What is the Old Name of Jharkhand?

Old Name of Jharkhand: India has a rich and ancient history. Over the centuries, many cities and regions have changed their names. These earlier names often reveal stories about past cultures and rulers. For instance, Patna was once called Pataliputra. Varanasi was known as Kashi, and Prayagraj was called Pragya for many years. Do you know what Jharkhand used to be called? In this article, we will explore its ancient history and the different names this unique tribal state has had over time.

What is the Old Name of Jharkhand?

Jharkhand, often called the "Land of Forests", has a long history that goes back to ancient times. Over the years, its identity has been shaped by its thick forests and rich tribal traditions.

• Ancient References: In the Aitareya Brahmana (an ancient Hindu text from roughly 800–500 BCE), the region was referred to as "Pundra" or "Pundra-Desha".
• In the Mahabharata, it was referred to as Kark Khand or Ark Khand, and it was frequently called the Chhotanagpur Plateau region. 
• The Mughal Era: During the medieval period, particularly in the 16th century, Mughal documents, such as the Akbarnama, referred to the region as "Khukhra" or "Kokrah". 
• The Name "Jharkhand": The term "Jharkhand" first appeared in a 13th-century (1212 AD) copper plate inscription during the reign of Narasimha Deva II. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Jhar' (forest) and 'Khand' (land).
• Official Formation: While the name is ancient, the modern state was officially carved out of southern Bihar on November 15, 2000. This date was chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of the legendary tribal leader, Birsa Munda.

7+ Lesser-Known Facts About Ancient Jharkhand

• The Isko caves in Hazaribagh contain rock paintings dating back to 10,000 BCE, showing that ancient humans had advanced artistic expressions.
• Scientific studies of ancient sites suggest that local tribes practised iron smelting as early as 1400 BCE, contributing to India's early Iron Age.
• The ancient "Sal" forests of Jharkhand act as massive carbon sinks, naturally regulating the region's climate for millennia.
• Archaeologists have found megalithic burial sites in Punkree Buru that align perfectly with the equinoxes, proving ancient inhabitants had sophisticated astronomical knowledge.
• The Grand Trunk Road passes through Jharkhand; scientists believe it follows an ancient trade route used by the Maurya Empire to transport minerals.
• The high presence of mica and bauxite in the soil is a result of volcanic activity from millions of years ago, making it a unique geological zone.
• The "Sarna" tradition involves protecting sacred groves, a practice that modern ecology confirms is vital for preserving biodiversity and groundwater.

How Jharkhand Got Its Name?

Source: Incredible India

The name 'Jharkhand' comes from two Sanskrit words: 'Jhar', meaning 'forest', and 'Khand', meaning 'land'. So, Jharkhand means the 'Land of Forests'.

Over many centuries, this region changed from an ancient tribal area to a modern Indian state, with its name and administration evolving along the way. The process also included a long political movement.

The Historical Roadmap of Jharkhand

The region's name has evolved based on who was ruling and the language of the era:

Key Phases in the Naming and Formation

• The name comes from Sanskrit and was first used as a way to describe the area. Since the region was covered in thick forests, travellers and scholars called it Jhar-Khand.
• In the 13th century, the term "Jharkhand" became more than just a description. 
• The earliest written record of the name comes from a copper plate from 1212 AD, linked to King Narasimha Deva II.
• When the British ruled India, they mostly left out the name "Jharkhand" from official maps. They managed the region as the Chhota Nagpur Division and the Santal Parganas instead.
• In the early 1900s, tribal leaders such as Jaipal Singh Munda brought back the old name "Jharkhand" as they called for a separate identity for tribal communities.
• After many years of protests and planning, the Bihar Reorganisation Bill was passed. On November 15, 2000, the "Land of Forests" officially became a state and got back its old name.