city, central Chhattisgarh state, central India, lying just north of the Seonath River. Rajnandgaon is a major road and rail junction. The city was ruled by a dynasty of Hindu caretakers (mahants) and Gond rajas (chiefs). Succession was by adoption. The last ruler, Ghasi Das, was recognized as a feudal chief by the British government in 1865 and was granted a sanad, or right of adoption. Later the British conferred the title of raja to the ruling mahant. Rajnandgaon was the capital of the former Raj Nandgaon princely state, which merged with Durg district in 1948.

The city lies in a region of fertile plains, drained by several small tributaries of the Seonath River. Rajnandgaon is a trade and cotton-textile centre. Rice and oilseed milling and chemical manufacturing are important. There are several colleges (including a law college) affiliated with Ravishankar University. Pop. (2001) city, 143,770.