History of Jharkhand

{{Short description|History of a region of India}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}

The region have been inhabited since the [[Stone Age]].<ref name="auto">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PcADgAAQBAJ&q=microlith+in+chota+nagpur+plateau&pg=PT14|title=India – Pre- historic and Proto-historic periods|first=India-Pre- historic and Proto-historic|last=periods|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|via=Google Books|isbn=9788123023458}}</ref> [[Copper]] tools from the [[Chalcolithic]] period have been discovered.<ref name="auto1">{{cite journal|url=http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/510/|title=Addenda to "The Copper Hoards of the Indian Subcontinent: Preliminaries for an Interpretation"|first=Paul|last=Yule|date=8 January 2019|journal=Man in Environment|volume=26|pages=117–120|via=crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de|doi=10.11588/xarep.00000510|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305045917/http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/510/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This area entered the [[Iron Age in India|Iron Age]] during the mid-2nd millennium BCE.<ref name="auto2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA220|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|first=Upinder|last=Singh|date=8 January 2019|publisher=Pearson Education India|via=Google Books|isbn=9788131711200}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The unrest axle: ethno-social movements in Eastern India |pages=32–35 |author=Gautam Kumar Bera |publisher= Mittal Publications |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9qrmTdshzKQC|isbn=978-81-8324-145-8|year=2008}}</ref>

The region was conquered by the [[Maurya Empire]], in 15th century Sultan Adil khan II (1457–1501) of Khandesh conquered it and assumed title of Shah e Jharkhand later (17th century) came under the control of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperors [[Akbar]]. Following the Mughal decline, the region came under the control of local rulers from the [[Chero]] caste and others, before its subjugation by the [[British East India Company]] in the late 18th century, succeeded by the [[British Raj]] from the mid-19th century, both encountering much local resistance. At this time the territory was covered by nine [[princely state]]s. Under the Raj, till [[1905]], the region fell within the [[Bengal Presidency]], most of it then being transferred to the [[Central Provinces]] and [[Orissa Tributary States]]; then in 1936 the whole region was assigned to the [[Eastern States Agency]].

Following Indian independence in 1947, the region was divided between the new states of [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], and [[Bihar]]. In 2000 a campaign led by the [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]] (JMM) for a separate state culminated with the passage of the [[Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000|Bihar Reorganisation Act]], creating [[Jharkhand]] as a new [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]].

==Prehistoric era== Stone tools and [[microlith]]s from the [[Mesolithic]] and [[Neolithic]] periods have been discovered in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] region.<ref name="auto"/> There are also ancient cave paintings in Isko, [[Hazaribagh district]] which are from the Meso-Chalcolithic period (9,000–5,000 BC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/cave-paintings-lie-in-neglect/cid/605384|title=Cave paintings lie in neglect|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> A group of megaliths proven to date back to beyond 3000 BCE was also found at [[Barkagaon]], about 25 km from [[Hazaribagh]] at Punkri Barwadih.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indroyc.com/2017/12/04/punkri-barwadih-megaliths/|title=Hazaribagh - Ancient megaliths aligned to the Sun|first=Indrajit Roy|last=Choudhury|date=3 December 2017|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917083342/https://indroyc.com/2017/12/04/punkri-barwadih-megaliths/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During 2nd millennium BCE the use of Copper tools spread in [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] and these find complex are known as the [[Copper Hoard Culture]].<ref name="auto1"/> In the Kabra-Kala mound, at the confluence of the [[Son River|Son]] and [[North Koel River|North Koel]] rivers in [[Palamu district]], various objects have been found which date from the [[Neolithic]] to the medieval period. The [[Sherd|pot-sherds]] of redware, [[Black and red ware culture|black and red ware]], black ware, [[Slipware|black slipware]] and [[Northern Black Polished Ware|NBP ware]] are from the [[Chalcolithic]] to the late medieval period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiranchi.org/activities-kabrakala.html|title=Kabra – Kala|website=www.asiranchi.org}}</ref>

==Ancient period== {{Main|Iron Age in India}} Barudih, located in the [[Singhbhum district]] of Jharkhand, yielded evidence of [[microlith]]s, [[Celt (tool)|Neolithic celts]], [[Slag|iron slags]], wheel made pottery, and iron objects (including a [[sickle]]). The earliest radio carbon dating give a range of 1401–837 BCE for this site.<ref name="auto2"/>

