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Pleistocene Environment and Cultural Succession in Chhattisgarh
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24. Pleistocene Environment and Cultural Succession in Chhattisgarh
R.P. Pandey
Chhattisgarh is very rich culturally, ethnically, naturally. But regarding the name Chhattisgarh; the scholars have different opinion. The name Chhattisgarh is derived from 36 forts and fortresses. During Indus civilization, the forts came into existence and played significant role during first urbanization. Over the centuries, their importance went on increasing. During Medieval period grand forts were constructed like Red fort, Agra fort, Kalinjer fort, Allahabad fort etc., but in remote areas for the purpose of safety, fortresses were constructed. With the establishment of Maratha rule and Hahaivanshi rule in this area, the importance of forts and fortresses increased and 36 forts and fortresses were established in Chhattisgarh
The name Chhattisgarh does not seem to be very old as this name does not figure any where in Vedas, Purānas, Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. Hiralal (1933) is of the opinion that it was "Chhattisgarh" after the "Chedi" rulers in this area, but lingiustics scholars do not agree on this development. The area was ruled by Kalchuries and Haihayas. Verma (1995) is of the opinion that Kalchuries, Marathas ruled the area and as per the presence of 36 fortresses and forts in the area, this area derived its name, as Chhattisgarh.
Cunningham (1878) named this area as Mahakoshala while Hiralal and Vaidya respectively as Dakshin Koshala and Koshala (1933). During the Rāmāyaṇa period, this area was called as Dandakāranya (Singh 2004). Now this area is called Chhattisgarh and a state named "Chhattisgarah" is present among Indian Union Territorries.
The Chhattisgarh state is surrounded by hills and plateaus of varying heights rising upto 900 m. In between, an alluvial plain in the shape of bowl exists, is fertile, favourable for paddy cultivation due to which this plain is called as “Rice Bowl" of India. The Mahanadi river is life line of Chhattisgarh and is a major river of the State. The Mahanadi and its tributaries are responsible for laying down rich alluvium in the State and developing “Rice Bowl" of India. The Mahanadi rises from the hills of Sihawa, about 100 km. south east of Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh State. Rising from its source, the Mahanadi traverses through Dhamtari, Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh of Chhattisgarh and enters in Orissa near Sankra (M.P.) and flows through in many districts of Orissa before debouching in the Bay of Bengal near Cuttack, in Orissa. The total drainage area of the Mahanadi is about 1,32,100 sq km. The river is fed by many left and right bank tributaries. The left bank tributaries are Seonath, Arpa, Hasdeo, and Mand while right bank rivers joining the Mahanadi are Pairp and Jonk, in Chhattisgarh The total
