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, Jain Tirthankara idols were established at Parasnath, suggesting the presence of early Jainism in this region. The District Gazetteer (Chapter IV) also mentions that Samudragupta (335–380 CE) passed through Ramgarh during his invasion of the Eastern Deccan, indicating its existence during the Gupta period.
During the reign of the Munda rulers, particularly Mudra Munda, Ramgarh existed as a settlement. The presence of the Munda tribe further supports this fact. In the Nagvanshi regime, Chotanagpur remained under their control, and Ramgarh continued to exist as part of the region.
Muslim Regime (1206–1526 CE)
During the Turk-Afghan period, Jharkhand, known as a forest region, was under the subordination of the rulers of that time. According to the District Gazetteer (Chapter IV, Page 68), the Ramgarh estate was established in 1368. The founder of the Ramgarh regime was King Bagdeo Singh.
The capital of Ramgarh was initially at Sira and was later shifted to Urda, Badam, and finally to Ramgarh. In 1642, the sixth king, Hement Singh, built his residence at Badam. In 1670, the headquarters was shifted permanently to Ramgarh. Around 1740, Ramgarh was referred to as the “Jungle District of Ramgarh.” In 1770, King Mukund Singh ruled Ramgarh.
British Regime
The East India Company obtained rights over Ramgarh from Shah Alam II. According to the District Gazetteer (Page 70), in 1771 Captain Camac was appointed as the Military Collector of Ramgarh, with headquarters at Chatra.
The Ramgarh Military District included Nagpur, Palamau, Hazaribagh, Chatra, Giridih, and Koderma. The headquarters of the Ramgarh Battalion was at Hazaribagh, commanded by a European officer.
It is recorded that Raja Ram Mohan Roy, founder of the Brahmo Samaj, stayed in Ramgarh during 1805–06 while serving as Sheristadar under Magistrate William Digby.
In 1811, the Ramgarh Battalion was deployed to suppress the Munda, Oraon, Tamad, and Kol revolts. In 1837, Ramgarh became a police station under British administration.
In 1857, during the First War of Independence, Rupu Manjhi played a significant role. On 8 January 1856, Sheikh Bhikhari and Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo (often locally referred to as Upraon Singh) were hanged at Chhuttupalu Valley, also known as Lalki Ghati. The banyan tree there is remembered as “Phansiyahi Bor.”
In 1923, K.B. Sahay of the Swaraj Party was elected to the Provincial Legislative Council from Hazaribagh district
Freedom Movement & Post-Independence Period
In 1940, the 53rd Session of the Indian National Congress was held at Ramgarh under the presidentship of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Simultaneously, Subhas Chandra Bose organized the Anti-Compromise Conference. M.N. Roy was associated with the Radical Democratic Party during that period.
The Ramgarh Cantonment Council was established in 1941. Two army training centers—Sikh Regimental Centre (SRC) and Punjab Regimental Centre (PRC)—are located here. Ramgarh Road Railway Station was established in 1928.
In 1991, Ramgarh subdivision was formed. On 12 September 2007, Ramgarh became a separate district comprising Ramgarh, Gola, Mandu, and Patratu blocks. Later, Dulmi and Chitarpur blocks were added. The district was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Madhu Koda. The District Registration Office is located in Gola, and the Collectorate now functions from a new building