[[File:Mahajanapadas (c. 500 BCE).png|thumb|Magadha and other Mahajanapadas in the Post Vedic period]] Around {{circa|1200}}–1000 BCE, [[Rigvedic tribe|Vedic Aryans]] spread eastward to the fertile western [[Ganges]] plain and adopted [[Iron Age|iron tools]], which allowed for the clearing of forest and the adoption of a more settled, agricultural way of life. During this time, the central Ganges Plain was dominated by a related but non-Vedic [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] culture. The end of the Vedic period witnessed the rise of cities and large states (called [[mahajanapada|''mahajanapadas'']]), as well as ''[[śramaṇa]]'' movements (including [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]]) which challenged the Vedic orthodoxy of [[Brahminical Hinduism]].{{sfn|Flood|1996|p=82}} According to Bronkhorst, the Sramana culture arose in "greater Magadha," which was Indo-European, but not Vedic. In this culture, [[Kshatriya]]s were placed higher than [[Brahmin]]s, and it rejected [[Vedic priesthood|Vedic]] authority and rituals.{{sfn|Bronkhorst|2007}}{{sfn|Long|2013|p=chapter II}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=31537|title=Review of Bronkhorst, Johannes, Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India|first=Alexander|last=Wynne|date=1 July 2011|publisher=H-Buddhism, H-Review|via=www.h-net.org}}</ref>

In Mahabharata, the region was referred as Kark Khand due to its location near [[Tropic of Cancer]].<ref name="Nagpuri Shist Sahitya">{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.322091/2015.322091.Nagpuri-Sisth_djvu.txt|title=Nagpuri Shist Sahitya|access-date=24 September 2022}}</ref>{{page needed|date=September 2023}} In those days, the Jharkhand state was a part of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]] and [[Anga]]. {{citation needed|date=August 2018}} [[Nanda Empire]] ruled the region during 4th century BCE. In [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] period, this region was ruled by a number of states, which were collectively known as the ''Atavika'' (forest) states. These conquered states fell under the [[hegemony]] of the [[Maurya Empire|Maurya empire]] during [[Ashoka]]'s expansionist reign (c. 232 BCE). The Brahmi Inscription found in Karbakala in Palamu district and Saridkel in Khunti district which is from 3rd century BCE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360485893|title=Inscriptions in Jharkhand: A Preliminary Study|author=Lalit Aditya|date=October 2018|access-date=30 August 2022}}</ref> In ancient site of [[Saridkel]], burnt bricks houses, red ware pottery, copper tools, coins and iron tools were found which belong to early centuries CE.<ref name="asiranchicircle">{{Cite web|url=https://www.asiranchicircle.in/Attractions-Of-ASI/Asura-Site-Saridkhel.html|title=Asura Site Saridkhel|website=asiranchicircle|access-date=11 October 2022}}</ref>

[[Samudragupta]], while marching through the present-day Chota Nagpur region ([[North Chotanagpur division|North]] and [[South Chotanagpur division|South]]), directed the first attack against the kingdom of [[Dakshina Kosala]] in the Mahanadi valley.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/personalgeograph00sharuoft|page=[https://archive.org/details/personalgeograph00sharuoft/page/258 258]|title=Personal and Geographical Names in the Gupta Inscriptions|first=Tej Ram|last=Sharma|date=8 January 1978|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> [[File:Gupta Empire, 320-550 CE.png|thumb|[[Gupta Empire]]]]

==Medieval period== In the 7th century, Chinese traveler [[Xuanzang]] passed through the region. He described the kingdom as [[Karnasuvarna]] and [[Shashanka]] as its ruler. To the north of the kingdom was Magadha, Champa was in East, Mahendra in the west, and Orissa in the south.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TxdkDwAAQBAJ&q=Sutiambe&pg=PT43|title=The Life and Times of Jaipal Singh Munda|isbn=9789352669431|last1=Kiro|first1=Santosh|date=15 September 2020|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan }}</ref> The region was also part of [[Pala Empire]]. A Buddhist monastery has been discovered in [[Hazaribagh district|Hazaribagh]] which was built during Pala rule in 10th century.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/ranchi-news/10th-century-buddha-vihar-discovered-in-jharkhand-s-hazaribag-101614072362306-amp.html|title=10th century Buddha Vihar discovered in Jharkhand's Hazaribag|website=hindustantimes|date=23 February 2021|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> [[Bhim Karn]] was Nagvanshi king during medieval period. He defeated [[Raksel dynasty]] of Surguja when they Invaded the reign with cavalry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2009/05/11/archaeologistsuncover-remains-of-ancient-empire-injharkhan.html|title=Archaeologists uncover remains of ancient empire in Jharkhand|date=11 May 2009|website=oneindia|access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref>

