Ghatshila is a beautiful town on the bank of the Subarnarekha River in East Singhbum district of Jharkhand. Ghatshila was once the retreat for the people of Bengal in colonial times. But after independence of India in 1947, Ghatshila became the industrial town mostly due to the presence of Hindusthan Copper Limited. Now, it is a popular weekend destination from West Bengal and Tatanagar due to the presence of artificial lake called Burudih Lake and Narwa Forests. Ghatshila is situated in a forested area of Eastern Ghats Mountain Range in India. As there are numerous stones on the banks of the river the place got its name `Ghatshila`.
History of Ghatshila
Ghatshila is now popular for "Apu". It is a fictional character of Bengali novel "Pather Panchali" written by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. The Apu Road still exists. Earlier, Ghatshila was under the kingdom of Dhalbhum. Later this area became the "Jungle Mahal".
Geography of Ghatshila
Ghatshila is located at 22.60 degree North to 86.48 degree East. It has an average elevation of 103 m. Ghatshila is situated on the banks of Subarnarekha River, at a distance of approximately 45 km from Jamshedpur, the district headquarters.
Administration of Ghatshila
There is a community development block named Ghatshila. This block was established on 4th May 1962. Now the tribal population and the employees of Hindusthan Copper Limited reside there.
Demography of Ghatshila
Ghatshila had a population of 37,850 inhabitants. Males constitute 53 percent of the population and females constitute 47% of the population. In Ghatshila, 11% of the population is less than six years of age. The town has an average literacy rate of 73%, which is slightly higher than the national average literacy rate of 59.5%. The male literacy rate is 79% and the female literacy rate is 65%.
Culture of Ghatshila
Ghatshila is a small township which has a mixture of people from various communities like Bengalis, Gujratis, Marwadis, Punjabis and Muslims, all staying together in harmony participating in each other`s festivals. This place enjoys an excellent aerial view which can be enjoyed from the top of the hill. Surrounded by rocky hilly terrains, this area provides an awesome landscape.
Economy of Ghatshila
Ghatshila is one of the major townships of industrial belt of Dhalbhum Estate. The economy of this region is based on Hindustan Copper Limited and the nature and leisure tourism.
Tourism in Ghatshila
Ghatshila is an ideal tourist destination and in and around the town lays several excursion sites. Pancha Pandava hills, Burudi Dam, Dahijora, Dharagiri Falls, Phuldungri Mountain, Galudih and Musabani, Narwa Forest, Kakrajhore, Raatmohana, Rakini Temple and the Royal Palace of Dhalbhum are the most popular tourist destinations of this region. But now the Palace of Dhalbhum is a session court in Ghatshila. At a distance of 9 km from Ghatsila at Burudih, there is an artificial lake surrounded by hills on all sides. Some other nearby places to Ghatshila are Fuldungri Pahar at Fuldungri, Bengali Writer Bibhuti Bhushan Bandhopadhayay`s Cottage at Dahigoda, Rajbadi at Rajstate, Ramkrishna Math at Dahigoda and Shivdas Ghosh Children`s Park at Tamukpal etc.
Visiting Information to Ghatshila
Ghatshila is easily accessible from anywhere in eastern India. It is connected via road ways, railways and airways. Ranchi International Airport and Ghatshila railway station are the nearest to this place. Ghatshila can also be reached by road via National Highway 16.
