Flanked by hills on three sides, this mineral rich and beautiful district of Keonjhar is one of the most backward and tribal district of Orissa. The scenic beauty of Keonjhar and the poverty of its people are the two sides of the same coin. Though rich in natural resources, Keonjhar district is yet to utilize its potential because of lack of proper infrastructure and planning.
At present Orissa state is having 30 districts of which Keonjhar (Kendujhar) is located at northern region of the state bordering Bihar. It lies between 20011’ and 20010’ latitude North and between 85011’ and 86021’ East longitude. The district has an area of 8303 sq. kms and population of 15,61,990 as per 2001 census. Sex ratio is 977 females: 1000 males and the population density is 161 per sq. km. The schedule caste are 11.49% and schedule tribes (56 No.) constitute 44.5% of the total population. Literacy rate of the district is 44.73%, higher in males (59.04%) than in females (30%).
The district of Keonjhar, presents a panorama of many millennia, both from the geographical and anthropological point of view. Spread over an area of 8303 Sq. Kms, it is as varied as the whole of Orissa with water-falls of various sizes and roaring gorges with rolling boulders spreading onwards to the plains of Anandapur which are a rare combination to be found else where.
Keonjhar has the distinction of containing one of the oldest rocks of the world, approximately 38,000 millions year old covering an area of 100 Sq. Kms at Asanpat. It also bears the oldest stone inscription found in Orissa paleogeologically belonging to the Gupta period. In Sitabinj, we find the fresco paintings in the cave shelter of Ravana Chhaya dating back to 5th Century A.D.
Anthropologically, its two main tribes, namely Juangs and the Bhuyans carry a distinct and interesting past. The Juangs claim themselves to be the most ancient tribe of the world and though they have acquired some modern ways of living, one can still find traces of many aboriginal practices prevalent among them.
The district of Keonjhar is highly rich in mineral resources and has vast deposits of Iron, Manganese and Chrome Ores. About 30 percent of its total area is covered with dense tracts of forests. But the district in spite of its immense mineral and forest wealth is still economically backward.
As a sequel to the integration of the feudatory states with Orissa on 1st January, 1948 the erstwhile princely state of Keonjhar emerged as one of its districts with its head-quarters at Keonjhargarh and since then it is continuing as such.
At present Orissa state is having 30 districts of which Keonjhar (Kendujhar) is located at northern region of the state bordering Bihar. It lies between 20011’ and 20010’ latitude North and between 85011’ and 86021’ East longitude. The district has an area of 8303 sq. kms and population of 15,61,990 as per 2001 census. Sex ratio is 977 females: 1000 males and the population density is 161 per sq. km. The schedule caste are 11.49% and schedule tribes (56 No.) constitute 44.5% of the total population. Literacy rate of the district is 44.73%, higher in males (59.04%) than in females (30%).
The district of Keonjhar, presents a panorama of many millennia, both from the geographical and anthropological point of view. Spread over an area of 8303 Sq. Kms, it is as varied as the whole of Orissa with water-falls of various sizes and roaring gorges with rolling boulders spreading onwards to the plains of Anandapur which are a rare combination to be found else where.
Keonjhar has the distinction of containing one of the oldest rocks of the world, approximately 38,000 millions year old covering an area of 100 Sq. Kms at Asanpat. It also bears the oldest stone inscription found in Orissa paleogeologically belonging to the Gupta period. In Sitabinj, we find the fresco paintings in the cave shelter of Ravana Chhaya dating back to 5th Century A.D.
Anthropologically, its two main tribes, namely Juangs and the Bhuyans carry a distinct and interesting past. The Juangs claim themselves to be the most ancient tribe of the world and though they have acquired some modern ways of living, one can still find traces of many aboriginal practices prevalent among them.
The district of Keonjhar is highly rich in mineral resources and has vast deposits of Iron, Manganese and Chrome Ores. About 30 percent of its total area is covered with dense tracts of forests. But the district in spite of its immense mineral and forest wealth is still economically backward.
