Kharsawan
Kharsawan, 1908
Feudatory State of Chota Nagpur, Bengal, lying between 22 degree 41' and 22 degree 53' N. and 85 degree 38' and 85 degree 55' E., with an area of 153 x square miles. It is bounded on the north by the Districts of Ranch! and Manbhum ; on the east by the State of Saraikela ; and on the south and west by Singhbhum District. The river Sonai flows through the State from north-west to south-east. The country on the north and the Kolhan plr on the south of this river consist of long ranges of jungle-clad hills, attaining in one place an elevation of 2,529 feet. The depressions between them are terraced for cultivation. The rest of the State is a lowland tract, dotted here and there with isolated small hills. In this part, almost the whole of the cultivable area has been cleared of forest and turned into rice lands. Iron is found in a nodular form in most of the hilly ranges. Gold is found in very small quantities in the sands of the Sonai river. Copper must once have been extracted on a very large scale in Kharsawan, and traces of ancient mines can be seen at intervals throughout the whole breadth of the State for a length of 15 miles; the most extensive were in the neighbourhood of Lopso. Recent prospecting operations indicate that the supply of copper is still far from exhausted, and it is probable that in the near future the State may once more become an important mining centre. Nodular limestone, a stalagmitic deposit called asurhad, slate, and potstone are found in the hilly tracts. About 40 square
1 This figure, which differs from the area shown in the Census Report of 1901, was supplied by the Surveyor-General. miles of the State are covered with forest, containing chiefly sal (Shorea robusta), asan (Terminalia tomentosa), gamhar (Gmelina arborea), kusum (Schleichera trijuga), piasal (Pterocarpus Marsupium), kend (Diospyros melanoxylon), jamun (Eugenia Jambolana), and bamboos. Minor jungle products comprise lac, tasar cocoons, and myrabolams. Tigers, leopards, bears, several kinds of deer, hares, and peafowl abound in the forests. Snakes of several kinds are common everywhere.
The chief of Kharsawan belongs to a junior branch of the Porahat Raja's family. Some generations before the establishment of British rule, Kunwar Bikram Singh, a younger brother of the Raja, obtained from him as a maintenance grant the eleven plrs which constitute the present States of Saraikela and Kharsawan. Bikram Singh by his two wives left five sons. The eldest succeeded to Saraikela, and the second son, from whom the present chief is directly descended, to Kharsawan. The State first came under the notice of the British in 1 793, when, in consequence of disturbances on the frontier of the old Jungle Mahals, the Thakur of Kharsawan and the Kunwar of Saraikela were compelled to enter into certain agreements relating to the treatment of fugitive rebels. The chief is bound, when called upon, to render service to the British Government, but he has never had to pay tribute. His present sauad was granted in 1S99. He exercises all administrative powers, executive and judicial, subject to the control of the Deputy-Com- missioner of Singhbhum and the Commissioner of Chota Nagpur, and is empowered to pass sentences of imprisonment up to five years and of fine to the extent of Rs. 200. Sentences of imprisonment for more than two years require the confirmation of the Commissioner. Heinous offences calling for heavier punishment are dealt with by the Deputy-Commissioner of Singhbhum. The present chief, Sri Ram Chandra Singh Deo, being a minor, the State is, for the time being, under direct British administration.
The population increased from 35,470 in 1S91 to 36,540 in 1901, the density being 239 persons per square mile. The inhabitants dwell in 263 villages, the most important of which is Kharsawan, the head-quarters of the State. Hindus number 19,864 and Animists 16,277, the Hos being the most numerous tribe. About 78 per cent, of the population are supported by agriculture. The principal crops grown in the State in order of importance are rice, maize, pulses, mustard, sugar-cane, and tobacco. Coarse cotton cloths and iron cooking utensils are manufactured for local use, and in some villages leaf mats are made. The chief exports are rice, pulses, oilseeds, stick- lac, tasar cocoons, and iron ; and the chief imports are salt, cotton thread, cotton piece-goods, tobacco, and brass cooking utensils. Trade has been stimulated by the opening of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway, which runs through 12 miles of the State boundary ; a station at Amda is 3 miles from its head-quarters. The State contains 8 miles of metalled and 28 miles of unmetalled roads. The total revenue is Rs. 42,000, of which Rs. 17,000 is derived from the land. The police force consists of 4 officers and 13 constables, and there is a jail with accommodation for 11 prisoners. The State also maintains a dis- pensary, a middle English school, and two lower primary schools.
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
