Jharkhand

**Jharkhand** (English: /ˈdʒɑːrkənd/; Hindi pronunciation: [d͡ʒʱɑːɾkʰəɳɖ]; meaning "The land of forests") is a state in eastern India. The state shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south and West Bengal to the east. It has an area of 79,710 km2 (30,778 sq mi). It is the 15th largest state by area, and the 14th largest by population. Hindi is the official language of the state. The city of Ranchi is its capital and Dumka its sub capital. The state is known for its waterfalls, hills and holy places; Baidyanath Dham, Parasnath and Rajrappa are major religious sites. The state was formed in 2000, from the territory that had previously been part of Bihar.

Jharkhand suffers from what is sometimes termed a resource curse: it accounts for more than 40% of the mineral resources of India, but 39.1% of its population is below the poverty line and 19.6% of children under five years of age are malnourished. Jharkhand like its neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh, is primarily rural with about 24% of its population living in cities. Jharkhand is amongst the leading states in Economic growth as compared to the neighborhood states. In 2017–18, the GSDP growth rate of state was at 10.22%.

## Etymology

The word "*Jhar*" means 'bush' and "*Khand*" means 'land' in various Indo-Aryan languages. Thus "Jharkhand" means 'land of bush or forest'.

## History

### Ancient period

The region has been inhabited since the Mesolithic-Chalcolithic period, as shown by several ancient cave paintings. Stone tools have been discovered from Chota Nagpur plateau region which is from Mesolithic and Neolithic period. There are ancient cave paintings in Isko, Hazaribagh district which are from Meso-chalcolithic period (9,000-5,000 BCE). In Kabra-Kala mound at the confluence of Son and North Koel rivers in Palamu district various antiquities and art objects have found which are from Neolithic to the medieval period and the pot-sherds of Redware, black and red ware, black ware, black slipped ware and NBP ware are from Chalcolithic to the late medieval period. Several iron slags, microliths, and potsherds have been discovered from Singhbhum district which are from 1400 BCE according to carbon dating age. The region was ruled by many empires and dynasties including Maurya, Gupta, Gauda, Pala and Nagvanshi during ancient period.

During the age of Mahajanpadas around 500 BCE, Jharkhand state was a part of Magadha and Anga. In the Mauryan period, this region was ruled by a number of states, which were collectively known as the Atavika (forest) states. These states accepted the suzerainty of the Maurya empire during Ashoka's reign (c. 232 BCE). Samudragupta, while marching through the present-day Chotanagpur region, directed the first attack against the kingdom of Dakshina Kosala in the Mahanadi valley. In the 7th century, Chinese traveller Xuanzang passed through the region. He described the kingdom as Karnasuvarna and Shashanka as its ruler. To the north of Karn-Suberna was Magadha, Champa was in east, Mahendra in the west and Orissa in the south.

## Geography

Jharkhand is located in the eastern part of India and is enclosed by Bihar to the northern side, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh to the western side, Odisha to the southern part and West Bengal to the eastern part.

Jharkhand envelops a geographical area of 7,970,000 hectare. Much of Jharkhand lies on the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Many rivers pass through the Chota Nagpur plateau. They are: Damodar, North Koel, Barakar, South Koel, Sankh and Subarnarekha rivers. The higher watersheds of these rivers stretch out within the Jharkhand state. Much of the Jharkhand state is still enclosed by forest. Forests sustain the population of Elephants and tigers.

### Climate

Climate of Jharkhand varies from Humid subtropical in the north to tropical wet and dry in the south-east. The main seasons are summer, rainy, autumn, winter and spring. The summer lasts from mid-April to mid-June. May, the hottest month, characterised by daily high temperatures around 37 °C(98 °F) and low temperatures around 25 °C (77 °F). The southwest monsoon, from mid-June to October, brings nearly all the state's annual rainfall, which ranges from about 40 inches (1,000 mm) in the west-central part of the state to more than 60 inches (1,500 mm) in the southwest. Nearly half of the annual precipitation falls in July and August. The winter season lasts from November to February. The temperatures in Ranchi in December usually vary from about 10 °C (50 °F) to around 24 °C (75 °F). Spring season lasts from mid-February to mid-April.

