Bastar is an important division of Chhattisgarh and is well-known due to its cultural, anthropological, archaeological and geographical features: forests, mineral deposits, rivers, waterfalls and the tribes occupying the region.
The book covers the political, social and cultural history of Bastar comprehensively.
Chapter 1 discusses the geographical details like area, boundaries, climatic and agricultural conditions, forests, minerals, etc. It also includes a general description of the main tribes of Bastar.
Chapter 2 relates the ancient history of Bastar detailing the history of Nal, Gang, Chhindak and Kakatiya danasties.
Chapter 3 outlines the political history of Bastar from 1800 to 1947.
Chapter 4 provides the history of the Mutiny of Bastar from 1774 to 1947 discussing the struggles of Bhopalpattnam and revolts of Halba, Paralkot, Tarapur, Meriya, Koi, Muriya and Bhumkaal. Later in the chapter, the efforts and struggle carried on for the freedom of the country are also described.
Chapter 5 includes the administrative aspects of Bastar during the period 1854 to 1947 .
Chapter 6 is on the socio-economic conditions and the religion and beliefs of Adivasi tribes of Bastar.
Chapter 7 describes the visits of various British officials and travellers. Also included in the chapters are the memorable martyrdom of Ajmer Singh, Gaind Singh, Dhruva Raav, Babu Raav, Yado Raav, Venket Raav, Nagul Dorla, Lal Kalendra Singh, Swarna Kunwar Devi and Gundadhur.
Chapters 8 and 9 include descriptions of Bastar’s major historical and archaeological monuments and places of natural and cultural interests which attract tourists even today.
Chapter 10 describes the current issues in the Bastar region (with reference to Naxalites and Salwa Judum).
Chapter 11 provides information on the Bastar division with the help of 7 maps.
Dr Abha Rupendra Pal is MA History and PhD. She has more than 30 years of experience of teaching History to postgraduate students in Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. She was also Working President in Cultural and Archaeological Department; Working Director in Tourism and Hotel Management Department from 2007 to 2009; and Director, Pt. Sundarlal Sharma and Pt. Lakhanlal Mishra Shodhpeeth from 2007 to 2013. Currently, she is Professor and HOD, School of Studies in History Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
She has published five books: Indian National Movement and the Liberals (1986); Samajik Vigyan ki Shodha Pravidhiyan (with Dishwar Nath Khute; 2012); Chhattisgarh Ka Aadhar Stambh Pt. Sunder Lal Sharma (co-edited with M. P. Pandey). Madhya Kalin Bharat (1206–1526) (with Pankaj Singh, 2013); Adhunik Bharat (1757–1947) (with Pankaj Singh, 2013). She has also published over fifty articles in history and social science journals.
Dr Dishwar Nath Khute is MA and PhD in History. He is currently Assistant Professor, School of Studies in History in Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He has co-authored Samajik Vigyan Ki Shodh Pravidhiyan (with Abha R. Pal, 2012) and published research papers in journals.
