Dumka district General information
Dumka is one of the oldest districts of Jharkhand state under Santha Pargana. This homeland of tribal is full of stunning landscapes, majestic mountains, verdant valleys and serpentine rivers . Dumka District is at 86 16" North latitude and 87 15" East longitude. It is situated at the height of 472 ft from the sea level. It The District has an area of 3716.02 Sq.KM. and consists of only one sub division namely Dumka. Under Dumka sub division, there are 10 blocks namely Dumka, Gopikander, Jama, Jarmundi, Kathikund, Maslia, Ramgarh, Raneshwar, Shikaripara and Saraiyahat.Dumka has predominantly undulating terrain with hard rocks in the underground. Entire District has a topography with high ridges and valleys bounded by mountains and rivers. The fertility of soil is poor due to extensive erosion, acidic character and low retaining capacity.
HISTORY OF DUMKA
Dumka is situated in an idyllic surrounding of hill ranges, rivers and forests. Topographically the District of Dumka is an upland tract with a hilly backbone running from North to South. Ramgarh Hills ( South East of Dumka ), Lagwa Hills ( near Nonihat), parallel running hill rages from Masanjore to Ranibahal and several scattered hillocks add a fascinating charm to the beauty of the District and gives satisfaction of rare scenic beauty to those who toil hard to scale the heights of the mountain ranges. To add more to the natural charm of the scenery several rivers system like that of the Mayurakshi, Ajoy and many more rivers enhance the beauty of Dumka and also a major source irrigation.
The District of Dumka enjoying the status of sub-capital of Jharkhand since 2000.
A Glimpse of Dumka's Glorious History
Stone-age:- On the basis of tools unearthed the original inhabitants appear to be the Mon-khmers and the Mundas.
Early History:- The earlier inhabitants of whom there is same record, it appears that the Paharias ( eg. Maler and Sauria Paharias ) inhabited the District. The European traveler Megasthenese has identified these people as Mallis. The Greek geographer have referred to the Sauria Paharias as savars of Orisa.
Medieval History:- Due to inaccessibility of the area caused by the cliffs of Rajmahal Hills it was a place of strategic economic importance with a fort at Teliagarhi. After 1539 victory of Shershah Suri at Chousa the area fell in the hands of the Afgan but it was soon lost to the Mughals under Akber when Hussain Quli Khan was made viceroy of Bengal.
British Period:- The British representative Dr. Gabriel Bokgliton procured farman from Shahjahan.
* 1742-1751:- The area of Dumka close to Rajmahal witnessed frequent inroads of the Marathas under Raghoji Bhosle and Peshwa Balaji Rao.
* 1745 :- Raghoji Bhosle entered Rajmahal via hills and jungles of Santal Pargana.The early stay of the British were wasted in pacifying the Paharias.
* 1769 :- It remaindered a Ghatwali police post under Birbhum District of Bangal.
* 1775 :- It was transferred to Bhagalpur Division.
* 1865 :- Dumka was made an independent District after being carved out of Bhagalpur.
* 1872 :- Dumka was made headquarter of the whole District of Santal Pargana.
* 1902 :- First municipality came into establishment.
* 1920 :- Motor car and buses were introduced.
* 1983 :- Was made Divisional headquarter of Santal Pargana.
* 2000 :- Sub-Capital of Jharkhand.
TOURIST PLACES OF DUMKA
Baba Basukinath Dham : Basukinath is located in Dumka District of Jharkhand. It lies on the Deoghar – Dumka state highway and is around 25 km north-west of Dumka. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Basukinath Temple is the main attraction here.Jasidih Junction Railway Station and Jamtara Railway Station are the nearest railheads. Ranchi Airport is the nearest airport. It is situated at Jarmundi Block on Dumka Deoghar State Highway at a distance of 24 km from the Distrcit Headquarters Dumka. In a year lacs and lacs people from different parts of country come here to worship Lord Shiva. In the month of Shravan people of several country also come here to worship Lord Shiva.
Baba Sumeshwarnath :It is a religious place which is situated in Saraiyahat Block at the distance of 60 km from district headquarters Dumka. There is a big temple of the Lord Shiva. On the eve of Mahashivaratri the people of different parts of the district come here to worship Lord Shiva in addition to daily worshiping.
Naag Mandir :Naag Mandir Situated at the top of a hill of Shiv Pahar at Dumka.
Mayurakshi River :Mayurakshi is the main river of Dumka District.