### Hills and mountain ranges

Parasnath: Parasnath Hill is also recognised as Sri Sammed Sikharji. The Parasnath Hill is situated in Giridih district of Jharkhand. It is a chief Jain pilgrimage site and the holy place for Jains. It is believed in the Jain culture that 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras attained Moksha from this place. The height of the hill is 1,365 meters.

Netarhat: Netarhat is a town in Latehar district. Referred to as the "Queen of Chotanagpur", it is a hill station.

Rajmahal Hills: These hills are located in Sahibganj and Godda districts of Eastern part of Jharkhand. The Rajmahal hills belong to the Jurassic era. These hills like others also have many waterfalls, lakes and greenery.

Trikut: Trikut Hill is located ten kilometres away from Deoghar and lies on the way to Dumka in Jharkhand. Trikut hill is also called Trikutchal because there are 3 major peaks on the hill. The height of Trikut hill is 2470 feet.

Tagore Hill: The Tagore Hill is also recognised as the Morabadi Hill. The Tagore hill is located in Morabadi, Ranchi. The brother of Rabindranath Tagore, Jyotirindranath Tagore had made a tour at Ranchi in the year 1908.

### Rivers

Ganga River: The holy river Ganga passes through the north-eastern district of Sahebganj. Cities on the banks of Ganga river in Jharkhand: Sahebganj, Pakur

Son River: Origin of Son River: Amarkantak, Cities on the Shore of Son River: Sidhi, Dehri, Patna

Subarnarekha River: Origin of Subarnarekha River: (Nagdi Ranchi)Chota Nagpur Plateau, Cities on the Shore of Subarnarekha River: Ranchi, Chandil, Jamshedpur, Ghatshila, Gopiballavpur

Kharkai River: Origin of Kharkai River: Mayurbhanj District, Odisha; Cities on the Shore of Kharkai River: Rairangpur, Adityapur, and enters the Subarnarekha river in north-western Jamshedpur.

Damodar River: Origin of Damodar River: Chota Nagpur Plateau(Tori latehar), Cities on the Shore of Damodar River: latehar, lohardaga, hazaribag, Gridih, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Asansol, Raniganj, Durgapur, Bardhaman

North Koel River: Origin of North Koel River: Chota Nagpur plateau, Cities on Shore of North Koel River: Daltonganj

South Koel River: Origin of South Koyal River: Chota Nagpur Plateau(Nagdi Ranchi), Cities on the Shore of South Koyal River: Manoharpur, Rourkela

Lilajan River: Also known as Falgu river. Origin of Lilajan River: Northern Chota Nagpur Plateau, City on the Shore: Gaya

Ajay River: Origin of Ajay River: Munger, Cities on the Shore of Ajay River: Purulia, Chittaranjan, Ilambazar, Jaydev Kenduli

Mayurakshi River: Origin of Mayurakshi River: Trikut hill, City on the Shore of Mayurakshi River: Suri

Barakar River: Origin: Padma in Hazaribagh, Barakar Nadi flows through the districts of Koderma, Giridih, Hazaribagh, etc.

## Demographics

### Population Growth

According to the 2011 Indian Census, Jharkhand has a population of 32.96 million, consisting of 16.93 million males and 16.03 million females. The sex ratio is 947 females to 1,000 males. The literacy rate of the state was 67.63% with Ranchi district being most educated at 77.13% compared to rural Pakur district being least at 50.17%.

### Languages

Main languages of Jharkhand

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 Khortha (23.46%)

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 Hindi (21.4%)

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 Santali (9.91%)

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 Bengali (9.74%)

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 Nagpuri (7.23%)

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 Urdu (5.96%)

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 Magahi (4.14%)

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 Ho (3.01%)

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 Mundari (2.93%)

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 Kurukh (2.89%)

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 Bhojpuri (2.29%)

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 Odia (1.61%)

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 Others (5.43%)

```

Hindi is the official language in Jharkhand and is spoken by the people of the state, although different regions have their own languages. These include Nagpuri, Khortha, Kurmali, Magahi and Bhojpuri. Jharkhand has accorded second language status to Angika, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Ho, Kharia, Kurukh, Khortha, Kurmali, Magahi, Maithili, Mundari, Nagpuri, Odia, Santali and Urdu.

### Religion

Sun Temple at Ranchi; Hinduism is the largest religion in the state

Religion in Jharkhand (2011)

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 Hinduism (67.83%)

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 Islam (14.53%)

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 Sarnaism (12.52%)

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 Christianity (4.3%)

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 Sikhism (0.22%)

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 Jainism (0.05%)

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 Buddhism (0.03%)

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 Other (0.32%)

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 Not stated (0.21%)

```

As per the 2011 census, Hinduism is the majority religion in the state at 67.8%, followed by Islam at 14.5% and Christianity at 4.3%. Other religions, primarily Sarnaism, constitute 12.8% of the population.