The medieval Jharkhand region was not much affected by the Muslim invasions due to its remoteness. [[Rohtas Fort, India|Rohtasgarh]] in southern Bihar was the furthest limit of Delhi Sultanate expansion during the medieval period, and although there was some conflict with Palamu, the interior portion of the plateau saw little Muslim activity. However the eastern part of Santal Parganas, namely the region around the Rajmahal Hills, was deemed of high strategic importance as it controlled access to Bengal from the direction of Bihar, including along the Ganga river, via the Teliagarhi Pass. [[File:BhadraKali Temple.jpg|thumb|This is the Sahastrakoot Jinaya (1008 the Temple of [[Jainism|Jain]] statues) at Bhadrakali in [[Itkhori block|Itkhori]] (10th Tirthankar the birthplace of [[Shitalanatha|Shitalnath]]). It is worshipped by assuming the Sahasrara [[Lingam|shivling]]]]

[[File:Bhadrakali Itkhori.jpg|thumb|Idols of Bhadrakali temple in Itkhori]] [[File:Khakparta Temple.jpg|thumb|Khakparta Temple, 9th century Shiva temple in Lohardaga]]

==Modern period== By the end of medieval and the beginning of the modern period, this region was under the rule of many dynasties including [[Khokhra Chieftaincy|Nagvanshi]], [[Khayaravala dynasty|Khayaravala]], [[Namudag|Namudag Raj]], [[Ramgarh Raj]], [[Raksel]], [[Chero dynasty|Chero]], [[Dhanwar, Giridih|Raj Dhanwar]] and the [[Kharagdiha]] [[Zamindari]] estates of [[Koderma]], [[Parasnath|Gadi Palganj]], and [[Baghochia|Ledo Gadi]].

In [[Akbarnama]], the region of Chota Nagpur is described as Jharkhand. Sher Shah, when he conquered Bengal, had carried off his loot from Gaur to Rohtas by way of Jharkhand. Sher Shah also combined forces with Ujjainiya Rajputs to expel Mahrath Chero, the ruler of Palamu, from Rohtasgarh and the southern part of present Bihar, presumably the latest victory in a long series of Chero-Afghan rivalry. The Chero ruler later failed to pay tribute in grain to Sher Shah during his campaign against Humayun, and was thus invaded and defeated by Sher Shah's lieutenant [[Khawas Khan Marwat]]. Sher Shah also sought to use Jharkhand as a lesser backdoor between his base in southwest Bihar to western Bengal, and this became known to the Mughals and brought Jharkhand towards the attention of the Mughal rulers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Choudhary |first=Indra Kumar |date=2010 |title=Situating Shershah in Jharkhand |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44147498 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=71 |pages=312–318 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref>

During the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] period, the region, then known as ''Khukhra'', was famous for its diamonds. [[Akbar]] was informed of a rebel Afghan sardar, [[Junaid Kararani]], whose hideout was [[Chota Nagpur States|Chota Nagpur]]. The [[Emperor]] also received information on diamonds being found in this area. Consequently, Akbar ordered [[Shahbaz Khan Kamboh]] to attack [[Khukhragarh|Khukhra]]. At that time, Raja [[Madhu Singh (king)|Madhu Singh]], the 42nd [[Nagvanshi dynasty|Nagvanshi]] king was ruling at Khukhra. Akbar's army defeated the king and a sum of rupees six thousand was fixed as its annual revenue payable to the Mughals. Till the reign of Akbar, Chota Nagpur had not come under the suzerainty of the Mughals and the Nagvanshi rulers had been ruling over this region as independent rulers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.119550/2015.119550.The-Nagbanshis-And-The-Cheros_djvu.txt|title=The Nagbanshis And The Cheros|website=archive.org|year=1969}}</ref>

The far northeastern part of present Jharkhand was also an important centre of Mughal authority. After the Mughal conquest of western Bengal in 1576, the town of Rajmahal became the initial capital of the Bengal Subah in 1595. Rajmahal, located near the pass through the hills and on the Ganga, was an ideal initial capital. The Mughals built many buildings in the city including a ''Diwan-e-Aam'', ''Diwan-e-Khas'', and many palaces and tanks.The capital of the Bengal Subah was shifted to Dhaka to deal with piracy and continuing resistance to Mughal rule in eastern Bengal, but Rajmahal remained important as controlling the Ganga as it turned from Bihar to Bengal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Choudhary |first=Indra Kumar |date=2014 |title=Rajmahal as a City of Medieval Jharkhand: A Historical Review (1595-1765) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158413 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=75 |pages=421–425 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref>

By the advent of the reign of [[Emperor]] [[Jahangir]], king [[Durjan Shah]] had come to power in Chota Nagpur. He refused to pay the annual revenue fixed by Akbar. Jahangir ordered [[Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang|Ibrahim Khan]] ([[governor]] of [[Bihar]]) to attack Khukhra. Jahangir's ''intentions'' were two-pronged: defeat Durjan Shah and acquire the diamonds found in the [[Sankh River]]. In 1615 AD, Ibrahim Khan marched against Khukhra and defeated Durjan Shah, took him as a captive to [[Patna]], and was finally imprisoned in the [[Gwalior fort]]. The imprisonment lasted for twelve years. Ultimately, Jahangir granted his release after realising Sal's skill of distinguishing real diamonds. The title of [[Shah]] was conferred on him by [[Emperor]] [[Jahangir]] and his kingdom restored. Durjan Shah shifted the capital from Khukhragarh to Doisa, also known as [[Navratangarh]]. The reign of Durjan Sal lasted for about thirteen years. He died in 1639 or 1640 AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiamike.com/india/jharkhand-f144/the-lost-kingdom-of-navratangarh-t233144/|title=The Lost Kingdom of Navratangarh|website=IndiaMike.com}}</ref> He was succeeded by King [[Ram Shah (king)|Ram Shah]] ruled from 1640 to 1663. He built [[Kapilnath Temple]] in 1643. He succeeded by his son [[Raghunath Shah]]. Thakur [[Ani Nath Shahdeo]] built Jagannath temple of Ranchi in 1691.<ref name="livehistoryindia">{{cite web|url=https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/places/navratangarh-lost-kingdom-of-the-nagvanshis|title=Navratangarh: Lost Kingdom of the Nagvanshis|publisher=livehistoryindia|date=27 April 2019|access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref> [[File:Nawratan gadh.jpg|thumb|[[Navratangarh|Navratangarh fort]]]] [[File:IMGJagannathpur Temple.jpg|thumb|[[Jagannath temple, Ranchi|Jagannath temple]] at Ranchi built by king [[Ani Nath Shahdeo]]]] In [[Palamu district]], the old [[fort]] in the plains, was built by the King of Raksel Rajput Dynasty. However, it was during the reign of King [[Medini Ray]] (1658–1674), who ruled from 1658 to 1674 in Palamau, the old fort was rebuilt into a defensive structure.{{Sfn|Lahiry|2014|p=24}} His rule extended to areas in South [[Gaya district|Gaya]] and [[Hazaribagh]]. He attacked Navratangarh ({{Convert|33|mi}}) and defeated it. With the war bounty, he constructed the lower fort close to [[Satbarwa block|Satbarwa]].<ref name="palamu.nic.in" /> Following the death of Medini Ray, there was rivalry within the royal family of the Chero dynasty which ultimately led to its downfall; this was engineered by the ministers and advisers in the court.{{Sfn|Lahiry|2014|p=29}} [[File:Palamau_Fort.jpg|thumb|The present structure of the [[Palamu Forts|Palamau Fort]] was built in the 17th century CE.]] [[Daud Khan Panni|Daud Khan]], who launched his invasion on 3 April 1660 from Patna, attacked south of Gaya district and finally arrived at the Palamu forts on 9 December 1660. The terms of surrender and payment of tribute were not acceptable to the [[Chero]]s; Daud Khan apparently wanted complete conversion of the Hindus to Islam. Following this, Khan mounted a series of attacks on the forts. Cheros defended the forts but ultimately lost and fled to the jungles. The temples were destroyed and [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] rule was re-imposed.<ref name="palamu.nic.in">{{Cite web |url=http://palamu.nic.in/palamufort.html |title=Palamufort |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118184001/http://palamu.nic.in/palamufort.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[File:Map of present-day Jharkhand region by Rennell, 1779.jpg|thumb|Administrative jurisdictions in 1770s]] In 1765, the region came under the control of the [[British East India Company]] when Chitrajeet Rai's nephew, Gopal Rai, betrayed him and facilitated the Patna council of the East India Company to attack the fort. When the new fort was attacked by Captain Camac on 28 January 1771, the Chero soldiers fought valiantly but had to retreat to the old fort on account of water shortage. This helped the [[British army]] to occupy the new fort located on a hill without any struggle. The location was strategic and enabled the British to mount cannon-supported attacks on the old fort. The Cheros fought valiantly with their own cannons but the old fort was besieged by the British on 19 March 1771.{{Sfn|Lahiry|2014|p=30}} The fort was finally occupied by the British in 1772. The regions of [[Nagvanshi Kingdom|Nagvansh]] and [[Ramgarh Raj|Ramgarh]] also became parts of [[British Raj]].<ref name="latehar.nic.in">{{Cite web |url=http://latehar.nic.in/history.htm |title=Historical Background, Latehar District, Jharkhand |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013031700/http://latehar.nic.in/history.htm |archive-date=13 October 2015 }}</ref>

The [[Kharagdiha]] kingdom, which was founded in 15th century when the [[Vishnuvridhi Bhumihars]] were able to influence and impress the [[Ghatwals and Mulraiyats|ghatwals]] of Kharagdiha Gadis, also came under the British Raj. After the [[Treaty of Allahabad]], this region, along with the rest of Suba Bengal, came under the rule of East India Company. The kingdom was considerably reduced. In 1809, the Maharajas of Kharagdiha became the Rajas of [[Dhanwar, Giridih|Dhanwar]]. The Kharagdiha gadis were semi-independent chiefdoms. Captain Camac found the rulers of these gadis very prominent in their chiefdoms, and as a result, these gadis were permanently settled as zamindari estates. [[Koderma]], [[Parasnath|Gadi Palganj]] and [[Baghochia|Ledo Gadi]] were notable zamindari estates in the district.<ref>{{cite book |title=Hazaribagh District Gazetteer |year=1905|publisher=The Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, Calcutta|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13551/page/n5}}</ref>

Other princely states in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] came within the [[sphere of influence]] of the [[Maratha Empire]], but they became tributary states of East India Company as a result of the [[Anglo-Maratha Wars (disambiguation)|Anglo-Maratha Wars]] known as [[Chota Nagpur Tributary States]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gazetteer - Chota Nagpur Tributary States Gazetteer. Statistics, 1901-02 - South Asia Archive|year=1905 |url=http://www.southasiaarchive.com/Content/sarf.100009/231191}}</ref>

==Colonial era== Then part of the larger [[Bengal Presidency]], came under British control after the [[Battle of Plassey]] (1757) and [[Battle of Buxar]] (1764). The region, rich in natural resources and forest wealth, became an important area for British economic interests. *1766–1809: [[Chuar Rebellion|Chuar revolt]] by the [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]] ''zamindars'' and ''paiks'' of Dhalbhum and Barabhum. *1772–1780: Paharia revolt *1780–1785: [[Tilka Manjhi]] led the tribal revolt. *1795–1800: [[Tamar block|Tamar]] revolt *1795–1800: [[Munda people|Munda]] revolt under the leadership of Bishnu Manki. *1800–1802: Munda revolt under the leadership of Dukhan Manki of [[Tamar block|Tamar]] *1812: [[Bakhtar Say]] and [[Mundal Singh]] rebelled against British East India company in [[Gumla]]. *1819–1820: Chero revolt in Palamu under the leadership of Bhukan Singh. *1831–1832: [[Kol uprising|Kol revolt]] under the leadership of Bindrai Manki and [[Budhu Bhagat]]. *1832–1833: [[Bhumij revolt]] under the leadership of [[Ganga Narayan Singh]] of [[Jungle Mahals]]. *1855: Santhals revolt against the revenue of [[Lord Cornwallis]]. [[File:Attack_by_600_Santhals_upon_a_party_of_50_sepoys,_40th_regiment_native_infantry.jpg|thumb|[[Santhal rebellion|Santhal Rebellion]], c. 1856, from the [[The Illustrated London News|Illustrated London News]]]] *1855–1860: During the late 1850s, Sidhu had accumulated about ten thousand Santhal to run a parallel government against British rule. The basic purpose was to collect taxes by making his own laws. British Government had announced an award of Rs. 10,000 to arrest Sidhu and his brother Kanhu *1856–1857: [[Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo]], [[Pandey Ganpat Rai]], [[Tikait Umrao Singh]], [[Sheikh Bhikhari]], Nadir Ali, Jai Mangal Singh led a movement against the British Government during [[Indian rebellion of 1857|India's First War of Independence]], 1857, also called [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Sepoy Mutiny]].<ref name=Ustad1997>{{cite journal | jstor=44143953 | title=The Role of Bishwanath Sahi of Lohardaga district, During the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar | author= Mathur Das Ustad | journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | year=1997 | volume=58 | pages=493–500}}</ref> *1857: [[Nilambar and Pitambar]] led a revolt against East India company. *1868: Kharwar revolt under the leadership of Bhagirath, Dubai Gosai, and Patel Singh.

