Igorzen at 06:56, 10 February 2026

2026-02-10T06:56:11Z

New page

{{About|the district|its eponymous headquarters|Gumla}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gumla district
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = District
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|size = 250
|photo1a = Gumla 2.jpg
|photo2a = Jharkhand landscape.jpg
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Gumla Village area and Beautiful farming
| image_map = Gumla in Jharkhand (India).svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Government banner of Jharkhand.png}} [[Jharkhand]]
| subdivision_type2 = Administrative Division
| subdivision_name2 = [[South Chotanagpur division]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Gumla]]
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 5327
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 1,025,213
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 193
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]] | demographics1_title2 = Regional
| demographics1_info2 = [[Sadri language|Sadri]], [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]], [[Kharia language|kharia]]
| demographics_type2 = Demographics
| demographics2_title1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]]
| demographics2_info1 = 65.73%
| demographics2_title2 = [[Sex ratio]]
| demographics2_info2 = 993
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-JH]]
| registration_plate = JH 07
| blank_name_sec1 = Tehsils
| blank_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Lok Sabha
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Lohardaga Lok Sabha constituency|Lohardaga]] (shared with [[Lohardaga district]])
| blank2_name_sec1 =
| blank2_info_sec1 =
| website = {{url|http://gumla.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
| leader_title1 = [[District magistrate|Deputy Commissioner]]
| leader_name1 = Karn Satyarthi ([[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]])
}}

'''Gumla district''' is one of the twenty-four districts of [[Jharkhand]] [[States and territories of India|state]], India, and [[Gumla]] town is the administrative headquarters of this district.

==Etymology==
For centuries, the place was a meeting center for people from the hinterland who flocked here to exchange goods using the barter system and the place was called ''Gaw-Mela''. Gumla is believed to derive its name from ''Gaw-Mela'', which consists of two words of [[Hindi]] (also used in several local [[dialect]]s), namely, ''Gaw'' (cows and the cattle) and'' Mela'', that is, a fair. The place became known as ''Gaw-mela'', and then the word transformed itself into Gumla.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About District {{!}} Gumla {{!}} India|url=https://gumla.nic.in/about-district/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-03}}</ref>

==History==
During regin of the [[Nagvanshis of Chotanagpur|Nagvanshi dynasty]] [[Navratangarh]] was one of the capital of Nagvanshi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/giant-new-chapter-for-nagpuri-poetry/cid/362632|title=Giant new chapter for Nagpuri poetry|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><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}}</ref>
[[File:Nawratan gadh.jpg|thumb|Navratangarh fort]]
During British rule Gumla was under [[Lohardaga]] district. In 1843 it was brought under [[Bishunpur block|Bishunpur]] province that was further named [[Ranchi]]. In fact Ranchi district came into existence in 1899. In 1902 Gumla became Sub-division under Ranchi district. On 18 May 1983 Gumla District came into existence. [[Sri Jagannath Mishra]] then ruling [[Chief Minister]] of [[Bihar]] inaugurated it and Sri Dwarika Nath Sinha acquired the post of first deputy commissioner of the newly created district.

Gumla is considered to be the birthplace of the Hindu God [[Hanuman]]. A temple a few kilometers away from the city off the Gumla-[[Ghaghra block|Ghaghra]] road is dedicated to him and his mother. The district contains mountains named Risyamook, which are mentioned in the [[Ramayana]].

The district is currently a part of the [[Red Corridor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2009/12/naxal-menace-83-districts-under.html |title=83 districts under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme |publisher=IntelliBriefs |date=2009-12-11 |access-date=2011-09-17 |archive-date=2011-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027115807/http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2009/12/naxal-menace-83-districts-under.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
Gumla is located at {{coord|23|N|84.50|E|}}. Geographically, Gumla is located on southern part of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] which forms the eastern edge of the [[Deccan Plateau]] system.

There are three major rivers, which flow through the Gumla district viz. the [[South Koel River|South Koel]], the [[North Koel River|North Koel]] and the [[Sankh River|Sankh]]. There are various streams/ tributaries to the main rivers on which there are some picturesque waterfalls, as for example [[Sadni Falls]].

The terrain is highly undulating and there are existence of many rivers and streams. The forest cover of the district is 1.35 lakh hectares out of the total 5.21 lakh hectares of land i.e. round 27% of the total area of the district.

===Climate===
Climate of Gumla is characterized by a pleasant cold and temperate weather conditions. Gumla has a [[sub-tropical]] climate. Temperature ranges from maximum 40 to 20 °C during summer, and minimum 21 to 3 °C during winter. The annual rainfall is about 1450 mm. From June to September the rainfall level is about 1,150 mm.

