Jharkhand
| Jharkhand | |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Land of Forests |
| Capital | Ranchi |
| Largest City | Ranchi |
| Country | India |
| Official Language | Hindi |
| Area | 79,716 km² |
| Population | 3.8 crore (approx.) |
| Districts | 24 |
| Founded | 15 November 2000 |
Jharkhand is a state located in eastern India, formed on 15 November 2000 by carving out the southern districts of the erstwhile state of Bihar. Known as the Land of Forests (Jharkhand literally means "land covered with bushes"), it is one of India's most mineral-rich states and is home to a vibrant tribal culture, dense forests, scenic waterfalls and a rich natural heritage. Ranchi is the capital and largest city of Jharkhand. The state borders Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south and West Bengal to the east.
History
The region that is now Jharkhand has been inhabited by tribal communities for thousands of years. The Munda, Santhal, Ho, Oraon and other Adivasi communities have lived in these forests and hills since ancient times, developing rich cultural traditions, languages and ways of life deeply connected to the land.
The region came under various rulers including the Nagvanshi, Ramgarh and Chero kingdoms during the medieval period. During the British era, the Jharkhand region was part of the Bengal Presidency and later Bihar and Orissa Province.
The demand for a separate Jharkhand state began in the early 20th century and gathered momentum over several decades. The movement was driven by the desire of the tribal communities to have a state that recognised and protected their distinct cultural identity, land rights and economic interests. After decades of sustained advocacy, Jharkhand was formally created on 15 November 2000 — the birth anniversary of the great tribal leader Birsa Munda — as the 28th state of India.
Geography
Jharkhand is located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau — a hilly, forested region in eastern India. The state is characterised by dense forests, mineral-rich hills, rivers and spectacular waterfalls. The Damodar, Subarnarekha, North Koel and South Koel are the major rivers of the state.
The state has some of India's most spectacular natural attractions including the Hundru Falls, Dassam Falls, Jonha Falls and Hirni Falls — all formed by rivers cascading off the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Economy
Jharkhand is one of the richest states in India in terms of mineral resources. Key economic sectors include:
- Mining and Minerals — Jharkhand accounts for approximately 40% of India's total mineral wealth, including the largest reserves of coal, iron ore, copper ore, mica, bauxite, graphite and uranium in the country
- Steel and Metallurgy — The state is home to major steel plants including SAIL's Bokaro Steel Plant — one of the largest integrated steel plants in Asia
- Agriculture — Rice, maize, wheat, pulses and vegetables are important crops; the state also produces significant quantities of lac — an important forest produce
- Industry — Jharkhand has growing industrial sectors in chemicals, engineering, textiles and food processing
- Tourism — Eco-tourism, wildlife tourism and tribal cultural tourism are growing sectors
Tourism
Jharkhand offers several significant natural, historical and cultural attractions:
- Hundru Falls — One of the most spectacular waterfalls in eastern India, located near Ranchi
- Betla National Park — A tiger reserve and national park in the Palamu district, home to tigers, elephants and leopards
- Dassam Falls — A beautiful waterfall near Ranchi where the Kanchi river drops dramatically
- Parasnath Hill — The highest peak in Jharkhand and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for the Jain community
- Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham) — One of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, a major pilgrimage destination attracting millions of devotees
- Rock Garden, Ranchi — A popular recreational and cultural attraction in the state capital
- Jubilee Lake, Ranchi — A scenic artificial lake in the heart of Ranchi
Culture
Jharkhand has a rich and distinctive tribal cultural heritage. The state is home to numerous tribal communities — including the Santhal, Munda, Ho, Oraon, Kharia and Gondi — each with their own languages, festivals, music, dance and artistic traditions.
The Sarhul festival — celebrating the flowering of the sal tree and the advent of spring — is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals of the tribal communities of Jharkhand. Other major festivals include Karma, Sohrai and Tusu Parab.
Jharkhand is renowned for its distinctive folk music, including the Chhau dance and Santhali music traditions. The state also has a rich tradition of tribal art including Sohrai and Khovar paintings — recently recognised and gaining international attention.
Education
Jharkhand has several prominent educational institutions:
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad (formerly ISM Dhanbad) — one of India's premier technical institutions
- National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur
- Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra, Ranchi
- Ranchi University, Ranchi
- Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh
- YBN University, Ranchi
Transport
Jharkhand has a developing transport network:
- Airports — Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi — connecting Jharkhand to major domestic destinations
- Railways — Jharkhand is well connected by the Indian Railways network; Dhanbad is one of the most important railway junctions in eastern India
- Roads — The state has a network of national and state highways connecting major cities including Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Bokaro