Unsung heroes of Atharahagadh fought Britishers fearlessly

For almost two hundred years, India was ruled by the British that was marked by atrocities and oppression. During these pre-Independent years, the British was able to suppress almost every rebellion including the first war of Independence in 1857. However, Tribals in the Atharahagadh gave a tough fight to the British and the main heroes of this fight include the descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan, Raja Surendra Sai of Sambalpur and Veer Narayan Singh, the zamindar of Sonakhan. Atharahagadh was mainly ruled by Gond kings and landlords. Some of the zamindars were Gonds and most were Binjhwars. Forest produce had special significance for the residents of Athragarh. The land here was also very fertile. Atharahagadh of the eighteen century includes present-day east Chhattisgarh and west Odisha.