Inhabitants of Sindhughati (banks of Sindhu River) separated from Prag Dravidians in 1500 BC. One section of this separated group who reached Bastar has its mention in ancient Sanskrit Literature as Dravid speaking "Nag". Chhindak Nags were the ancestors of Gond Tribe. Bastar has been a colony of the rulers of the Satavahana dynasty from 72 BC to 200 AD. History of Dantewada District also suggests some traces of flourishing of Buddhism and Jainism before Nala dynasty that can be seen in this region. Further, tribal republican ruling system had existed in this region from 600 BC to 1324 AD, during the periods of Nalas (350 to 760) and Nagas (760 to 1324) which is worth mentioning. The system had gradually been ruined in the later periods. The down-fall of this ruling system was much more during the period of Chalukya Dynasty (1324 to 1774) destroying the splendid tradition of Gonds. The entry of outsiders had laid the foundation of Feudalism in this region. As per the history of Dantewada District, the names of different dynasties or rulers of this region are Nalas (350-760 AD), Nagas (760-1324 AD), Chalukya (1324-1777 AD), Bhonsle (1777-1853 AD) and British (1853-1947 AD). Moreover, the capitals of Dantewada region at different times of the history are Chitapur, Rajpur, Dantewada, Bade-Dongar, Rajnagar, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Mandhota and Barsur. |