Jharkhand: An Overview The passing of the Bihar Reorganization Bill gave birth to the 28th state of the nation,

Jharkhand on November 15th 2000 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the legendary Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Jharkhand as a state is known as a vast reservoir of natural resources in terms of forest areas as well as minerals. However, in spite of this immense potential, it has not been able to utilize them properly and is thus counted among the backward states in the country. Its inheritance is considered to be one of the major reasons for this backwardness which is reflected in the development backlog over the years. The widespread unrest among the naxal community in recent times has further added to the problem. It thus puts a challenge before the state to provide good governance and to enable equitable growth and socio-economic progress. With a population size a third of Bihar and community-centered traditional ethos of tribal people, it will be relatively easier for the nascent state to pass on the benefits of growth to its citizens equally. Jharkhand- Birth of the State The region enshrouded in the hills and forests inaccessible to a large segment of people. The tribes of this state are living here from thousands of years and not much changed in their life and culture over the ages baring last few decades. Many scholars now believe that the language used by tribes in the state of Jharkhand is identical to the one used by Harappan people. This has led to a great interest in the deciphering of Harappan inscriptions using rock paintings and language used by these tribes. For a greater part of Vedic age, Jharkhand remained obscured. During the age of Mahajanpadas around 500 BC, India saw the emergence of 16 large states who controlled the entire Indian subcontinent. The supremacy of the janpads were often decided by the power of swords and bows and ax and other weapons. The region around Jharkhand was extremely rich in its mineral resources including iron and the janpad that controlled this region, Magadha, eventually controlled most of the country. The power of Magadha continued to occupy central state in Indian subcontinent for a long time and saw the emergence of mighty empires such as Mauryas and Guptas. After the end of last big Hindu empire of Guptas, India saw emergence of a number of

numerous regional powers who tried to control this region. Same was the case with Muslim Sultans of Delhi and their feudatories in Bengal, who tried to control this mineral-rich area. British identified this region as a great source of raw material for their booming industries back home and to exploit the region to its full potential, established a vast network of railway line. Calcutta was developed as a major port to export raw materials from this region to England. Birsa Munda (1875-1900) and Sidho and Kanho are the legendary heroes of the tribals of this state who fought against the oppressive rule of the British government. Birsa Munda, now regarded as god, fought for the tribals natural right over forests and land that was mercilessly being acquired by the British for exploitation. After a long fight, Birsa Munda was captured by the British authorities and died in prison. Sidho and Kanho were another set of revolutionaries among the tribals, now regarded as a tribal heroes. For a long time, Jharkhand remained as a part of Bihar, but after Indian independence, the demand for a separate state of tribals started gaining momentum. In the last fifty years, the tribes of this region fought against the hegemony of Northern Bihar, a region that gained from the mineral deposits of this region like anything. Jharkhand became a state under the Republic of India on November 15, 2000 and now it is poised for a great leap forward. Geography of Jharkhand Jharkhand is located in eastern India and is surrounded by Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east. The state covers a geographical area of 79.70 Lakh Hect. Many parts of the Jharkhand state lies on the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Chota Nagpur plateau is the source of the Koel, Damodar, Brahmani, Kharkai, and Subarnarekha rivers, whose upper watersheds lie within Jharkhand. Much of the state is still covered by forest. Forest preserves support the population of tigers and Asian Elephants. Soil content of Jharkhand state mainly consist of soil formed from disintegration of rocks and stones, and soil composition is further divided into: Red soil, found mostly in the Damodar valley, and Rajmahal area Micacious soil (containing particles of mica), found in

