Climate, Rivers and Soils of Jharkhand | Jharkhand State (JPSC) PSC: Preparation - JPSC (Jharkhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Jharkhand : General Knowledge Amar Ujala Publications
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Jharkhand (Lit Bushland) is a state in eastern Indian carved out of the Sourher
part of Bihar on 15 November, 2000. The state shares is border with the states of
Bihar to the North, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the West Odisha to the South
and West Bengal to the East. It present on amorphous shape with a broad Northern
portion and a Narrow South portion. Its north-south length is near by 30 km and
East-West length is 457 km.
It extends from 21°59' N. Lat to 25°8' N lat and 83°20' E. Long to 87°57' E. Long.
The State comprised an area of 79,714 square kilometers. It has a population
of 3,29,66,238. The state now comprises five divisions (one new division Chaibasa
added recently). two hundred and sixty’ blocks, three hundred and twenty six
police stations, three thousand seven hundred and forty four panchayats and
thirty two thousand six hundred fifteen villages.
Jharkhand, which was included in the erstwhile Bihar, was separated from
Bengal on 1st April 1912. At that time Orissa was also included in Bihar. Bihar was
divided after 24 years in 1936 when Orissa was created as a separate State. SaraiKela
and Kharsawan were later incorporated in Bihar in 1948. Bihar was again cut apart
in 1956 when about 5573 sq. kms was severed and merged in West Bengal. Conse-
quently the total area of Bihar was reduced from 1, 79,611 square kilometers in 1936
to l,74,038 is quare kilometers in 1956, Bihar was once again partitioned on 15th
November 2000. When Jharkhand emerged as the 28th State of India
Geological formation of Jharkhand are as follow :
(1) Archeon formation : About 2/3rd of the Chotanagpur plateau has archeon
formation. Granite and Gncisses dominate these.
(2) Dharwar Formation : These formations are located in the southern tip of
Jharkhand. The area is storehouse of metallic minerals like iron-ore, kyanites etc.
They occupy most of the Kolhan upland.
(3) Vindhyan Formation : The Vindhyan formations are concentrated in the
north-western Jharkhand along the Son river valley. Garhwa and Palamu districts
are included in the area. Minerals like limestone, dolomite and sandstone are found
in these areas.
(4) Gondwana Formation : The Gondwana formation extends from Latehar in
the west to the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields in the east. Most of the coal seams
are located in this area. Beneath the coal seams is fire clay, which is used as a
refractory raw material.
(5) Cretaceous Formation : These formations are very important because of
the emergence of the Deccan trap. The outer portion of this is extended to Palamu
and Ranchi. This plateau contains laterite at the surface and bauxite at some
places.
Page 2


Jharkhand : General Knowledge Amar Ujala Publications
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Jharkhand (Lit Bushland) is a state in eastern Indian carved out of the Sourher
part of Bihar on 15 November, 2000. The state shares is border with the states of
Bihar to the North, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the West Odisha to the South
and West Bengal to the East. It present on amorphous shape with a broad Northern
portion and a Narrow South portion. Its north-south length is near by 30 km and
East-West length is 457 km.
It extends from 21°59' N. Lat to 25°8' N lat and 83°20' E. Long to 87°57' E. Long.
The State comprised an area of 79,714 square kilometers. It has a population
of 3,29,66,238. The state now comprises five divisions (one new division Chaibasa
added recently). two hundred and sixty’ blocks, three hundred and twenty six
police stations, three thousand seven hundred and forty four panchayats and
thirty two thousand six hundred fifteen villages.
Jharkhand, which was included in the erstwhile Bihar, was separated from
Bengal on 1st April 1912. At that time Orissa was also included in Bihar. Bihar was
divided after 24 years in 1936 when Orissa was created as a separate State. SaraiKela
and Kharsawan were later incorporated in Bihar in 1948. Bihar was again cut apart
in 1956 when about 5573 sq. kms was severed and merged in West Bengal. Conse-
quently the total area of Bihar was reduced from 1, 79,611 square kilometers in 1936
to l,74,038 is quare kilometers in 1956, Bihar was once again partitioned on 15th
November 2000. When Jharkhand emerged as the 28th State of India
Geological formation of Jharkhand are as follow :
(1) Archeon formation : About 2/3rd of the Chotanagpur plateau has archeon
formation. Granite and Gncisses dominate these.
