PALAMU, Jharkhand

Main Attraction: PALAMU FORT

The fort built by king Pratap Ray who belonged to Chero tribe under Palamu district is famous as Palamu Fort.

The ruins of this historical fort is located at 27 km from Medninagar and 5 km from Betla National Park the bank of Auranga River.

The history of 300 years of Palamu is interlinked with this fort. So decayed this fort looks from outside but it is grand and gracious from inside. The fort is 750 feet long and 450 feet wide and the height of the walls is 25 feet. There is 8 feet wide workable road on the walls. Even today the 40 feet high large and grand maingate of the fort is safe which is built in Mughal style.

At the artificts of Chero period are present in fading conditions. There are two large wells in the fort having tunnels within and entering through which the 150 feet deep bottoms of the wells can be reached even now

Brief History

Daltonganj town is the headquarters and the principal town of the district situated on the Koel river. The town has taken its name after Colonel Dalton, Commissioner of Chotanagpur in 1891.

Early History

The early history of Palamu is shrouded in legends and traditions. Since the district consisted mostly of forest tracts the territory seldom engaged the attention of invading armies, and the area remained outside the pale of influence of empires which were established in other parts of modern Bihar. The area was probably inhabited by autochthonous tribes in the past. The Kharwars, Oraons and Cheros, three oboriginal races practically ruled over this tract. Inscriptions and other relics which have been found indicate a fairly developed civilization inspite of the jungles and comparative inaccessibility of the area. 

The Oraons had their headquarters at Rohtas Garh in the then Shahabad district (which included the present district of Kaimur and Rohtas) and there is every indication that for sometime a portion of Palamu was ruled from the headquarters of Rohtas Garh. The Cheros reigned in Palamu for nearly 200 years and the most famous of the Chero rulers was Medni Rai who according to tradition made himself lord Paramount of the southern portion of Gaya and of large portions of Hazaribag and Sarguja (in Madhya Pradesh). His son, Pratap Rai built a fort at Palamu separate from the fort that had been built by his father.

Prior to the domination of Palamu by the Cheros, Rakshel Rajputs held sway over the district. They in turn, had supplanted early Marhatta settlers of whom, however, no trace is to be found now. They have probably been assimilated in the indigenous population.

A factual history of Palamu, begins from the first half of the 16th century. In 1538 Sher Shah Suri had sent one of his officers to control the turbulent chiefs and free the Grand Trunk Road from their clutches who used to exploit the travellers. The Mughal influence extended to Palamu during the reign of Emperor Akbar when it was invaded by Raja Mansingh in 1574. The troops left by him were, however, driven out in 1605 when Akbar died. In 1629, Emperor Shahjehan appointed Ahmad Khan as the sufedar of Patna. Palamu was conferred to him as his Jagir. 

Ahmad Khan imposed tax to the tune of Rs.1,36,000. The non-payment of this mandatory tax by Chero rulers of Palamu led to three successive attacks by the Mughals. The first invasion took place in the reign of Pratap Rai. The Mughal army was led by Shaista Khan the Governor of Bihar. The army reached the fort of Palamu, defeated Pratap Rai and compelled to pay tax of Rs.80,000. The second invasion was called by internal bickerings. As a result of this Pratap Rai after negotiations agreed to pay an annual tax off Rs. One lakh only On the recommendation of Itaikad Khan, successor of Shaista Khan, Emperor Shahjehan gave Palamu to him as a military chief on a jama of Rs. 2.5 lakhs.

Despite two invasions the payment of tax by Chero Chiefs were never  regular. As a last resort, Daud Khan, Governor of Bihar, left Patna with a strong force in 1660 and in spite of heavy drawbacks and difficult terrain, reached within three kilometers of palamu. There was an engagement and fighting which lasted three days, after which the fort was captured. Palamu was then placed in charge of Muhammadan Faujdar. But this system was done away soon and Palamu was placed under the direct control of the Viceroy of Bihar in 1660. Palamu was again invaded by Subedar Sarballand Khan. But actual fighting was warded off by the payment of one lakh of rupees in cash and in the shape of diamonds.

British rule

As in some other districts here also the British intervened at others' invitation. The circumstances leading to the stablishment of Bihar rule in Palamu sowed the seed of disaffection and enmity between the dispossessed Cheros and their new masters. The first intervention of the British in the affairs of the Chero Raj of Palamu occurred in 1772 owing to the protracted internecine quarrels between two rival Chero factions (1722-70). Two candidates claiming to be the rightful Raja, one Gopal Rai, grandson of Jaikishun Rai, the other Chitrajit Rai, grandson of the murdered ruling chief Ranjit Rai, brought their suits to the British. The British, more interested in revenue collection than in family quarrels, decided to occupy the fort of Palamu. As Chitrajit's Dewan, Jainath Singh, refused to agree to this even in return for recognition of Chitrajit's claim, the controlling council at Patna decided to support the cause of Goapl Rai. 

The fort was occupied by the British in February, 1771 and Gopal Rai was installed as the ruler on the agreeing to pay an annual tribute of Rs. 12,000. Gopal Rai was however, removed after trial in 1776. There followed a scramble for power. Bishwanath Rai, his minor brother, succeeded him while Gajraj Rai became the manager. But their position was assailed by Sugandh Rai, and Sheo Prasad Singh. However, Gajraj Rai could continue due to the support of the Collector of Ramgarh. Meanwhile in 1780 Daljit Rai, brother of Chatrapati Rai, attempted to revive the fortune of the house of Medni Rai. The Governor ordered that Bishwanth Rai, the third brother of Gopal Rai and not Gajraj or Sugandh, was the successor to the gaddi. Since this order was resisted Major Grawford was sent to Palamu with military force to restore peace. Major Crawford managed to capture Gajraj and Sugandha. Raja Bishwanath Rai died in 1783. he was followed by Churaman Rai who came of age in 1793.

