History of Pakur District presents the evidence that this area have been inhabited since early times. There are evidences that since its emergence and inception, it had been a cluster of ponds and orchards surrounded by deep forests and hard rocks under the range of Rajmahal hills. As per the historical evidences of Pakur District, the early inhabitants of this district are the Sauria Paharia Tribe who still inhabits some areas of Rajmahal hills and its adjoining hilly tracts.
Further, history of Pakur District also states that after the downfall of Harshavardhana, this area remained in oblivion due to its deep forests and inaccessible passes. The next important event in the history of Pakur District was the establishment of Rajmahal as the capital of Bengal in 1592 to signalize the importance of the Mughal victory. Two insignificant estates known as Amber and Sultanabad existed in this area which later on became famous in the name of Pakur Raj and Maheshpur Raj. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757 AD and the transfer of Diwani of Bengal in 1765, the victorious British rulers developed their administrative network to control this area through Birbhum District. Though Pakur region always had a separate identity but strategically it was controlled through Birbhum District.
Interestingly, it is also presumed that the Mughal administration failed to penetrate into this area as it is vastly covered by deep forests and because of its geographical isolation. For many years the Santhal Tribe and the Paharias had been living in constant dispute. Eventually, these hilly tracts inhabited by the tribal were declared a property of the British Government. The administrative set up of area could not ensure proper justice to the common man and there was a deep underlying discontent among the Santhals. All these facts and circumstances led to the Santhal Hul of 1855. The basic reason for this catastrophe was the economic privation of Santhal resulting from the permanent settlement. But the British East India Company succeeded in suppressing the rebellion. The Santhals could not face the well equipped British forces. However, a separate district was created and it was given the name of Santhal Pargana. Steps were taken to redress the grievances of the Santhals. Later on Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act 1949 was enacted after the independence of the country for the safety and special identity of this area.
Pakur a part of Santhal Pargana played its role in the country`s struggle for freedom. Santhal Pargana has the distinction of having the largest number of sub-divisions in old Bihar. They are Dumka Sadar, Deoghar, Jamtara, Godda, Pakur and Rajmahal. In the year 1981 Santhal Pargana divided into the four districts namely Dumka District, Deoghar District, Godda District and Sahibganj District. Pakur being attached with Sahibganj as a sub-division was upgraded as a separate district in the year 1994.
