Chanda Kingdom: The Untold Story of Vidarbha’s Mighty Gond Empire

thenewsdirt
Jul 25
12 min read

In the dense forests of central India, where the Wardha River carved its way through the Vidarbha plateau, stood one of medieval India's most remarkable yet overlooked kingdoms.

The Chanda Kingdom, centred in present-day Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, represented nearly nine centuries of Gond tribal rule that fundamentally shaped the political, economic, and cultural landscape of central India.

From its humble beginnings in 870 AD to its eventual conquest by Maratha forces in 1751, this kingdom demonstrated how indigenous tribal communities could establish sophisticated administrative systems, innovative agricultural practices, and formidable military structures that rivalled contemporary Hindu and Muslim kingdoms.

The Chanda Kingdom emerged during a period when the Deccan plateau witnessed significant political fragmentation following the decline of early medieval dynasties. Unlike many other kingdoms that rose through military conquest or dynastic alliances, Chanda represented the unique phenomenon of tribal consolidation under centralised rule.

The kingdom's longevity and administrative sophistication challenge conventional historical narratives that often marginalise tribal contributions to Indian statecraft and governance.

Origins and Foundation of Gond Power

According to Gond oral traditions and historical records, the foundation of the Chanda Kingdom traces back to a legendary figure known as Kol Bhill or Kol Bheel, who united scattered Gond tribes and established the first semblance of organised political authority in the region.

This proto-kingdom was later formalised by Bhim Ballal Singh of the Atram clan, who established his rule at Sirpur on the right bank of the Wardha River around 870 AD.

Archaeological evidence and copper plate inscriptions suggest that Bhim Ballal Singh successfully subdued other petty chiefs and created a unified kingdom that would endure for nearly nine centuries.

The early Gond rulers faced the formidable challenge of displacing the existing Mana dynasty, which had dominated the region for a prolonged warfare between these two powers, with the Gonds eventually emerging victorious through superior military organisation and strategic alliances with local tribal groups.

The Mana fortress of Manikgarh, situated in the hills behind Sirpur, became the chief stronghold of the newly established Gond kingdom, serving both as a military bastion and administrative centre.

Bhim Ballal Singh's establishment of Sirpur as his capital represented a calculated decision based on geographical and strategic considerations.

The location provided natural defensive advantages while maintaining access to the fertile alluvial plains of the Wardha River valley. For the first eight generations, Gond kings ruled from Sirpur, gradually consolidating their authority over surrounding territories and developing the administrative infrastructure that would characterise their later expansion.

Administrative Structure and Governance

The Chanda Kingdom developed one of the most sophisticated administrative systems among medieval Indian tribal kingdoms.

The kingdom was organised into a hierarchical structure consisting of garhs (fortified districts), which were further subdivided into chaurasis (units of 84 villages each), and finally into barhots (clusters of 12 villages). This systematic division enabled efficient revenue collection, military mobilisation, and judicial administration across the kingdom's extensive territories.

Each garh was placed under the control of a specific Gond clan, creating a federal structure that balanced central authority with local autonomy.

This system proved remarkably effective in maintaining political stability while accommodating the diverse tribal groups that comprised the kingdom's population. Village-level administration was conducted through traditional democratic institutions, with each village having a headman known as mukhia or patel, supported by a village council chosen by local residents.

The kingdom's administrative apparatus included specialised officials known as Tel Thakurs, who were typically Rajput officers responsible for implementing royal policies and overseeing construction projects.

These officials played crucial roles in the kingdom's major infrastructural undertakings, including the construction of fortified cities and irrigation systems. The integration of Rajput administrative practices with traditional Gond governance structures created a unique hybrid system that combined efficiency with cultural authenticity.

Revenue collection in the Chanda Kingdom followed what historians recognise as the first well-defined system among Gond kingdoms.

The administration developed sophisticated methods for assessing agricultural productivity, collecting taxes, and managing royal finances. Land grants were systematically recorded, and the kingdom maintained detailed records of territorial holdings and tax obligations.

This administrative precision enabled the kingdom to maintain large armies, construct extensive fortifications, and fund ambitious public works projects.