Churaman Rai succeeded in resuming the estate of his weaker tenants. His action provoked the tenantry, and led to the Chero insurrection in 1800. The leader was Bhukhan Singh, a Chero. The British came with a force and suppressed the insurrection but by that time the Raja and the administration had been reduced to bankruptcy. An Assistant Collector of Bihar was apointed to look after the revenue collection in the western part of the province. Parry, the Assistant Collector who took over in 1811 made the first settlement of revenue in 1812. he annulled the Sanad, granted by Churaman Rai and took over direct collection. The Palamu estate was attacked. In 1812, the sale of Palamu estate was authorized and it was accordingly sold for Rs. 51,000 against arrears amounting to Rs. 65,000. The assessment of the estate was reduced to Rs. 9,000 in 1814 when it was granted to Ghanshyam Singh of Deo as a reward to his help to the British in suppressing the Cheros and the Kharwars.

In 1813 there was a rising organized by great Jagirdars. This led to the attachment of the estates of Chainpur. Ranka, Lokaya, Bisrampur and Obra. The Kok rebellion of 1832 had its impact in Palamu also. The Cheros and the Kharwars rose against the administration, and non-tribal Hindus and Muslims. The insurgents were, however, defeated in an engagement with the British forces near Latehar.

1857 Movement

During the 1857 Movement, Palamu was the most severely affected district of the Chotanagpur plateau.

The brothers Nilambar and Pitambar were chiefs of Bhogta clan of the Kharwar tribe, who held ancestral jagirs. Immediately after they heard movement against the British rule they made up their minds to declare independence. They were joined by many Chero Jagirdars. On 21st October, 1857 a force of 500 persons was organised which was led by Nilambar and Pitamber. They attacked Raghubar Dayal at Chainpur since he had sided with the British. From there they proceeded to Leslieganj and caused heavy destruction. Lt. Graham, with only 50 persons at his disposal, could not do much to thwart the insurgents. The entire countryside appeared to be up in arms. Lt. Graham was besieged in the house of Raghubar Dayal. 

In December, two companies arrived under Major Cotter. He was able to capture Devi Baksh Rai, one of the principal leaders of the movement. In January Col. Dalton, the Commissioner of Ranchi himself came to Palamu and captured the Palamu Fort. Ultimately the insurgents were captured and peace was restored soon afterwards. It is noteworthy that the movement in Palamu was no mere sepoy mutiny but an uprising of the indigenous population of the district. Palamu played an important part in the freedom movement of the country. The Bihar Students’ Conference was held at Daltonganj in 1920 under the presidentship of Rev. C.F. Andrews. The participants included Mazharul Haque, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Rajendra Prasad visited Daltonganj in 1927. The August disturbances in 1942 had their echoes in Palamu. The people of Palamu took active part in all the subsequent movements which led to the country’s independence.

BOKARO, Jharkhand

Main Attraction: BOKARO STEEL PLANT

Started in the year 1965 Bokaro Steel Plant is one of the largest steel producing unit in the country under public undertaking. The plant situated in Bokaro Steel City provides ample opportunity to a large number of small scale industries in the district of Bokaro.

Brief History

The early history of the greater part of the area is difficult to trace, as the present district of Bokaro forms only a small and insignificant part of Manbhum. In the Settlement Report of Manbhum, It has been stated that no rock inscription, no copper plates or old coins were discovered in course of the survey and settlement operations. The oldest authentic documents produced were all on paper and they are barely a hundred years old.

The area now forming part of Bokaro district was inhabited primarily by the people of Kolar race.

The earliest civilization in the area was that of Jains in around 600 B.C. The Jain domination was superseded by Brahamins around 7th century A.D. as is evident from the travel account of Hiuen Tsang which makes a mention of powerful kingdom ruled by Sasanka who was a persecutor of Buddhists. The Brahamical civilization was at its prime in the 10th century A.D. and was destroyed completely thereafter by the Bhumij and Mundari tribe.

During Akbar’s time, Raja Man Singh led his troops from Bhagalpur to Midnapur through Jharkhand area and he might have passed through the areas covered by Bokaro district.

British Period

The old district of Manbhum (consisting of the present Bokaro district) was acquired by the British in 1765. During the British period a series of military operation brought the petty zamindars under control. The permanent settlement was effected in this area in 1796. In 1805 a new district named Jungle Mahal was constituted into a separate magisterial charge with headquarters at Bankura. In 1833 the district of Jungle Mahal was broken up and a new district called Manbhum was constituted, later on in 1838 Purulia was fixed as the headquarter of Manbhum district.

In fact, Bokaro, the industrial area of prominence gained importance and won the famous place in the map of India with decision of Govt. of India in the early 1960’s to establish modern public Sector Steel Plant with the collaboration of the Soviet Russia. It was in 1966 that Smt. Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of what today is famous as Bokaro Steel Plant. Again in early 1990’s a new horizon had opened with the identification of enormous source of Methane gas in the Chandankiyari area by the ONGC. It is reported that the ONGC is planning to establish an enormous Gas Plant in the region, which will be greater in size and importance than the present Bokaro Steel Plant.

