Headquarters Sundergarh PIN 769 xxx, 770 xxx Area 9,712 km² | Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Vehicle registration OD-16, OD-14 Literacy 65.2% | |
 | ||
Colleges and Universities Biju Patnaik University, Padmanava College of Engineeri, National Institute of Technolo, Purushottam Institute of Engineeri, SKDAV Government Polytechn Points of interest Rourkela railway station, Khandadhar Falls - Sundagarh, Indira Gandhi Park, Nehru Traffic Park, Deer Park | ||
Sundergarh District also spelled Sundargarh District (Odia: ସୁନ୍ଦରଗଡ଼ ଜିଲ୍ଲା) is a district in the northwestern part of Odisha state in eastern India. It is one of the 5th scheduled areas under constitution of India. Sundergarh district is bounded by Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh in the west, Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh in the North-West, Simdega district of Jharkhand in the North, West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and Keonjhar district of Odisha in the east and Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Angul districts of Odisha in the South. The town of Sundergarh is the district headquarters.
Contents
- Map of Sundargarh Odisha
- Geography
- History
- Demographics
- Culture
- Sport
- Economy
- Vidhan sabha constituencies
- Tourist Places
- References
Map of Sundargarh, Odisha
Geography
Sundergarh district forms the Northwestern part of Odisha state and is the Second largest district in the state accounting for 6.23% of the total area. Geographical Area of the district is 9712 km2. The district spreads from 21°36′N to 22°32′N and from 83°32′E to 85°22′E.
History
On 1 January 1948, the princely states of Gangpur and Bonaigarh merged into the present district of Sundergarh. It is understood that, in ancient times, this district was under the rulers of different dynasties. However, divergent views are available regarding the origin of the ruling family. Bonaigarh was known as Bonai Mandala and was ruled by Mayura dynasty as a feudetory of Bhoumakara dynasty of Toshali. The present royal family of Gangpur belongs to the Parmar dynasty and Bonaigarh belongs to Kadamba dynasty. These ex-states were under the suzerainty of Sambalpur which formed part of the dominion of the Maratha Rajas of Nagpur. They were ceded to the British Government in 1803 by the Maratha Chief Raghuji Bhonsla of Nagpur under the treaty of Deogaon(near Rourkela). But they were restored to him by special engagement in 1806. They were finally ceded in 1826. In 1905, these two Odia princely states were transferred from the control of the Commissioner of Chhotanagpur to that of Odisha Division and a separate Political Agent was appointed.
The district is currently a part of the Red Corridor.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Sundergarh district has a population of 2,080,664, roughly equal to the nation of Macedonia or the US state of New Mexico. This gives it a ranking of 221st in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 214 inhabitants per square kilometre (550/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 13.66%. Sundargarh has a sex ratio of 971 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 74.13%.
The Tribals are a major part of the population of this district. According to Census of India report, percentage of tribal population of this district was 50.19 in the 2001 census. The malaria infection of this district is three times the national average. Many children die due to apathy of government medical officials.
Kisan Tribe are the major inhabitants of this district along with Oraon, Gond etc. They are farmers and food gatherers by profession. They are famous for their singing and dancing along with their hospitality. They speak the Kisan language along with Sadri, Sambalpuri, Oriya, Hindi and English. Kutra is a very well known Kisan village.
Kutra is a modern village situated on the State Highway between Rajgangpur and Sundergarh. It is the block headquarters under Sundergarh District. It has police station, fire station, hospital and schools. The Toppo's are the main residents of this village. The Tribals are the major community in this area. The Tribals are famous for their songs and dance along with their hospitality. Bus is the main source of transport, and the nearest train station is at Rajgangpur.
The main language spoken in this region is Odia, which is known as Sundargadia Oriya with a variation to other major dialects of Oriya spoken in Western part of Odisha. People of Agariya community speak Agariya language, this language is a mix of Oriya and Hindi language. In village areas that borders Jharsuguda district of Odisha and Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, the main language is Agariya, as most of the total population is Agariya. As Sundargarh is a tribal dominated district Mundari, Kurukh, Ho, Kharia, Santali languages are spoken as mother tongue by the concerned tribal people. Santali is written in Ol Chiki script. Sadri language is the lingua franca among tribal people of this district. Hindi is understood and spoken by people of the district due to its close proximity with Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh. Due to cosmopolitan character, people of Rourkela use Standard Oriya or Standard Hindi as medium of communication. However English and Odia languages are used for all official purpose.
Culture
Nuakhai is one of the most important festivals of this district. Both Hindus and Christians celebrate "Nuakhai". Karma and sarhul is also celebrated by both Hindus and Christians. Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is celebrated by non tribal people, in places having Jagannath temple.Sport
Sundargarh has given many talented international hockey player like Dilip Tirkey, Ignace Tirkey and many more that it got nicknamed "Mecca of Indian Hockey" and "Hockey District".
Economy
Sundargarh district does have big industries at Rourkela, Rajgangpur and Kansbahal.
The Rourkela Steel Plant at Rourkela in this district is the first government sector Steel plant built with foreign (German) collaboration and was the first in India to use LD oxygen technology.
Rajgangpur is an important town situated between Rourkela and Sundergarh. It has a cement plant (OCL India Limited) and many small industries and Taran Textiles.
A fabrication plant (L&T) exists at Kansbahal.
Sundargarh is going to have 2 umpp, one at Darlipali a 1600 MW planned thermal power plant to be built by NTPC another one at Bhedabahal. Along with that there is another place known as Bonai.
Sundargarh has more than 26 mines. (Coal Mines, Iron ore Mines, Manganese Mines, Lime stone mines)
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Sundergarh one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the 19 districts in Odisha currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Vidhan sabha constituencies
The following is the 7 Vidhan sabha constituencies of Sundergarh district and the elected members of that area