Gumla

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Gumla district.

Gumla
city
Country	India
State	Jharkhand
District	Gumla
Population  (2001)
• Total	104,600
• Density	197/km2 (510/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Hindi, Santali
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	835207
Telephone code	06524
Vehicle registration	JH 7A **** – JH 7Z ****
Website	www.gumla.nic.in

Gumla (Hindi: गुमला) is a town that serves as the headquarters of Gumla district of Jharkhand state, India.

History

Gumla began as a small hamlet. A week-long "Cow Fair" (Gau-Mela) took place every year in the town. Items of daily use, utensils, ornaments, grains, and cattle were sold and exchanged during the fair. These items could only be obtained at the fair, so people would make a long list of items required during the year and buy them during the fair. People from distant places were drawn to the town because to buy and sell these agricultural staples. People gradually began to inhabit the hamlet on a full-time basis, and it eventually grew into a village. The village was given the name "Gumla," a derivative of "Gau–Mela."

During the British rule in India, there was a revolt against the British in 1800. In 1807, the Oraons in Barway, west of Gumla, murdered their landlord of Srinagar. Soon the uprisings spread around Gumla. During British rule, Gumla was in the Lohardaga district. In 1843, it was brought under the Bishunpur province that was later named Ranchi, which came into existence in 1899. In 1902, Gumla became a subdivision of the Ranchi district.

During the medieval era, the Chhotanagpur region was ruled by kings of the Naga dynasty. Baraik Devenandan Singh was given the right to rule over the Gumla region. It is said that during the Kolh Reble in 1931–32, Vaktar Say had played a prominent role. Ganga Maharaj, who built the Kali Temple at Sri Ramnagar, had played active role in Quit India Movement in 1942. For this great contribution to Indian independence, he was honored with a life time pension by the Indian government.

On May 18, 1984, 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 1st deputy commissioner of the just born district.

Geography

Gumla is located at 23°N 84.50°E / 23; 84.50. Geographically, Gumla is located on southern part of the Chota Nagpur plateau which forms the eastern edge of the Deccan plateau system. Three major rivers flow through the Gumla area: the South Koyel, North Koyel and Shankh.

Climate

Gumla enjoys a pleasant sub-tropical climate which is characterized by temperate weather conditions. The temperature ranges from highs of 40° Celsius during the summer to lows of 3° Celsius during the winter. The annual rainfall is approximately 1450 mm.

Demographics

As of 2001, Gumla had a population of 104,600. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Gumla has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 70%. In Gumla, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age. The major languages spoken in this region of Jharkhand are Nagpuri (or Sadri), Hindi, Oriya, Bihari & Kurukh.

Education

Education has long been a problem for Gumla. In 1986 Rakesh Popli and his wife Rama Popli, an expert in child education, established the first Ekal Vidyalaya (one teacher) schools to bring education to the tribes of the Gumla region. Due to the lack of available good colleges, students are forced to go to Ranchi for higher education. The colleges here come under Ranchi University. There are three colleges:

• Kartik Oraon College
• Women’s College
• Karunavati Devi Memorial College

There are numerous schools in Gumla, many of them are very good and even produce state toppers.

• Saraswati Shishu/Vidya Mandir,Gumla
• Adarsh Vidya Mandir School,Pugu
• Don Bosco School,Bhamni
• St. Ignatius School Oxford Public School,Gumla
• Natro Dame School,Gumla
• D.A.V. Public School
• St. Stephen’s School
• Ursuline Convent School
• S.S. High School,Gumla
• St. Patrick School
• Wescott Public School

These are some of the schools here. St. Ignatius School is a Jesuit run school which has produced international level hockey players. It was founded in 1935.

Tourist attractions

• Anjan – A small village about 18 km away from Gumla. The name of the village is derived from the name of the goddess Anjani, mother of Hanuman. Many objects of archaeological importance obtained from this place have been placed at Patna Museum. Anjan is the birthplace of Hanuman.
• Baghmunda – Famous for its religious stone idols (Ajanta caves stone idols).
• Nagar- It is situated in Sisai Block. It is 9 km from Sisai Headquarter. A fort of Nagbansi kings is the main tourist attraction. It is said that the Chhotanagpur name of this region was given by them.( The words son-Choota, NAG-Vansh).
• Rajendra – A place of great scenic value, Rajendra is surrounded by beautiful hills on all sides.
• Dewaki – A place of religious importance, Dewaki is famous for a Shiv-Parvati temple. During the month of Sawan, devotees visit here to offer water to the Shiva Linga, and the place is transformed into a fair ground.
• Basudeokona – It is famous for religious stone idols (Ajanta caves stone idols ) It is located in 3 km east from Raidih block headquarter. Taraloya is a charming waterfall. The local people call "Perwahatt". It is located 30 km south from Raidih block Headquarter.
• Hapamuni – Famous for an ancient Mahamaya temple that is the focal point of the village.
• Palkot
• Nagfeni – Famous for the Jagannath temple, and a large stone in the shape of the snake 'Nag'.
• Tanginath
• Birsa Munda Agro Park
• Raidih – Raidih block is one of the eleven administrative blocks of Gumla District. It is famous for its scenic beauty.

Festival and dances

Gumla is home to people of many castes, creeds and sects. All festivals are celebrated with pomp, glory and in harmony.

Karma

This a festival of brothers and sisters .It is celebrated in rotation from one village to another .Like other festivals it is also a way of merry making by local population .This festival is divided into three categories :-

• Raj karma.
• Budhui karma.
• Padda karma.

Raj karma is celebrated by the whole community in this region .Budhi karma is celebrated only by old women in the month of June to call the god of rain .The third one is celebrated by the whole villagers . Sisters keep fast for whole day for their brothers.

Sarhul Dance

Sarhul which is a prominent festival of oraon can't be thought without dance. People hold together in a chain and form a circle then practice this dance along with music and song. Musicians with their traditional music instruments remain inside the circle. Men wear white dhoti with red border and women wear white sari with red border. Watching a dance group causes one to be a part of it.

Sarhul Dance

Bheja dance

Dozens or more young boys and girls gather at a particular place,form a chain by clumping hands of one another in alternate succession then perform dance following different postures with melodious traditional music and songs in a rhythm

Clubs

• Rotary Club of Gumla
• Sarna Fan's Club, Gumla
• Nav Yuvak Sangh
• Inner Wheel Club, Gumla

External links

• Gumla Travel Guide
• District Administration