EAST SINGHBHUM, Jharkhand

Main Attraction: JUBLEE PARK

A circular lake known as the Bagkudar Lake in the vicinity of the court buildings at Jamshedpur was a beauty spot. In 1937, a beginning was made to develop a central park under the guidance of Mr. S. Percy Lancaster. The project was resumed in August 1955 with the Company's Jubilee in mind and its layout entrusted to Mr. G H Krumbiegel , and Mr. B. S. Nirody who had to their credit the famous parks of Mysore State and the Moghul Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi.

The grounds of the park cover approximately an area of 500 acres with the vista of Dalma Hills to the north and the panorama of the Steel Works to the south. In about two years a vast stretch of unpromising terrain was converted into one of the best parks in India. The park has been designed around a central axis running from the founder's statue at it's highest point through the Moghul Garden, the Foliage group and the Rose garden to the little island in the center of the Jubilee Lake. There are two children's garden in the park provided with swings and equipment for play and exercise. There is children's 80-ft square maze made of a low hedge. The Jubilee Lake with an area of 40 acres has been dredged and deepened for boating and performing an island in the center. There is a boathouse and a cafeteria.

Brief History

Purbi Singhbhum district is situated at the southeast corner of Jharkhand. It has been formed after isolating nine block from old Singhbhum on 16th January 1990.From the industrial growth and mining quarrying point of view this district has leading position in Jharkhand. Before independence the entire area of Purbi Singhbhum district was part of old Manbhum district and old Dhalbhum estate. After independence it has been merged with greater Singhbhum. About 53% of the total area of district is covered by residual mountains and hills consisting of granite, gneiss, schist. It is a part of Chhotanagpur plateau. The Dalma range extends from west to east covered by dense forest on the northern side. The Subernarekha river flows from west to south-east direction. The district is rich in minerals and these are found abundantly. It consists of 11 Community Development Blocks, viz., Patamda, Golmuri-cum-Jugsalai, Potka, Dumaria, Musabani, Ghatshila, Dhalbhumgarh, Chakulia. Boram, Gurbandha and Bahargora. The district is bounded on the north by West Bengal, on the south by Orissa, on the east by West Bengal and on the west by the district of Seraikela-Kharsawan.

The early history of the district is rather obscure although relics have been found in the old district of Singhbhum dating back to the stone age. The territory covered by the district does not find any mention either in the Vedic texts or in puranic literature. The earliest conjecture is in regard to the Gupta emperor Samundragupta of Magadh. According to an inscription, his dominian included all the jungle countries from Baghelkhand to the Orissa coast including the old district of Singhbhum. According to a theory, when the northern and southern Bihar were annexed to the empire of the great Kushans, Orissa and the eastern sea-board were also conquered, implying that the district may also have lain in the conquered territory. In the seventh century A.D. Sasanka (of unknown lineage) is believed to have ruled over this territory. Two copper plate records of Sasanka’s reign indicate that the forest area was under his authority.

Ruins of temples of the ninth and tenth centuries A.D. have been found at Banisagar, situated on the Pashchimi Singhbhum and Orissa border, at a distance of 85 kms. from Chaibasa (in Pashchimi Singhbhum). Shrines with with eight Shgiva Lingas known as “Ashta Shambhus” probably existed here. Images of sitting and standing Ganesh have also been found, as also of Ganga and Yamuna as parshwadevis (side dieties). According to a hypothesis, the temples at Benisagar belonged to two district epochs. The first between the eight and ninth century A.D. when the palas under Dharmapal and Devapal established the pala empire, and the second from the tenth to eleventh century A.D. when the second pala empire was established by Mahipal.

This part of the state remained free from external influence in the Turko-Afthan period (1206 to 1526 A.D.). In this period, however, Sultan Firoz Tughlak may have passed through Jharkhand (as modern Chotanagpur was then known to the Muhammadan historians) in his expedition against the king of Jainagar (Orissa). The Hindu Vaisnav Saint and reformer, Sri Chaitanya, also travelled through Jharkhand in the second decade of the 16th century on his journey to Mathura. Shershah is also said to have crossed Jharkhand in the course of his return from Gaur in 1538.

Jharkhand came to be known as Kukrah in the Mughal period. In the time of Akbar, who assumed the thrown in 1556, an expedition headed by Shahabaz Khan was sent against the Raja of Chotanagpur who was reduced to the position of a tributary. According to the Ain-e-Akbari, is said that ancestors of the Raja of Poraha were three brothers in the bodyguard of Akbar’s General, Mansingh, who took side with the Bhuiyas against the Hos and ended by conquering the country for themselves. The subsequent dealings of the Mughals appear to be restricted to the Raja of Chotanagpur (or Ranchi proper). In 1616, Ibrahim Khan Fateh Jung, brother of Noorjehan and Governor of Bihar, invaded Kukrah which had rejained independence after the death of Akbar in 1605. Durjan Sal, the forty sixth Raja of Chotanagpur was captured and imprisoned but subsequently reinstated.

Again in 1724, A.D. Sarballand Khan, Governor of Bihar led a campaign against the Raja of Chotanagpur followed by another in 1731 by Fakruddoula, the then Governor. In 1735 Alivardi Khan could inforce payment of Tribute with some difficulty. The district of Midnapur which included Dhalbhum, had been ceded to the East India Company in 1760. In 1765 a force was sent to neighbouring Zamindars but it could not subdue to the Raja of Dhalbhum. After this expedition another was sent under Ferguson in 1767. He commenced his march to Ghatshila. The enemy had, however, retreated and the forts of Narsinghygarh had been destroyed by them earlier. However, the Raja was captured and sent to Midnapur in confinement. His nephew Jagannath Dhal was installed on the throne on promising to pay an annual revenue of Rs. 5500/- but the Raja failed to pay the tribute new year. Hence two companies of sepoys were sent under Lt. Rooke. Rooke was succeeded by Morgan who crossed the subarnarekha and sent out to Haldi pokhar in pursuit of Jaganath Dhal. 

