Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh
Encyclopedia
Bilaspur district is a district of the Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....

 state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...

 of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. Bilaspur
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Bilaspur is a city in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, situated 111 km north of state capital, Raipur. It is the second-largest city in the state. It is the administrative headquarter of Bilaspur district...

 city is the headquarters of the district. As of 2011 it is the third most populous district of Chhattisgarh (out of 18
Districts of Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh, a state of India, has 18 administrative districts. Two new districts, Bijapur and Naryanpur were carved out on May 11, 2007. On August 15, 2011, Chief Minister Raman Singh announced that 12 new districts would be created in 2012....

), after Raipur
Raipur District
Raipur district is a district in the Chhattisgarh state of India. Raipur is the administrative headquarter of the district. The district is rich in mineral resources. There are many wild life sanctuaries and sight seeing places worth visiting...

 and Durg
Durg District
Durg District is situated in Chattisgarh state of India. Until 2000 it formed part of Madhya Pradesh. District headquarters is Durg. The district covers an area of 8,537 km². The population in 1991 was 2, 397,134 of which 12.4% were members of scheduled tribes...

.

Etymology

The name of the district derived from the city of Bilaspur, the administrative headquarters of the district. The name 'Bilaspur' originated from Bilasa, a fisherwoman who founded it according to a legend.

History

The area which comprises present-day Bilaspur District was under the control of the Bhonsla Rajas of Nagpur
Nagpur kingdom
The Kingdom of Nagpur was a kingdom in east-central India founded by the Gond rulers of Deogarh in the early 18th century. It came under the rule of Marathas of the Bhonsle dynasty in the mid-18th century...

 until 1818 and was governed by a Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...

 ‘Subah
Subah
A Subah was a province of the Mughal Empire in South Asia. The governor of a subah was known as a subahdar, which later became subedar to refer to an officer in the Indian Army...

’ (district officer). In 1818, the British started administering the area on behalf of the Raghuji III who was minor. The area was administered by a commissioner. In 1853, after the death of Raghuji III, British annexed the Nagpur Kingdom to British India as Nagpur Province
Nagpur Province
Nagpur Province was a province of British India that covered parts of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh states. It was formed in 1853 when the British annexed the princely state of Nagpur. In 1861 it was merged into the Central Provinces...

, and in 1861 when the new Central Provinces
Central Provinces
The Central Provinces was a province of British India. It comprised British conquests from the Mughals and Marathas in central India, and covered parts of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. Its capital was Nagpur....

 was born, Bilaspur was organized into a separate district. In October 1903, a new province ‘The Central Provinces and Berar’ was constituted and Bilaspur District became a part of the Chattisgarh Division of the province. In October 1905, on transfer of Sambalpur District
Sambalpur District
Sambalpur District is a district in the western part of state of Orissa, India. The historic city of Sambalpur is the district headquarters.The district is located in the Mahanadi River basin. It has a total area of 6,702 square kilometers, of which almost 60% of the district is covered in dense...

 to Bengal Province, Chandrapur-Padampur and Malkhurda estates were transferred to Bilaspur District. In 1906, when the Drug district (presently Durg District
Durg District
Durg District is situated in Chattisgarh state of India. Until 2000 it formed part of Madhya Pradesh. District headquarters is Durg. The district covers an area of 8,537 km². The population in 1991 was 2, 397,134 of which 12.4% were members of scheduled tribes...

) was formed, a part of the Mungeli Tahsil was transferred to the new district. Also, another part of the district was transferred to the Raipur District
Raipur District
Raipur district is a district in the Chhattisgarh state of India. Raipur is the administrative headquarter of the district. The district is rich in mineral resources. There are many wild life sanctuaries and sight seeing places worth visiting...

. On 25 May 1998, the original Bilaspur District was split into 3 smaller districts, present Bilaspur, Korba
Korba District
Korba District is an administrative district of Chhattisgarh state in central India. The city of Korba is the district headquarters.-Geography:...

 and Janjgir-Champa
Janjgir-Champa
The district "Janjgir-Champa" is situated in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh and is a small developing district. The District Head Quarter Janjgir of the district Janjgir-Champa is the city of Maharaja Jajawalya Dev of Kulchury dynasty...