As a sequel to the integration of the feudatory states with Orissa on 1st January, 1948 the erstwhile princely state of Keonjhar emerged as one of its districts with its head-quarters at Keonjhargarh and since then it is continuing as such.
HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT
AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
The whole district of Keonjhar was a princely state before its merger with Orissa. The early history of the State is not adequately known. It was most probably a part of the old Khijjinga territory with headquarters at Khijjinga Kota, identified with modern Khiching. It became a separate state with Jyoti Bhanja as its ruling chief sometime during the first half of the 12th century A.D. The then State of Keonjhar comprised only the northern half of the modern district for a long time prior to the installation of Jyoti Bhanja. During the latter part of the 15th century the southern half was occupied by King Govinda Bhanja, under whose rule Keonjhar extended from Singbhum in the north to Sukinda(a Zamindari in Cuttack district) in the South and from Keonjhar in the East to the borders of the States of Bonai, Pallahara and Anugul in the West. During the rule of Pratap Balabhadra Bhanja (1764-1792 A.D.) two small areas of Tillo and Jujhpada were purchased from the Zamindar of Kantajhari and were added to the State. These were recognised as parts of Keonjhar in the Sanad granted by the East India Company to Raja Janardan Bhanj in 1804. Since then there had been no territiorial changes of the State till its merger with the Province of Orissa. But after merger largely for the reasons of administrative expediency the areas of Tillo (7.51 sq.km) and Jujhpada (9.06sq.km.) were transferred to the districts of Baleshwar and Cuttack respectively, while a number of villages called Ambo group (14.84 sq.km.) of Balasore district were added to Keonjhar district.
AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
The whole district of Keonjhar was a princely state before its merger with Orissa. The early history of the State is not adequately known. It was most probably a part of the old Khijjinga territory with headquarters at Khijjinga Kota, identified with modern Khiching. It became a separate state with Jyoti Bhanja as its ruling chief sometime during the first half of the 12th century A.D. The then State of Keonjhar comprised only the northern half of the modern district for a long time prior to the installation of Jyoti Bhanja. During the latter part of the 15th century the southern half was occupied by King Govinda Bhanja, under whose rule Keonjhar extended from Singbhum in the north to Sukinda(a Zamindari in Cuttack district) in the South and from Keonjhar in the East to the borders of the States of Bonai, Pallahara and Anugul in the West. During the rule of Pratap Balabhadra Bhanja (1764-1792 A.D.) two small areas of Tillo and Jujhpada were purchased from the Zamindar of Kantajhari and were added to the State. These were recognised as parts of Keonjhar in the Sanad granted by the East India Company to Raja Janardan Bhanj in 1804. Since then there had been no territiorial changes of the State till its merger with the Province of Orissa. But after merger largely for the reasons of administrative expediency the areas of Tillo (7.51 sq.km) and Jujhpada (9.06sq.km.) were transferred to the districts of Baleshwar and Cuttack respectively, while a number of villages called Ambo group (14.84 sq.km.) of Balasore district were added to Keonjhar district.
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Total area of the district is 8303 sq. kms. Forests constitute 34% of the total area. Beside river Baitarani, there are around 100 minor reservoirs and their distributory canals for irrigation purposes. The district has 13 blocks in 3 sub-divisions and can be broadly divided into 2 geographical terrains. One is mostly inhabited by tribal population sparsely distributed in hilly-forest areas having low literacy rate (3-4%), less responsive to modern health delivery system due to prevailing fixed ideas, blind beliefs and social taboos. But the exploration of nature’s gift in shape of ores, forest products and industrialization are helping in modernization of these areas and bringing about behavioural changes in the inhabitants. This geographical area includes 10 blocks of the district. Rest 3 blocks are mostly plains.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FEATURES
Main occupations in the district are agriculture and mining labour. The 46 schedule tribes present in the district constitute 44.5% of the total population and belong to separate cultural and ethnic groups.
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