After the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], the [[Company rule in India|rule]] of the British [[East India Company]] was transferred to the Crown in the person of [[Queen Victoria]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaul|first=Chandrika|title=From Empire to Independence: The British Raj in India 1858–1947|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/independence1947_01.shtml|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref> who, in 1876, was proclaimed [[Empress of India]]. In 1874, the Kherwar Movement under the leadership of Bhagirathi Manjhi gained prominence. The Cheros and Kharwars again rebelled against the British in 1882 but the attack was repulsed.<ref name="latehar.nic.in"/> Between 1895 and 1900, a movement against the British Raj was led by [[Birsa Munda]] (born 15 November 1875). Birsa Munda was captured by British forces and declared dead on 9 June 1900 in the Ranchi Jail, due to [[Cholera]], according to records of the British colonial government. All of these uprisings were quelled by the British through massive deployment of troops across the region.

[[File:Birsa Munda captured and conducted to Ranchi.jpg|thumb|[[Birsa Munda]] captured and conducted to Ranchi]]

In 1914, the [[Tana Bhagat]] resistance movement started, which gained the participation of more than 26,000 [[Adivasis]], and eventually merged with [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s [[Satyagraha]] and [[Civil Disobedience]] movement.

In October 1905, the exercise of British influence over the predominantly [[Hindi]]-speaking states of [[Chang Bhakar]], [[Jashpur]], [[Koriya]], [[Surguja]], and [[Udaipur]] was transferred from the Bengal government to that of the [[Central Provinces]], while the two [[Oriya language|Oriya]]-speaking states of [[Gangpur]] and [[Bonai]] were attached to the [[Orissa Tributary States]], leaving only [[Kharsawan]] and [[Saraikela]] answerable to the Bengal governor.<ref>Hunter, William Wilson, Sir, et al. (1908). ''[[Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', Volume 12. 1908–1931; Clarendon Press, Oxford</ref>

In 1936, all nine states were transferred to the [[Eastern States Agency]], the officials of which came under the direct authority of the Governor-General of India, rather than under that of any Provinces. [[File:Nehru bajaj sarojini khan azad1940a.jpg|thumb|right| [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], [[Jamnalal Bajaj]], [[Sarojini Naidu]], [[Bacha Khan|Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan]], and [[Abul Kalam Azad|Maulana Azad]] at the 1940 Ramgarh Session of the Indian National Congress]] In March 1940, INC 53rd Session<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aicc.org.in/new/congress-sessions.php |title=All India Congress Committee - AICC |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601092332/http://www.aicc.org.in/new/congress-sessions.php |archive-date=1 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">Danik jagran Ranchi Page No.14, 2 October 2011</ref> was accomplished under the presidency of [[Abul Kalam Azad|Maulana Abul Qalam Azad]] at Jhanda Chowk, Ramgarh (now, Ramgarh Cant.). [[Mahatma Gandhi]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gandhimedia.org/cgi-bin/gm/gm.cgi?action=view&link=Images/Photographs/Personalities/Mahatma_Gandhi/1940&image=IMPHPEMG |title=Error |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002845/http://www.gandhimedia.org/cgi-bin/gm/gm.cgi?action=view&link=Images%2FPhotographs%2FPersonalities%2FMahatma_Gandhi%2F1940&image=IMPHPEMG |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], [[Sardar Patel]], [[Dr. Rajendra Prasad]], [[Sarojini Naidu]], [[Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan]], [[Acharya J.B. Kripalani]], Industrialist [[Jamnalal Bajaj]] and other leaders<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org/gphotgallery/1933-1948/pages/g7.htm |title=Photo Gallery of Mahatma Gandhi (1933-1948)}}</ref> of Indian freedom movement attended the Ramgarh session.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianmovements.blogspot.in/2010/01/ramgarh-session-1940.html|title=RAMGARH SESSION-1940 }}</ref> Mahatma Gandhi also opened khadi and village industries exhibition at Ramgarh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gandhiserve.org/information/chronology_1940/chronology_1940.html |title=Chronology 1940 |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122215617/http://gandhiserve.org/information/chronology_1940/chronology_1940.html |archive-date=22 November 2018 }}</ref>

