Overview
Mahasamund district is an administrative district in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. Located in the eastern part of the state, it forms part of the Raipur division and shares its eastern boundary with the state of Odisha. The district headquarters is the town of Mahasamund.
Key facts
| Name | Mahasamund district |
|---|---|
| State | Chhattisgarh |
| Country | India |
| Division | Raipur |
| Headquarters | Mahasamund |
| Region | Chhattisgarh plains |
Background and formation
Mahasamund district was carved out of the erstwhile Raipur district. It was constituted as a separate district on 6 July 1998, when the larger Raipur district was reorganised to improve administrative reach. With the formation of the state of Chhattisgarh on 1 November 2000, the district became part of the new state, having earlier been a part of Madhya Pradesh.
Geography
The district lies in the south-eastern portion of the Chhattisgarh plain. It is bounded by Raipur and Baloda Bazar districts to the west and north, Gariaband district to the south, and the districts of Bargarh and Nuapada in Odisha to the east. The terrain is largely plain with patches of forest in the eastern fringes near the Odisha border. The Mahanadi river flows through the district, and the Sondur and other tributaries drain parts of the area. Paddy is the dominant crop, supported by canal and tank irrigation.
Administration
For administrative purposes, the district is organised into tehsils and development blocks centred on towns including Mahasamund, Bagbahra, Pithora, Basna, Saraipali, and Sankra. The district is part of the Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency, and several Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) constituencies of Chhattisgarh fall within or overlap with its boundaries.
Economy
The economy of the district is predominantly agrarian. Rice cultivation is the principal occupation, and the area is sometimes referred to within the state as a "rice bowl" zone. Forest produce, including tendu leaves used in the manufacture of bidis, contributes to rural incomes. Small and medium industries, rice mills, and trade linked to the Raipur–Sambalpur corridor of National Highway 53 (formerly NH-6) form the secondary sector. The highway, along with the Howrah–Mumbai railway route which passes through the district, supports its connectivity.
Demographics
Mahasamund has a predominantly rural population, with Chhattisgarhi and Hindi as the principal languages of communication. Odia is also spoken in the eastern parts owing to proximity with Odisha. Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes together constitute a significant share of the population, with communities such as the Gond and Kamar present in the district.
Culture and places of interest
The district contains a number of historical and religious sites. Sirpur, on the banks of the Mahanadi, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Chhattisgarh and is associated with the ancient Sarabhapuriya and Panduvamshi dynasties. The Lakshmana Temple at Sirpur, a brick temple dated broadly to the 7th century, is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, and Buddhist viharas and stupas excavated at the site indicate the town's importance as a centre of Buddhism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism. The annual Sirpur Mahotsav is held to showcase the heritage of the area.
Related topics
- Chhattisgarh
- Raipur division
- Sirpur, Chhattisgarh
- Mahanadi
- Mahasamund (Lok Sabha constituency)
- Districts of Chhattisgarh
References
- Wikidata: Q2450240
- Government of Chhattisgarh, district portal of Mahasamund.
- Archaeological Survey of India, list of centrally protected monuments in Chhattisgarh.