Ghasidas

Guru Ghasidas (18 December 1756 – 1850) was the Guru of the Satnam Dharma, a Satnami Saint and a great Scholar from Chhattisgarh in the early 19th century. It was Guru Ghasidas who started preaching in a deep forested part of Chhattisgarh.

Ghasidas was born on 18 December 1756 in Giroudpuri village of Nagpur (present-day village of Giraudpuri at Baloda Bazar in Chhattisgarh) into Satnami caste. Guru Ghasidas was the son of Mahangu Das and Amrautini Mata. Ghasidas preached Satnam particularly for the people of Chhattisgarh. After Guru Ghasidas, his teachings were carried on by his son, Guru Balakdas. Guru Ghasidas is the founder of the Satnami community in Chhattisgarh and also Satnam religion. During his lifetime, the political atmosphere in India was one of exploitation. Ghasidas experienced the evils of the caste system in the early age, which helped him to understand the social dynamics in a caste-ridden society and rejecting social inequality. To find solutions, he travelled extensively across Chhattisgarh.

Guru Ghasidas established Satnami community in Chhattisgarh based on "Satnam" (meaning "Truth") and equality. Guru Ghasidas created a symbol of truth called Jai Stambh – a white painted log of wood, with a white flag on the top. The structure indicates a white man who follows the truth "Satnam" is always steadfast and is the Pillar of Truth (Satya Stambh). The white flag indicates peace.

Monuments

 * The Government of Chhattisgarh renamed a part of Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve after him, that is Guru Ghasidas National Park.
 * They also opened a Central University called "Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya."