Subarnarekha
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Subarnarekha
The streak of gold
River of Bengal. Rising 10 miles south-west of Ranch! town, in Ranchi District, in 23° 18' N. and 85° 11" E., it flows towards the north-east, leaving the main plateau in a picturesque waterfall called Hundrughagh. From this point it forms the boundary with Hazaribagh District, its course being east- wards to the tri-junction point with Manbhum District. From this point the river bends southwards into Singhbhum, then passes into the State of Mayurbhanj, and afterwards enters Midnapore District from the north-west. It traverses the jungle in the western tract of this District till it reaches Balasore, through which it flows in a tortuous southern course, with gigantic windings east and west, until it finally falls into the Bay of Bengal, in 21° 34' N. and 87° 21' E., after a course of 296 miles, having drained an area of 11,300 square miles. The chief tributaries of the Subarnarekha in Chota Nagpur are the Kanchi and Karkarl, both joining it from the west. The river is navigable by country craft for about 16 miles from its mouth, up to which point it is also tidal, and the bed is studded with islands. During the rains rice boats of 2 tons burden make their way into Mayurbhanj. The border- ing country is cultivated to within a few miles of the sea in the cold season. The Subarnarekha is fordable only at places within Balasore District ; it is embanked here in its lower reaches.
