Jharkhand, meaning 'The land of forest,' is an eastern Indian state rich in minerals and tribal culture.
Establishment and Borders
* Establishment Year: Jharkhand was officially established on November 15, 2000, carved out of the southern part of Bihar. This date is also the birth anniversary of the tribal leader Birsa Munda.
* Borders: The state shares its borders with five Indian states:
* North: Bihar
* Northwest: Uttar Pradesh
* West: Chhattisgarh
* South: Odisha (Orissa)
* East: West Bengal
Demographics (as per 2011 Census)
* Population: Approximately 32.96 million (3,29,66,238). It is the 14th largest state by population.
* Official Language: Hindi
* Widely Spoken Languages:
* Indo-Aryan Family: Hindi (most prominent), Urdu, and Bihari languages like Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magadhi.
* Austroasiatic Family (Tribal): Santhal, Mundari, and Ho.
* Dravidian Family (Tribal): Kurukh (Oraon).
* Religion: The state has a diverse religious population:
* Hinduism: Majority religion, followed by about 67.8% of the population.
* Islam: Significant minority, followed by about 14.5%.
* Sarnaism (Local Tribal Religion): Followed by about 12.5% of the population, especially by tribal groups like the Ho.
* Christianity: Followed by about 4.3%, with a notable presence among Munda, Kharia, and Oraon peoples.
Chief Ministers and President's Rule
| Chief Minister (CM) | Political Party | Joined Office | Left Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babulal Marandi | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 15 Nov 2000 | 17 Mar 2003 |
| Arjun Munda | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 18 Mar 2003 | 2 Mar 2005 |
| Shibu Soren | Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) | 2 Mar 2005 | 12 Mar 2005 |
| Arjun Munda | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 12 Mar 2005 | 18 Sep 2006 |
| Madhu Koda | Independent (IND) | 18 Sep 2006 | 23 Aug 2008 |
| Shibu Soren | Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) | 23 Aug 2008 | 19 Jan 2009 |
| President's Rule | N/A | 19 Jan 2009 | 30 Dec 2009 |
| Shibu Soren | Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) | 30 Dec 2009 | 30 May 2010 |
| President's Rule | N/A | 1 Jun 2010 | 11 Sep 2010 |
| Arjun Munda | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 11 Sep 2010 | 8 Jan 2013 |
| President's Rule | N/A | 18 Jan 2013 | 13 Jul 2013 |
| Hemant Soren | Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) | 13 Jul 2013 | 28 Dec 2014 |
| Raghubar Das | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 28 Dec 2014 | 29 Dec 2019 |
| Hemant Soren | Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) | 29 Dec 2019 | Incumbent (as of late 2024) |
* President's Rule: The state of Jharkhand has been placed under President's Rule three times since its formation:
* January 2009 – December 2009
* June 2010 – September 2010
* January 2013 – July 2013
Famous Places and Products
Jharkhand is often called the 'Storehouse of Minerals' and is known for its natural beauty and religious sites.
Famous Places (Tourist & Religious)
* Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple, Deoghar: A major Hindu pilgrimage site and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.
* Parasnath Hill (Shikharji): The most important pilgrimage center for the Jain community, believed to be the place where 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation.
* Netarhat: A beautiful hill station known as the 'Queen of Chota Nagpur' for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
* Ranchi (The City of Waterfalls): Home to numerous waterfalls like Hundru Falls and Dassam Falls.
* Jamshedpur: Known as the 'Steel City of India' and the first planned industrial city.
* Betla National Park: Famous for its diverse wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and a variety of birds.
Famous Products (Worldwide or in India)
* Minerals: Jharkhand is incredibly rich in minerals and is a leading producer of:
* Coal (globally significant)
* Iron Ore
* Copper
* Mica
* Bauxite
* Steel and Iron: Jamshedpur (home to Tata Steel) is a major global hub for steel production.
* Handicrafts and Art: The state's rich tribal culture is reflected in its handicrafts, including:
* Dokra Art (metal casting)
* Paitkar Paintings (scroll paintings)
* Bamboo and Cane products