.

Geography

Bilaspur district is situated between 21º47' and 23º8' north latitudes and 81º14' and 83º15' east latitudes. The district is bounded by loria on the north, Anuppur District
Anuppur District
Anuppur District is an administrative district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India.The district has an area of 3701 km², and a population of 667,155 . 309,624 people are from scheduled tribes and 48,376 are scheduled castes...

 and Dindori District
Dindori District
Dindori District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The town of Dindori is the district headquarters. The district is part of Shahdol Division.-Economy:...

 of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....

 state on the west, Kawardha
Kawardha District
Kabirdham district is one of the 16 administrative districts of Chhattisgarh state in central India. The district was earlier known as Kawardha district. The district is located between 21.32' to 22.28' north latitudes and 80.48' to 81.48' east longitudes. The district covers an area of 4634.98...

 on the southwest, Durg
Durg District
Durg District is situated in Chattisgarh state of India. Until 2000 it formed part of Madhya Pradesh. District headquarters is Durg. The district covers an area of 8,537 km². The population in 1991 was 2, 397,134 of which 12.4% were members of scheduled tribes...

 and Raipur
Raipur District
Raipur district is a district in the Chhattisgarh state of India. Raipur is the administrative headquarter of the district. The district is rich in mineral resources. There are many wild life sanctuaries and sight seeing places worth visiting...

 on the south and Korba
Korba District
Korba District is an administrative district of Chhattisgarh state in central India. The city of Korba is the district headquarters.-Geography:...

 and Janjgir-Champa
Janjgir-Champa
The district "Janjgir-Champa" is situated in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh and is a small developing district. The District Head Quarter Janjgir of the district Janjgir-Champa is the city of Maharaja Jajawalya Dev of Kulchury dynasty...

 on the east. The area of the district is 6377 km². Bilaspur is also known as the cultuaral capital of the state and also boosts various cultural and social events. The district is also the medical hub of chhattisgarh due to several world class hospitals ex Apollo Hospital. Education at the primary and higher level has considerably improved in the past decade due to opening of several international standard schools (D.A.V PUBLIC School, DPS, St. Xaviers). The city is also witnessing high rate of infrastructural growth due to the several initiatives taken by the state government to improve the basic infrastructure of the city. The city has a mixed population basically consisting of Bengalies who migrated due to the partition or due to their job transfer in the Indian Railway and the South Eastern Coalfields Limited
South Eastern Coalfields Limited
South Eastern Coalfields Limited is the largest coal producing company of India. It is one of the eight fully owned subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. The company has its head office at Bilaspur and mines spread over Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh. It has total 92 Mines. Total Underground Mines...

, the similar are the tamils. The native population is of chhattisgaries who speak the chhattisgari language comprise the maximum, living either as the urbun as well as the rural population. The cities most posh colony is Vasant Vihar which is the head quarter of SECL.

Economy

Bilaspur is the headquarters of South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. the largest and most profitable subsidiary of Coal India. The district of Bilspur also has the largest number of cement factories in the state consisting of manufacturers such as Lafarge, Century, ACC. etc. The bilaspur railway zone has been fifth time in a row awarded as the most profitable railway zone by the ministry of Indian railways this year. The district is also well connected to the rest of the country by means of rail and road network hence improving the economy of the city. The city's main commercial hub is Vyapar Vihar, Telipara, Link Road, Sepath Road, Bus Stand Road, Rajiv Plaza and Goal Bazar. Bilaspur is also the Regional Headquarter of Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board, headed by Chief Engineer (BR). The Chief Engineer (BR) has the jurisdiction of Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa and Raigarh Districts for supply of electricity to all LT and HT consumers. After Regional Headquarter of Raipur of CSEB, the Bilaspur is the second largest jurisdiction for supply of electricity in Chhattisgarh State.

