Itkhori Block


Itkhori is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Chatra subdivision of Chatra district, Jharkhand state, India.

Overview

Chatra district forms a part of the Upper Hazaribagh Plateau, Lower Hazaribagh Plateau and northern scarp. Located at an elevation of about, the general slope of the district is from north to south. Red laterite acidic soil predominates in an area that is primarily dependent upon rain-fed agriculture. Around 60% of the district is covered with forests. The district has a population density of 275 persons per sq km. Around two-thirds of the families in the district live below poverty line. In the extreme south of the district some portions of Tandwa CD Block are part of North Karanpura Coalfield.

Maoist activities

Jharkhand is one of the states affected by Maoist activities., Chatra was one of the 14 highly affected districts in the state. 5 persons were killed in Chatra district in 2012, but Maoist activities, such as arms training camps and organisation of ‘Jan Adalats’ were on the decline.
, Chatra was identified as one of the 13 focus areas by the state police to check Maoist activities.

Geography

Location

Itkhori is located at
Itkhori CD Block is bounded by Chauparan CD Block, in Hazaribagh district, in the north, Mayurhand CD Block in the east, Gidhour CD Block in the south and Kanhachatti CD Block in the west.
It is located 35 km from Chatra, the district headquarters and 16 km from Chauparan on NH 19.

Area

Itkhori CD Block has an area of 160.60 km2.

Physical features

The Mohana flows through Itkhori CD Block.

Gram panchayats

There are 12 panchayats and 159 villages in Itkhori.
Gram panchayats of Itkhori CD Block/ panchayat samiti are: Koni, Dhuna, Itkhori, Tonatanr, Dhankheri, Pitij, Halmata, Saharjam, Malakpur, Parsuni, Nawada and Karni.

Demographics

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Itkhori CD Block had a total population of 74,929, all of which were rural. There were 37,869 males and 37,060 females. Population below 6 years was 13,516. Scheduled Castes numbered 17,882 and Scheduled Tribes numbered 338.
Itkhori village had a total population of 7,121 as per 2011 census.

Literacy

census the total number of literates in Itkhori CD Block was 41,775 out of which males numbered 24,276 and females numbered 17,499. The gender disparity was 31.20%.
census, literacy in Chatra district was 60.18% Literacy in Jharkhand was 66.41% in 2011. Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.
See also – List of Jharkhand districts ranked by literacy rate

Languages

, Nagpuri, Khortha, Hindi and Urdu are spoken in the region.

Education

Krishnaballabh Sahay High School is famous there. Land for this school was donated by Parmeshwar Dayal who was lanlord of Dhuna Village. Approx 1,000 students study in this school. There is land measuring 601 katha which is used as a play ground. It was donated by a Dhuna resident.

Culture

is said to have sat for meditation at Itkhori. There are various Buddhist relics at Itkhori dating from 200 BC to 1200 AD. The Bhadrakali temple was built in the 9th century AD. The remnants of the past reflect a superior quality of workmanship.
There are some links to the Jain Teerthankar, Sheetalnath.In 2012, the Archeological Survey of India has excavated an ancient Jain idol from beneath of the Bhadrakali temple compound.