Hin: राजनांदगांव rājnāndgāon
‘Royal Nand City’ – [Nandgram] City/District, Chhattisgarh
From Skt: rāj, ‘king’, ‘royal,’ Nand dynasty; and Hin: gāon/grāma, ‘village’ , ‘settlement.’
The name is linked to the kings who ruled the region possibly related to Krishna. Some accounts suggest that the name reflects a combination of earlier settlements—Rājāgaon and Nandgaon—which later merged. The area was ruled by Hindu and Maratha chiefs before British annexation.
Historically, Rajnandgaon was governed by Bairagi kings, a line of Vaishnavite rulers who were patrons of temples and cultural institutions. The princely state of Rajnandgaon existed under British suzerainty until India’s independence. The rulers were known for their administrative reforms and contributions to education.
Today, Rajnandgaon is an emerging industrial and commercial hub, with textile, steel, and agricultural industries.
The city is also home to Bambleshwari Temple at Dongargarh which sits is on a hilltop 488m high.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Chhattisgarh place names.
