Jharkhand

Table of Contents

Jharkhand, located in eastern India, is a state known for its rich mineral resources, dense forests, and vibrant tribal culture. It was carved out of Bihar in the year 2000 and has since emerged as a hub of industrial activity, particularly in sectors like mining, steel, and power generation. The state boasts a diverse terrain, including hills, plateaus, and rivers, offering ample opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure sports. With a strong emphasis on preserving its indigenous heritage, Jharkhand showcases colorful festivals, traditional art forms, and a deep connection to nature.

Jharkhand at a Glance

Formation	15 November 2000 (birth anniversary of Birsa Munda) It was carved out of Bihar
Literal Meaning	The land of forest
Borders with other state	Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south and West Bengal to the east.
Capital	Ranchi
Sub Capital	Dumka
Area	79,714 km²
Population	3.3 Crores
Population Density	414/km²
Official Language	Hindi
Additional official	Angika, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Bhumij, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, Magahi, Maithili, Mundari, Nagpuri, Odia, Santali, Urdu
Litaracy (2011)	66.41%
Sex Ratio	948
Lakes	Hudco Lake: Located in Jamshedpur. Rukka Dam: Situated near Ranchi. Patratu Lake: Also known as Patratu Dam Reservoir. Getalsud Dam: Located on the Subarnarekha River near Ranchi. Dimna Lake: Situated near Jamshedpur (an artificial reservoir).
National Parks	Betla National Park
Rivers	Damodar, Subarnarekha, Barakar, Kharkai, Koel
Waterfalls	Hundru Fall, Jonha Fall, Dassam Fall
Highest Point	Parasnath (1,365 m)

State Symbols

State Animal	Elephant
State Bird	Koel
State Flower	Palash
State Tree	Saal

History

Ancient Tribes and Culture:
- The tribes of Jharkhand have lived in the region’s hills and forests for thousands of years.
- Their way of life and culture have remained largely unchanged over the ages, with only minor changes in recent decades.
- Scholars believe that the language spoken by these tribes might be similar to the one used by the ancient Harappan people.
Historical Background:
- Around 500 BC, during the age of Mahajanpadas, the region around Jharkhand was rich in mineral resources, particularly iron, which made it strategically important. The area was controlled by Magadha Mahajanpad.
British Colonial Era:
- The British identified Jharkhand as a valuable source of raw materials for their industries and established a vast railway network to exploit its resources.
- Calcutta was developed as a major port to export these raw materials to England.
- Birsa Munda and Sidho-Kanho were legendary tribal heroes who fought against British oppression, advocating for tribal rights over forests and land.
Struggle for Independence and Statehood:
- After independence, Jharkhand remained part of Bihar.
- Over the last fifty years, tribal communities fought against the dominance of Northern Bihar, which benefited greatly from the region’s mineral wealth.
- Jharkhand finally became a separate state on November 15, 2000.

Geography

Chota Nagpur Plateau

The Chota Nagpur Plateau dominates the landscape of the state, covering a significant portion of the state’s landmass.
The Chota Nagpur Plateau is a large plateau region in eastern India, primarily located in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Notable plateaus include the Hazaribagh Plateau, Ranchi Plateau, and Singhbhum Plateau.
The Chota Nagpur Plateau comprises three steps or levels based on elevation.
The highest step is located in the western part of the plateau, locally known as “pats,” with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,000 meters above sea level.
The lowest step of the plateau, situated at an average level of about 300 meters, covers the old Manbhum and Singhbhum districts. This section features high hills as a prominent feature, with the Parasnath Hills rising to 1,365 meters and the Dalma Hills to 1,038 meters.
Geological Composition:
- Presence of Gondwana rocks dating back to the pre-Cambrian era.
- Rich in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, bauxite, and limestone.
The plateau is characterized by dry deciduous forests that support a variety of plant species like sal, teak, mahua, and bamboo.

Mountain Ranges and Hills

Parasnath Hills:
- Situated in the Giridih district, the Parasnath Hills are the highest mountain range in Jharkhand.
- They are considered sacred in Jainism.
Rajmahal Hills:
- Located in the eastern part of the state in the Santhal Pargana division.
- The hills are inhabited by the Sauria Paharia people.
- Average Elevation is 200–300 m.
Dalma Hills:
- The Dalma Hills is a hill range in the eastern part of Jharkhand, near the city of Jamshedpur.
- The average elevation of the Dalma Hills ranges from approximately 500 to 900 meters.
- The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is located within and around the Dalma Hills.

Rivers of Jharkhand

Damodar River

Source: The Damodar River originates in Khamarpat Hill of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand.
Course in Jharkhand: The river flows through several districts of Jharkhand, including Dhanbad, and Bokaro, before entering the state of West Bengal.
Mouth: The Damodar River ultimately empties into the Hooghly River near the city of Kolkata in West Bengal.
Cities on the Bank: Dhanbad, and Bokaro.
Sorrow of Bengal: It is often referred to as the “Sorrow of Bengal” due to its devastating floods in the past.

Subarnarekha River

Source: The Subarnarekha River originates from the Chota Nagpur Plateau near Nagri village in the Ranchi district.
Course in Jharkhand: It flows through the eastern part of Jharkhand, passing through Ranchi and East Singhbhum districts. In some parts of its journey it serve as a natural border between Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Mouth: The Subarnarekha River finally empties into the Bay of Bengal near the city of Talsari in Odisha.
Waterfall: Hundru Falls, located on the Subarnarekha River near Ranchi.
Cities on the Bank: Ranchi, Jamshedpur.

Kharkai River

Source: The Kharkai River originates in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, emerging from the northern slopes of Darbarmela Parbat.
Mouth: Subarnarekha River near the town of Jamshedpur.

Economy

Mineral Resources

Jharkhand is rich in minerals and natural resources.
The state possesses approximately 40% of India’s total mineral resources.
It ranks 1st in coal reserves, 2nd in iron reserves, and 3rd in copper ore reserves in the country.
Jharkhand is also a significant producer of bauxite and the sole producer of prime coking coal.
Annually, the state produces around 160 million tonnes of various minerals, amounting to roughly Rs 15,000 crore in value.

Minerals	Location
Bauxite	Palamu, Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga
China clay	Lohardaga, Ranchi, Dumka, Sahibganj, Singhbhum
Coal	Jharia, Bokaro, Karanpura, Hutur, Auranga, Daltonganj, Deoghar, Rajmahal
Copper Ore	Singhbhum, Giridih
Dolomite	Palamu, Garhwa
Gold Ore	Ranchi, Singhbhum
Graphite	Palamu
Iron Ore	Singhbhum, Palamu
Limestone	Hazaribag, Santhal Pragana, Palamu, Singhbhum, Ranchi
Manganese Ore	Singhbhum
Mica	Koderma, Giridh, Hazaribagh

Tribes and Culture

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

Betla National Park

Location: Betla National Park is situated in the northwestern part of the state and is primarily located within the Latehar and Palamau districts.
Area: 226.32 sq. km.
River within the Park: North Koel River.