== Administration ==
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate: Karn Satyarthi (IAS)

=== Administrative Units ===
==== Sub Divisions ====
There are 3 subdivisions in gumla district:
#[[Gumla]]

#[[Chainpur block, Gumla|Chainpur]]

==== Blocks/Anchals ====

Gumla district consists of 12 Blocks. The following are the list of the Blocks in Gumla district:

{{Columns-list|colwidth=28em|style=width:850px;|
#[[Basia block]]
#[[Bharno block]]
#[[Bishunpur block]]
#[[Chainpur block, Gumla|Chainpur block]]
#[[Dumri block]]
#[[Ghaghra block]]
#[[Gumla block]]
#[[Kamdara block]]
#[[Palkot block]]
#[[Albert Ekka (Jari) block]]
#[[Raidih block]]
#[[Sisai block]]
}}

==== Panchayats ====
There are 159 Panchayats in the district.
==== Villages ====


There are 952 Villages in the District.
==Politics==
{{transcluded section|source=6th Jharkhand Assembly}}
{{#section:6th Jharkhand Assembly|MLA Header}}
{{#section:6th Jharkhand Assembly|Gumla district}}
|}

==Demographics==
{{historical populations
|1901|2,69,183
|1911|3,14,439
|1921|3,02,516
|1931|3,55,262
|1941|3,79,804
|1951|4,21,922
|1961|4,84,924
|1971|5,57,041
|1981|6,13,331
|1991|7,07,555
|2001|8,32,447
|2011|10,25,213
|source=Census of India<ref>{{cite web |title=Table A-02 Decadal Variation in Population Since 1901: Jharkhand |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43353/download/47042/20%20A-2%20Jharkhand.pdf |website=census.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>|align=center}}

{{bar box
|title=Religions in Gumla district (2011)<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |title=Table C-01 Population By Religion: Jharkhand|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11377/download/14490/DDW20C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=census.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Tribal religions in India|ORP]] |maroon|44.62}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|30.19}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Jharkhand|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|19.75}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|5.02}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|0.41}}
|caption=*''ORP mostly adherents of [[Sarnaism]]''
}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Gumla district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 1,025,213,<ref name=districtcensus>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Gumla |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/574/download/1944/DH_2011_2021_PART_A_DCHB_GUMLA.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Cyprus]]<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 13, 2007 | access-date = 2011-10-01 | quote = Cyprus 1,120,489 July 2011 est.}}</ref> or the US state of [[Montana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php|title=2010 Resident Population Data|publisher=U. S. Census Bureau|access-date=2011-09-30|quote=Montana 989,415|archive-date=2010-12-27|archive-url=https://archive.today/20101227010452/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 439rd in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert|193|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was 23.21%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Gumla has a [[sex ratio]] of 993 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 65.73%. 6.35% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 3.17% and 68.94% of the population respectively.<ref name=districtcensus/>

===Languages===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Gumla district (2011)<ref name="language"/>
|label1 = [[Sadri language|Sadri]] |value1 = 50.75 |color1 = burlywood
|label2 = [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]] |value2 = 29.61 |color2 = mediumseagreen
|label3 = [[Hindi]] |value3 = 7.00 |color3 = orange
|label4 = [[Mundari language|Mundari]] |value4 = 4.69 |color4 = teal
|label5 = [[Kharia language|Kharia]] |value5 = 3.73 |color5 = cornflowerblue
|label6 = [[Urdu]] |value6 = 2.31 |color6 = green
|label7 = Others |value7 = 1.91 |color7 = grey
}}
At the time of the [[2011 Census of India]], 50.75% of the population in the district spoke [[Sadri language|Sadri]], 29.61% [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]], 7% [[Hindi]], 4.69% [[Mundari language|Mundari]], 3.73% [[Kharia language|Kharia]] and 2.31% [[Urdu]] as their first language.<ref name="language">{{Cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10207/download/13319/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2000.XLSX|title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Jharkhand|website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==Economy==
Gumla district has rich [[nature|natural]] and [[mineral]] resources. There are 23 [[bauxite]] [[Mining|mines]] and 68 stone mines in Gumla district. Besides these there is good number of brick makers. In Gumla District the important minerals like bauxite and [[laterite]] ([[aluminium]] ore) are found in villages of Amkipani, Langdatanr, Chirodih, Jalim, Narma, Bahagara and Gurdari of Bishunpur block, Langatanr, Lupungpat and Chota-Agiatu in Chainpur block and Harup, Serengdag and Jalim in Ghaghra block. Beside these china clay is also found in some part of the district. Other mining activities like stone crusher, Brick kiln and stone chip mining lease are also available in different part of the district.

In 2006 the Indian government named Gumla one of the country's 250 [[Poverty in India|most backward districts]] (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=brgf/> It is one of the 21 districts in Jharkhand currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).<ref name=brgf>{{cite web|author=Ministry of Panchayati Raj|date=September 8, 2009|title=A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme|publisher=National Institute of Rural Development|url=http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf|access-date=September 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405033402/http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf|archive-date=April 5, 2012}}</ref>
== Education ==
In 1986, [[Rakesh Popli]] and his wife, Rama (an expert in childhood education), founded the first [[Ekal Vidyalaya]] (one-teacher) schools to bring education to the tribes of the region.<ref name=Ekalobit>{{cite journal
|url=http://www.ekal.org/40/newsletter-October-2007
|journal=Newsletter October 2007
|title=Dr. Rakesh Popli, Nuclear Scientist & one of Ekal's Visionaries, passed away on September 15, 2007
|publisher=Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation
|access-date=22 March 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231229/http://www.ekal.org/40/newsletter-October-2007
|archive-date=14 July 2014
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
From 2018, Deptt. of Higher and Technical Education, Govt. of Jharkhand is going to start Polytechnic College "Gumla Polytechnic". The Polytechnic college will be run and manage under "PPP" Mode by Gumla Educational Foundation.