==Post-independence== {{Main|Jharkhand movement|Jharkhand Mukti Morcha|3 = Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000}}

After the Indian independence in 1947, the rulers of the states chose to accede to the [[Dominion of India]]. [[Changbhakar]], [[Jashpur State|Jashpur]], [[Koriya State|Koriya]], [[Surguja State|Surguja]], and [[Udaipur State]]s became part of [[Madhya Pradesh]] state; [[Gangpur State|Gangpur]] and [[Bonai]] became part of [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] state; and [[Kharsawan State|Kharsawan]] and [[Saraikela State|Saraikela]] became part of [[Bihar]] state.<ref>Eastern States Agency. List of ruling chiefs & leading personages Delhi: ''Agent to Governor-General, Eastern States,'' 1936</ref>

In 1928, Unnati Samaj, the political wing of Christian tribals submitted a memorandum to the [[Simon Commission]] to constitute a tribal state in Eastern India. A prominent leader like [[Jaipal Singh Munda]] and [[Ram Narayan Singh]] demanded a separate state. In 1955, [[Jharkhand Party]], led by Jaipal Singh Munda, submitted a memorandum to [[States Reorganization Commission]] for Jharkhand state for tribals, but it was rejected because the region had different languages, the tribals were in minority, Hindustani was majority language and adverse effect on economy of Bihar.<ref name="Concept Publishing Company">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nKqF_AgDd4gC&pg=PA117|title=Small States Syndrome in India|isbn=9788170226918|last1=Kumāra|first1=Braja Bihārī|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year=1998|page=117}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OEeHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT251|title=Sensex Of Regional Parties|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|author=Aaku Srivastava|page=251|year=2022|isbn=978-9355212368}}</ref>

Later [[Sadan people]], the native various caste groups also joined the movement for separate state which strengthen the movement. In 1972, [[Binod Bihari Mahato]], [[Shibu Soren]] and [[A. K. Roy]] founded [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]] (JMM). [[Nirmal Mahto]], Prabhakar Tirkey, [[Surya Singh Besra|Surya Singh Besara]], Deosharan Bhagat and Praveen Prabhakar founded [[All Jharkhand Students Union]] (AJSU) in 1986. They gave a new momentum to the separate state movement of Jharkhand.

The Jharkhand Coordination Committee (JCC) led by [[Ram Dayal Munda]], [[Visweshwar Prasad Kesri|Dr. B.P. Keshri]], [[Binod Bihari Mahato]], Santosh Rana, [[Surya Singh Besra]] and Deosharan Bhagat tried to coordinate between different parties.In 1988 Dr. B.P. Keshri sent a memorandum to form Jharkhand state to Central Government.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z94JEAAAQBAJ|title=India′s Tribes Unfolding Realities|publisher=SAGE Publishing India|author=Vinay Kumar Srivastava|page=212|year=2020|isbn=978-9353886608}}</ref>

In July 1988, [[Bharatiya Janata party]] in the leadership of [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], [[Lal Krishna Advani]] and [[Murli Manohar Joshi]] decided to demand separate state Vananchal composed of tribal regions of South Bihar. [[Inder Singh Namdhari]], [[Samresh Singh]] and [[Rudra Pratap Sarangi]] were prominent leaders who organised several rallies to form a separate state Vananchal.<ref name="jagran2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/jamshedpur-jharkhand-state-in-existence-18322230.html|title=वनांचल की रूपरेखा, झारखंड का नाम|publisher=jagran|date=17 August 2018|access-date=2 October 2022}}</ref>

The Centre government formed a Committee on the Jharkhand Matter in 1989. It stressed the need for greater allocation of the development funds for the area. JMM was contended with greater representation but AJSU stuck to its original demand of separate state. Due to differences, these parties parted from each other.

