They carved the destiny of Chhattisgarh, now craving for identity
Having left an immortal imprint on the lifestyle of the natives of Chhattisgarh, the members of the Kalachuri dynasty are struggling to attain the glories that the family had once basked in the past.
The family brings the tale of “riches to rags” a reality. It was the Kalachuri effect that Chhattisgarh was separate from rest of the Madhya Pradesh because of its distinct identity and culture. The history of Kalachuris dates back to Mahabharat era, where they were known as Haihayavanshi.
The trace of Haihayavanshi gets from 2nd century AD when they rose from Maahishmati, now known as Maheshwar near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Krishnaraj was the most powerful ruler of Kalachuri. Credit is given to Kokalla-I for expanding the limits of the dynasty. He established his capital at Tripuri near Jabalpur in the 8th Century AD.
During that period, Baana rulers, who were the feudatories of Pallavas, were ruling Chhattisgarh and Pali near Bilaspur was their capital. History suggests that Mugdhtung of Kalachuri dynasty invaded in Chhattisgarh and defeated the Baana rulers in 10th Century AD. The star of Kalachuri dynasty was Kalingraj’s grandson Ratnadev, who founded his capital at Ratnapur near Bilaspur.
The place is still famous as Ratanpur for being the abode of Goddess Mahamaya, the family Goddess of the Kalchuris. Jajalladev was another great ruler of this dynasty, on whose name Janjgir district had been named.
Misfortune struck Kalachuris when Marathas invaded Ratanpur in 1740 AD. By the time Raghunath Singh was ruling Ratanpur. After facing the defeat, the Kalchuris had to lump staying at Badgaon as Zamindars of a tiny village.
Accustomed to luxuries, the Kalachuris found difficult to manage with the revenue they were getting from Badgaon village. The Marathas gave them five villages Goinda, Mudhena, Nandgaon, Bhaalesar and Badgaon on the banks of Mahanadi and were exempted from paying taxes.
Like any other Zamindars or the kings of India, independence was not a pleasant matter for the Kalachuris of Badgaon as their powers were snatched; making them subjects.
Archaeologists say the Kalachuris are the only dynasty in India who ruled for the longest period. They ruled in Chhattisgarh from 10th Century AD to 1740; almost 740 years. The Kalachuris had championed in water management. A number of ponds in villages as well as cities of Chhattisgarh stand testimony to it.
The family with such a glorious past is now leading an anonymous life at a secluded corner of village Badgaon and village Mudhena. In a dilapidated house at Mudhena, they are experiencing the bitter taste of destiny.
“The fact that our forefathers were the rulers of Chhattisgarh will not feed us,” the left-over members of Kalchuri dynasty say.
In the name of property, the eldest member has 30 acres of land and a mine of tiles on the bank of river Mahanadi. He is like other Kalachuris who have turned from rulers to cultivators. The Haihayavanshi Kalachuri family is now scattered. A few have worked as government servant while others opt for agriculture.
Even people of Chhattisgarh have failed to recognise the family that once ruled the region. For, a few members tried their luck in electoral politics but none can win an election.
