Jharkhand-Specific Knowledge: History, Culture, Geography and Current Affairs
Jharkhand-specific knowledge carries real weight in JSSC CGL because it separates a state-service candidate from a general competitor. The section covers the creation of the state, its administrative geography, mineral wealth, forests, tribal movements, festivals and languages, plus recent state schemes.
Foundations to fix firmly
- Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar by the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000, and came into being on 15 November 2000, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. Capital: Ranchi; sub-capital: Dumka; first Chief Minister: Babulal Marandi.
- Highest point: Parasnath hill in Giridih district, about 1,365 m, the highest part of the Chhotanagpur plateau and a major Jain pilgrimage centre.
- Minerals: coal in the Jharia and Dhanbad belt, iron ore at Noamundi, copper at Ghatsila, mica at Koderma, uranium at Jaduguda in East Singhbhum.
- Rivers: Damodar, Subarnarekha, North Koel, South Koel and Mayurakshi.
- Forests and wildlife: Betla National Park in Latehar within the Palamu Tiger Reserve, and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary near Jamshedpur.
- Movements and culture: Santhal Hul of 1855–56 led by Sido and Kanhu Murmu, Birsa Munda's Ulgulan of 1899–1900, and the Tana Bhagat movement started by Jatra Bhagat in 1914. Festivals include Sarhul, Karma, Sohrai and Tusu.
Worked example
Question: Parasnath hill, the highest peak of Jharkhand, lies in which district? Reasoning: the hill rises in the Giridih district and is known as Sammed Shikhar to Jains; it is not in Ranchi or Hazaribagh, though both are nearby plateau districts. Answer: Giridih.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing the date the Bihar Reorganisation Bill was passed with the date of state formation.
- Forgetting that the state was formed with 18 districts and now has 24.