Hindus form majority in 19 out of 24 districts of the Jharkhand. Christianity forms majority in Simdega district with 51.04% population as its followers. Sarna religion dominates in Lohardaga with 51.01% and 62.29% in West Singhbhum and forms largest following group with 44.62% in Gumla and 45.37% in Khunti. Muslims have highest presence in Pakur district and Sahebganj district of Jharkhand forming 35% and 34% of the population due border with West Bengal and Bangladesh.

### Government and administration

The constitutional head of the government of Jharkhand is the governor, who is appointed by the President of India. The real executive power rests with the chief minister and the cabinet. The political party or the coalition of political parties having a majority in the Legislative Assembly forms the government.

The head of the bureaucracy of the state is the chief secretary. Under this position, is a hierarchy of officials drawn from the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service and different wings of the state civil services. The judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice. Jharkhand has a High Court which has been functioning since 2000. All the branches of the government are located in the state capital, Ranchi.

### Administrative districts

Main articles: Administrative divisions of Jharkhand and Districts of Jharkhand

The state was formed with 18 districts that were formerly part of south Bihar. Some of these districts were reorganised to form 6 new districts, namely, Latehar, Saraikela Kharsawan, Jamtara, Pakur, Khunti and Ramgarh. At present, the state has 5 Divisions and 24 Districts. One interesting thing about Jharkhand is that all its districts, except Lohardaga and Khunti, share a border with a neighbouring state.

### Divisions and districts

	+ Garhwa
	+ Palamu
	+ Latehar
	+ Chatra
	+ Hazaribag
	+ Giridih
	+ Koderma
	+ Dhanbad
	+ Bokaro
	+ Ramgarh
	+ Ranchi
	+ Lohardaga
	+ Gumla
	+ Simdega
	+ Khunti
	+ West Singhbhum
	+ Seraikela Kharsawan
	+ East Singhbhum
	+ Deoghar
	+ Jamtara
	+ Dumka
	+ Godda
	+ Pakur
	+ Sahebganj

### Major cities

Largest Cities in Jharkhand

(2011 Census of India estimate)

## Economy

The gross domestic product of Jharkhand is estimated at ₹3.83 lakh crore (US$54 billion) in 2020–21. The per capita GDP of Jharkhand in 2018-19 was ₹82,430 (US$1,200).

Open-cast Coal Mining in Dhanbad
Jharkhand has several towns and innumerable villages with civic amenities. Urbanization ratio is 24.1%. Jharkhand also has immense mineral resources: minerals ranging from (ranking in the country within bracket) from iron ore (1st), coal (3rd), copper ore (1st), mica (1st), bauxite (3rd), manganese, limestone, china clay, fire clay, graphite (8th), kainite (1st), chromite (2nd), asbestos (1st), thorium (3rd), sillimanite, uranium (Jaduguda mines, Narwa Pahar) (1st) and even gold (Rakha Mines) (6th) and silver and several other minerals. Large deposits of coal and iron ore support concentration of industry, in centres like Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Ranchi. Tata Steel, a *NSE NIFTY 500* conglomerate has its corporate office and main plant in Tatanagar, Jharkhand. It reported a gross income of ₹. 204,910 million for 2005. NTPC will start coal production from its captive mine in state in 2011–12, for which the company will be investing about Rs 18 billion.

Agriculture is another sector in the economy of Jharkhand which helps the economy to grow. In Jharkhand, farmers produce several crops such as rice, wheat, maize, pulses, potatoes, and vegetables such as tomato, carrots, cabbage, brinjal, pumpkin, and papaya. The other Industries are cottage industry and IT industry.

