Ambikapur's history is deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Surguja princely state. Before India's independence, Surguja was one of the largest and most prominent princely states in the Central Provinces, ruled by the Raksel Rajput dynasty. Ambikapur served as the capital of this kingdom, thriving as an administrative and cultural center in a region predominantly inhabited by indigenous tribal communities like the Gonds, Oraons, and Korwas.
Following India's independence in 1947, the ruler of Surguja signed the Instrument of Accession, and the state was officially merged into the Indian Union on January 1, 1948. It was initially integrated into the state of Madhya Pradesh. During this post-independence era, Ambikapur began its transition from a royal capital to a modern democratic district headquarters, seeing gradual expansions in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
In November 2000, the state of Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh, bringing Ambikapur into the newly formed state. Since then, the city has experienced accelerated economic development and urbanization, evolving into the most vital urban center in northern Chhattisgarh. Its modern history is characterized by a strong focus on sustainable urban planning, most notably its globally recognized decentralized waste management model.