Kanker

Kanker lies in a country of forested hills north of Bastar, near the eastern valley of the Mahanadi. It was the seat of a small state whose rulers maintained authority among the neighbouring powers of Chhattisgarh. Teak, sal and other trees covered much of the surrounding hill country, contrasting with the river valley to the east. The rajas held their residence at Kanker, which gave its name to the territory.

The rajas of Kanker were tributaries of the Haihaya rulers of Chhattisgarh and held the Dhamtari region. In 1809 the Marathas of Nagpur occupied the state and deprived Raja Bhup Deo of power. After their defeat, he was restored in 1818. Kanker remained the seat of the ruling house, with the wooded uplands around it forming a distinct territory between the plains and Bastar.