(2) Dharwar Formation : These formations are located in the southern tip of
Jharkhand. The area is storehouse of metallic minerals like iron-ore, kyanites etc.
They occupy most of the Kolhan upland.
(3) Vindhyan Formation : The Vindhyan formations are concentrated in the
north-western Jharkhand along the Son river valley. Garhwa and Palamu districts
are included in the area. Minerals like limestone, dolomite and sandstone are found
in these areas.
(4) Gondwana Formation : The Gondwana formation extends from Latehar in
the west to the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields in the east. Most of the coal seams
are located in this area. Beneath the coal seams is fire clay, which is used as a
refractory raw material.
(5) Cretaceous Formation : These formations are very important because of
the emergence of the Deccan trap. The outer portion of this is extended to Palamu
and Ranchi. This plateau contains laterite at the surface and bauxite at some
places.
(6) T ertiary Formation : Tertiary formations are confined to river valley and
other depressions.
 The geographical features of Jharkhand can also be studied under following
ways :
(1) Rajmahal Highlands : The height of Rajmahal hills varies from 250 m to 150
m which in elude Deoghar, Sahebganj, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara and Pakur district.
Hence, Santhal tribe are dominant. This area in drained by many rivers such as Ajay,
More Morang, Bantoi, etc.
(2) The Pat Plateau : This is situated in west of Ranchi. It extends from North-
west Gumla to Lohardagga and Palamu. Pat has highet portion of plateau at 1200 m.
Some important pats are :
(1) Netarhats (1260 m)
(2) Ganeshpur (1250 m)
(3) Janira (1225 m)
(3) Ranchi Plateau : Its height is about 650 m. Ranchi plateau is the largest
plateau in the Jharkhand between the pats in the west and the Swarnrekha River in
south-east. Hence, uplands known as Taurs and the lowlands called dons.
The plateau of river make important fall such as Hundru, Gautam Dhara Hirni.
(4) The Lower Chotanagpur Plateau : This area extends to Bokaro, Hazaribagh
Giridih, Dhanbad and Singhbhum. Its height ranges between 350 m and 150 m. This
region comprises of running industrial and minning centers. Here, many urban
agglomeratrin due to industrial centre.
JHARKHAND : CLIMATE
Jharkhand has a typically tropical climate. With hot wet summers and mild
winters temperature can sour upto 42°C in the capital city of Ranchi in summer.
Although it is considered to be Relatingly pleasent city. The monsoon season is
July to September and the state receives on annual rainfall of 1326 mm.
Jharkhand has a diffferent climate from that of Bihar and other neighbouring
states. Monsoon winds come from two different areas. One section comes from the
Bay of Bengal and another from the Arabian Sea.
Jharkhand consists of three man seasons which may as follows :
(1) Summer season : 16th March to 15th June season runs. During this season
the Sun gradually moves northwards. The sun gradually moves northwards and
duration of the day increases more and more. The mid-day temperature rises during
April and May. Hazaribagh temperature goes above 100°F . In Ranchi also, the wind
begins to blow from the west. But east and west Singhbhum remain comparatively
hotter in summer. Many part of state also experience dust storm during summer. The
average rainfall during summer varies from 50 mm to 850 mm.
(2) Rainy season : June to October period of this season but the mansoon
reaches Jharkhand by the middle of June. This state gets relatively more rain than
the Ganga plains. Average rainfall of Jharkhand is 1200 mm. But in the Pat region the
Page 3


Jharkhand : General Knowledge Amar Ujala Publications
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Jharkhand (Lit Bushland) is a state in eastern Indian carved out of the Sourher
part of Bihar on 15 November, 2000. The state shares is border with the states of
Bihar to the North, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the West Odisha to the South
and West Bengal to the East. It present on amorphous shape with a broad Northern
portion and a Narrow South portion. Its north-south length is near by 30 km and
East-West length is 457 km.
It extends from 21°59' N. Lat to 25°8' N lat and 83°20' E. Long to 87°57' E. Long.
The State comprised an area of 79,714 square kilometers. It has a population
of 3,29,66,238. The state now comprises five divisions (one new division Chaibasa
added recently). two hundred and sixty’ blocks, three hundred and twenty six
police stations, three thousand seven hundred and forty four panchayats and
thirty two thousand six hundred fifteen villages.
Jharkhand, which was included in the erstwhile Bihar, was separated from
Bengal on 1st April 1912. At that time Orissa was also included in Bihar. Bihar was
divided after 24 years in 1936 when Orissa was created as a separate State. SaraiKela
and Kharsawan were later incorporated in Bihar in 1948. Bihar was again cut apart
in 1956 when about 5573 sq. kms was severed and merged in West Bengal. Conse-
quently the total area of Bihar was reduced from 1, 79,611 square kilometers in 1936
to l,74,038 is quare kilometers in 1956, Bihar was once again partitioned on 15th
November 2000. When Jharkhand emerged as the 28th State of India
Geological formation of Jharkhand are as follow :
(1) Archeon formation : About 2/3rd of the Chotanagpur plateau has archeon
formation. Granite and Gncisses dominate these.
(2) Dharwar Formation : These formations are located in the southern tip of
Jharkhand. The area is storehouse of metallic minerals like iron-ore, kyanites etc.
They occupy most of the Kolhan upland.
(3) Vindhyan Formation : The Vindhyan formations are concentrated in the
north-western Jharkhand along the Son river valley. Garhwa and Palamu districts
are included in the area. Minerals like limestone, dolomite and sandstone are found
in these areas.
(4) Gondwana Formation : The Gondwana formation extends from Latehar in
the west to the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields in the east. Most of the coal seams
are located in this area. Beneath the coal seams is fire clay, which is used as a
refractory raw material.
(5) Cretaceous Formation : These formations are very important because of
the emergence of the Deccan trap. The outer portion of this is extended to Palamu
and Ranchi. This plateau contains laterite at the surface and bauxite at some
places.
(6) T ertiary Formation : Tertiary formations are confined to river valley and
other depressions.
 The geographical features of Jharkhand can also be studied under following
ways :
(1) Rajmahal Highlands : The height of Rajmahal hills varies from 250 m to 150
m which in elude Deoghar, Sahebganj, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara and Pakur district.
Hence, Santhal tribe are dominant. This area in drained by many rivers such as Ajay,
More Morang, Bantoi, etc.
(2) The Pat Plateau : This is situated in west of Ranchi. It extends from North-
west Gumla to Lohardagga and Palamu. Pat has highet portion of plateau at 1200 m.
Some important pats are :
(1) Netarhats (1260 m)
(2) Ganeshpur (1250 m)
(3) Janira (1225 m)
(3) Ranchi Plateau : Its height is about 650 m. Ranchi plateau is the largest
plateau in the Jharkhand between the pats in the west and the Swarnrekha River in
south-east. Hence, uplands known as Taurs and the lowlands called dons.
The plateau of river make important fall such as Hundru, Gautam Dhara Hirni.
(4) The Lower Chotanagpur Plateau : This area extends to Bokaro, Hazaribagh
Giridih, Dhanbad and Singhbhum. Its height ranges between 350 m and 150 m. This
region comprises of running industrial and minning centers. Here, many urban
agglomeratrin due to industrial centre.
JHARKHAND : CLIMATE
Jharkhand has a typically tropical climate. With hot wet summers and mild
winters temperature can sour upto 42°C in the capital city of Ranchi in summer.
Although it is considered to be Relatingly pleasent city. The monsoon season is
July to September and the state receives on annual rainfall of 1326 mm.
Jharkhand has a diffferent climate from that of Bihar and other neighbouring
states. Monsoon winds come from two different areas. One section comes from the
Bay of Bengal and another from the Arabian Sea.
Jharkhand consists of three man seasons which may as follows :
(1) Summer season : 16th March to 15th June season runs. During this season
the Sun gradually moves northwards. The sun gradually moves northwards and
duration of the day increases more and more. The mid-day temperature rises during
April and May. Hazaribagh temperature goes above 100°F . In Ranchi also, the wind
begins to blow from the west. But east and west Singhbhum remain comparatively
hotter in summer. Many part of state also experience dust storm during summer. The
average rainfall during summer varies from 50 mm to 850 mm.
(2) Rainy season : June to October period of this season but the mansoon
reaches Jharkhand by the middle of June. This state gets relatively more rain than
the Ganga plains. Average rainfall of Jharkhand is 1200 mm. But in the Pat region the
heaviest rainfall in recorded because of higher elevation. The south-west part, also
receives higher rainfall because of greater forest cover.
V ariation in rainfall is caused by different factors such as height, alignment, of
plateau and ridges, hills, proximity of the Bay of Bengal and soon.
(3) Winter season : The season is extended between November and February.
The state has pure, clear and charming weather with blue sky in winter. The day is
warm but night is cold. Coldest months is December and January. Dhanbad records
9·5°C, Dumka 7°5°C and Ranchi records 5·2°C during these two months.
Jharkhand also gets rainfall during winter. The average rainfall is above 50
mm. but the norht-western pat region receives rainfall of above 80 mm. These rains
are helpful in production of Rabi crops.
RIVER OF JHARKHAND
River Source Out flow
Damodar River Chhota Nagpur plateau region Hugli River
Sawrn-Rekha River Chhota Nagpur plateau region Bay of Bengal
Barakar River North Chhota Nagpur hills Damodar River
Karmnasa River Vindhyan ranges Ganga River
Sanjay River Parahat hill Kharkai River
North Koel River Mid of the Ranchi plateau Son River
South Koel River Mid of the Chhota Nagpur plateau Sankh River
Phalgu River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Ganga River
Sakri River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Ganga River
Panchane River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Sakri River
Gumani River Rajmahal Ganga River
Bansloi River Bans Hill Ganga River
MOR River Mungor Bhagirathi River
(W. Bengal)
SOIL IN JHARKHAND
Soil is the thin surface-layer on the earth. comprising mineral particles formed
by break-down of rocks, decayed organic materials, living organisns, water and air,
soil is a very important natural resources of India because agricultural production
in basically depend upon the fertility of soil.
The factor of soil formation are (a) parcent material (b) Relief (c) climate (d)
Natural vegelation.
The soils of Jharkhand may broadly be class into following five groups
(a) Red soil, (b) Sandy soil, (c) Black soil, (d) Laterite soil, (e) Red Micacious
soil, (f) Uneven rough soil
Page 4


Jharkhand : General Knowledge Amar Ujala Publications
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Jharkhand (Lit Bushland) is a state in eastern Indian carved out of the Sourher
part of Bihar on 15 November, 2000. The state shares is border with the states of
Bihar to the North, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the West Odisha to the South
and West Bengal to the East. It present on amorphous shape with a broad Northern
portion and a Narrow South portion. Its north-south length is near by 30 km and
East-West length is 457 km.
It extends from 21°59' N. Lat to 25°8' N lat and 83°20' E. Long to 87°57' E. Long.
The State comprised an area of 79,714 square kilometers. It has a population
of 3,29,66,238. The state now comprises five divisions (one new division Chaibasa
added recently). two hundred and sixty’ blocks, three hundred and twenty six
police stations, three thousand seven hundred and forty four panchayats and
thirty two thousand six hundred fifteen villages.
Jharkhand, which was included in the erstwhile Bihar, was separated from
Bengal on 1st April 1912. At that time Orissa was also included in Bihar. Bihar was
divided after 24 years in 1936 when Orissa was created as a separate State. SaraiKela
and Kharsawan were later incorporated in Bihar in 1948. Bihar was again cut apart
in 1956 when about 5573 sq. kms was severed and merged in West Bengal. Conse-
quently the total area of Bihar was reduced from 1, 79,611 square kilometers in 1936
to l,74,038 is quare kilometers in 1956, Bihar was once again partitioned on 15th
November 2000. When Jharkhand emerged as the 28th State of India
Geological formation of Jharkhand are as follow :
(1) Archeon formation : About 2/3rd of the Chotanagpur plateau has archeon
formation. Granite and Gncisses dominate these.
(2) Dharwar Formation : These formations are located in the southern tip of
Jharkhand. The area is storehouse of metallic minerals like iron-ore, kyanites etc.
They occupy most of the Kolhan upland.
(3) Vindhyan Formation : The Vindhyan formations are concentrated in the
north-western Jharkhand along the Son river valley. Garhwa and Palamu districts
are included in the area. Minerals like limestone, dolomite and sandstone are found
in these areas.
(4) Gondwana Formation : The Gondwana formation extends from Latehar in
the west to the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields in the east. Most of the coal seams
are located in this area. Beneath the coal seams is fire clay, which is used as a
refractory raw material.
(5) Cretaceous Formation : These formations are very important because of
the emergence of the Deccan trap. The outer portion of this is extended to Palamu
and Ranchi. This plateau contains laterite at the surface and bauxite at some
places.
(6) T ertiary Formation : Tertiary formations are confined to river valley and
other depressions.
 The geographical features of Jharkhand can also be studied under following
ways :
(1) Rajmahal Highlands : The height of Rajmahal hills varies from 250 m to 150
m which in elude Deoghar, Sahebganj, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara and Pakur district.
Hence, Santhal tribe are dominant. This area in drained by many rivers such as Ajay,
More Morang, Bantoi, etc.
(2) The Pat Plateau : This is situated in west of Ranchi. It extends from North-
west Gumla to Lohardagga and Palamu. Pat has highet portion of plateau at 1200 m.
Some important pats are :
(1) Netarhats (1260 m)
(2) Ganeshpur (1250 m)
(3) Janira (1225 m)
(3) Ranchi Plateau : Its height is about 650 m. Ranchi plateau is the largest
plateau in the Jharkhand between the pats in the west and the Swarnrekha River in
south-east. Hence, uplands known as Taurs and the lowlands called dons.
The plateau of river make important fall such as Hundru, Gautam Dhara Hirni.
(4) The Lower Chotanagpur Plateau : This area extends to Bokaro, Hazaribagh
Giridih, Dhanbad and Singhbhum. Its height ranges between 350 m and 150 m. This
region comprises of running industrial and minning centers. Here, many urban
agglomeratrin due to industrial centre.
JHARKHAND : CLIMATE
Jharkhand has a typically tropical climate. With hot wet summers and mild
winters temperature can sour upto 42°C in the capital city of Ranchi in summer.
Although it is considered to be Relatingly pleasent city. The monsoon season is
July to September and the state receives on annual rainfall of 1326 mm.
Jharkhand has a diffferent climate from that of Bihar and other neighbouring
states. Monsoon winds come from two different areas. One section comes from the
Bay of Bengal and another from the Arabian Sea.
Jharkhand consists of three man seasons which may as follows :
(1) Summer season : 16th March to 15th June season runs. During this season
the Sun gradually moves northwards. The sun gradually moves northwards and
duration of the day increases more and more. The mid-day temperature rises during
April and May. Hazaribagh temperature goes above 100°F . In Ranchi also, the wind
begins to blow from the west. But east and west Singhbhum remain comparatively
hotter in summer. Many part of state also experience dust storm during summer. The
average rainfall during summer varies from 50 mm to 850 mm.
(2) Rainy season : June to October period of this season but the mansoon
reaches Jharkhand by the middle of June. This state gets relatively more rain than
the Ganga plains. Average rainfall of Jharkhand is 1200 mm. But in the Pat region the
heaviest rainfall in recorded because of higher elevation. The south-west part, also
receives higher rainfall because of greater forest cover.
V ariation in rainfall is caused by different factors such as height, alignment, of
plateau and ridges, hills, proximity of the Bay of Bengal and soon.
(3) Winter season : The season is extended between November and February.
The state has pure, clear and charming weather with blue sky in winter. The day is
warm but night is cold. Coldest months is December and January. Dhanbad records
9·5°C, Dumka 7°5°C and Ranchi records 5·2°C during these two months.
Jharkhand also gets rainfall during winter. The average rainfall is above 50
mm. but the norht-western pat region receives rainfall of above 80 mm. These rains
are helpful in production of Rabi crops.
RIVER OF JHARKHAND
River Source Out flow
Damodar River Chhota Nagpur plateau region Hugli River
Sawrn-Rekha River Chhota Nagpur plateau region Bay of Bengal
Barakar River North Chhota Nagpur hills Damodar River
Karmnasa River Vindhyan ranges Ganga River
Sanjay River Parahat hill Kharkai River
North Koel River Mid of the Ranchi plateau Son River
South Koel River Mid of the Chhota Nagpur plateau Sankh River
Phalgu River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Ganga River
Sakri River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Ganga River
Panchane River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Sakri River
Gumani River Rajmahal Ganga River
Bansloi River Bans Hill Ganga River
MOR River Mungor Bhagirathi River
(W. Bengal)
SOIL IN JHARKHAND
Soil is the thin surface-layer on the earth. comprising mineral particles formed
by break-down of rocks, decayed organic materials, living organisns, water and air,
soil is a very important natural resources of India because agricultural production
in basically depend upon the fertility of soil.
The factor of soil formation are (a) parcent material (b) Relief (c) climate (d)
Natural vegelation.
The soils of Jharkhand may broadly be class into following five groups
(a) Red soil, (b) Sandy soil, (c) Black soil, (d) Laterite soil, (e) Red Micacious
soil, (f) Uneven rough soil
RED SOIL
These soils are made by the decomposition of crystalline metamorphic rocks
such as granite, gneiss.etc. The colour of the soil is red at some places and at many
places it is just like chocolate which is dark in colour. With the exception of Godwana
rocks region of Damodar V alley and the volcanic region of Raj Mahal highland, the
entire Chhotanagpur plateau is full of red soil. Due to the share of mixture of iron in
the rocks, the colour of the soil is either red or yellow with light red colour.
PROPERTIES OF RED SOIL
Ü It is less fertile,
Ü It has high iron content,
Ü It is porous,
Ü It has adequate quantities of lime and potash, and
Ü It lacks nitrogen, phosphorus and humus.
SANDY SOIL
b. Sandy Soil : This type of. soil is found in east Hazaribagh and Dhanbad.
These two areas compose the trough basin of Damodar. which is famous for sandy
soil. Such soil is formed by the gradual decomposition of sandy loam and sandy
soil. The properties of this soil are :
Ü It is yellowish.             ;
Ü It is poor humus content.
Ü It is less fertile.
Ü It is Suitable for millets
BLACK SOIL
Black soil is found in the Volcanic region of Raj Mahal hills. It is like the
famous Chernozem soil. It is formed of Basaltic erosion. Its colour is black and
brown. At some places it is either yellow or reddish. The soil is formed of granite
rocks with fine particles. Due to water it is waxy and sticks in legs. The soil has a
mixture of iron, limestone, magnesium and aluminium. Rice and gram are grown in
this soil.
The soil has higher proportion of clay, which has a very high water retaining
capacity. The areas with higher elevation has thin layer of black Soil with light
colour  but in areas with lower heights the Soil has thick layer and dark colour.
Properties of soil are :
Ü It has water retaining capacity
Ü It contains lime. iron, magnesia etc
Ü It becomes sticky after getting water.
Ü The soil of this type in lower areas is more fertile.
Page 5


Jharkhand : General Knowledge Amar Ujala Publications
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Jharkhand (Lit Bushland) is a state in eastern Indian carved out of the Sourher
part of Bihar on 15 November, 2000. The state shares is border with the states of
Bihar to the North, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the West Odisha to the South
and West Bengal to the East. It present on amorphous shape with a broad Northern
portion and a Narrow South portion. Its north-south length is near by 30 km and
East-West length is 457 km.
It extends from 21°59' N. Lat to 25°8' N lat and 83°20' E. Long to 87°57' E. Long.
The State comprised an area of 79,714 square kilometers. It has a population
of 3,29,66,238. The state now comprises five divisions (one new division Chaibasa
added recently). two hundred and sixty’ blocks, three hundred and twenty six
police stations, three thousand seven hundred and forty four panchayats and
thirty two thousand six hundred fifteen villages.
Jharkhand, which was included in the erstwhile Bihar, was separated from
Bengal on 1st April 1912. At that time Orissa was also included in Bihar. Bihar was
divided after 24 years in 1936 when Orissa was created as a separate State. SaraiKela
and Kharsawan were later incorporated in Bihar in 1948. Bihar was again cut apart
in 1956 when about 5573 sq. kms was severed and merged in West Bengal. Conse-
quently the total area of Bihar was reduced from 1, 79,611 square kilometers in 1936
to l,74,038 is quare kilometers in 1956, Bihar was once again partitioned on 15th
November 2000. When Jharkhand emerged as the 28th State of India
Geological formation of Jharkhand are as follow :
(1) Archeon formation : About 2/3rd of the Chotanagpur plateau has archeon
formation. Granite and Gncisses dominate these.