Although Jaganath Dhal could not be captured, peace was effected with the Sardars. In 1769 the Bhumij, in a body of five thousand persons, invaded Dhalbhum forcing the new Raja Nimu Dhal to retire to the fort at Narsinghgarh with a small body of the Company’s Sepoys. The Bhumij were expelled by a force under Captain Forbes. In 1773 Jagannath Dhal with the followers attacked his successor Baikunth Dhal. A force was again sent under captain Forbes and two companies were left at Narsinghgarh and Haldipo Khar. In 1774 there were another Bhumij raid led by Jaganath Dhal. Many villages between Narsinghgarh and Baharagora were destroyed extending to almost within a mile of Haldipokhar. Eventually Jagannath Dhal was reinstated in 1777 on agreeing to pay Rs. 2000 for the first year, Rs. 3000 for the second year and Rs. 4000 for the third year. On account of the turbulent state of affairs, Dhalbhum pargana was not settled at the same time as other jungle Mahals in 1776. The permanent settlement was extended in Dhalbhum in 1800 for a revenue of Rs. 4267. The Zamindars of Dhalbhum in 1906 was, according to tradition, the 21st in the line of descent from Jaganath Dhal Deo, the founder of the dynasty. According to his reckoning the estate must have been founded some time in the fourteenth century, While the company sent forces on various occasions to extract tribute up to 1800 A.D., the Zamindar was, like his compere of Chotanagpur, left to his own resources in regard to administration of the country. In 1800, the Zamindar was formally invested with the power of police Daroga. The power was exercised by him through his vassals who were subsequently misnamed Ghatwals. 

In 1805 the district of the jungle Mahals was established by Regulation XVIII and though Dhalbhum was not included in it, the provisions of the regulation were observed there also. The Zamindari police system was not successful since the agents of the Zamindar tended to utilise these powers more for the advancement of their own private interests than for the welfare on safety of the people under their charge. Chitreshwar Dhal succeeded to the gaddi in 1825 as a minor. The estate was, therefore, managed by Bara Thakur Jugal Kishore, the youngest brother of late Raja. Jugal Kishore omitted to pay Government revenue and engaged himself in various malpractices with the said and connivance of the new Dewan, Samsher Khan. When Chitreshwar Dhal attained majority in 1829, Jugal Kishore refused to hand over power to him and continued to wield influence. Samsher Khan was so universally detested that Jugal Kishore was able to extract Rs. 20,000 from the raiyats on condition that Samsher Khan would be removed as Dewan. Although Samsher Khan was removed, the popular Dewan installed after him could not last long and another officer was appointed in his place. This state of dissatisfaction led to the corruption insurgence in 1832. The insurgents burnt villages, killed people mercilessly and plundered property till military operations directed against them put an end to disorder.

The immediate result of these troubles and Kol insurrections in Ranchi and other parts of Singhbhum was the establishment of the South West Frontier Agency by Regulation XIII of 1833. Dhalbhum which had hither to been included in Midnapur district, was transferred to the Manbhum district. After the conquest of the Kolhan in 1837, it was considered advisable to bring all the Ho pirs under the direct management of the British Government. In 1846 the district of Singhbhum (old) was enlarged by the transfer of Dhalbhum from Manbhum. When Act X of 1854 was passed, Singhbhum became a non-regulation district under the jurisdiction of the Lt. Governor of Bengal. The Indian forces stationed at Hazaribag had rebelled, soon to be followed by a detachment of the Ramgarh Battalion sent from Ranchi to quell the rising at Hazaribag. The detachment of the Ramgarh Battalion

stationed at Chaibasa was also inflamed. The insurgent forces raided the treasury and broke open the jail. Then they sought to proceed to Doranda but were prevented by the flooded river Sanjai. They were given refuge by Arjun Singh, Raja of Porahat, who was acclaimed a rebel by the British administration. On September 16, 1857 the new principal Assistant Commissioner, Lt. Birch reached Chaibasa with the Rajas of Seraikela and Kharsawan (now in Seraikela – Kharsawan district) and Kol forces. Ultimately Arjun Singh and his followers surrendered in February, 1859. An era of peace and progress followed, to be broken almost forty years later by the Birsaite rising, the effects of which, however, were not very widespread or great. The history of the district of Purbi Singhbhum in the present century is the Saga of a powerful industrial revolution coming in the wake of the exploitation of the districts’ vast mineral resources.

GIRIDIH, Jharkhand

Main Attraction: PARASNATH JAIN TEMPLE

Significantly the oldest of the Jain temples situated on the Parasnath hills came to be known in AD.1775.Parasnath is also revered as “Mavang Guru” or hill deity by the Santhals of the adjoining districts. A dispute between the Swetamber Jains and Santhals was settled by the Privy Council giving exclusive right of worship to the Swetamber Jains in the Parasnath Temple. 

