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Raipur

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Raipur is the capital city of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It serves as the administrative headquarters for both the Raipur district and the Raipur division. As the most populous city in the state, it acts as a vital commercial hub for trade and commerce. The city is a major center for industrial growth in Central India. It has gained recognition for its cleanliness and urban management. In 2021, the Swachh Survekshan ranked Raipur as India's 6th cleanest city.

A view of Raipur Junction railway station
A view of Raipur Junction railway station

The geography of Raipur places it near the center of a vast plain. This region is often called the "rice bowl of India" because of its many rice varieties. To the east, the Mahanadi River flows past the city. The landscape is surrounded by diverse landforms. The Maikal Hills rise to the north-west of the city. To the north, the land merges with the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The Deccan Plateau lies to the south. This variety of terrain defines the local environment.

Raipur experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. Temperatures remain moderate for most of the year. However, the months from March to June can be extremely hot. During this time, dry and hot winds often blow through the city. Most rainfall occurs during the monsoon season. This season lasts from mid-June to early October. Winters occur from November to February. These months are usually mild, though temperatures can fall to quite cold levels.

Swami vivekananda Airport terminal Raipur. Night view
Swami vivekananda Airport terminal Raipur. Night view

The history of the Raipur district is very ancient. The area was once known as Dakshina Kosala. It was part of the Maurya Empire long ago. In the 6th century CE, a Gupta inscription in Arang showed Gupta rule in the region. Later, a Buddhist kingdom ruled from Bhandak. This family eventually moved to Sirpur and controlled all of Dakshina Kosala. The prosperity of this kingdom peaked under the ruler Tivaradeva. Eventually, the Kalachuri dynasty took control of the region.

Rajkumar College Raipur
Rajkumar College Raipur

One branch of the Kalachuri family, the Kalachuris of Raipur, gained power by the 14th century. A king from this branch conquered 18 different forts, or garhs. This event helped give the state its name, Chhattisgarh, which means 36 forts. By the 18th century, the Kalachuris were the overlords of the entire Chhattisgarh region. This long history of different dynasties has shaped the identity of the area. The transition from ancient empires to modern administration is a central part of the city's story.

Today, Raipur is a massive industrial powerhouse. It is one of the largest producers of steel and iron in India. The city contains about 200 steel rolling mills and 195 sponge iron plants. There are also at least 6 large steel plants. Other industries include 60 plywood factories and 35 ferro-alloy plants. The agro-industry is also very strong. There are 500 agro industries and over 800 rice milling plants.

Raipur Railway station
Raipur Railway station

Demographics show that Raipur is a large and diverse urban center. According to the 2011 census, the Raipur Municipal Corporation had a population of 1,010,433 people. The sex ratio was 945 females per 1000 males. This is higher than the national average of 940 per 1000. The literacy rate in the city is also quite high. The effective literacy rate was 86.90%. This is significantly higher than the national average of 73.00%.

Vivekananda Raipur
Vivekananda Raipur

Civic management is handled by the Raipur Municipal Corporation. This body was first established by the British in 1867. It was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation in 1973. The corporation covers an area of 503.67 square kilometers. It is responsible for building schools, health centers, and roads. The city also manages water and waste. The Kharun River is a primary source of unfiltered water for the city. About 170 million liters of water are treated every day to meet the needs of the population.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Raipur Railway station.png
Raipur Railway station.png
File:A view of Raipur Junction railway station.jpg
A view of Raipur Junction railway station.jpg
File:Swami vivekananda Airport terminal Raipur. Night view.jpg
Swami vivekananda Airport terminal...
File:Rajkumar College Raipur.jpg
Rajkumar College Raipur.jpg
File:Vivekananda Raipur.JPG
Vivekananda Raipur.JPG
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