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INTRODUCTION

          The district of Keonjhar, lying between 21^o1'N and 22^o10'N latitude and 85^o11' E to 86^o22' E longitude presents a panorama of millennia, both from the geographical and anthropological point of view. Spread over an area of 8,240 Sq. Kms, it is as varied as the whole of Orissa with water-falls roaring gorges, mountains and minerals. The manifold expressions of nature in this district are unique in Orissa.

          Keonjhar has the distinction of containing one of the oldest rocks of the world, approximately 38,000 million years old covering an area of 100 Sq. Kms at Asanpat. It has also the oldest stone inscription of  Orissa paleogeologically belonging to the Gupta period.  In Sitabinj, one finds the fresco paintings in the cave shelter of Ravana Chhaya dating back to 5th Century A.D.     

          Anthropologically, its two main tribes, namely the Juangs and the Bhuyans carry a distinct and primitive past. The Juang claims themselves to be the most ancient tribe of the world. In spite of  their modern ways of living, many aboriginal practices are still prevalent among them.     

          The district of Keonjhar is highly rich in mineral resources and has vast deposits of Iron, Manganese and Chrome Ores. About 30 percent of its total area is covered with  tracts of dense forests. But the district, in spite of its immense mineral and forest wealth, still remaining economically backward.     

          As a sequel to the integration of the feudatory states with Orissa on 1st January, 1948, the erstwhile princely state of Keonjhar emerged as one of its districts with its head-quarters at Keonjhargarh and since then it has been continuing as such.

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