NAVA RAIPUR
MINING AND NAXALISM HAVE, for years, shaped the conversations around Chhattisgarh. But now, the state is carving out a new identity, one rooted in its rich tribal culture and history.
Just six months after opening its first tribal museum in Nava Raipur, it has unveiled another—a freedom fighters’ museum dedicated to the many tribal groups who rose against the British but rarely found space in mainstream narratives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial and Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum—named after Chhattisgarh’s first freedom fighter who was part of the 1857 rebellion—in Nava Raipur on November 1.
It is a joint venture of the Union tribal affairs ministry and the state government. Spread across 9.75 acres and built at a cost of Rs53.13 crore, it has been billed as India’s first digital tribal museum.
The first thing you notice upon entering is an installation of a tree—a blend of saja, sal and mahua—central to the tribal way of life. Behind it hang the symbols of tribal resistance. Three pieces of graffiti: The first, a fist holding a mango twig, signalling people to gather for a meeting; the second, where the fist clutches both a mango twig and red chillies, indicating that a decision was to be taken; and the third, where the fist also grips an arrow, calling for a meeting to plan armed resistance.
These elements set the tone as you move into the galleries—16 in all, with nearly 650 sculptures and digital displays depicting major tribal uprisings, from the Halba and Sarguja Kranti to the jhanda (flag) and jungle satyagrahas.
The display begins with a vivid portrayal of tribal life in Chhattisgarh, captured through life-size statues of men and women dancing, beating drums, tending to animals and moving through their daily lives. One of the most striking displays is the ‘Kaanta Jhula’, or thorn swing. Anil Virulkar, assistant director at the Tribal Research and Training Institute, explained that a person possessed by a divine spirit would sit on it.
The galleries also depict the cultures of several particularly vulnerable tribal groups, such as the Abujhmadia, Baiga, Kamar, Birhor and Pahadi Korwa.
The display traces how tribal lives were upended with the arrival of the British and the Marathas, the atrocities that followed, the violence unleashed, and the many stories of tribal resistance from 1774 to 1939.
The museum has several interactive audio-visual displays and a mini-theatre, which runs a short film on the struggle of tribal leaders such as Veer Narayan Singh, Ramadhin Gond and Gaind Singh.
“We’re planning an amphitheatre, too,” said Sonmoni Borah, principal secretary of the state tribal welfare department.
The state government is also taking other steps to showcase its tribal heritage. “We are strengthening public awareness through school curriculum updates, documentation projects and national cultural platforms,” Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai told THE WEEK.
This year marks 25 years since the formation of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, both carved out in recognition of their significant tribal populations. While Jharkhand foregrounds its role in the freedom struggle through the legacy of Birsa Munda, Chhattisgarh is doing the same through Veer Narayan Singh. “Our identity today is one that combines cultural pride, youth aspirations and peaceful development, moving far beyond the stereotypes of the past,” said Sai. “In a state where the tribal population is nearly 31 per cent, initiatives such as PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adiwasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) and the Dharti Aaba Abhiyan have further strengthened efforts to preserve, promote and celebrate tribal heritage.”
While the latest museum marks a significant step, for a visitor its ambition can be overwhelming. Housing 16 rebellions under one roof can be difficult to absorb at one go. Its location, far from Raipur city, can also pose a challenge. “We’re planning for a bus stop here,” said Borah.
But why focus on a museum when the state faces challenges such as development and Naxalism? “At a time when development is reaching even our most remote villages and Naxal footprints have sharply shrunk, institutions like this museum hold special significance,” said the chief minister. “They help our people reconnect with their heritage and draw strength from the sacrifices of our tribal ancestors. Cultural spaces build confidence, deepen identity and remind society that progress is not only about infrastructure, but also about preserving memory and honouring those who shaped our history.”