Brief History

Early history

The history of Giridih is a part of the history of its parent district of Hazaribagh and also of the Chotanagpur , known as “Jharkhand” (meaning forest territory ) which was presumably beyond the pale of direct Hindu influence in ancient India. It is generally believed that in very early times it was covered with inaccessible hills and forests to which many non-Aryan tribes who refused to surrender to the steadily advancing Aryan, retired at different times. Though this tract was in touch with many parts of India, yet these non-Aryan tribes had no king. All through the long centuries of Hindu rule in India, Chotanagpur including the district of Giridih appears to have remained unmolested, though foreign invaders on rare occasion might have succeeded in exercising nominal overlordship over it. Jarasandh, the mightly emperor of Rajgriha in the Mahabharat period might have also exercised some kind of loose supervision over the area. Similarly Mahapadma Nand Ugrasen of Magadh, who subdued the entire country upto Orrisa, might have gained some control over Jharkhand as well . it is stated that during the reign of Ashoka (273-232 B.C.) the forest states too acknowledged supremacy of Magadh , and this may justify the conclusion that Chotanagpur was included in the “Mauryan” and Magadhan empire at least during the reign of Ashoka, the great.

Muslim rule

To the Mohammedan historians the whole of Chotanagpur (including that of Giridih district) formed the tract which they know as Jharkhand or forest country. It appears to have remained practically independent through out the Turko- Afgan rule (1206-1526 A.D.) in India. The accession of Akbar to the throne of Agra in 1556 A.D. opens a new chapter in the history of Chotanagpur or Jharkhand. To the Mughals it was also known as Kukrah. It excited the curiosity of the Mughal Emperor by reason of the report of the diamonds to be found in its rivers. Kukrah remained independent of Muslim suzerainty till about the thirteenth year of the reign of emperor Akbar. In 1585 A.D. Akbar sent an expedition which reduced the raja of Chotanagpur to the position of a tributary. It is mentioned in the Ain-e-Akbari that Chotanagpur of Kukrah was included in the Subah of Bihar. During the expedition of Raja Mansingh, one of the industrious Generals of Akbar as some part of Chotanagpur region, still carry the relaxants of districts of Manbhum and Singhbhum which were acceded to subah of Bihar, and during this period only the concept of District(Zila) was first introduced in administration of Mughals particularly in Bihar. As a consequence, the pargana of Kharagdiha was identified as a unit of revenue administration in the District of Hazaribagh. The entire region including Giridih district saw a lot of upheavals thereafter till 1780 when Mr. Chapman succeeded Captain Camac.

British Rule

Mr. Chapman was practically the first Civilian administrator of Chotanagpur. The conquered provinces as they were then called were formed into a British District which comprised parganas Ramgarh, Kendi, Kunda and Kharagdiha (which together constituted the old district of Hazaribagh (comprising Giridih) the whole of Palamu, Chakai,Panchet and the area around Sherghati. Chapman was at the same time Judge and the Magistrate and Collector of the district and held his Court alternately at Sherghati and Chatra. The Ramgarh battalion comprising Indian infantrymen was raised in his time and stationed at Hazaribag. Subsequent to the Kol rising in 1931, which, however, did not seriously affect Giridih, the administrative structure of the territory was, however, changed. The parganas Ramgarh, Kharagdiha, Kendi and Kunda became part of the South West Frontier Agency and were formed into a division named Hazaribag, with Hazaribag as the administrative headquarters. In 1854 the designation of the South West Frontier Agency was changed to Chutia Nagpur and it began to be administered as a non-regulation province under the Lieutenant Governor of Bihar. In 1855-56 there was the great Santhal uprising against the British but was brutally suppressed.

The district of Giridih, like other districts of states played an important role in the national movement of 1857. In the movement of 1942 (Quit India Movement) also, there was large scale participation by the people. Many persons took part in organising processions and destroying communications and transportations. The people of Giridih took active part in the subsequent events also.

The district of Giridih, like other districts of states played an important role in the movement of 1857. In the movement of 1942 also, there was large scale of participation by the people. Many persons took part in organising processions and destroying communications. The people of Giridih took active part in the subsequent events also.

Formation and Re-organisation of Giridih

The old English correspondence volume in Hazaribag collectorate reveals that in 1837 A.D. the whole of Hazaribag district were divided into 12 Police Thanas, of which Kharagdiha was one of them, which controlled the whole of the Giridih sub-division except Gawan, the Zamindari thana of which the cost were not borne by the Government. However, a new thana as Bagodar was opened on the new Grand Trunk Road (1838 A.D.). Later on in 1870 the Giridih sub-division was formed at Karharbari as its headquarters. In 1871 for the convenience of the coal-companies at Giridih, the first Railway-line was built from Madhupur to Giridih. However, the Giridih sub-division so far the distribution list as mentioned in civil list of Bihar and Orissa points out, consisted of 5 revenue thanas, namely, Gawan, Kharagdiha, Dhanwar, Giridih and Dumri whereas, the police stations in the sub-division included Gawan, Satgawan, Jamua, Deori, Dhanwar, Birni, Giridih, Bengabad, Gandey, Dumri, Nawadih, Pirtand, and Bermo at that time, the subdivision encompassed an area of 2002 sq. miles and population of 467,892. Later on Bagodar police station was included and Satgawan deleted from the subdivision. At the time of formation of the district one more sub-division named Bermo consisting Nawadih, Bermo, Gumia and Peterwar was in the picture as a part of this district. However, after the formation of Bokaro district, the Bermo sub-division was ceded to new

district in 1991.

DHANBAD, Jharkhand

Main Attraction: COALMINE

Coal Mines, the most common sight in the district of Dhanbad are the basic factors around which the whole socio-economic activities revolve in the district.