Divisions

Bilaspur district consists of 8 tehsil
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....

s. These tehsils are Bilaspur
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Bilaspur is a city in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, situated 111 km north of state capital, Raipur. It is the second-largest city in the state. It is the administrative headquarter of Bilaspur district...

, Pendra Road
Gaurella
Pendra road is a town and nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the state of Chhattisgarh, India.Pendra road is a wellknown Railway station on Bilaspur Katni Rly route of south eastern central railway. holy Tirth Amarkantak, is origin of Holy river Narmada, Son & Juhila. Pendra road is the...

, Lormi
Lormi
Lormi is a town and a nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Geography:Lormi is located at . It has an average elevation of 315 metres .-Demographics:...

, Kota
Kota, Bilaspur
Kota is a town and a nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Geography:Kota is located at . It has an average elevation of 330 metres ....

, Mungeli
Mungeli
Mungeli is a city and a municipality in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Geography:Mungeli is located at . It has an average elevation of 288 metres .-Demographics:...

, Takhatpur
Takhatpur
Takhatpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Geography:Takhatpur is located at . It has an average elevation of 269 metres .one govt. polytechnics and govt...

, Bilha and Masturi. The total number of villages in the district is 1635.

The headquarters of the district is Bilaspur. It is the second largest city in the state and the seat of the High Court of Chhattisgarh. It is called Nyaydhani (legal capital) of Chhattisgarh. Bilaspur is not famous for Kanan Pendari Zoo Park. Arpa is a river passing through the district, it very shallow in depth but does not creates havoc during rains.

Transport

Bilaspur has the zonal office of South East Central Railway
South East Central Railway
The South East Central Railway is one of the sixteen railway zones in India. It is headquartered at Bilaspur and comprises Nagpur division, reorganized Bilaspur division of South Eastern Railway and new Raipur division....

, the 16th zone of Indian Railway which is recognized to have the maximum loading. The city is very well connected to rest of the country through good road and rail network. The city falls in the Mumbai Koklata rail network. The Bilaspur railway station is the most important railway station in the state from where several trains for different parts of the country originate. The District Administration and Municipal Corporation of Bilaspur City are forming a joint venture, to operate world class City Bus services in Bilaspur City by the end of 2007.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census
2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...

 Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...

 of 2,662,077, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...

 or the US state of Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...

. This gives it a ranking of 152nd in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...

). The district has a population density of 322 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...

 over the decade 2001-2011 was 33.21 %. Bilaspur has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....

 of 972 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...

 for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...

 of 71.59 %.

Languages

Languages spoken include Agariya
Agariya language
The Agariya language is spoken by the Agariya people, especially in Madhya Pradesh in India. It is a Munda language....

, an Austro-Asiatic tongue with approximately 72 000 speakers; Bagheli, which has a lexical similarity
Lexical similarity
In linguistics, lexical similarity is a measure of the degree to which the word sets of two given languages are similar. A lexical similarity of 1 would mean a total overlap between vocabularies, whereas 0 means there are no common words....

 of 72-91% with Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

 (compared to 60% for German and English) and is spoken by about 7 800 000 people in Bagelkhand
Bagelkhand
Bagelkhand or Baghelkhand, is a region in central India, in northeastern Madhya Pradesh state. It includes the Madhya Pradesh districts of Anuppur, Rewa, Satna, Shadol, Sidhi, and Umaria....

; and Bharia, a Dravidian
Dravidian languages
The Dravidian language family includes approximately 85 genetically related languages, spoken by about 217 million people. They are mainly spoken in southern India and parts of eastern and central India as well as in northeastern Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, and...

 language spoken by at least 200 000 members of the Bharia
Bharia
Bharia is one of tribes of Madhya Pradesh in India.The Bharias live in Patalkot, which is completely isolated valley some 400 metres below Tamia in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh.This valley is the source of Dudhi River...

 tribe and written in the Devanagari script.

External links

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