The first significant rebellion against the oppressive practice of 'Begar Pratha' (forced, unpaid labor) in Chhattisgarh's Princely States occurred in Rajnandgaon.
The historical records indicate that Rajnandgaon was the princely state where this initial organized opposition to Begar Pratha took place.
| I | II |
| I. Annie Besant | First Indian woman to become Congress President in 1925 |
| II. Badruddin Tyabji | First Muslim President of Congress in 1887 |
| III. Mahatma Gandhi | Presided over the Belgaum session of Congress in 1924 |
| IV. Syed Ahmed Khan | Earned the knighthood in 1888 |