Three colleges under Ranchi University:
* Kartik Oraon College
* Karunavati Devi Memorial College
* Women's College

'''Technical Institute'''
* Gumla Polytechnic
* IIST Computer Institute
* Media INFOTECH
* Wings IT

'''Schools in Gumla:'''
* Adarsh Vidya Mandir School, Pugu
* Chanchal Cygnus School, Dumerdih
* D.A.V. Public School, Neemtoli
* Don Bosco School, Bhamni
* Kendriya Vidyalaya Gumla
* Notre Dame School
* Oxford Public School
* S.S. High School
* Saraswati Shishu-Vidya Mandir
* Solitaire Educational Academy
* St. Patrick School
* St. Stephen's School
* Ursuline Convent School
* Wescott Public School
* PM SHRI SCHOOL Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Masaria Dam

St. Ignatius School, founded in 1935 and administered by the Jesuits, has produced international-level [[field hockey|hockey]] players.

==Culture==
Gumla has a rich culture. The majority of people speak [[Sadri language|Nagpuri]] and [[Hindi]].
*[[Karam (festival)|Karma]] - A holy festival celebrated by the people in almost all places of this district.
*[[Sarhul]] - A festival celebrated by the people and Jhankis and Rallies were organised around the main town Gumla. Ladies put flowers (Gulaichi Flower) on their hair and gents put it on their ears.
*[[Rama Navami|Ramnavami]] - A holy festival celebrated with huge sound, and Jhankies and Rallies.

==Tourist attractions==
*Palkot Fort- Palkot Fort is a historic place which was one of the capital of the [[Nagvanshi dynasty]]. It is located in Palkot block of the district.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Palkot-fort-among-five-heritage-sites-identified/articleshow/7989238.cms|title=Palkot fort among five heritage sites identified|website=timesofindia|access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref>
*[[Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*Anjan - Small village about {{cvt|18|km}} away from Gumla. The name of the village has been derived from the name of goddess Anjani, mother of [[Hanuman]]. Many objects of archeological importance obtained from this place have been placed at [[Patna Museum]]. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord [[Hanuman]].
*Hapamuni - The ancient village Mahamaya [[temple]] that is the identity of this village. Hapamuni Mahamaya temple traces its origin to 11th century. It also has some ancient rock sculpture in front of temple dating to that period. Moreover, with the arrival of Hapamuni agro tech, the village economy has reached new dimensions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/gumla/gumla-ghaghara-hapamuni-mahamaya-temple-built-11-hundred-years-ago/1215140.html|title=1100 साल पुराने इतिहास को समेटे बैठा है हापामुनी का 'महामाया मंदिर', कोल विद्रोह का रहा है गवाह|website=prabhatkhabar|access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref>
*[[Nagfeni]] - It is known for the [[Jagannath]] temple and there is a big rock in the shape of snake 'Nag'.
*[[Navratangarh]]- It was the seat of old Nagvanshi kings located in Sisai block of the district. The fort of navratangarh is made by the king Durjansaal and it is the administration capital of Durjansaal .<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/gumla/nagpheni-a-natural-beauty-in-gumla-district-of-jharkhand/1232969.html|title=IN PICS : गुमला में नागफेनी की अद्भुत प्राकृतिक छटा का लें मजा|website=prabhatkhabar|access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref>
*Tanginath - Tanginath Dham is located in Gumla's Dumri block. Several devotees during the month of Shravan come to shrine which goes back to seventh or ninth Century AD.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/---tanginath-dham-developing-into-tourist-attraction---.html|title='Tanginath Dham developing into tourist attraction'|website=dailypioneer|access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/gumla/tanginath-dham-mythological-recognition-temple-archaeological-heritage-gumla-picnic-spot-jharkhand/1235215.html|title=गुमला : प्राचीन धरोहर टांगीनाथ धाम की कलाकृतियां व नक्कासी बयां करती हैं देवकाल की कहानी|website=prabhatkhabar|access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://gumla.nic.in/ Official district government website]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Gumla district
|North = [[Lohardaga district]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Ranchi district]]
|Southeast = [[Khunti district]]
|South = [[Simdega district]]
|Southwest = [[Jashpur district]], [[Chhattisgarh]]
|West = [[Surguja district]], [[Chhattisgarh]]
|Northwest = [[Latehar district]]
}}

{{Navboxes
| list =
{{Blocks of Gumla district}}
{{Districts of Jharkhand}}
{{Minority Concentrated Districts in India}}
{{South Chotanagpur Division}}
{{Son basin}}
{{Mahanadi Basin}}
{{South Chotanagpur Division topics}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gumla District}}
[[Category:Gumla district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Minority concentrated districts in India]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Bihar]]

Gumla district - Revision history

Igorzen at 06:56, 10 February 2026