The spelling of "Chota Nagpur" can be confusing for some because of the pronunciation of the word in Indian languages. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈtʃoʊtə ˈnæɡpʊər/. The first part, "chota," is pronounced with the sound of "ch" as in "cheese," followed by a long "o" sound and a short "t" sound. The second part, "Nagpur," is pronounced with the "Nag" sounding like "nug" with a short "a" sound before the "p" and a schwa vowel sound after it.
Chota Nagpur refers to a region located in eastern India, specifically in the state of Jharkhand. It is an extensive plateau that encompasses approximately 65,000 square kilometers. The term "chota nagpur" translates to "small hill" in Hindi, which accurately reflects the geography of the area.
The Chota Nagpur plateau is composed of hilly terrain and flat tablelands, ranging in altitude from 150 to 700 meters above sea level. The region is rich in mineral resources, particularly coal, iron ore, copper, and mica, making it an important industrial zone in India. The area is also known for its fertile soil and agricultural activities, with crops like rice, wheat, and maize being cultivated.
The Chota Nagpur region is home to numerous indigenous tribal communities, who have a distinct cultural heritage and maintain their traditional way of life. These tribes, such as the Munda, Oraon, and Santhal, have their own languages, customs, and rituals, adding to the region's cultural diversity.
Furthermore, Chota Nagpur boasts scenic landscapes with verdant forests, waterfalls, and picturesque hills. It attracts tourists with its natural beauty and offers opportunities for activities like trekking, wildlife exploration, and bird watching.
Overall, Chota Nagpur is an important geo-cultural region in eastern India, characterized by its hilly terrain, mineral wealth, agricultural prominence, tribal communities, and natural beauty.
The term "Chota Nagpur" originates from the combination of two words: "Chota" and "Nagpur".
- Chota: The word "chota" is derived from the Hindi language, where it means "small" or "lesser". This word is often used to distinguish between two similar-sounding places. In this context, "chota" is used to differentiate between "Chota Nagpur" and "Big Nagpur", an area located in present-day Maharashtra, India.
- Nagpur: The word "Nagpur" is derived from the Sanskrit language. It is a compound word consisting of "nag", meaning "serpent" or "snake", and "pur", meaning "city" or "town". Thus, "Nagpur" can be translated to mean "city of snakes" or "serpent city".