Dhanbad

Dhanbad is a city in the state of Jharkhand, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dhanbad district and lies on the eastern edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, beside the Damodar River. The city is one of India's major centers of coal mining and associated industries.

Its economy is dominated by coal mining, particularly in the Jharia coalfield and nearby areas. Public and private mining companies operate in the region, including Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and other coal producers. The industry supports ancillary activities such as power generation, metallurgy, and logistics.

Geography and environment: The Jharia coalfield has been the site of long-running underground fires and subsidence, which pose safety and environmental challenges. The city also faces air and water pollution linked to mining activities. Dhanbad is connected by rail and road, with a railway junction on major east–west routes.

Education and culture: The city hosts the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, originally established as the Indian School of Mines in 1926 and renamed IIT Dhanbad after 2016. Other higher education institutions serve a diverse population. Hindi is the predominant language, with Urdu and various regional languages also spoken.

History: Growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries followed coal discoveries and railway development under British colonial rule, transforming Dhanbad into a major mining hub.