The Founding of Chandrapur and Urban Development

The kingdom's most significant transformation occurred during the reign of Khandkya Ballal Shah (1437-1497 CE), who fundamentally altered both the political and physical landscape of the region.

Khandkya Ballal Shah's decision to establish a new capital at Chandrapur represented the kingdom's evolution from a tribal confederation into a sophisticated medieval state.

The founding legend of Chandrapur reflects the complex interplay between pragmatic statecraft and cultural symbolism that characterised Gond rule. According to traditional accounts, Khandkya Ballal Shah suffered from debilitating tumours that conventional medicine could not cure.

Acting on his wife's advice, he relocated to the northern banks of the Wardha River, where he established the fort of Ballarpur. During a hunting expedition, the king discovered a miraculous spring on the dry bed of the Zarpat River, whose waters reportedly healed his affliction.

The site of this discovery became sacred to the Gonds, who identified cow footprints in the surrounding rock formations as divine signs. Following a prophetic dream, Khandkya Ballal Shah ordered the construction of the Achaleshwar Temple complex at this location. The subsequent sighting of a white-spotted hare being chased by the king's dog provided additional supernatural validation for establishing a fortified city at the confluence of the Erai and Zarpat rivers.

The construction of Chandrapur involved sophisticated urban planning that reflected both defensive requirements and administrative needs. The city was surrounded by formidable walls extending over seven miles in length, punctuated by strategically positioned bastions and gates.

The fortification system represented one of the most advanced examples of Gond military architecture, incorporating lessons learned from centuries of warfare with neighbouring kingdoms.

Within the fortified perimeter, Chandrapur developed into a major urban centre that attracted merchants, artisans, and administrators from across central India.

The city's layout included residential quarters for different social groups, marketplaces for commercial activities, administrative buildings for governmental functions, and religious structures serving various communities. This urban development reflected the kingdom's transformation from a primarily tribal society into a cosmopolitan medieval state.

Economic Foundation and Agricultural Innovation

The Chanda Kingdom's economic prosperity rested on revolutionary agricultural practices that transformed the landscape of central India.

The kingdom developed the most extensive and sophisticated irrigation system among contemporary Gond kingdoms, utilising traditional water harvesting techniques known as katas, mundas, and bandhas.

These irrigation structures were strategically constructed across different topographical zones, from highlands (aat) to lowlands (bahal), maximising agricultural productivity throughout the kingdom's territories.

The irrigation network involved the construction of numerous tanks and reservoirs that captured monsoon rainfall and provided water for year-round cultivation. Village headmen known as gountias, who received land grants from Gond kings, were responsible for maintaining these water systems.

The tanks were typically saucer-shaped structures covering more than four hectares, with some constructed on high plateaus specifically to provide water for wildlife, demonstrating the kingdom's sophisticated understanding of ecological balance.

Agricultural expansion under Gond rule involved systematic forest clearance and the introduction of new crops suited to local conditions. In the high-rainfall areas of eastern Vidarbha, the kingdom promoted commercial cultivation of paddy and sugarcane, along with large-scale jaggery production.

A research centre established by Chanda rulers for improving jaggery quality still stands in the Gadchiroli district, testament to the kingdom's commitment to agricultural innovation.

The kingdom's revenue system was intricately linked to agricultural productivity, with taxes assessed based on land quality and crop yields. The administration developed sophisticated methods for categorising agricultural land according to its productive capacity, enabling fair and efficient tax collection.

Land grants to cultivators, including members of the Kohli community brought from northern India for their expertise in tank and dam construction, created a diverse agricultural economy that supported the kingdom's growing population and military requirements.

Trade and commerce flourished under Gond rule, with Chandrapur serving as a major commercial centre linking northern and southern trade routes. The kingdom's strategic location enabled it to levy taxes on merchant caravans while facilitating the exchange of goods between different regions.

Local industries, including iron smelting, textile production, and handicrafts, contributed to the kingdom's economic diversification and provided employment for urban populations.

Military Organisation and Fortification Systems

The Chanda Kingdom's military capabilities evolved significantly from its tribal origins to become one of the most formidable forces in medieval central India. The kingdom's military organisation combined traditional Gond warrior traditions with sophisticated tactical innovations borrowed from neighbouring Hindu and Muslim kingdoms.

