Sonhat

Sonhat was a seat of the rulers of Korea, a small state among the forested hills west of Surguja. Its country contained older strongholds, including Koreagarh, a hilltop site with ruins and a stepped well. Local tradition remembers successive Baland and Kol chiefs before the later ruling family established its authority.

In 1797 the Maratha officer Gulab Khan attacked Sonhat with troops from Ratanpur, assisted by forces sent by the ruler of Surguja. Raja Garib Singh was compelled to pay chauth, and the invading force ravaged the countryside. On its return it was attacked near Latma by the zamindar of Patna. In 1819 Garib Singh agreed to pay an annual tribute to the East India Company, bringing Korea into a new relationship with the expanding power.