Editing Chhattisgarh (section)

== Etymology ==
There are several theories as to the origin of the name ''Chhattisgarh'', which in ancient times was known as [[Dakshina Kosala]] (South Kosala),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dakshinakosala|title=Dakshinakosala, Dakshina-kosala, Dakṣiṇakosala: 1 definition|last=www.wisdomlib.org|date=21 May 2017|website=www.wisdomlib.org|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229121804/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dakshinakosala|url-status=live}}</ref> the native place of [[Rama]]'s mother [[Kausalya]]. "Chhattisgarh" was popularised later during the time of the [[Maratha Confederacy|Maratha Empire]] and was first used in an official document in 1795.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/chhattisgarh/history.html|title=History of Chhattisgarh|website=www.mapsofindia.com|access-date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826100529/http://www.mapsofindia.com/chhattisgarh/history.html|archive-date=26 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Bastar district|Bastar]] region was previously referred to as {{IAST|Chakrakotya}} and {{transliteration|ta|ISO|Cakkarakoṭṭam}}.<ref>{{citation |first1=R.K.|last1=Sharma|first2=Om Prakash|last2=Misra |title= Archaeological Excavations in Central India |publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=9788170998747|year=2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o0ISjDDWJwQC}}</ref>

The most popular theory claims that Chhattisgarh takes its name from the 36 ancient forts (from ''chhattis'' meaning thirty-six and ''garh'' meaning [[fort]]) in the area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2003 |title=Origin of Chhattisgarh |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/origin-of-chhattisgarh/story-2WXetgxu5aBPXiqcBMavGK.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-25 |title=Chhattisgarh {{!}} History, Map, Capital, Government, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Chhattisgarh |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> The old state had 36 demesnes (feudal territories): [[Ratanpur, Chhattisgarh|Ratanpur]], Vijaypur, Kharound, Maro, Kautgarh, [[Nawagarh]], Sondhi, Aukhar, Padarbhatta, Semriya, Champa, Lafa, Chhuri, Kenda, Matin, Aparora, Pendra, Kurkuti-kandri, Raipur, Patan, Simaga, Singarpur, Lavan, Omera, Durg, Saradha, Sirasa, Menhadi, Khallari, Sirpur, Figeswar, Rajim, Singhangarh, Suvarmar, Tenganagarh and Akaltara.<ref>Dr. Bhagvan Singh Verma, ''Chhattisgarh ka Itihas'' (A History of Chhattisgarh&nbsp;– in Hindi), Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Academy, Bhopal (M.P.), 4th edition (2003), p.7</ref> However, most historians disagree with this theory as 36 forts have not been found and identified.

According to the opinion of Hiralal, it is said that at one time there were 36 strongholds in this area, that is why its name was Chhattisgarh. But even after the increase in the number of strongholds, there was no change in the name, Chhattisgarh is the [[State of India]] which has been given the status of 'Mahtari' (Mother).{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} There are two regions in India which are named for special reasons – one was '[[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]]' which became "[[Bihar]]" due to the abundance of [[Buddhism]] viharas and the other was '[[Dakshina Kosala]]' which became "Chhattisgarh" due to the inclusion of thirty-six strongholds.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Another view, more popular with experts and historians, is that Chhattisgarh is the corrupted form of ''Chedisgarh'' meaning ''Raj'' or "[[Kalachuris of Tripuri|Empire of the Chedis]]".{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} In ancient times, Chhattisgarh region had been part of the [[Mahameghavahana|Chedi dynasty]] of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], in modern [[Odisha]]. In the medieval period up to 1803, a major portion of present eastern Chhattisgarh was part of the [[Sambalpur State|Sambalpur Kingdom]] of [[Odisha]].