This hybrid approach enabled Chanda forces to successfully defend their territories against numerous external threats while expanding their influence over surrounding regions.

The kingdom's fortification systems represented the pinnacle of Gond military architecture. The Manikgarh fortress, built of massive black stones and situated at an elevation of nearly 1,700 feet, served as the kingdom's primary stronghold.

This virtually impregnable position commanded extensive views over the surrounding countryside and provided a secure base for military operations. The fortress complex included barracks for troops, storage facilities for weapons and supplies, and residential quarters for the royal family during times of crisis.

Chandrapur's urban fortifications demonstrated equally impressive engineering capabilities. The city walls, constructed with thick stone masonry and topped with crenellated parapets, enclosed the entire urban area within a defensive perimeter.

Multiple gates provided controlled access to the city, while internal fortifications created additional defensive positions. The rampart system included broad walkways that enabled rapid troop movement along the walls during siege situations.

The kingdom's military forces included both regular troops and militia units drawn from the general population. Professional soldiers were maintained at major fortifications and royal centres, while village militias provided local defence and could be mobilised for larger campaigns.

The integration of different fighting traditions, including Gond archery skills, Rajput cavalry tactics, and Muslim siege techniques, created a versatile military force capable of adapting to various combat situations.

Weapons production within the kingdom included both traditional tribal arms and more sophisticated military equipment.

Local iron smelting operations provided materials for weapon manufacturing, while skilled craftsmen produced everything from basic spears and arrows to advanced siege equipment. The kingdom's military engineers developed expertise in fortification construction that was recognised throughout central India, with Gond architectural techniques influencing fortification design in neighbouring regions.

Cultural Life and Social Organisation

Gond society within the Chanda Kingdom maintained its distinctive tribal character while adapting to the requirements of centralised governance. The kingdom's social structure combined traditional clan-based organisation with emerging class distinctions that reflected increasing contact with Hindu and Muslim civilisations.

This cultural synthesis created a unique social system that preserved essential Gond traditions while incorporating useful external practices.

The Gond community was traditionally organised into four main groups known as sagas, which were further subdivided into numerous clans (pari). Marriage regulations strictly prohibited unions within the same saga or clan, ensuring genetic diversity and maintaining social cohesion.

The village council system, fundamental to Gond democracy, continued to function within the kingdom's administrative framework, with local decisions made through consensus among community members.

Religious practices within the kingdom reflected the complex interplay between traditional Gond beliefs and external influences.

The native religion, known as Koyapunem or "the way of nature," centred on the worship of Baradeo, the high god, along with numerous clan and village deities. Sacred groves and natural features throughout the kingdom served as religious sites where traditional ceremonies and festivals were conducted according to ancient customs.

Artistic expression flourished under royal patronage, with Gond painters, musicians, and craftsmen developing distinctive styles that combined tribal motifs with courtly sophistication.

Traditional wall paintings known as Bhittichitra and floor decorations called Digna adorned both royal palaces and village homes, creating a visual culture that celebrated both natural beauty and human achievement. Folk songs, dances, and storytelling traditions preserved historical memories while entertaining royal courts and village gatherings.

The kingdom's educational system was largely informal, with knowledge transmitted through family and community networks.

Specialised skills, including metalworking, agriculture, and administrative procedures, were taught through apprenticeship systems that ensured continuity of expertise across generations.

The integration of Rajput administrative practices introduced literacy in Sanskrit and regional languages among the educated elite, facilitating communication with neighbouring kingdoms and the Mughal administration.

Relations with External Powers

Throughout its history, the Chanda Kingdom navigated complex relationships with various external powers, including the Mughal Empire, neighbouring sultanates, and other Gond kingdoms.

These diplomatic challenges required sophisticated statecraft that balanced independence with pragmatic accommodation to changing political circumstances.

During the reign of Babji Ballal Shah, the Ain-i-Akbari recorded the Chanda Kingdom as fully independent, even noting its successful conquests of territory from nearby sultanates.

