Raigarh is the 137th largest Hindi speaking city of India with a total population of 1,37,126. The highest employment in Raigarh district is in the sectors of Agriculture, Mineral, Wooden furniture and other household Industry. 77% of the workforce is employed in the Agricultural Sector, 21% in the Industrial Sector and the remaining 2% are Household workers. The major exportable items are steel-based products. The Kelo river flows through the city, which is one of its main water sources. Raigarh is a major rice producing district with a net production of 350,000 tonnes per annum. The other crops produced are Wheat, Jowar, Maize etc. Prior to Indian Independence, Raigarh was capital of the Princely State of Raigarh. After the independence of the country, the princely state was the first ones to join the Union of India. The Royal family still resides here, but due to Privy Purse and internal conflicts, the royalty seems to have faded away. Moreover, the palace - Moti Mahal - is in very bad shape. It has recently been declared a heritage site by the state government. Raigarh estate was founded in 1625. In 1911 Raigarh estate was recognized as a state. Among the notable rulers of State were Deonath Singh, who assisted the British in the Mutiny of 1857. Other rulers were Raja Bahadur Bhup Deo Singh, Raja Chakradhar Singh. Chakradhar Singh is noted for his contributions to Kathak and Hindustani music, especially for the founding of Raigarh Gharana. The last ruler was Lalit Kumar Singh, his son succeeded him to the throne of Raigarh and ruled briefly before the Raigarh State was merged into the Union of India on December 14, 1947.
