Raghunathpur II

Background

The Jaina Bhagavati-Sutra of 5th century AD mentions that Purulia was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas and was a part of the kingdom known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient times. In 1833, Manbhum district was carved out of Jungle Mahals district, with headquarters at Manbazar. In 1838, the headquarters was transferred to Purulia. In 1956, Manbhum district was partitioned between Bihar and West Bengal under the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956.

Geography

Cheliyama is located at 23°36′14″N 86°32′57″E.

Raghunathpur II CD Block is located in the north-western part of the district. Damodar River marks the northern boundary of the CD Block. The Damodar Dwaraka upland is an extension of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The area is undulating with hillocks of hard rocks.

Raghunathpur II CD Block is bounded by Jharia and Baliapur CD Blocks, in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, both across the Damodar River, on the north, Neturia and Raghunathpur I CD Blocks on the east, Para CD Block on the south and Chandankiyari CD Block, in Bokaro district of Jharkhand, on the west.

It is located 46 km from Purulia, the district headquarters.

Raghunathpur II CD Block has an area of 197.67 km². It has 1 panchayat samity, 6 gram panchayats, 80 gram sansads (village councils), 106 mouzas, 90 inhabited villages and 1 census town. Santaldih police station serves this block. Headquarters of this CD Block is at Cheliyama (Cheyama).

Gram panchayats of Raghunathpur II block/panchayat samiti are: Barrah, Chelyama, Joradih, Mangalda-Moutore, Nildih and Nutandih.

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Raghunathpur II CD Block had a total population of 113,790, of which 107,827 were rural and 5,963 were urban. There were 58,568 (51%) males and 55,222 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 15,806. Scheduled Castes numbered 41,460 (36.44%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 7,302 (6.42%).

As per 2001 census, Raghunathpur II block had a total population of 99,152, out of which 50,929 were males and 48,223 were females. Raghunathpur II block registered a population growth of 15.94 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for Purulia district was 13.96 per cent. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.

Census Towns in Raghunathpur II CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Nabagram (5,963).

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Raghunathpur II CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Ichhar (6,494) and Cheyama (7,413).

Other villages in Raghunathpur II CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Nutandi (3,275), Telkupi (510), Mangalda (3,187), Nildi (838) and Barra (3,302).

Literacy

As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Raghunathpur II CD Block was 65,936 (67.29% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 40,847 (80.95% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 25,089 (52.79%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 28.16%.

See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

Languages and religions

Bengali is the local language in these areas.

Along the western borders of the district the local Bengali dialect spoken in the area often merges with Magahi dialects such as Kurmali, Khotta and Khottahi or even Khotta Bangla. There is a tribal presence in many of the CD Blocks of the district. Santali was spoken by around 14% of the population of the earlier Manbhum district. Some people also speak Mundari or Kolarian languages such as Kurmali, Mundari and the languages of Bhumij and Mahli.

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 96,433 and formed 84.75% of the population in Raghunathpur II CD Block. Muslims numbered 12,720 and formed 11.18% of the population. Christians numbered 87 and formed 0.08% of the population. Others numbered 4,540 and formed 3.99% of the population. Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria, and other religious communities.

Infrastructure

90 mouzas in Raghunathpur II CD Block were electrified by 31 March 2014.

Agriculture

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Raghunathpur II CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 12.35%, patta (document) holders 13.45%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 2.98%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 23.68% and agricultural labourers 47.54%.

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Raghunathpur II CD Block was 4,087.13 hectares, out of which 1,547.00 hectares were by canals, 1,303.94 hectares by tank water, 18.89 hectares by river lift irrigation, 225.60 hectares by open dug wells and 991.70 hectares by other means.

In 2013-14, Raghunathpur II CD Block produced 16,218 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop from 6,901 hectares. It also produced wheat, maize, maskalai and mustard.

Banking

In 2013-14, Raghunathpur II CD Block had offices of 4 commercial banks and 5 gramin banks.

Transport

In 2013-14, Raghunathpur II CD Block had 2 ferry services and 5 originating/ terminating bus routes.

Education

In 2013-14, Raghunathpur II CD Block had 99 primary schools with 9,098 students, 9 middle schools with 1,115 students, 4 high schools with 2,084 students and 9 higher secondary schools with 6,330 students. Raghunathpur II CD Block had 1 general college with 719 students and 261 institutions with 7,583 students for special and non-formal education. Raghunathpur (municipal town, outside the CD Block) had 1 general college with 3,140 students.

Healthcare

In 2014, Raghunathpur II CD Block had 1 block primary health centre and 2 primary health centres, with total 44 beds and 5 doctors. 7,344 patients were treated indoor and 116,687 patients were treated outdoor in the health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.