RAMGARH

The word Ramgarh is believed to be derived from Murram (Ram) and Beluagadha (Garh). The region is rich in coal reserves. In the Hazaribagh district, places like Sitagarha and Vishnugarh are mentioned, which indicate that the name Ramgarh may have evolved in a similar manner. According to the District Gazetteer of Hazaribagh (Chapter IV, Page 65), the powerful king Jarasandha ruled over this region. It is believed that Chotanagpur was under his jurisdiction and later under the subordination of Mahapadma Nanda of Magadh and Ugrasen of the Nagvanshi dynasty. It is also believed that during the reign of Ashoka the Great (273–232 BCE), the entire Chotanagpur region was under his control. Symbolic relics from the Buddhist period found in the temple of Gola indicate the existence of Ramgarh during that time. In the 8th century BCE,