History of Bastar

An Ethnographic Kaleidoscope

Traditionally, the area finds mention in the Ramayan as the Dandakaranya, while the Mahabharat says it was part of the Kosala kingdom. In the medieval era, the princely state of Bastar was established in 1324 CE when Annama Deva, brother to the last Kakatiya King Pratapa Rudra Deva left Warangal and established his kingdom at Bastar under the tutelage of the local goddess Danteshwari who continues to have the famous temple of Danteshwari dedicated to her, and comes alive during Dusherra.

Bastar region was a princely state whose capital was Jagdalpur.

It was established around 1324 AD when Annama Deva, the brother of the last king Kakatiya, Pratapa Rudra Deva (1290-1325), left Warangal (Telangana) and established his kingdom under the tutelage of the local goddess ‘Dantheshwari’. A goddess who is still the patron deity of Bastar region.

Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo (1929-1966), 20th and last king of the princely state of Bastar, ascended the throne in 1936, before Bastar was incorporated into India in 1948. Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo supported the cause of the tribes and provided them with political support against the exploitation of the natural resources of the region and land corruption in the early 1960s. This caused unrest in the region. In March 1966, when the Maharaja ruled a tribal movement in Bastar, he was shot down during a “police action”.

The current Maharaja, Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo, 22nd King of Bastar, is the grandson of Vijay Chandra Bhanj Deo, the younger brother of the Maharaja killed. Born in 1984, Kamal Chandra graduated in business in UK and has entered politics.