During British rule GUMLA was under LOHARDAGA district .In 1843 it was brought under BISHUNPUR province that was further named RANCHI .In fact Ranchi district came into existence in 1899. In 1902 Gumla became Sub-division under Ranchi district. Blessed with natures beauty , the district of Gumla is covered by dense forests, hills and rivers. It is situated in the southwest portion of the Jharkhand State. The District was carved out of Ranchi District on 18th May 1983. The district lies between 22 35 to 23 33 north. Blessed with nature’s beauty , the district of Gumla is covered by dense forests, hills and rivers. It is situated in the southwest portion of the Jharkhand State. The District was carved out of Ranchi District on 18th May 1983. Previously it was a sub-division of old Ranchi district. The district lies between 22′ 35″ to 23′ 33″ north latitude and 84′ 40″ to 85′ 1″ east longitude. The various legends are in currency regarding its name . The most popular one ascribes to its word ‘Gumla’ in Mundari language, which relates to the occupation of the local Tribes in rice processing work (dhan-kutna). The second legend ‘Gau-mela’ relates to cattle fair. Cattle fair was weekly held in Gumla town every Tuesday. In rural areas, Nagpuri and Sadri people still call it ‘gomila’. Till 30th April 2001, Gumla district consisted on 2 sub-divisions viz Gumla and Simdega. But after the creation of Jharkhand State , a new district of Simdega was carved out of Gumla district on 30th April, 2001. Now, Gumla district consists of three sub-division namely Gumla, Chainpur and Basia. Total area of the district is about 5327 sq. km. The total population of district as per 1991 census is 706489, out of which 355505 is male population and 350984 is female population. There is predominance of tribal people in Gumla district. The primitive tribe’s population is 11283, SC population is 24329, ST population is 476316, and BC population is 132610 and others population is 61951. Since obvious that the district has a total of 68% of tribal population, therefore ,it comes within scheduled area . Demography District at a Glance Parameter Value Total Area (Sq Km) 5327 Total Household 153420 Total Rural HH 146909 Total Urban HH 6511 Total Villages 948 Inhabited Villages 944 Uninhabited Villages 04 Number of Panchayats 159 rural + 1 City Council Numbers of Urban wards 22 Number of CD Blocks 12 No. of Assembly Segments 03 No. of Sub division 03 No. of Railway Stations None No. of post Offices 113 (H.O 1; Branch Office 101; Sub office 11) No. of Banks 48 Govt. Commercial banks, 18 Rural banks, 11 Cooperative banks, and 2 Private banks. Metaled Roads 597.78 Kms National Highway Roads 115 Kms State Highway Roads 127 Kms No. of major News Papers Hindustan, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagaran , Prabhat Khabar - Hindi edition. Hindustan Times, Times of India - English edition. Total Area 52956.15 Net Cultivated area 329600 Forest land 135600 Net Irrigated area 22056 Cultivable waste land 31958 Non cultivable land 38226 Aanual average rainfall 1100 mm. Electricity, Water and Toilets No Villages with Electricity 579 (61.33%) Habitations fully covered with drinking water facility 3835 (84.63%) IHHL constructed under TSC 61273 (30.80%) North Latitude 22'35" to 23'33" East Longitude 84'40"to 85'1"