TOPOGRAPHY. 



western mountains attain 3,600 feet and there is much forest 

 about Biru and the watershed of the north and south Koel. 



Manbhumis generally a low-level undulating plateau 

 dipping to the east, but there are considerable hills in the 

 south and west, the principal of which are the Dalma range, 

 attaining 3,000 feet, and the hills of the Baghmundi plateau] 

 attaining 2,220 feet (Gangabari Mountain). The last contains 

 an area of Protected Forest situated in parganah Mahtah. 

 The only other areas of Protected Forest in Manbhum are 

 situated on the small bills of parganah Koelapal, to the east 

 of the Dalma range, which last forms a natural boundary 

 between Singbhum and Manbhum on the south. 



The Dalma Range is interrupted where the Sub- 

 hanarheka breaks through it, at the boundary of the 

 two districts. Where this river crosses from Hazaribagh and 

 Ranchi into Manbhum it forms a waterfall, known as the 

 Hundrn Gag, which is 320 ft. high Away from the 

 mountains mentioned, however, Manbhum is flat or but 

 slightly undulating, now and again dotted with the small 

 isolated conical hills, or rocks, referred to above. The 

 central portions are drained by the Kosai river, which flows 

 ultimately into the Hughli. There are no reserved forests, 

 and most of its zemindari forests and the recently protected 

 blocks have long since been reduced to a condition of scrub. 

 The desolation of the empty fields in the hot season, unrelieved 

 bv that touch of Nature which can even beautify the desert, 

 resembles many parts of upper India. 



Except for a considerable plateau in its eastern centre 

 Singbhum is * mountainous country. On the north the 

 Porahat plateau, adjoining the higher one of Ranchi, is much 

 diversified by ranges of mountains and deep rocky glens ; 

 the homes of bears, leopards and tigers. 



The high ridge in the north-west corner, on the borders 

 of Ranchi, is sometimes known as the Layada Range, and 

 leaches 2,900 ft. The Girga forest lies on some of its more 

 rugged spurs. The valley of the North Karo, full of rocky 



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