Proposed gallery to display royal artefacts, historical documents and traditional customs, with royal families involved in preserving the state’s cultural legacy and promoting heritage tourism
TFP Bureau,Raipur, October 27, 2026: The Chhattisgarh government has initiated plans to establish ‘Riyasat Vithika’, a dedicated gallery showcasing the history, royal traditions and cultural heritage of the state’s 14 former princely states under one roof.
A detailed action plan for the proposed gallery was presented at a meeting held at the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board’s conference hall at Udyog Bhawan in Raipur on Tuesday. Descendants and representatives of royal families were invited to share suggestions to ensure the project accurately reflects the historical significance and traditions of their respective princely states.
The initiative aims to preserve the state’s historical legacy and introduce younger generations to its royal past. It is also expected to create new opportunities for tourism, education and historical research.
Rare artefacts and royal traditions to be showcased
The proposed gallery will feature a range of historical and cultural objects, including royal court emblems, traditional attire, weapons, ancient coins, seals and historical documents. It will also document the festivals, customs, rituals and traditions associated with the former princely states.
Many of these heritage assets are currently held in royal palaces, private family collections, local museums and archives. The proposed gallery seeks to bring this material together in an organised and accessible format, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of Chhattisgarh’s history, art and culture.
Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Chairman Nilu Sharma said the state had considerable potential in tourism, culture, religion and archaeology, with its former princely states contributing significantly to its distinct historical identity.
He said the government was also working to develop historical palaces as heritage tourism destinations and homestays. Such efforts, he added, could help preserve historic properties while creating new avenues for tourism.
Royal families to play key role
Tourism and Culture Secretary Dr. S. Bharathidasan outlined the objectives of Riyasat Vithika and emphasised the importance of preserving, documenting and presenting the unique heritage of the former princely states.
He said the suggestions and guidance of royal families would receive special consideration during the gallery’s development. A nodal officer would be appointed to coordinate with each princely state and facilitate the collection and documentation of historical artefacts and related information.
Representatives of the royal families offered suggestions on making the proposed gallery informative, engaging and historically representative.
Those attending the meeting included Rajya Sabha MP Devendra Pratap Singh of the Raigarh royal family; Adityeshwar Sharan Singh Deo and Kumudini Devi of Surguja; Dr. Parivesh Mishra and Kulisha Devi of Sarangarh; Yogeshwar Raj Singh and Maikleshwar Singh of Kawardha; Giriraj Kishore Das of Chhuikhadan; Jitendra Narsingh Rana of Udaipur-Dharamjaigarh; and Aryavrat Singh and Shatakshi Singh of Khairagarh.
Dharmendra Singh of Sakti and Vindheshwar Singh Deo of Surguja also participated through video conference.
Boost to heritage tourism and research
The proposed gallery is expected to serve as an educational resource for students and researchers while attracting tourists interested in Chhattisgarh’s royal history and cultural traditions.
Officials said collaboration with the royal families would be important in documenting the region’s heritage and ensuring that historical artefacts and traditions are presented meaningfully to future generations.
Dr. Sanjay Kannauje, Director of the state’s Department of Culture and Archaeology, and Soumil Ranjan Chaubey, Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, were among the officials present at the meeting.
