Rarh: Difference between revisions

The word Rarh originated in the ancient [[Austroasiatic languages|Austric language]] and means 'a land of red soil'. <ref name = ‘rarh’>{{cite web| url = https://bangadarpan.blogspot.com/2010/03/rarh-region-in-west-bengal.html | title= Rahr Region in West Bengal | publisher= Banga Darpan | access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref>

Rarh is the oldest part of [[Gondwana]] which was formed 300 million years ago.<ref name = ‘rarh’/>

Archaeological findings at [[Pandu Rajar Dhibi]] in [[Purba Bardhaman district]], [[Dihar]] in [[Bankura district]] and other places have thrown fresh light on the pre-history of this region. Stone implements and other findings indicate early human settlements in this region, but it is difficult to identify their time-period. Ancient Greek and Latin sources (3rd century BC to 1st century AD) refer to a place named [[Gangaridai]] which is identified to be located in this area. The earliest records point to the human settlements in this region of Vanga, Pundra, Radha and Gauda [[Janapada|janapdas]], possibly having non-Aryan inhabitants. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=History| title= History | publisher= Banglapedia| access-date = 7 August 2023}}</ref>

The Rarh region was divided into several smaller regions – [[Kankagrambhukti]], [[Bardhamanbhukti]] and [[Dandabhukti]], as part of the [[Gupta Empire]] (4th -6th century BC). <ref>Ghosh, Binoy, ''Paschim Banger Sanskriti'', (in Bengali), part I, 1976 edition, pp. 82-86, Prakash Bhaban</ref>

According to the early [[Jainism|Jain]] scripture ''Acharanga Sutra'', [[Mahavira|Mahāvīra]] (599-527 BCE), the 24th [[Tirthankara|Tīrthāṅkara]] of [[Jainism]] travelled in the pathless country of 'Ladha' in [[Vajjabhumi]] and [[Subbhabhumi]] at a time (5th Century BC) when the country was lawless, and the people were harsh at Mahavira.  Many great people were born in the Rarh region form ancient times: [[Patanjali]], who systematized [[Yoga]], [[Kashiram Das]] and [[Krittibas Ojha]] retold the Indian classics [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]] in simple Bengali and is still popular as Kashidasi Mahabharat and Kirittibasi Ramayan. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://bardhaman.com/history/ | title= History |publisher= Bardhaman.com | access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref>

The Rarh region is a high, undulating continuation of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. <ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.britannica.com/place/Rarh | title=  Rarh | publisher= Brittanica| access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref>It lies between the Chota Nagpur Plateau and the [[Ganges Delta]].<ref name = ‘rarh’/>  

The eastern Rarh region is composed of the western part of [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]], the northern part of [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]], [[Purba Bardhaman district]], [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]], [[Howrah district|howrah]], [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]] and [[Indas (community development block)|Indas]] in [[Bankura district|Bankura]].<ref name = ‘rarh’/>  

The Western Rarh region is composed of [[Santhal Pargana division|Santhal Parganas]], most of [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]], [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]], parts of [[Bankura district|Bankura]], [[Kasmar block|Kasmar]], [[Petarwar block|Petarwar]], [[Jaridih block|Jaridih]] of [[Bokaro district]], Gola block of [[Ramgarh district]], [[Silli block|Silli]], [[Sonahatu block|Sonahatu]], [[Bundu block|Bundu]], [[Tamar block|Tamar]] of Ranchi district, [[Singhbhum district|Singhbhum]], [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]] and parts of [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschhim Medinipur]].<ref name = ‘rarh’/>

[[Bengali language|Bengali ]] is the sixth most spoken first language in the world. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/world/ | title= World| work= Languages |publisher= World Factbook | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref>Bengali is one of the 22 languages recognized by the [[Constitution of India]]. <ref>{{cite web| url =  https://www.sscadda.com/national-language-of-india/ | title= National Language of India as Per Constitution, Complete List of 22 Languages in India |publisher= SSC Adda 24/7| access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref>[[Rarhi dialect]] has emerged as the base of the standard Bengali language.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.gktoday.in/question/the-standard-bengali-language-is-emerged-from-whic | title= Rarhi dialect | publisher= GK Today| access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref>

[[Dharmathakur]] is a Hindu-deity worshipped by many followers in the Rarh region.  A special village god (gram devata) he is represented by a shapeless stone daubed with vermillion and is normally placed under a tree or placed in the open, but sometimes enshrined in a temple. In the Middle Ages, [[Dharmamangal]] eulogised Dharmathakur. <ref>O'Malley, L.S.S., ICS, ''Birbhum'', ''Bengal District Gazetteers'', p. 36, 1996 reprint, first published 1910, Government of West Bengal</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dharma-Thakur | title= Dharma-Thakur | publisher= Brittanica | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dharma_Thakur | title= Dharma Thakur | work= Sambaru Chandra Mohanta |publisher= Banglapedia | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref>