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About Paschimi Singhbhum

West Singhbhum or Pashchimi Singhbhum is a district located in southern part of Jharkhand state in India. West Singhbhum is the largest as well as one of the twenty four districts of Jharkhand state. West Singhbhum (Pashchimi Singhbhum) came into existence in year 1990 and later it got divided into two parts in 2001 with bifurcation of erstwhile district. A new district of Saraikela Kharsawan was carved out from erstwhile West Singhbhum district and thus present Pashchimi Singhbhum came in existence. Scenic beauty, exotic wildlife, deep forests, steep mountains and valleys make this district mesmerizing and one of the most famous tourist places in state of Jharkhand.

Profile of West Singhbhum
Temple in West Singhbhum

History of West Singhbhum

Several opinions and accounts are related with origin of the name of Singhbhum district. As per beliefs of some people, it is believed that the name of Singhbhum district has been derived from the patronymic of the Singh Rajas of Porahat. As per other opinion, it is said that Singhbhum is a corrupt form of the Singh Bonga who is the principal deity of the tribals of this district. While other accounts suggest that Singhbhum literally means the land of lions, adjoining two words Singh (for lion) and Bhumi (for land). West Singhbhum, also known as Pashchimi Singhbhum is one of the oldest districts of state of Jharkhand. In 1837, Singhbhum was constituted as a separate district after British conquest of Kolahan and Chaibasa became its district headquarters. In 1990, district of old Singhbhum was divided into two districts; East Singhbhum with 9 blocks and Jamshedpur as its headquarters and West Singhbhum covering largest area of erstwhile Singhbhum district with 23 development blocks and Chaibasa as its district headquarters. In 2001, West Singhbhum bifurcated again into two parts, when 8 blocks were carved out of erstwhile Pashchimi Singhbhum to create Saraikela-Kharsawan district. Hence, present district of West Singhbhum came in existence.

Geography and Climate of Paschimi Singhbhum

West Singhbhum district lies at 21°58' and 23°36' North latitudes and 85°0' and 86°54’ East longitudes. The district has an elevation of 244 m above the sea level. Pashchimi Singhbhum has been spread over an area of 5351.41 sq. West Singhbhum district is bounded by Khunti district on north, by Saraikela Kharsawan district on the east, by Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh districts of Odisha on the south and by Simdega district of Jharkhand state and Sundergarh district of Odisha state on the west. Chaibasa is the district headquarters of West Singhbhum. This district has been divided into 3 sub-divisions, 18 community development blocks, 15 revenue anchals and 216 gram panchayats. Besides, there are 1792 revenue villages in the district. At present, Pashchimi Singhbhum is a part of red corridor. Koel, kuju, Karo-Koina, Sanjai, Kharkai, Roro, Deo, and Baitarini are main rivers that flow through the district of Pashchimi Singhbhum.

Paschimi Singhbhum Informations
Map of Paschimi Singhbhum

Pashchimi Singhbhum experiences generally dry atmosphere due to barrier of hills in the southeast direction of the district. The district experiences three main seasons namely winter, summer and monsoon. Winter season starts from November and ends in February, summer remains from March to May, and the rainy season begins in the month of June and ends in the month of October. December and January are the coldest months in the district. April and May are the hottest months in the district. Monsoon usually breaks in the second week of June and the district receives highest rainfall in the months of July and August. The average annual precipitation in the district is about 1422 mm.

Business and Economy of Paschimi Singhbhum

Paschimi Singhbhum or West Singhbhum is rich in terms of natural resources and forest wealth. Along with this district is a good source of minerals and is covered by iron-ore series. Due to presence of large deposits of iron ore in the district, mining of iron ores is increasing significantly to meet the growing demand for steel production in the district of West Singhbhum. Chromites, Manganese, Magnetite, Kainite, Iron Ore, Lime Stone, Asbestos and Soap-stone are some of the main minerals found in this district. Industrial activity is almost nil in the district and A.C.C., located at Jhinkpani is the only major industry in the district. The other industrial activities include biri making, manufacturing of tobacco products, flour mills, rice mills and saw mills. Majority of the population in Pashchimi Singhbhum belong to tribal community. Soil of West Singhbhum district is fertile and rice is the main crop of the district. Major trade centers of West Singhbhum are located at Chaibasa (for food grain), Chakradharpur (for timber, bamboo, biri and shellac), Barajamda (for manganese ore, iron ore and forest produce), Gua and Noamundi (for iron ore and timber), Manoharpur, Sonua and Goilkera (for timber), Hatgamharia (for china clay). Along with local markets (haats) and fairs (melas) also play an important role as small trade centres in the district.

Culture and Festivals of Paschimi Singhbhum

Information on West Singhbhum
Tribal Dance in Paschimi Singhbhum

Culture of Pashchimi Singhbhumi is vibrant and unique mix of tribal and non-tribal culture. West Singhbhum is mainly occupied by tribals. Asur, Baiga, Banjara, Bathudi, Bedia, Binhia, Birhor, Gond, Gorait, Ho, Kumali, Kharia, Kharwar, Khond, Kisen, Chero, Chik Baraik, Lohara, Mahli Munda, Oraon, Parhaiya, Kora, Korwa, Santhal, Sawar, Bhumij etc. are main scheduled tribes residing in the district. Being a tribal dotted region, people of Pashchimi Singhbhum district are traditional and nature loving too. These people have retained their unique tribal culture and still follow their customs religiously. Regional festivals of this district generally include tribal festivals which are mainly celebrated by tribals. Apart from that several annual fairs are also held in various parts of the district.

Demography of Paschimi Singhbhum

As of 2011 census of India, West Singhbhum district had a total population of 1,501,619. District of West Singhbhum has a population density of 209 inhabitants per sq km. The district has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males. The literacy rate of this district is 59.54%. Hindi is the official language of the district. Mundari and Ho are regional languages spoken by locals in West Singhbhum.

Foods in Paschimi Singhbhum

As Paschimi Singhbhum is a part of Jharkhand state, staple food of this district also comprises mainly rice and wheat. Daily food of people in this district includes chapattis, pulses, vegetables and pickles. Mostly people love to consume light food and mustard oil is used for cooking. Main feature of traditional food in this district is tadka or chonka of panchforan (mixture of five seeds including sarson, ajwain, saunf, methi and mangraila). Traditional food of this district has robust touch of Mughal cuisines. Sattu is traditional food of this region which is mostly used for preparing traditional cuisines and drinks in the district. Tribal people have their own food habits that vary from non-tribal population of the district. They usually eat maize, mahua flour, edible roots, millets and tubers. They prepare local brew ‘hanria’ that is made of rice having a hard smell.

Tourism in Paschimi Singhbhum

Tourism in West Singhbhum
Wildlife in Saranda Forest

Paschimi Singhbhum is known for its natural beauty and scenic locations. The district of Paschimi Singhbhum is known across the world for containing one of the best Sal forests and the Saranda (seven hundred hills) forest area. A number of scenic water holes make it one of the must visit places in Jharkhand. Wildlife of the district includes elephants, rarely found tigers & panthers, bison, bear, wild dogs and wild pigs. Along with sambhar, deer and spotted deer are also found in the forests of the district. Due to presence of valleys, steep mountains, hills and deep forests on the mountain slopes and exotic wildlife, West Singhbhum is one of the perfect tourist destinations in Jharkhand for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Bidri, Chainpur, Hirni, Jagannathpur, Jojohatu, Kera, Kotgarh, Lupungutu, Mahadebsal, Ponga, Porahat, Ramtirtha, Tholkobad and Benisagar are some of the famous tourist places in West Singhbum district.

Shopping in Paschimi Singhbhum

When it comes to shopping in Paschimi Singhbhum, the district offers a lot of exclusive options to select from. Traditional art and craft of the region reflects unique tribal culture and artistic excellence of tribal craftsmen of the district. Bamboo craft, paitkar paintings, metal works, wood craft and stone carving are some of the popular traditional handicrafts of the region. Tribal jewellery is also much popular item of the district. One can find unique tribal jewellery and local handicrafts in local shops, markets and haats of the district. Apart from that regional fairs are also perfect shopping in this district.

Transport in Paschimi Singhbhum

Transportation is good in Paschimi Singhbhum district due to presence of good railway and road network. National and state highways linking Chaibasa-Ranchi, Chaibasa-Jainthgarh, Chaibasa-Hata and Chaibasa-Saraikela are major highways passing through this district. Rail network is also good in the district and Howrah-Nagpur main line of the South Eastern Railway traverse the district from East to West. Chakradharpur is one of the major railway divisions in the district of Pashchimi Singhbhum. Rajkharsawan-Chaibasa-Gua is another railway line passing through the district which is mainly used for mineral transportation. Nearest airport is located at Ranchi. Internal transportation is also good in West Singhbhum. Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and buses are mainly used for local transportation in the district.

Paschimi Singhbhum at a glance

Country: India
State: Jharkhand
Administrative Division: Kolhan division
Headquarters: Chaibasa
Geographical Area: 5,351 km2 (2,066 sq mi)
Latitude: 21°58' and 23°36' N
Longitude: 85°0' and 86°54' East
Population (2011): 1,501,619
Density: 280/km2 (730/sq mi)
Literacy: 59.54 per cent
Sex ratio: 1004
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Mundari and Ho
Average Annual Precipitation: 1422 mm


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