## Culture

### Cuisine

A Jharkhand Rice Plate
Staple foods of Jharkhand are rice, dal, vegetable and tubers. Spices are sparingly used in cuisine. Famous dishes include Chirka roti, Malpua, Pittha, Dhuska, Arsa roti, Dudhauri, Litti Chokha and Panipuri (Gupchup). Rugra and Putoo is a type of edible mushroom that is grown extensively in Jharkhand and harvested during the rainy months. It has a hardened, white, edible shell and a softer dark colored centre. Bamboo shoots are also used as vegetable. The leaf of Munga (Moringa oleifera) and Koinar tree (Bauhinia variegata) used as leafy vegetable or Saag.

Local alcoholic drinks include rice beer, originally known as Handi or Handia, named after the vessel handi (earthen pot) used to make it. Handiya is culturally associated with native i.e. Sadans and Tribal, this drink consumed by both men and women, on social occasions like marriage and other festivals. Another common liquor is called *Mahua daru*, made from flowers of the "Mahua" tree (Madhuca longifolia).

### Folk music and dance

There are several Folk dance in Jharkhand such as:Jhumair, Mardana Jhumair, Janani Jhumair, Domkach, Lahasua, Vinsariya, Jhumta, Fagua, Paika, Chhau, Mundari and Santali dance.

### Festivals

Major local festival of Jharkhand are Chhath Puja, Durga Puja, Karam, Jitia, Diwali, Sohrai/Bandna, Phagua/Holi, Dussehra, Ram Navami, Sarhul and Mage Porob.

* Chhau dance performing artists
* Chhath Puja is one of the most famous festivals in Jharkhand
* Karam festival in Jharkhand
* Holi festival is celebrated with great joy and pomp

### Paintings

Sahrai Painting is performed during the Sohrai festival. Various designs are painted in courtyards and on walls.

### Tattoo

The tattoo making tradition of Godna is an essential part of local tradition.

### Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Jharkhand

Jharkhand produce many films in regional and Tribal languages including Nagpuri, Khortha, Santali, Ho and Kurukh.

## Media

There are some television channel, newspapers and radio which operates in Jharkhand. DD Jharkhand is important Channel in Jharkhand. All India Radio also operates from Ranchi.

Hindustan, Dainik Jagran, Prabhat Khabar, Ranchi Express are some of the Hindi newspapers and The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Navbharat Times, The Pioneer, The Telegraph are some English newspapers in Jharkhand.

## Transport

### Air

Birsa Munda Airport is the largest domestic airport in the state with air connectivity to major Indian cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad among others. Other airports present in the state are Bokaro Airport, Jamshedpur Airport, Chakulia Airport, Dumka Airport and Dhanbad Airport which mostly run private and charter flights.

### Roads

Jharkhand has extensive network of National Highways and State Highways. There is 2,661.83 kilometres (1,653.98 mi) of paved National Highways in the state as of 2016. The National highways present in the state are numbered 2, 6, 20, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 39, 43, 75, 78, 80, 98, 99, 100, 114A, 133, 139, 133B, 133A, 143A, 220, 320D, 320G, 333, 333A, 343 and 419. The Golden Quadrilateral network of Delhi – Kolkata route runs through Jharkhand notably at Dhanbad.

### Ports

Jharkhand is landlocked state but has numerous rivers and waterways. A multi-modal port has been planned at Sahebganj where river Ganges flows. The project is estimated to cost ₹65,000 million and phase-1 is estimated to be completed by 2019.

### Rail

Jharkhand is very well connected by railways. The state has numerous railway stations and railway junctions. Hilly regions of state are equipped with tunnels that form essential organ of railways.