This period represented the height of the kingdom's military and political power, when Gond forces could challenge established Muslim rulers and expand their territorial control.

However, the expansion of Mughal authority under Akbar forced a strategic reassessment of the kingdom's foreign policy.

The incorporation of territory south of Chanda into the Berar Subah created new pressures that ultimately forced Babji Shah to begin paying tribute to the Mughal Empire. This transition from independence to tributary status reflected the pragmatic realism that characterised Gond statecraft throughout the kingdom's history.

By accepting nominal Mughal suzerainty, Chanda rulers preserved their internal autonomy while avoiding costly military confrontations with superior forces.

Relations with other Gond kingdoms, particularly Deogarh, were frequently strained due to territorial disputes and succession conflicts. An unhappy marriage alliance between the royal families of Chanda and Deogarh created lasting animosity that weakened both kingdoms.

The resulting treaty, which forced Chanda rulers to recognise Deogarh's independence, limited the kingdom's expansion possibilities and created strategic vulnerabilities that later powers would exploit.

The kingdom's interactions with Maratha forces began as defensive responses to increasing pressure from expanding Maratha territories. Initial conflicts during the 17th century escalated into full-scale warfare as Maratha leaders, particularly Raghoji I Bhonsle, recognised the strategic and economic value of Gond territories.

Despite fierce resistance, the kingdom's internal divisions and succession disputes ultimately provided opportunities for Maratha intervention and conquest.

The End of an Era: Maratha Conquest and Legacy

The final chapter of the Chanda Kingdom began with the death of Nilkantha Shah in 1751, marking the end of nearly nine centuries of continuous Gond rule. The kingdom's conquest by Raghoji I Bhonsle symbolised the triumph of expansionist Maratha policies over traditional tribal governance systems throughout central India.

Raghoji I Bhonsle's systematic conquest of Gond territories between 1745 and 1755 demonstrated the superior military organisation and political unity of the Maratha confederacy.

The Maratha advantage lay not only in better weapons and training but also in their ability to exploit internal divisions within Gond kingdoms. Succession disputes, territorial conflicts between different Gond rulers, and the absence of effective military coordination enabled Maratha forces to conquer territories that had resisted external domination for centuries.

The integration of former Chanda territories into the Nagpur kingdom brought significant changes to local administration, economy, and society.

Maratha revenue systems replaced traditional Gond practices, while Marathi gradually superseded Gondi as the official language of administration. Large numbers of Maratha settlers, particularly from the Kunbi community, migrated into the region, fundamentally altering the demographic and cultural landscape.

Despite political subjugation, many aspects of Gond civilisation persisted under Maratha rule. Traditional village governance systems continued to function at the local level, while Gond cultural practices, religious beliefs, and social customs remained largely intact.

Some former Gond nobles retained positions within the new administrative system, serving as intermediaries between Maratha authorities and tribal populations.

The Chanda Kingdom's historical significance extends far beyond its political boundaries or chronological limits. Its sophisticated administrative systems, innovative agricultural practices, and successful integration of tribal and non-tribal elements created a model for governance that influenced subsequent political developments throughout central India.

The kingdom's emphasis on decentralised administration, ecological sustainability, and cultural accommodation offers valuable insights for contemporary discussions about indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and political decentralisation.

Modern archaeological and historical research continues to reveal new aspects of the Chanda Kingdom's achievements and influence. Irrigation systems constructed under Gond rule still function today, providing water for agricultural communities across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Fortifications built by Gond engineers remain impressive monuments to their architectural capabilities, while cultural traditions maintained by contemporary Gond communities preserve important elements of the kingdom's social and religious heritage.

The Kingdom of Chanda stands as a remarkable testimony to the political sophistication and cultural richness of medieval India's tribal communities.

Its nearly nine-century history challenges conventional historical narratives that marginalise indigenous contributions to Indian civilisation, demonstrating instead how tribal societies could create complex, durable, and innovative forms of governance that successfully competed with contemporary Hindu and Muslim kingdoms.

As scholars continue to explore this fascinating chapter of Indian history, the Chanda Kingdom's legacy continues to inform our understanding of India's diverse political traditions and their continuing relevance for contemporary governance challenges.