Durg , Chhattisgarh

Durg , Chhattisgarh

Durg is located in the Southwestern part of Chhattisgarh State. It is located 317m above sea level. The geographical area of Durg is 8702 Sq km. The district occupies the southwestern part of the Chhattisgarh plain and possesses belts of hilly country in the south, southwest and northwest that are rich with mineral resources and forests. The District occupies the southwestern part of the Upper Sheonath-Mahanadi valley and the bordering hills in the south and southwest. Geographically, the district can be divided into two divisions as the Chhattisgarh plain and the Southern plateau. The Chhattisgarh plain occupies the largest area in the District. The slope of the district is towards west. The major rivers of the district are Sheonath and Kharun. Sheonath river flows nearer to the western border of the district whereas river Kharun forms the eastern border of the district which ultimately joins Sheonath river. The three main seasons of Durg are summer, winter and rainy season. The average rainfall of Durg is 1071.16. Maximum, Average & Minimum Rain fall Of District Durg are 1477.2 mm, 1071.16 mm and 781.5 mm per year respectively.


Durg was part of Dahshina Kosala or Southern Kosala. In the epics, it is mentioned that King Dasharatha of Uttara Kosala married Kosalaya, the princess of Dakshnia Kosala. During the 4th century, Huien Tsang, the Chinese traveler visited Southern Kosala . However the name `Durg, came into existence in the 8th century A.D. through the stone inscriptions found in Durg. The first inscription mentions the name of a king Shiva Deva. The 2nd inscription associates the name of Sivapura with that of Shiva Durga, indicating thereby that during Shivadeva`s reign the town and the fort were separate. The present name of the city "Durg" is evidently a contraction of the old Shivadurga, which he built. Durg stands on the banks of the "Shiva River."

In 1182 AD, there was the advent of Kalachuri dynasty in Durg. From then on it remained under the Kalachuries, till 1742 A. D, when the Marathas deposed them. In 1877, after the Marathas lost the third Anglo- Maratha War, the tract of Chhattisgarh passed into British hand. For the purpose of administration, Durg was attached to Bhandara District. In 1857 Durg was separated and made into a tehsil of Raipur district.

Ddurg became a separate district in 1906. During the freedom struggle, Durg was a center of nationallist activites. Prominent leaders including Mahatama Gandhi, Pt. Jawahalal Nehru and Dr. Rajendra Prasad visited Durg during the freedom struggle.