* Ranchi Airport (IXR)
* National Highway 33 near Ramgarh Cantonment
* State Highway 2 in the Mountainous Patratu Valley

## Education

As per the 2011 census conducted by Government of India the official literacy rate for the state was 67.63% (male: 78.45%; female: 56.21%) with nine districts above the average literacy rate:

* Ranchi: 77.13% (male: 85.53%; female: 68.20%)
* East Singhbhum: 76.13% (male: 84.51%; female: 67.33%)
* Dhanbad: 75.71% (male: 85.68%; Female: 64.70%)
* Ramgarh: 73.92% (male: 83.51%; female: 63.49%)
* Bokaro: 78.48% (male: 84.50%; female: 61.46%)
* Hazaribagh: 70.48% (male: 81.15%; female: 59.25%)
* Saraikela Khasawan: 68.85% (male: 81.01%; female: 56.19%)
* Kodarma: 68.35% (male: 81.25%; female: 54.77%)
* Lohardaga: 68.29% (male: 78.62%; female: 57.86%)
* Deoghar: 66.34% (male: 79.13%; female: 53.39%)

Since the formation of the new state, the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) has been implementing four projects to spread elementary education: DPEP, SSA, NPEGEL, and KGBV. The state has been moving towards the goal of universal elementary education but the target of 100% enrolment and retention of children in schools has not yet been attained. Jharkhand has made primary education so accessible that 95% of children of ages 6–11 are enrolled in school, as opposed to 56% in 1993–94; this will likely improve literacy a great deal.[*citation needed*]

### Schools

The medium of instruction in schools is Hindi/English with English/Hindi/Sanskrit/Bengali/Odia as second language. After 10 years of schooling, students can join two years of Intermediate course (or +2 courses) in Arts, Science and Commerce. This is followed by three years of degree courses (graduation) or four years of Engineering/Agriculture/Medicine degree.

The school system comprises various private and public schools. The government schools are abundant. Few notable schools are: Sainik School Tilaiya, Loyola School, Jamshedpur, Delhi Public School, Bokaro, Delhi Public School, Ranchi, Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Bishop Westcott Boys' School, Bishop Westcott Girls' School, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Bokaro, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Deoghar and De Nobili School.

In May 2008, Jharkhand became the first in India to introduce free haircuts for poor students. 40,000 barbers will be employed with a monthly salary of 1000 rupees (25 US dollars) which will cost the state government 40 million rupees (1 million US dollars). Under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan 89 English medium senior secondary school named Model school have been established in about each block of the district in 2011.[*citation needed*]

### Universities and colleges

See also: List of institutions of higher education in Jharkhand

* AISECT University, Jharkhand, Hazaribagh
* Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur
* Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad
* Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi
* Central University of Jharkhand, Brambe, Ranchi
* Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi
* Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University, Ranchi
* Kolhan University, Chaibasa
* National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi
* Nilamber-Pitamber University, Medininagar
* Ranchi University, Ranchi
* Sarala Birla University, Ranchi
* Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka
* Tata College, Chaibasa
* Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh

#### Autonomous

* Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, formerly Ranchi college
* Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi
* Indian Institute of Management Ranchi
* Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
* National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi
* National University of Study and Research in Law
* National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur
* St. Xavier's College, Ranchi
* Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi
* Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur

#### Agriculture

* Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi

#### Engineering

Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi

* Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi
* Birsa Institute of Technology Sindri, Dhanbad
* Cambridge Institute of Technology, Ranchi
* DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Daltonganj
* Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Dhanbad
* National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi
* National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur

#### Management

* Indian Institute of Management Ranchi IIM-Ranchi
* Institute of Management Studies, Ranchi IMS-RU
* XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
* NSIBM - Netaji Subhas Institute of Hotel & Business Management, Jamshedpur

#### Medical colleges

* All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Deoghar
* Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College (MGM), Jamshedpur
* Medinirai Medical College and Hospital, Palamu
* Patliputra Medical College (PMCH), Dhanbad
* Phulo Jhano Murmu Medical College and Hospital, Dumka
* Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi
* Shaheed Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital, Hazaribagh

#### Psychiatry

* Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi

## Tourism

Jharkhand is known for its waterfalls, hills and holy places. Parasnath, Baidyanath Dham, and Rajrappa are major religious places.

The ancient Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple in Deoghar
The Parasnath Jain temple at *Shikharji*, considered to be the nirvana land of twenty Jain Tirthankars

Itkhori is a holy place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is believed to be the place from where Gautama Buddha started his journey for Bodh Gaya. Many sculptures of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist art styles were found in 2018. There are several waterfalls in the state including Jonha Falls, Hundru Falls, Dassam Falls and Panchghagh Falls. Netarhat is a hill station in the state.

Jonha Falls
There are several wildlife sanctuaries in Jharkhand including Betla National Park and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary which are major attraction for tourists.