Brief History

Brief history of the district of the erstwhile Manbhum district. The reorganisation of the districts Dhanbad district was constituted in 1956 by carving out the old Dhanbad subdivision and Chas and Chandankiyari police stations of the Sadar subdivision in the State of Bihar which took place after 1971 did not affect the district of Dhanbad. Dhanbad Municipality is the chief town and the headquarters of the district. In the year 2001, Bokaro District was constituted carving out Chas subdivision of Dhanbad district and Bermo subdivision of Giridih district.

The district is bounded on the west by Giridih and Bokaro on the north by Giridih and Jamtara and on the east and south by Purulia district of West Bengal.

Early History

The early history of the greater part of the Chotanagpur plateau is shrouded in mystery and that of Dhanbad district is particularly so. Details of even later periods are difficult to trace as the present district formed but a small and insignificant part of Manbhum. In the Settlement Report for Manbhum (1928) it has been stated that no rock inscriptions, copper plates or old coins were discovered and not a single document of copper plate or palm leaf was found in course of the Survey and Settlement operations. The oldest authentic documents produced were all on paper and barely even a hundred years old.

It was a small village of the erstwhile district of Manbhum, which had its headquarter in Purulia (now in West Bengal). Manbhum in turn, derived its name from Raja Man Singh who was gifted this territory by Emperor Akbar, following his victory in a certain battle. The district being extremely vast and far-flung soon got divided into Birbhum, Manbhum and Singbhum, for administrative purposes.

There are 100850 acres of hillocks and 56454 acres of forests. It is about 500-10000 feet above Sea level. Its soil is, by and large lateritic in nature.

Dhanbad was initially christened as Dhanbaid; the name being probably derived from the “Baid” variety of paddy that was cultivated in abundance here. Regarded as third grade variety of kharif, crop ripened in the months of October-November. However there are other interesting speculations to explicate the above. Some opine that the place was primarily inhabited by the Kolar race people, who held the economic reins of the region and were hence, wealthy. The “Dhan” or wheat that occurs in Dhanbad may thus also be presumed to have an obvious link with the Kolars. Others argue that the district being bestowed with rich natural resources has been so named. In 1918, the then sub-divisional commissioner, Mr. Lubi, aborted the alphabet “I” from Dhanbad, with the consent of the Govt., following which the district came to be known by present name of Dhanbad.

The earliest civilisation in the district was that of the Jains who are ascribed by colonel Dalton to 500 or 600 B.C. The Saraks, who were the descendants of these Jains, were found in considerable number in the eastern part of the district as late as in 1928. The Jain civilisation was apparently superseded by the Brahmins before the seventh century A.D. The travel accounts of Hieun Tsang in seventh century A.D. make mention of a powerful kingdom ruled by Sasankad, a persecutor of the Buddhists, which extended from Midnapur on the east to Surguja on the west. According to one view it is held that Mundari tribes occupied the area south of Bihar in Pliny’s time.

Brahmanical civilisation was at its prime in the tenth century. It was destroyed completely by the Bhumij, a Mundari tribe, although it is stated that the area occupied by the latter mainly extended to the south of the river Kasai in the area that is now largely contained in Purulia district of West Bengal. During Akbar,s reign in circa 1590, Raja Man Singh led his troops from Bhagalpur to Midnapur through Jharkhand and he might have passed through portions of Dhanbad. There are detailed accounts of the Panchet or Panchkote estate which is now in Purulia district. Even when the district of Manbhum was acquired by the British in 1765, knowledge about the district scarcely extended beyond the Panchet Estate.

British rule

The history of the district during the early years of the British rule centred round a series of military operations to bring petty Zamindars or Chuars under control. In 1782-83 Major Crauford quelled the disturbances in Jharia. The Permanent Settlement was effected in 1796. By Regulation XVIII of 1805, the Jungle Mahals district was constituted into a separate magisterial charge with headquarters at Bankura. The next 25 years were uneventful. In 1832 disturbances broke out on account of disputed succssion in Barahbhum in which only the southern paraganas of Manbhum were involved. By regulation XIII of 1833, the district of Jungle Mahals was broken up and a new district called Manbhum was constituted with headquarters at Manbazar which was transferred to Purulia in 1838.

1857 Movement

In 1857, the Deputy Commissioner had to flee from Purulia on account of the insurrection of the garrison comprising sixty four sepoys and twelve sawars. The garrison looted the treasury and released prisoner from the jail. They then marched off to Ranchi. The Court buildings and the Record room at Purulia were burnt. The disturbances were, however, quelled eventually when the Deputy Commissioner returned with reinforcement from Raniganj about a month later.

Agrarian troubles between the Zamindar of Tundi and his Santal raiyats threatened the district in 1869 and 1870 but they were suitably warded off. The people of Dhanbad did not lag behind in the struggle for freedom. The various movements under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi were fully supported by the people of Dhanbad.

RANCHI, Jharkhand

Main Attraction: Lance Naik Albert Ekka

He was born 152 km away form the Capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi in jadi Village of Dumri block of Gumla district in 1942. It was a time when violent and non-violent movements were rife all over the country for independence.

Albert hated working as ‘Dhangar’. He joined the army and fought bravely in the China-Indian war of 1962. For his bravery he was promoted to Lance-Naik.

During this war Lance Naik Albert Ekka always gave a massage of heroism, of discipline, of patriotism and unmatched bravery. His gallantry and sacrifice are considered an epitome of the traditional bravery of Indian Soldiers, In fact, such a brave son is the pride of our motherland.