Koderma, Jhumeritilaiya, Barkagaon, and areas around the Mandar hill Sandy soil, generally found in Hazaribagh and Dhanbad Black soil, found in Rajmahal area, Laterite soil, found in western part of Ranchi, Palamu, and parts of Santhal Parganas and Singhbhum. People of Jharkhand Jharkhand has a population of 26.90 million, consisting of 13.86 million males and 13.04 million females. Like most of our states Jharkhand is also a melting pot where people from different parts of the country have come and settled down. But the original inhabitants are remarkably prominent. The population consists of 28% tribes, 12% Scheduled Castes and 60% others. The sex ratio is 941 females to 1000 males. There are 274 persons for each square kilometer of land. However, the population density varies considerably from as low as 148 per square kilometer in Gumla district to as high as 1167 per square kilometer in Dhanbad district. Around 10% of the population is Bengali speaking and 70% speak various dialect of Hindi. There are 32 different tribal communities, major one being Santhals, Oraons, Mundas and Hos. Other tribes include Asur, Baiga, Banjara, Bathudi, Bedia, Binjhia, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Chick-Baraik, Gond, Gorait, Karmali, Kharwar, Khond, Kisan, Kora, Korwa, Lohra, Mahli, Mal-Paharia, Parhaiya, Sauria-Paharia, Savar, Bhumij, Kol and Kanwar. The predominant communities have their strong presence in the state that is reflected through their festivals, rituals, music, language and literature. Their lifestyles are also so distinct that they have influenced the characteristics of the areas they dwell. In fact, in some of the districts of Jharkhand, the tribal population predominates over the non-tribal one.

Culture of Jharkhand Jharkhand culture is rich and diverse and as a result unique in its very own way. Jharkhand culture treats guests as God and serves them and takes care of them as if they are a part and parcel of the family itself. Archaeologists have unearthed pre-

Harappa pottery, pre-historic cave paintings and rock-art from various parts of Jharkhand. That hint at ancient, cultured civilizations inhabiting these parts. The intricate woodwork, the pitkar paintings, tribal ornaments, stone carvings, dolls and figurines, masks and baskets, all are pointing towards the cultural wealth of Jharkhand existed even before the Harappa age. Among the most delicate, fragile, beautiful and threatened indigenous tradition of India are for example, the Kohvar and Sohrai paintings, which are sacred, secular and relevant to a womans world. This is the part practiced exclusively by married women, during weddings and at harvest time, and the skill and the information is handed down to younger females of the clan. Comb-cut of finger-painted Kohvar art celebrates marriage, and the wall-painted Sohrai, bumper crops. Elaborate design motifs, animal and plant forms, fertility motifs are abundant and often echo ancient cave art found in the surrounds. The colours used are all natural shades, red oxide from stone, red ochre, kaolin white, manganese black earth etc Languages Jharkhand is home to a number of languages belonging to three major language families. Indo-Aryan languages include Angika, Bhojpuri, Khortha, Nagpuri, Sadri, Hindi, Urdu, Oriya and Bengali. Jharkhand is also home to the Munda languages, Kurmali, Korku, Santhali, Mundari, Bhumij, Kharia and Ho, and the Dravidian languages Korwa, Oraon(Kurukh) and Paharia (Malto). Santhali , Mundari , Kurukh, Khortha, Nagpuria, Sadri, Khariya, Panchparagnia, Ho, Malto, Karmali, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla etc are the most common languages. In whole of Santhal Parganas area Angika is the primary language for communication. Folk Painting The Jharkhand area is famous for a special type of folk painting called the paitkar paintings. This form of painting is one of the earliest forms of tribal paintings in India and thus enhances the culture of Jharkhand. These paintings have a scrolling look and depict life after death. However, due to lack of recognition and promotion, this type of painting is slowly facing extinction. Folk Music includes Akhariya Domkach, Dohari Domkach, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Faguwa, Udasi, Pawas, Daidhara, Pahilsanjha, Adhratiya, Vinsariya, Pratkali, Jhumta etc. Folk dances include Paika,

Chaw, Jadur, Karma, Nachni, Natua, Agni, Choukara, Santhal, Jamda, Ghatwari, Matha, Sohrai, Lurisayro etc. Instruments commonly used in Jharkhand area are Bansuri, Arbansi, Sahnai, Madanvari, Singa, Sankh Mandar, Dhol, Dhak, Dhamsa, Nagara, Damama, Karha, Tasa, Jurinagra, Visamdhanki, Thapchanchu, Kartal, Jhanjh, Thala, Manjhira, Ghanta Festivals in Jharkhand Jharkhand is unique in the celebration of fairs and festivals due to its rich tribal culture. Various religious fairs and festivals celebrated throughout Jharkhand. Barura Sharif, Belgada Mela Simaria, Bhadli Mela Itkhori, Chatra Mela, Kolhaiya Mela Chatra, Kolhua Mela Hunterganj, Kunda Mela Pratappur, Kundri Mela Chatra, Lawalong Mela, Rabda Sharif, Sangat and Tutilawa Mela Simaria are some of the prominent fairs and festivals of Jharkhand. Important festivals of Hindus celebrated in Jharkhand are Holi, Divwali, Dashhara and Ramnavami. Other festivals like Basant panchami, Chath, Jityya Bhaiya Duj, etc. are also celebrated in the state. Specific festivals of the tribes in Jharkhand are Karma, Manda, Sarhul, Jani shikar etc. Jharkhand Economy and Industry Some of the countrys highly industrialized cities such as Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Bokaro and Dhanbad are located in Jharkhand owing to its large mineral resources. The following is a glance of the States achievements in the Industrial Sector: Largest fertilizer factory of its time in India at Sindri First Iron & steel factory at Jamshedpur Largest Steel plant in Asia, Bokaro steel plant. Biggest explosives factory at Gomia First methane gas well in the country Minerals ranging from (states rank in the country) 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), gold (Rakha mines) (6th), silver and several other minerals are found in the state.

