Rajnandgaon's history is deeply intertwined with the ancient and medieval dynasties of central India, including the Somvanshis, Kalachuris, and Marathas. The city's formal establishment as a center of power began when it became the capital of the princely state of Nandgaon, founded by Mahant Ghasi Das in the early 19th century. Under the rule of the Mahants (originally spiritual leaders who became feudal rulers), the town saw significant infrastructure development, including the establishment of schools, dispensaries, and public water works.
A watershed moment in the city's history occurred in 1892 with the establishment of the Bengal Nagpur Cotton (BNC) Mill. This transformed Rajnandgaon into a prominent industrial town. The mill also became the epicenter of the early Indian labor movement. In 1920, labor leader and freedom fighter Thakur Pyarelal Singh organized a massive, successful 36-day mill workers' strike, which drew national attention and visits from prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement.
Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Nandgaon acceded to the Indian Union in 1948, initially becoming part of the Durg district in Madhya Pradesh. Rajnandgaon was later carved out as an independent district in 1973. In the year 2000, it became part of the newly formed state of Chhattisgarh. Since then, the city has evolved from a quiet mill town into a bustling center for education, agro-commerce, and regional administration.
