Latehar district General information
Latehar district has been created on 4th April 2001. Previously, it was a subdivision of old Palamau district of Jharkhand State. Latehar district is situated between 84deg. 31 min. East latitude 23 deg. 44.4 sec north latitude.
The geogrophical area of the district is 3651.59 square kilometers. There are 7 (Seven) Development Blocks, namely Latehar, Chandwa, Balumath, Manika, Barwadih, Garu and Mahuadar
History
Latehar was an integral part of Palamau; hence it is desirable to take into consideration the historical account of Palamau as a whole. The district of Palamau was constituted on 01 January 1928. Its headquarter Daltonganj was named after Colonel Dalton, the Commissioner of Chotanagpur during British rule. The area was inhabited by the autochthones tribes like Chero, Oraon and Kharwar. Oraon ruled a part of Palamau from Rohtasgarh. The Chero reigned in Palamau for more than 200 years. Among the important Chero rulers, mention may be made of Raja Medini Rai (1662-1674). He extended his sway over South Gaya and large parts of Hazaribagh and Sarguja. Medini Rai's memory has survived more for his justice than for his conquests. He built one of the Palamau forts (the lower fort). His son Pratap Rai built a fort near his father’s fort, which still exists in Betla.
The influence of Mughals extended to Palamau during the reign of Emperor Akbar, when Palamau was invaded by Raja Man Singh in 1574. The troops left by him were however driven out in 1605, when Akbar died. In 1629 Shahjehan appointed Ahmad Khan as Subedar of Patna and Palamau was given to him as jageer. He imposed tribute on Chero rulers, but they refused to pay the tribute and hence Palamau faced three successive invasions of Muslims.
The quarrel among the claimants of rights of kingship on Palamau gave way to the British to invade Palamau for the first time in 1772 and the fort of Palamau was captured. In 1832 the Cheros and Kharwars raised their voice against administration. The insurgents were however defeated in an engagements with the British forces near Latehar.
During 1857 movement Palamau was the most severely affected zone of Chotanagpur plateau. The brothers Nilambar and Pitambar, the chief of Bhogta clan of Kharwar tribe were holding ancestral Jagirs. Taking advantage of the movements against British rule they made up their minds to declare themselves to be independents and were joined by many Chero Jagirdars. They jointly attacked on British supporters. ‘O’ Malley (1907) has narrated that Nilambar and Pitambar were eventually captured, tried and hanged. Palamau played important role in freedom movement of the country. A momentous event was the visit of Mahatma Gandhi along with Shri Rajendra Prasad to Daltonganj on 11th January 1927 during his second tour in Bihar. The August disturbances in 1942 had their echoes in Palamau as well. Railway lines were dismantled, telegraph lines were cut a large number of people both at the district headquarters and the interior were arrested.
Thus it is apparent that Latehar as a part of Palamau has undergone the impacts of Chero rule, British rule, Muslim infusion, Jamindari and Jagirdari Pratha various freedom movements etc. time to time.
Agriculture
A large number of people are engaged in agricultural activities. Cultivation of paddy, maize, cereals, wheat, oil seeds etc. are common. The people are either working as agricultural labourers or cultivators. Kharif and Rabbi are the main agricultural seasons. Karma festival is celebrated for good production of crops.
Forest
Out of total geographical area of 4211-2508 sq. k.m., forest area covers nearly 2010.2245 sq. k.m. The tribal economy revolves around using forest products, by products and minor products. Kendu leaves, Bamboo and its manufactured products, Mahua, fruits, leaves (used is the making of dona, pattal), lac etc. play an important role in the economic activity of the people. People also hunt animals for food and ‘Jani shikar’ festival is related to this hunting habit.
Mines and Minerals
The geological reports say that the district is very rich in various mineral deposits. There is abundance of deposit of Coal, Bauxite, Laterite, Dolomite, and Graphite etc. Granite, Quartz, Fireclay, Felspar etc. The excavation and exploration of these minerals have provided job opportunities to the inhabitants of this hinterland to some extent because these minerals have not been fully explored at large scale and there are no mineral based industries in the district.
Animal Husbandry
The quality of livestock is very poor. Cow, goats etc. are of local variety and the average milk yield is very less. There is a vast scope in the field of animal husbandry in Latehar.
Trade and commerce: - In place of old Mahajans and landlords, various banks are operating their branches is the district but it is a matter of fact that most of the villages are so scattered that the system of primary trade in the hands of vyaparis and village sahukars still continues. Paddy thrashing, dona pattal making, bamboo basket making, selling of mahua flowers. Lacs, kendu leaves and other minor forest produces are main components of trading activities. In the absence of major industries and employment opportunities, the options of economic development are limited. Animal husbandry, piggery and fisheries etc. have good potential, but this sector has still remained unexplored.
Health Care
Condition of health Services in this district is not satisfactory. Main cause behind high maternal mortalities and infant mortalities rate is poor health service in the district. The district lack network of health Centres. The out break of malaria is very frequent in the district which often taken the form of epidemic. The development of network of health centers will lead to proper health care and conciousness of the rural people.