To pressurize the government to concede a separate state, AJSU introduced elements of violence in the movement and called for a complete boycott of the elections.On the other hand, JMM contested and won the elections. Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council (JAAC) Bill passed in Bihar legislative assembly in December 1994. JAAC was given the charge of 40 subjects including agriculture, rural health, public work, public health, and minerals. JAAC had the power to recommend legislation to the Assembly and to frame bylaws and regulations.<ref name="https">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fikvDwAAQBAJ&q=mukund+nayak|title=Unsung Heroes of Jharkhand Movement|isbn=9789352660001|last1=Sinha|first1=Anuj Kumar |date=January 1, 2021|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan |access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref>

In 1998, the [[Union government]] decided to send the Bill concerning formation of Jharkhand State to [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]] to which [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] had famously remarked –“The state would be divided over my dead body”. [[BJP]], [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha|JMM]], [[AJSU]], [[Indian National Congress|Congress]], a total of 16 political parties came together on one platform and formed 'All Party Separate State Formation Committee' to start the movement. The voting on Jharkhand Act was to be done on 21 September 1998 in Bihar legislation. On that day JMM and [[All Jharkhand Students Union|AJSU]] called for ''Jharkhand Bandh'' and organised a protest march.

In 1999, [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bharatiya Janata party]], promised to form separate state Vananchal, if it wins the state election.<ref name="jagran2018"/> After the last Assembly election in the state resulted in a hung assembly, RJD's dependence on the Congress extended support on the precondition that RJD would not pose a hurdle to the passage of the [[Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000|Bihar reorganisation bill]] .

Finally, with the support from both RJD and Congress, the ruling coalition at the Centre led by the BJP which had made statehood a policy plank in the region in several previous elections, cleared the Bihar Reorganisation Act in the monsoon session of the Parliament in 2000, thus paving the way for the creation of a separate Jharkhand state comprising [[Chota Nagpur Division]] and [[Santhal Pargana Division]] of South Bihar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traveljharkhand.com/jharkhand-tourism/jharkhand-overview/jharkhand-history.html|title=History of Jharkhand, Jharkhand History|author=gigisoftsolutions|work=traveljharkhand.com|access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] formed the government with [[Babulal Marandi]] as chief minister. Later it was renamed as Jharkhand.<ref name="jagran2018" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20000814-uttaranchal-vananchal-and-chhattisgarh-celebrate-their-statehood-777857-2000-08-14|title=Uttaranchal, Vananchal and Chhattisgarh celebrate their statehood|publisher=indiatoday|date=13 December 2012|access-date=2 October 2022}}</ref>

==Post state formation== Jharkhand's 23rd Foundation Day celebrated on 15 November 2023, completed 23 years. Preparations had been outstanding for the program to be organized on November 15 on the occasion of Jharkhand's 23rd Foundation Day.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jharkhand's 25th Foundation Day celebrated on 15 November 2025, completed 25 years |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/jharkhand/ranchi/jharkhand-foundation-day-november-15-hemant-soren-government-gift-worth-crores-offer-letter-to-18000-youth-grj |work=Prabhat Khabar}}</ref>

== See also == * [[List of Monuments of National Importance in Jharkhand]] * [[Jharkhand movement]] * [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

===Works cited=== * {{Citation |last=Bronkhorst |first=Johannes |year=2007 |title=Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India |publisher=BRILL}} * {{cite book |last1=Flood |first1=Gavin D. |title=An introduction to Hinduism |date=1996 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=0521438780}} * {{cite book |last=Lahiry |first=Sangam |title=Pugmarks In Palamau |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ckYlBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT7 |year=2014 |publisher=Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-81115-64-0}} * {{Citation |last=Long |first=Jeffrey D. |year=2013 |title=Jainism: An Introduction |publisher=I.B. Tauris}}

[[Category:History of Jharkhand| ]] [[Category:History of Bengal|*]]