Masanjore Dam : Masanjore is a famous picnic spot situated in Dumka District of Jharkhand. This small village is about 31 km south of Dumka. The picturesque Tilpara Barrage (also Canada Dam) on the Mayurakshi River is a major draw. The dam is bounded by hills and forests, a perfect place for outing. Mayurakshi Bhawan Bungalow and Inspection Bungalow offer excellent and comfortable accommodation in the village. By road, Masanjore is connected with Vakreshwara (59 km), Sainthia (50 km), Tarapith (70 km), Rampurhat (62 km) and Deoghar (98 km). Masanjor dame or the Pearson dame on rever Mayurakshi is a picturesque place on foot hills of long range of forest clad parallel hill ranges. This place is basically a hydro electric power generating center but in the process of time it has become popular center for the tourist. With the beautiful garden on the down hill and two beautiful Dak-bunglows on the bank of the river at charm to its beauty.
Tatloi :It is a hot water Spring, situated at a distance of 15 km from the district headquarters of Dumka. It is rounded by small mounts, beautiful, attractive and greenish natural atmosphere. The water of spring is very clear and healthy.
Water Park :Fun for children, Water park is the famous park for boating and different water rides.
Shristi Hill Park :Shristi park is a famous hill park of Dumka.An full entertainment place for children.The hill look ,boating, rare plant collections are the charm of this park.
Malooti : Mallooti is a historical and religious place which is situated in Shikaripara Block on Dumka Rampurhat interstate highway at a distance of 55 km from Dumka District Headquarters. In 1860 Mallooti was made taxfree capital by the then King Basant Rai alias Basant. This Mallooti is associated with the archaeological and religious importal place for natural beauty.
Hill Range : Running south from pakur to godda.The hill range of Dumka seen parallel & terminate in th Mangalbhanga hill. To the south east of Dumka is Ramgarh hills ferther west 2parallel renges of hills also stretch in an easterly direction from Masanjor to Ranibhal. Beside hill ranges some hillocks are also in like (i) Lagwa hil at Nonihat under which lies the Tatloi hot water stream (ii) Hijla hill top.(iii) Sapchala hill top.(iv) Chuto pahadi.Maluti (Temple villege on way to Rampurhat).
Politics
Frst Chief Minister of Jharkhand Babulal Marandi hailed from Dumka constituency.After the bifurcation of Bihar in 2000, NDA came to power in Jharkhand with Mr. Marandi as the Chief Minister. However, he had to resign and make way for Mr. Arjun Munda (BJP) for the post in 2002 following pressure exerted by coalition allies primarily JD(U). Recently, he formed his own party with stephan Marandi, an another political leader of the state. Shibu Soren is another familiar controversial leader. His political career has been mired in controversies, starting since Indira Gandhi's prime ministership. Recently, he has been sent to Dumka jail after being convicted of murdering his private secretary Shashinath Jha. But, the Delhi High Court acquitted him of the murder charge of his private secretary because of the lack of the evidences. A number of cases is still pending before the jamtara Session Court and some of the other courts of the Jharkhand.
Schools and colleges
The district has some good schools and colleges which have been imparting the value of education. Bal Bharti School, Zila School , National School, Govt. Girls School, Dumka Central School are the Schools which provide education till +2 level. Other schools of repute which provide education till secondary level are Sido Kanhu High School, St. Teresa High school (for girls) and Holy Child, N.E.L.C. Don Bosco School , St. Joseph's High School. other schools of same repute are Modern Sainik School, Green Mount Academy etc. They are known for good standard of education. The town also boasts of having S. P. College and A . N. College which run under the S.K.M. University . S. P. College offers undergraduate, graduate as well as Post graduate courses in various disciplines of science , Arts and commerce. Recently B.Ed. course has also been introduced. It has IGNOU study Centre as well which provides for teaching of IGNOU courses.Another well known University is Birsa Agricultural University which provides technical Education related to Agriculture.
Education
The town has very good colleges and schools. S.P. College leads the pack and offers graduation and Post graduation in social science, pure science, economics, mathematics and other subjects. Dumka also has a polytechnic and an ITI but unfortunately no engineering, medical or dental college, so those who wish to pursue a career in these subjects have to move out of the city. A good number of schools are also there to provide the educational needs of the students of this locality.
S.P. College in Dumka provides vocational courses in education (B. Ed, BCA & BBA). IT also runs an IGNOU centre to provide distance learning education in various certificate, diploma, graduation and post graduation courses.