Brief History

Consequent upon the creation of Jharkhand state on 15th November, 2000, Ranchi got the privilege of becoming the capital of the state. As a result of which the destiny of the district of Ranchi changed drastically and all round development started to take place. Once upon a time Ranchi also used to be the summer capital of erstwhile Bihar state.

The district of Ranchi is one of the units comprising the south Chotanagpur division and forms the central part of it. Ranchi (M.Corp.) is the principal town and the headquarters of the district as also of the South Chotanagpur division as well as Jharkhand state.

Early history

Earlier the name of the district was Lohardaga as seat of the district was at Lohardaga. The old district had come into existence after the creation of the non-regulation of south-west frontier as a result of the Kolup rising in 1831-32. The name of the district was changed in 1899 from Lohardaga to Ranchi as a sequel to change in headquarters, after the name of a small village now comprised within the headquarters station.

In ancient times the tract which corresponds to the district of Ranchi and the neighbouring parganas was in the undisturbed possession of the Munda and Oraon tribes and was known to Aryans as Jharkhand or the ‘forest territory’. The entire tract was presumably beyond the pale of the direct Hindu influence in ancient India. However, Jarasandh, the mighty emperor of Rajgriha in the Mahabharat period might have exercised some kind of loose supervision over the area. Similarly, Mahapadmanad Ugrasen of Magadh, who subdued the entire country upto Orissa might have gained some control over Jharkhand as well. Possibly, the area was included in the Magadh Empire during the reign of Ashoka (273-232 B.C.). With the decline of Mauryan power, king Kharavela of Kalinga led an army through Jharkhand and ransacked Rajgriha and Patliputra. Later, Samudra Gupta (335-380 A.D.) must have passed through the area on his expedition to the Deccan. The Chinese traveler Hiuen-Tsang is believed to have journeyed through the Chotanagpur plateau in course of his travels to Nalanda and Bodh Gaya.

The Chotanagpur Raj is believed to have been set up in fifth century A.D. after the fall of the imperial Guptas. Phanimukut was elected the first king. It is said that he was found by the side of a tank under the protection of a Nag (Snake). Hence the dynasty founded by him was named the Naga Dynasty.

Muslim period

The Chotanagpur plateau was reffered to as Jharkhand by the Muhammedan historians. Throughout the Turko-Afgnan period (upto 1526), the area remained virtually free from external influence. It is only with the accession of Akbar to the throne of Delhi in 1556 that Muslim influence penetrated into Jharkhand, then known to the Mughals as Kokrah. In 1585, Akbar sent a force under the command of Shahabaz Khan to reduce the Raja of Chotanagpur to the position of a tributary. Kokrah was included in the subah of Bihar, as mentioned in the Ain-I-Akbari.

After the death of Akbar in 1605 the area presumably regained its independence. This necessitated an expedition in 1616 by Ibrahim Khan Fateh Jang, Governor of Bihar and brother of Queen Noorjahan, Ibrahim Khan defeated and captured Durjan Sal, the 46th Raja of Chotanagpur. He was later released by the Emperor and allowed to resume his previous position as an independent chief. After that the relations between the Moghul Emperors and the Kokra Chiefs continued to be somewhat friendly and peacefully. A stipulated tribute of Rs.6,000/- was regularly paid.

In 1632 Chotanagpur was given as Jagair to the Governor at Patna for annual payment of Rs.1,36,000.00. During the reign of Muhammed Shah (1719-1748), Sar Balland Khan, the Governor of Bihar, marched against the Raja of Chotanagpur and forced his submission. Another expedition was led by Fakhruddoula, Governor of Bihar in 1731. He came to terms with the Raja of Ramgarh who owed allegiance to the Raja of Chotanagpur. The district seems to have enjoyed almost an unbroken peace from 1624 when Durjan Sal was released till the appearance of the British in 1772.

British rule

The Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa was granted by Emperor shah Alam-II to the East India Company in 1765. This Diwani included Chotanagpur as a part of Bihar. The internecine quarrels led to depredations of the Raja of Gidhaur. The Raja of Ramgarh and the rival claim between Gopal Rai and Chitrajit Rai for the Kingdom of Palamu led the British take an active interest in the area. In 1771 captain Camac attacked Palamu and put Chitrajit Rai as the Raja. The history of Ranchi, for sometime thereafter, is interlinked with the history of Palamu, Hazaribag and Singhbhum.

During the operations of Captain Camac against the Raja of Palamu Dhupnath Shahi, Raja of Chotanagpur rendered useful service to British. He acknowledged the authority of the company and offered to pay an annual tribute of Rs.12,000 instead of Rs. 6,000 fixed under the Muslim rule. However, arrears in payment resulted in an expedition against him in 1773, as a result of which an agreement was reached stipulating enhanced payment of Rs.15,000 per year. The Raja was allowed to retain his hold on the internal administration.

Captain Camac was succeeded in 1780 by Chapman, the first Civilian administrator of Chotanagpur. The so-called “conquered provinces”, were formed into a district under the name of the Ramgarh Hill Tract in 1780 which lasted till 1863. The district of Ranchi was not directly included in this unit but was added under the designation of Tributory Mahal of Chotanagpur. Chapman was at the same time the judge and the Magistrate and Collector of the district. There was an Adivasi insurrection at Tamar in 1789 which could be quelled only by the use of force. Sporadic disturbances continued for six years more.

