Hin: बिलासपुर bilāspur
‘Bilasa’s Village’ – City/District, Chhattisgarh
From Bilasa Devi and Skt/Hin: pur, ‘settlement’, ‘village’.
The name Bilaspur originated from Bilasa Devi, a tribal fisherwoman who founded this village berore it was a city. For a long period it consisted only of a few fishermen’s huts.
Another theory suggests that the name may derive from Hin: bilwa/bilva [Aegle marmelos, or bael tree]. The tree, particularly the leaf, is sacred in Hinduism, particularly in Siva worship. The pulp
The area was part of the Dakshina Kosala kingdom, ruled by dynasties like the Kalachuris of Ratanpur (10th–18th century).The Marathas took control in the 18th century, influencing political connexions and trade.
In the British period it became an important railway hub following the opening of Bilaspur railway station on the main NMumbai to Kolkata line. This gave trade and commerce a significant boost.
Bilaspur has developed into Chhattisgarh’s second-largest city, known for rice production, the South Eastern Coalfields, and the High Court of Chhattisgarh (which gives it its nickname Law Capital of Chhattisgarh).
For related place names see Indian Place names and Chhattisgarh place names.