Large deposits of coal and iron ore support concentration of industry in centers like Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Ranchi. Jharkhand Population Census The official census 2011 of Jharkhand has been conducted by Directorate of Census Operations in Jharkhand. Enumeration of key persons including Chief Minister of Jharkhand was also done by officials conducting population census. As per Official Census of India 2011, Population of Jharkhand is now 3.29 Crore showing change of 22.34% from the last decade. Reports of Census 2011 suggest that Jharkhand feeds 2.72 percent of total population of India. As per preliminary report of Jharkhand, of total population of 32,966,238, male and female constituted 16,931,688 and 16,034,550 respectively. In 2001, Jharkhands population stood at figure of 26,945,829, roughly 2.69 Crore. Jharkhand, one of the states or UT of India having total sq km area of 79,714 has density of 414 per Sq.km which is above the national average density of India which figures currently at 382. If measurement is shifted from Kilometer to Mile, Jharkhands total area becomes 30,778 Sq mi having density of approximately 1,071 per Sq mi. As per report of Census 2011, Jharkhand has literacy rate of 67.63 which is below national average of 74.04 percent. Total 18,753,660 people were found literate in Jharkhand as per 2011 census report. In 2001, Jharkhand had 53.56% literacy rate. Major Highlights of the state Three times growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) has been achieved during the last ten years (2001-2011). Over 20 per cent of the countrys total steel is being produced in the state. Steel production has increased from 8 million tones to over 12 million tones per annum during the 11th plan period.

17,000 mega watt (MW) power capacity is being installed by private investors. The State is poised to attain self sufficiency in power and become a net exporter of energy by 2012-13. Several thermal power plants are in various stage of construction in the state such as Maithan Power Limited at Dhanbad (2x525 MW) Manufacturing accounts for 27 percent of the GSDP (as compared to only 17 per cent for all India in 2004). Jharkhand has the second largest auto ancillary Hub in Asia. Sericulture has seen phenomenal growth in the state. Jharkhand ranks first in the production of Tasar silk in the country. In fact, 1000 metric tons (MT) of Tasar silk has been achieved, as against countrys 1400 MT production, and approximately two lakh employments has been generated by the state. It has the countrys 40 per cent mineral reserves with mining and quarrying accounting for 14.3 per cent of the GSDP (as compared to 2.3 per cent for the rest of India). The state saw 0.5 per cent increase in forest cover, which only four states of the country have achieved over the reporting period 2007-09. This is attributed to community participation in forest protection.

Ranchi : Statistics

Co-ordinates 23.35 85.33 N E Area 175.12 square kilometers Elevation 629 meters above see level (Average) River Subarnarekha Climate Humid subtropical climate (Pleasant Climate) Temperature 42 to 20 during summer, and from 25 to 0 during winter C C

Rainfall Annual rainfall is about 1430 mm (56.34 inches) Population 11,26,741 (2011 census) Literacy 77.13% (2011 census) Best Season September to May Attractions Ranchi Hill, Tagore Hill (Moradabad Hill) 4 kms, Kanke Dam 4 kms, Ranchi Lake, Tribal Research Institute & Museum, Heavy Engineering 11 km, Hatia Dam 12 kms, Jagannath Temple 10 kms, Mental Hospital 9 kms,Birsa Jaivik Udyan (Zoo). Excursions Hundru Falls (320 ft.) 45 kms, Johna Falls (140 ft.) 40 kms, Dassamghagh Falls (144 ft.) 34 kms, Hirni Falls 75 kms, Netarhat 156 kms.