Disputes between the Raja and his brothers led to further disturbance in 1807-1808. A force was sent under Major Roughsedge. The Diwan of the Raja who was primarily responsible for the trouble, was apprehended and jailed. The Raja paid up arrears of revenue and settled disputes with his brothers. Six police thanas were also set up in 1809, marking the beginning of an end of the feudal authority of the Raja. This also marked the induction of non-tribal revenue collecting agents who latter oppressed the aboriginal tenants.

The discontent among the tribal population evidenced in the earlier insurrections, found an outlet in the Kol insurrections of 1831-32. The immediate cause for it was the humiliation caused to Mundas by the Sikh and Muslim Thikadars (intermediaries in revenue collection). The Mundas got together in Laukha village near Tamar and plundered and destroyed many villages held in farm by Sikh and Muslim Thikadars. They were overpowered by the forces led by captain Wilkinson in 1832.

Ranchi has attracted many Christian missions which have contributed much to the growth of education in the district. The earliest Christians missionaries reached the district in 1845 and the first conversions of the tribal population to Christianity took place in 1850.

1857 Movement

The 7th and 8th native companies of the Ramgarh Battalion stationed at Hazaribag rose in revolt on the 30th July. When news of this reached Col. Dalton (who was then the Commissioner of Ranchi), he sent Lt. Graham with two companies of the Ramgarh Light Infantry, thirty horsemen and two guns to disarm the regiment at Hazaribag. This force left Ranchi on the 1st August. Meanwhile, the insurgents at Hazaribag started marching to Ranchi by the road via Badam. Getting news of this, the infantry with Lt. Graham also rose against British authority and commenced their return journey to Ranchi. Lt. Graham proceeded to Hazaribag with the cavalry which remained loyal to him and reached thee on the 2nd August. The deserters from Lt. Graham’s contingent returned to the army station at Doranda and successfully, exhorted the Sepoys to rise against British authority. In view of this, Col. Alton left Ranchi for Hazribag.

The insurgent troops at Doranda burnt the offices and courts of the district office and some bungalows and set free the prisoners in jail. The expected the insurgents from Hazaribag to join them but when the latter did not reach Doranda, they set out in the third week of September to join Babu Kuer Singh in Shahabad. They were attacked and defeated on the 2nd October, 1857 at Chatra under a British force commanded by Major English. Meanwhile Col. Dalton returned to Ranchi on 22nd September with a contingent of force. The courts were reopened and peace and order restored.

The infiltration of the British in the political horizon of Chotanagpur also synchronized with a great socio-economic revolution. Agrarian discontent against the imposition of begari (forced labour) and illegal enhancement of rent by the intermediaries resulted in the Sardari agitation, so called due to the instigation and leadership provided by the Sardars. By 1887 the movement had grown and many Mundas and Oraon cultivators refused to pay rent to the landlords. The Sardari agitation (or Larai as it was called) was at its height in 1895 when a socio-religious leader named Birsa Munda appeared on the scene. The importance of his role in the social history of Ranchi is borne out by the application of Birsa Bhagwan given to him.

The movement led by Birsa Munda was half agrarian and half religious. It had a direct connection with agrarian unrest and also appeared to have been influenced by Christian ideas. Birsa Munda was an apostate from Christianity. His teaching was partly spiritual, partly revolutionary. He proclaimed that the land belonged to the people who had reclaimed it from forests, and therefore, no rent should be paid for it. He asserted that he was the Messiah and claimed divine powers of healing.

Birsa’s crusade brought about an armed rising of the deluded peasantry which was quickly suppressed. Birsa died in the jail in 1900.

A religious movement among the oraons was initiated by Jatra Oraon of Bishunpur police station in 1914. The Tana Bhagat movement, as it was called, also had its genesis in agrarian issues and particularly the economic disparity between Christian converts and the traditional or Sansari Oraons. The noncooperation movement launched by Jatra Oraon and his associates soon spread even to Palamu and Hazaribag.

The district played an important role in the national freedom movement. Under the guidance of Ganesh Chandra Ghosh Ranchi became an important centre for the follower’s of Revolutionary Party. Ranchi was the venue of a meeting between Mahatma Gandhi and Sir Edward Albert Gait. Lieutenant Governor of Bihar and Orissa on 4th June and again on 22nd Sept. 1917 in the context of the Champaran Indigo planters repressive measures against the raiyats of that district. The Champaran agrarian law was subsequently passed under the name of Bihar and Orissa Act-I of 1918.

The non-cooperation movement in Ranchi district followed the pattern as elsewhere in India. The movement caught the imagination of the people particularly the Tana Bhagats and a large number of them attended the Gaya session of the Congress in December 1922 which was presided over by Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das. These Tana Bhagats returned home deeply impressed with the message of freedom movement. Barefooted they used to trek over long distances with congress flags in their hands and they carried the message to the masses in the interior. They attended the meetings organized by the non-cooperation workers.

On 5th October, 1926, a khadi exhibition was opened at Ranchi in presence of Sri Rajendra Prasad in the local Arya Samaj Hall. The Tana Bhagats also attended it. This was a part of the constructive programme launched by Mahatma Gandhi after he had suspended the non-cooperation movement in 1922. The Simon Commission was boycotted in 1927. On 4th April, 1930, Tarun Singh (Youth league) of Ranchi organized a meeting in the local municipal park which was attended by a large number of students from different educational institutions. The leaders appealed to them to join the Civil Disobedience Movement.

The Salt Satyagrah which was launched at the behest of Mahatma Gandhi, received great response in Ranchi district. In the wake of the quit India Revolution of 1942 the arrest of national leaders led to strikes, processions, demonstrations and also disruption of the lines of communications. The district took an active part in the subsequent events which led to country’s independence in 1947.