In 4^Th B.C. Before the arrival of maurya dynasty,this region was in the Lord of Nanda clan. Before 3 B.C. this region was divided into tiny parts and their headman after quarrel among  themselves. Then a Rajputa kings belongs to Rakshal clan in palamu district (Bihar) attacked and taken in his control. In 1820 Amar singh was the Kings of Surguja state who had been crowned as “Maharaja” in 1826. In 1882 Raghunath Sharan Singh Deo had taken his control over Surguja state  who has been conferred as “Maharaja” by Lord Daffariu. After the contemporary victory of India he established Edward Middle School, Post Office ,Telegraph Office ,Medical stores ,jail and courts in Ambikapur capital of Surguja.

 According to holy books Lord Rama had visited Surguja during his fourteen years of "Vanwas" period. There are many places in connection to epic of Ramayana. Many places are named after Lord Rama, Laxmana and Goddess Sita, they are Ramgarh, Sita-Bhengra and Laxmangarh. Verses of Poet Kalidas who wrote "Ramayan" are found at the Sita-Bhengra cave.

Major population comprises tribal population. Among these primitive tribes are Pando and Korwa , who are still living in forest, the Pando tribes believes themselves as the member of "Pandav" clan of epic Mahabharat. Korwa tribes believes to be member of  "Kauravs" of Mahabharata.

The Mahanadi Basin :

This drainage system is called as southward river system . The general slope of west Surguja  is towards south and about 25% drainage comes in this system. Southerly rivers of district are the Hasdo and Gej, which forms the part of the Mahanandi Drainage System.

This drainage system is called as southward river system . The general slope of west Surguja  is towards south and about 25% drainage comes in this system. Southerly rivers of district are the Hasdo and Gej, which forms the part of the Mahanandi Drainage System.

The Kanhar : 

This river rises from Gidha-Dhodha  on the Khudia plateau in jashpur tahsil  of  raigarh  district and flowing northward ,forms the eastern boundary of district with palamau district of bihar state. This river flows for 100 Kms in district. It is fed by small tributaries – Suria,Chana,Sendur and Kursa on it's left bank and Galphulla, Semarkhar, Riger and the Cherna nallah on it's right bank . 

A number of waterfalls are located along the track of the river. Pavai fall near Kothali village (Balrampur) is of about 61 meters. Hydro-electricity is proposed here since last two decades.

The Rihand :

This river also referred  as Rend or Rehar , rises in the region south west of the Mainpat plateau, which is about 1,100 meters above mean sea level, from Matiranga hills. The river flows north roughly through the central part of the district for 160 Kms. The Rihand and it's tributaries form a fertile plain  in the central district stretching  around Ambikapur

A medium irrigation project is working  on Ghungutta river, since 1981, near Darima Air Strip under taken  by World Bank ,Which is about 15 kms from Ambikapur . The Mahan is a  perennial river ,on which medium Multipurpose project is under consideration by Central water Comission.

Climate

The climate of district is characterized by a hot summer and well distributed rainfall during the monsoon season. With its general monsoonal character, the region according to thornthwait's classification falls in the Tropical Thermal belt assigns it the grassland type character.

According to trewartha's classification the Surguja falls in AW class which is based on temperature and vegetation. The symbol AW denotes Tropical Swanah region. The chief feature of this climate is long dry period average monthly temperature rising over 18 ⁰C, through maximum summer temperature may even go up to 46 ⁰C. In winter the temperature not go below 18 ⁰C .The monsoon bring sufficient rains.