of the central Indian interior.

Maratha forces entered Chhattisgarh in 1741. Their general Bhaskar Pant took Ratanpur, while the chief at Raipur survived for a time before being displaced. Durg and the surrounding country passed under the Bhonsles of Nagpur. After the defeat of the Marathas, British officials administered the region from 1818 until it was returned to Bhonsle administration in 1830.