Nagpuri people

Prehistoric era

Stone tools, Microliths have discovered from Chota Nagpur plateau region which are from Mesolithic and Neolithic period.^[6] In Bhimbetka rock shelters, 9000 year old Mesolithic Painting of group dance is similar to the Nagpuri folk dance and musical instrument is similar to Mandar. There are ancient cave paintings in Isko, Hazaribagh district which are from Meso-chalcolithic period (9,000-5,000 BC).^[7] There is a group of megaliths found close to Barkagaon that is about 25 km from Hazaribagh at Punkri Barwadih, which has been proven to date back to beyond 3000 BCE.^[8] During Neolithic Period, agriculture started in South Asia. Several neolithic settlements found in sites such as Jhusi, Lahuradewa, Bhirrana, Mehergarh and Chirand.

Iron age(c. 1800 – c. 200 BCE)

Several Iron slags, microlith, Potsherds have discovered from Singhbhum district which are from 1400 BCE according to Carbon dating.^[9]

In mauryan period, this region ruled by a number of states, which were collectively known as the Atavika (forest) states. These states accepted the suzerainty of the Maurya empire during Ashoka's reign (c. 232 BCE).

Early modern period(c.1526 - c.1858)

The Chero King Medini Ray (1662–1674), ruled from Medininagar in Palamau region.^[10] His rule extended to areas in South Gaya and Hazaribagh. He attacked Navratangarh and defeated the Maharaja of Chhotanagpur.^[11]

Following the death of Medini Ray there was rivalry within the royal family of the Chero dynasty which ultimately lead to its downfall; this was engineered by the ministers and advisers in the court.^[12] In 1765, the region came under the control of the British East India Company. Chitrajeet Rai's nephew Gopal Rai betrayed him and facilitated the Patna Council of the British East India Company to attack the fort. When the new fort was attacked by Captain Camac on 28 January 1771, the Chero soldiers fought valiantly but had to retreat to the old fort on account of water shortage. This facilitated the British army to occupy the new fort located on a hill without any struggle. This location was strategic and enabled the British to mount canon supply and the old fort was besieged by the British on 19 March 1771.^[13] The fort was finally occupied by the British in 1772.

British rule

The Princly states in Chota Nagpur Plateau, came within the sphere of influence of the Maratha Empire, but they became tributary States of East India Company as a result of the Anglo-Maratha Wars known as Chota Nagpur Tributary States^[14]. The Chero and Kharwar again rebelled against the British in 1882 but the attack repulsed.^[13]

Post-independence

After Indian independence in 1947, the rulers of the states all chose to accede to the Dominion of India. Changbhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surguja and Udaipur later became part of Madhya Pradesh state, but Gangpur and Bonai part of Orissa state, and Kharsawan and Saraikela part of Bihar state.^[15]

In November 2000, the new states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand separated from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.