Jharkhand

Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. Its capital is Ranchi. It borders Bihar to the north, West Bengal to the east, Odisha to the south, and Chhattisgarh to the west. The state covers part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, and its terrain includes hills, forests, and mineral belts.

Formed on 15 November 2000, Jharkhand was carved from southern Bihar to create a new state focused on its mineral resources. The name Jharkhand, from Sanskrit, means land of forests.

The state is rich in coal, iron ore, copper, uranium, and other minerals, and its economy is heavily based on mining and heavy industry. Major urban centers include Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Dhanbad, and Ranchi. Jamshedpur hosts Tata Steel and is known for its planned industrial layout; Bokaro hosts a major steel complex; Dhanbad is a major coal mining center.

Ranchi is the administrative capital; other important cities include Dumka, Hazaribag, and Giridih. The population comprises diverse ethnic groups, including Adivasi communities such as Santhal, Munda, and Oraon, with Hindi and Urdu as official languages; Nagpuri, Santali, and Mundari are widely spoken regionally.

Important natural and cultural sites include Palamau Tiger Reserve and Betla National Park in the western part of the state, and Netarhat, a hill station in the south. Jharkhand faces development challenges in education, health, and infrastructure, yet presents significant mineral wealth and forest resources.

The state functions as a parliamentary democracy within the federal framework of India, with a governor as the ceremonial head and a chief minister as the head of government.