Pandit Sundarlal Sharma was born on 21st December 1881 in Chamshur village near Rajim, Raipur district. A pioneering freedom fighter, he championed social justice, equality, and non-violence. He founded Smitra Mandal to promote indigenous goods and played a major role in establishing a political council in Dhamtari (1918) and organizing a district conference in 1919. In 1921, he was instrumental in bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Chhattisgarh. He also initiated the Canal Satyagraha in Kandel (1929), contributing significantly to political awareness in the region. Deeply inspired by Gandhiji, Sharma dedicated his life to the upliftment of the marginalized, founding ashrams and schools for Harijans and orphans. A scholar fluent in many languages, he was fond of poetry from a young age. By his twenties, he was recognized as a leading intellectual of the Rajim area. His empathy for social injustice led him into active politics, where he worked closely with leaders like Gandhiji, Madan Mohan Malviya, and Lala Lajpat Rai. He was the first person arrested in Chhattisgarh for his role in the freedom movement (1921–22). He remained a reformer throughout his life, fighting casteism, untouchability, and exploitation. He passed away in 1940, leaving behind a powerful legacy of activism and patriotism. Honoring his contributions, he is often called the “Gandhi of Chhattisgarh”, and this university is named after him to carry forward his values.