රාජ්මහල් කඳු

The Rajmahal Hills, situated in the Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand, India, were once part of the northern edge of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent. These hills, covering an area of approximately 2,600 km² (1,000 sq mi), are home to the Sauria Paharia people, while the valleys are predominantly inhabited by the Santhal community. The Rajmahal Hills derive their name from the town of Rajmahal in eastern Jharkhand. The hills run in a north-south direction, with elevations ranging between 200–300 meters (660–980 feet), spanning from Sahibganj to Dumka districts. The Ganges River flows near the hills, altering its course from east to south as it passes by.

The Rajmahal Hills were formed due to volcanic activity during the Jurassic period, creating what is known as the Rajmahal Traps. These hills are geographically positioned at approximately 25°N latitude and 87°E longitude.

In the early 19th century, Francis Buchanan-Hamilton journeyed through these hills, describing them as rugged and largely unexplored. He noted that the local population was often wary of outsiders, with some villagers avoiding contact altogether by fleeing.

One of the most significant aspects of the Rajmahal Hills is their rich fossil deposits, containing plant fossils that are estimated to be between 68 to 145 million years old. These fossils have drawn the attention of geologists and palaeobotanists from around the world. The inter-trappean beds of the Rajmahal Formation have been designated as National Geological Monuments by the Geological Survey of India, to protect and promote the area for geotourism. The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany in Lucknow houses a collection of these fossils. However, concerns have been raised about the potential destruction of these invaluable fossils, especially after a mining lease was granted to private companies in 2018 by the state government.