(2) Dharwar Formation : These formations are located in the southern tip of
Jharkhand. The area is storehouse of metallic minerals like iron-ore, kyanites etc.
They occupy most of the Kolhan upland.
(3) Vindhyan Formation : The Vindhyan formations are concentrated in the
north-western Jharkhand along the Son river valley. Garhwa and Palamu districts
are included in the area. Minerals like limestone, dolomite and sandstone are found
in these areas.
(4) Gondwana Formation : The Gondwana formation extends from Latehar in
the west to the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields in the east. Most of the coal seams
are located in this area. Beneath the coal seams is fire clay, which is used as a
refractory raw material.
(5) Cretaceous Formation : These formations are very important because of
the emergence of the Deccan trap. The outer portion of this is extended to Palamu
and Ranchi. This plateau contains laterite at the surface and bauxite at some
places.
(6) T ertiary Formation : Tertiary formations are confined to river valley and
other depressions.
 The geographical features of Jharkhand can also be studied under following
ways :
(1) Rajmahal Highlands : The height of Rajmahal hills varies from 250 m to 150
m which in elude Deoghar, Sahebganj, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara and Pakur district.
Hence, Santhal tribe are dominant. This area in drained by many rivers such as Ajay,
More Morang, Bantoi, etc.
(2) The Pat Plateau : This is situated in west of Ranchi. It extends from North-
west Gumla to Lohardagga and Palamu. Pat has highet portion of plateau at 1200 m.
Some important pats are :
(1) Netarhats (1260 m)
(2) Ganeshpur (1250 m)
(3) Janira (1225 m)
(3) Ranchi Plateau : Its height is about 650 m. Ranchi plateau is the largest
plateau in the Jharkhand between the pats in the west and the Swarnrekha River in
south-east. Hence, uplands known as Taurs and the lowlands called dons.
The plateau of river make important fall such as Hundru, Gautam Dhara Hirni.
(4) The Lower Chotanagpur Plateau : This area extends to Bokaro, Hazaribagh
Giridih, Dhanbad and Singhbhum. Its height ranges between 350 m and 150 m. This
region comprises of running industrial and minning centers. Here, many urban
agglomeratrin due to industrial centre.
JHARKHAND : CLIMATE
Jharkhand has a typically tropical climate. With hot wet summers and mild
winters temperature can sour upto 42°C in the capital city of Ranchi in summer.
Although it is considered to be Relatingly pleasent city. The monsoon season is
July to September and the state receives on annual rainfall of 1326 mm.
Jharkhand has a diffferent climate from that of Bihar and other neighbouring
states. Monsoon winds come from two different areas. One section comes from the
Bay of Bengal and another from the Arabian Sea.
Jharkhand consists of three man seasons which may as follows :
(1) Summer season : 16th March to 15th June season runs. During this season
the Sun gradually moves northwards. The sun gradually moves northwards and
duration of the day increases more and more. The mid-day temperature rises during
April and May. Hazaribagh temperature goes above 100°F . In Ranchi also, the wind
begins to blow from the west. But east and west Singhbhum remain comparatively
hotter in summer. Many part of state also experience dust storm during summer. The
average rainfall during summer varies from 50 mm to 850 mm.
(2) Rainy season : June to October period of this season but the mansoon
reaches Jharkhand by the middle of June. This state gets relatively more rain than
the Ganga plains. Average rainfall of Jharkhand is 1200 mm. But in the Pat region the
heaviest rainfall in recorded because of higher elevation. The south-west part, also
receives higher rainfall because of greater forest cover.
V ariation in rainfall is caused by different factors such as height, alignment, of
plateau and ridges, hills, proximity of the Bay of Bengal and soon.
(3) Winter season : The season is extended between November and February.
The state has pure, clear and charming weather with blue sky in winter. The day is
warm but night is cold. Coldest months is December and January. Dhanbad records
9·5°C, Dumka 7°5°C and Ranchi records 5·2°C during these two months.
Jharkhand also gets rainfall during winter. The average rainfall is above 50
mm. but the norht-western pat region receives rainfall of above 80 mm. These rains
are helpful in production of Rabi crops.
RIVER OF JHARKHAND
River Source Out flow
Damodar River Chhota Nagpur plateau region Hugli River
Sawrn-Rekha River Chhota Nagpur plateau region Bay of Bengal
Barakar River North Chhota Nagpur hills Damodar River
Karmnasa River Vindhyan ranges Ganga River
Sanjay River Parahat hill Kharkai River
North Koel River Mid of the Ranchi plateau Son River
South Koel River Mid of the Chhota Nagpur plateau Sankh River
Phalgu River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Ganga River
Sakri River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Ganga River
Panchane River North Chhota Nagpur plateau Sakri River
Gumani River Rajmahal Ganga River
Bansloi River Bans Hill Ganga River
MOR River Mungor Bhagirathi River
(W. Bengal)
SOIL IN JHARKHAND
Soil is the thin surface-layer on the earth. comprising mineral particles formed
by break-down of rocks, decayed organic materials, living organisns, water and air,
soil is a very important natural resources of India because agricultural production
in basically depend upon the fertility of soil.
The factor of soil formation are (a) parcent material (b) Relief (c) climate (d)
Natural vegelation.
The soils of Jharkhand may broadly be class into following five groups
(a) Red soil, (b) Sandy soil, (c) Black soil, (d) Laterite soil, (e) Red Micacious
soil, (f) Uneven rough soil
RED SOIL
These soils are made by the decomposition of crystalline metamorphic rocks
such as granite, gneiss.etc. The colour of the soil is red at some places and at many
places it is just like chocolate which is dark in colour. With the exception of Godwana
rocks region of Damodar V alley and the volcanic region of Raj Mahal highland, the
entire Chhotanagpur plateau is full of red soil. Due to the share of mixture of iron in
the rocks, the colour of the soil is either red or yellow with light red colour.
PROPERTIES OF RED SOIL
Ü It is less fertile,
Ü It has high iron content,
Ü It is porous,
Ü It has adequate quantities of lime and potash, and
Ü It lacks nitrogen, phosphorus and humus.
SANDY SOIL
b. Sandy Soil : This type of. soil is found in east Hazaribagh and Dhanbad.
These two areas compose the trough basin of Damodar. which is famous for sandy
soil. Such soil is formed by the gradual decomposition of sandy loam and sandy
soil. The properties of this soil are :
Ü It is yellowish.             ;
Ü It is poor humus content.
Ü It is less fertile.
Ü It is Suitable for millets
BLACK SOIL
Black soil is found in the Volcanic region of Raj Mahal hills. It is like the
famous Chernozem soil. It is formed of Basaltic erosion. Its colour is black and
brown. At some places it is either yellow or reddish. The soil is formed of granite
rocks with fine particles. Due to water it is waxy and sticks in legs. The soil has a
mixture of iron, limestone, magnesium and aluminium. Rice and gram are grown in
this soil.
The soil has higher proportion of clay, which has a very high water retaining
capacity. The areas with higher elevation has thin layer of black Soil with light
colour  but in areas with lower heights the Soil has thick layer and dark colour.
Properties of soil are :
Ü It has water retaining capacity
Ü It contains lime. iron, magnesia etc
Ü It becomes sticky after getting water.
Ü The soil of this type in lower areas is more fertile.
LA TERITE SOIL
It  is found in the State in three regions —
(i)  Western   Ranchi   and   Southern   Palamu
(ii) Eastern part of Raj Mahal in Santhal Pargana district, and
(iii) South-Eastern slopy land of Singhbhum. The colour of the soil is dark
red. The soil is coarse.
The main component of this Soil are aluminium, iron oxide and manganese
oxide. The main defect of Soil is acid reaction. The main crops of this Soil are castor,
pigeonpea etc.
PROPERTIES OF SOIL
(i) It has high iron content.
(ii)   It has low content of phosphorous, nitrogen and potash.
(iii)  It is prone to acid reaction.
(iv) Its yield is low.
RED MICACIOUS SOIL
This soil is found in mica belt of Koderma. Jhumari Talaiya, Mandu and
Badkagaon. Its colour is pink. In lower areas due to moisture its colour is yellow.
The soil is sandy with shining particles of mica. Though the soil is fertile, but due
to the paucity of water the proper cultivation cannot be done in this soil.
UNEVEN ROUGH SOIL
Uneven rough soil is found in the extreme southern area of Singhbhum in
Jharkhand State, The soil is formed of remnants of different typ of soils.